Mike
Groves
Mike Groves
joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. after completing High
School in 1966. In 1967 he volunteered for the draft, figuring if he
finished his two year obligation, came home, and still felt the same way
about his fiancé, Cathy, they would get married.
He completed his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. AIT at
Ft. Polk, Louisiana and APC Driver training at Ft. Knox,
Kentucky.
He served with Alpha Company, 3rd squad, as a 
.50 gunner and driver of
"33" track from April 1968 until January 1969. After being
wounded he finished up his tour in Dau Tieng Base camp during the months of
February and March 1969. Upon returning home in April 1969, he married his
fiancé and finished the remaining 6 months of his obligation with the 3rd
Armored Regimental Cavalry at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
Member - 22nd Infantry Regiment Society
Member/President Vietnam Triple Deuce, Inc.
Life Member - 25th Infantry Division Association
Member - Vietnam Veterans of America
Life Member - VFW Post 2593
Life Member - NRA
AKA 'Magnet'
Born on August 4, 1942 at the Santa Anita, California Relocation Center.
·
Grew up and attended Grade
School, High School and Community College in the Los Angeles California Area.
· Graduated from Los Angeles Trade Technical J.C. in 1964 with an Associates in Science Degree in Automotive Technology.
·
Upon graduation from L.A.T.T.C.
joined the then Chrysler Corporation's Engineering Staff and worked in the area
of Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Control Development & Testing.
During the time frame encompassed by
February 1964 to January 1967 his Selective Service Classification was: Exempt
because of Critical Occupation.
·
Inducted into the U.S. Army in
February 1967. Basic Training was taken at Ft. Ord and AIT was taken at Ft.
Polk. After completion of AIT was assigned to his Training Company as Cadre for
a little over 3 months.
·
Arrived in RVN in September
1967 then was assigned to C/2-22. While with C/2-22 was awarded the CIB, Purple
Heart w/3 Clusters, Bronze Star w/V
and attained the rank of Sgt. The
reason he became known as Magnet is: The first 3 Purple Hearts he was awarded
came in 7 weeks and were all from shrapnel.
·
Departed RVN on August 22,
1967.
·
Separated from Active Duty from
the Medical Holding Company at Ft. Ord on December 6, 1968.
·
Rejoined the Engineering Staff
of the then Chrysler Corporation on January 2, 1969.
·
Married first wife Caren on
December 11, 1970. Was married to Caren until her death in late December 1995.
During this marriage raised two children who now have families of their own.
·
In 1977 awarded a Bachelor's
Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
·
In 1985 awarded a Master's
Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
· In November 1996 married Linda who is the current Editor of the VN/2-22 Newsletter. Has 37+ years of credited service with Damler Chrysler Corporation.
Currently is a Vehicle Emissions Regulatory Planning & Compliance Senior Specialist with responsibility for assuring Damler Chrysler Corporation compliance with all aspects of California Vehicle Emissions Control Requirements.
Was drafted in October 1965 from Los Angeles, CA. Basic training was taken at Ft Polk, LA and AIT training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. Attended Infantry O.C.S. at Ft. Benning, GA and received commission in Sep 1966. Stationed at Ft Rucker, Al and Ft Benning before leaving for Vietnam in April 1967.
Served
with Company B, 2/22 as a platoon leader of the 3rd platoon from
April to December 67, and then back in the rear as the Company XO, and took over
the command of the company with CPT Mitchell was wounded.
Spend 16 months on Omaha NB as the Senior Army Advisor to the Army Reserve in Nebraska and South Dakota.
Returned to Vietnam in Sept 1969 and served with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Brigade, Americal Division. I had command of B Company for 6 months, and then returned to the battalion rear and served as the battalion S4 and Headquarters Company Commander.
Returned to the states and attended the Infantry Officers Advance Course at Ft Benning, and then two years at Park College in Kansas City Mo. to complete my BA in History, Economics and Business Administration at the Army’s expense. After that, was assigned to Germany, where I spent 39 months with V Corps Artillery as the Comptroller and Financial Management Officer of the Military Community of Darmstadt. Was passed over for Major (no time with an infantry unit for over 5 years). Got out of the Army in 1977 at Ft Riley, KS.
Settled in Kansas City, MO and started my career in Health Care Administration working with Nursing homes, and then into management consulting of medical practices. In 1978, became an administrator of an ophthalmology practice in Kansas City, and have been an administrator for practices in Kansas City, Houston, Baltimore, San Antonio, Austin, Sarasota, and now in Port Charlotte, FL.
