I carried the M60 most of my tour. I can remember some of the names of people in the squad, but not all and sometimes I probably don't spell them accurately. . Names I remember from 2-2 Squad are Jimmie Robinson, Sergeant (Reid) Choate, Joe Williams, Jon Wendelin (we talk still a couple of times a year), Bill Sable, Henry Fugate, Chris Kutchey (died stepping on a mine), Tom Becker (died in the night ambush). Other people I can remember only first names for: Roger (50 gunner who was wounded in the legs, last name may be Marshall), Hogie(I took the M60 over from him, he drove the track thereafter).

Other faces I remember from these pictures but don't know the names anymore. There were two squad leaders before Sergeant Choate, one left almost immediately after I arrived (Don was his first name), and the other (who was very helpful to me) left about 6 weeks later I believe his name was Greg MacKinnon .

We started this album idea with Mario because we thought it would make sense to post pictures we took, and share them, partially to record our history, partially to help us remember names, and partially just because. The goal is to get everyone to share pictures here, and then fill in the missing names, dates and events. This section of the album is for each of you who submits pictures to tell us a little about your experience, people you knew, thoughts you might have. Anyone can view the site, but only Triple Deucers can post pictures. Of course anyone related to a tripledeucer who is not longer with us is entitled to post as well.

So, dig thru your pictures, get them scanned and be prepared to help us record the history of the Triple Deuce, in what ever war you were in, in whatever capacity you served.

My personal story was simple. I arrived and was picked by 2-2 squad because I was a big guy and Hogee needed someone to take his M60, since he was taking over track driving duties. I had the usual number of night ambush patrols, listening posts, and daily mine clearing (which was our primary mission). I Was on two tracks that hit mines, and next to another that hit one...God watched over me, I was not wounded. I was in Dau Tieng, the night of the 2nd Tet Offensive when Dau Tieng was seriously penetrated. It was not a pleasant experience but the Triple Deuce stood proud.

I went on R&R late in my 8th month in country. 2 hours before the plane took off for Hawaii, i came down with appendicitus. Nothing in the Army is ever easy, so they cut an 8 inch gash in my stomach to discover the problem (world's longest appendix scar). The Red Cross stepped in and I was sent to Honolulu (via the Philipines and Guam) for recovery. 4 weeks later I was told to report to Fort Ord, California because I had less that 60 days left in country. (Some Army rule that I still call that my personal 4th of July Miracle).

At Fort Ord i was made a Training NCO (fancy name for records clerk) in an AIT Infantry Company. In January of 1970 I took an early out to back to school and took computer programming classes. I worked in the Industry for 4 years and finally quit working, went back to school on the GI Bill and received my Computer Science degree and an Administration Degree.

IBM hired me and I worked there for 32 years, then retired. I have a great wife who puts p with me and two great boys, both of howm went into computers as well. Now with two Grand Kids I spend my time woodworking, being the webmaster for Vietnam Triple Deuce, and performing lots of Honey Do's.

Steve irvine