I
am a founding member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, Past
President, and on the Board of Directors. A
member of the National Committee for the Certification of Ophthalmic Executives
which developed the certification programs for Ophthalmic 
administrators, and on
the National Board for the Certification of Ophthalmic Executives which now
oversees the certification program.
Karen, my wife of 21 years and I live in Sarasota, FL. I have one daughter Candy (who was born while I was serving with the 2/22. I was on an ambush patrol south of Soui Da when I was notified at 0215hrs. Candy was 7 months old when I first saw her) lives with her family in Kansas City. She has one son, Derek, 10 years old. Two stepdaughters, Missy, whole graduated from Kansas University, and lives in Kansas City, and Heather, who graduated from the University of North Texas and lives in Houston.
David was born September 26, 1946 in Long Beach, California. He lived with his Grandparents in a small home in Westminster, California until his mother remarried when he was five years old. He graduated from High School at age seventeen and went to work for McDonald Douglas a year later as a Reprographic Technician. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy, when he was nineteen and they are still married to this day. And “they” said it would never last! Judy is the power behind the throne and actively participates with him in all endeavors except one, fishing. She gets seasick!
Six
months after his marriage he was drafted into the Army on April 3, 1967. He
attended Basic Training at Fort Ord, California. He had a four-hour leave and
was placed on a jet en route to Fort Polk, Louisiana for Advanced Infantry
Training. He became an Expert in 81mm mortar. The cadre in Basic and Advanced
training continually attempted to get David to attend OCS but David was
interested in getting out of the Army as quickly as possible. Attending OCS
would have caused him to spend thirty-four months in the service. Being newly
married, the simple two-year program had more appeal.
After
graduating from Tiger Land in Fort Polk, David had a three-week leave and then
reported for a tour of duty in Vietnam arriving the first week in September
1967. David was assigned to C company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd
Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He spent one year assigned
to both the third and fourth platoons. Managing to stay alive, he arose to the
rank of Sergeant E5 and performed the duties of a squad leader. David left
Vietnam in September 1968, returned home for a leave then reported to an armor
unit in Fort Knox, Kentucky. On January 3, 1969, David received an early out
from the military to attend college. His military service time was a total of
twenty-one months. His goal to get out of the service in the least amount of
time possible had been achieved.
David
joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1969 where he remained for
thirty-two years. He retired in 2001 at the rank of Captain having the
responsibility of over five hundred employees and an annual $45,000,000 budget.
His assignments included Jail, Patrol, Investigation, Personnel, Harbor (boats),
Training, and Academy Commander.
David
has two adult daughters, Kim and Deni who both enjoy Mexico deep sea fishing
with their father as well as volunteering to drive Dad’s antique cars, a 1957
Chevrolet Bel Air and a 1953 Chevrolet 3100 pick up truck.
David
is presently a Life Member of the 22nd Infantry Regiment Society and
he is the Secretary for the Vietnam Triple Deuce, Incorporated.
Jim
May
I was born and raised in Providence, RI. I attended Parochial Grade School and Christian Brother’s High School. I was drafted in February 1966 from Providence, RI. Basic Training was taken at Ft. Dix, NJ. My Advanced Individual Training was taken at Ft. Knox, KY. My MOS is 11 D, Reconnaissance Scout. In August of 1966 I entered OCS at Ft. Eustis, VA. I received my Commission on February 9, 1967. I was 20 years old.
My first duty assignment was with the 197 Inf Bde, (The School Brigade) at Ft. Benning, GA. I was assigned to the 2nd BN, 10th Arty (Comp) as the Bn Motor Officer. I later served as CO, HQ&HQB and then as Brigade Assistant S-4.
I arrived in Cu Chi in late February 1968. After my in country training had been completed I was sent to Dau Tieng to be the DTO FWD and the Platoon Leader of the Provisional Co. Motor Platoon. I spent the next six months running convoys through the Ben Cui Rubber with the Recon Platoon, 2/22. In September I was ordered to Cu Chi where I served as the Division Convoy Control Officer. I returned to the States in late January 1969.
I entered Bryant College in Providence, RI in
September of 1969 and 
graduated with honors in 1972.
I hold a BS Degree with two major areas of concentration, Economics
and Business Management.
I worked in the wholesale lumber industry after graduation and during that time I first moved to Maine. I relocated in Las Vegas, Nevada and worked as the comptroller for a group of transportation related businesses. I missed New England and returned to Rhode Island where I began my career in the Financial Services Industry.
My work activity was divided between Maine and Rhode Island. In 1990 I took time away from work and built the home I now live in.
In 1992 I joined Dworkin Associates Inc. as the Marketing Director for the State of Maine. Dworkin Associates Inc. is a Brokerage General Agency and represents twenty of the largest Financial Service Companies in the country. I completed the CFP Professional Education Program in February of 1996. I am a Member and an Officer of the local chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. I am also a Registered Representative of LifeMark Securities Corp., a National Association of Securities Dealers Member Firm. I am a past member of The Million-Dollar Round Table.
Gail and I were married on October 3, 1986. We live in Norridgewock, Maine, a small town on the Kennebec River about 60 miles from the Quebec border. My mother, Rita, lives with us. Gail and I have no children.
I am an avid outdoorsman. My interests are fishing, hunting, boating, snowmobiling and motorcycling. I am a Life Member of the North American Fishing & Hunting Clubs and The American Rifle Association. I am a member of the American Motorcyclist Association and the International Norton Owners Association.
Lynn Dalpez, our house artist and all around raconteur
Lynn is our new Director, he designed and helped produced the ORA. This photo was taken on 10/23/03 late at night (as is obvious).
Lynn
Dalpez was born in Portland, Oregon, Nov. 15, 1946, and was raised in
rural Oregon—in the towns of Dallas, and Roseburg.
He received the famous “greetings” letter ordering him to
report for active duty, Dec. 10, 1965, thus starting his “walk in the
woods”, with The Triple Deuce, then a part of the 4th
Infantry Division.
Lynn
served with the 1st Squad, of the 3rd Platoon, of
‘C’ Company, as a rifleman at first, then as the 3rd
Platoon Leader’s radioman. He
is a veteran of the USNS Nelson M. Walker boat ride to Vietnam in Oct.
1966, then operations Attleboro, Cedar Falls (Gadsden), Junction City, and
The Battle of Soui Tre. He
attained the rank of Sergeant E-5, after being transferred to the 87th
Infantry in Saigon. His
decorations include the coveted Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
He rotated home late September, 1967.
A few years after returning home, he found himself in love forever with his future wife, Linda Ann. They married in Feb. of 1972, and have a son, Justin Matthew. Lynn has since spent his years working in sales organizations, and pursuing his artist endeavors. He currently is the Customer Service Manager for Graphic Products, Inc. Linda works for the State of Oregon, Child Services Division. Justin graduated an honor graduate of Portland State University, and is currently getting his feet wet in management.
It was while performing his duties at work, that he came into contact with the 4th Infantry Division, once again. His 4th I.D. customer directed him to the 22nd Infantry Regiment Society web page, and encouraged him to sign on. Thus started Lynn’s road back to rejoin his Combat Brothers. Lynn proudly proclaims himself a, “Charlie Boat Original.”
Bill
was always ready to help you along with a well placed injection, and just
in case, his jeep was always nearby.
Bill's current photo shows the effect of extensive plastic surgery.
Born
and raised in Tipton, Kansas a small (population app. 400) German Catholic
farming community in North Central Kansas. I enjoyed the benefits of rural
living: hard work, close
family ties, hunting and fishing. My
dad was a World War II fighter pilot.
We had a small two seater private plane that we used for spotting
coyotes and other pleasurable activities.
In 1966 I graduated from high school and studied welding at the area vocational technical school. On December 6, 1966, I joined the National Guard. After school I went to work for a local farm machinery manufacturer as a welder. My high school sweetheart and I were married. Basic training was in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and AIT with an MOS of 6320 in Aberdeen, Maryland. I came home on leave for the birth of our first child in August of 1967. In a return to civilian life, I worked for the same manufacturer. Sometime in April 1968 .while welding with the radio going in the background, I heard a news flash regarding outfits being called up for active duty. Surprise. Surprise. Our unit was activated on May 13, 1968. We went to Ft. Hood, Texas. Shortly after, individuals were selected to be sent to Vietnam.
February
of 1969 I went to Vietnam and settled into Company D 2/22 at Dau Tieng.
We did maintenance on the APCs.
During the first hour being there, I saw they had a portable welder
and asked if they needed a welder. They
said yes so that is what I did while in country.
March 1969 our second child was born. Later on I was on the advance
party to move to Tay Ninh to set up the base camp.
I returned to the US in August of 1969.
We
had two more children and later the marriage ended. In January of 1973, I took a job with Mitchell County as the
County Weed Director. After
34 years I am still there. Around
17 years ago I moved to Beloit, which is the county seat.
Vera and I were married in 1991. Between us we have 5 kids and 7
grandkids. I have enjoyed
being a pilot, scuba diving, flying radio controlled airplanes and ham
radios. Recently I have begun machine quilting commercially.
In
addition to being on the 2/22 Board and editing the newsletter, I am
quartermaster of the local VFW post.
It is a small but active post.