1/83 Artillery Update
May 19, 2014

1/83rd Unit News

"Bill, it was 45 years ago yesterday that “Doc” Paddleford received a critical head wound from shrapnel during an attack on FSB Bastogne. Eagle Dust Off called me and I flew with them for the pickup. After triage at the hospital in Phu Bai he was sent out to the Hospital Ship Hope where they had neurosurgeons. I flew out to visit him, but he was unresponsive. He died later that day (today). A truly sad ending for a young man of vigor, commitment and compassion for his fellow man. As Battalion Surgeon at the time, I felt it a privilege to have known him. I hope all of our band will pause today to send a thought and prayer Fred’s way.

Joe Babb
Battalion Surgeon 1/83 (8/68-8/69)"

To see more on Doc, click here.

2. Request for Information - I received a reply from John Yore to Stan Kalwinski's recent question about who were the CO's of HQ Battery and A Battery during TET 1968. Capt Chuck Fleming was A Battery Co until Feb 1968 when John took over as A Battery CO.

John thought that the HQ Battery Co may have been a Capt Griffith (don't know last name). If anyone can verify that (and/or supply his first name) let me know.

In addition, John sent me a 1968 photo of a group of Officers.

From left to right are Lt. Giles, Capt Griffith, I don't know who the next guy is with the thumbs up, next is Capt Tony Armagno cooking steak, then its Capt Chuck Fleming holding a glass, last is Capt Ossorrio looking at grill.

If you can identify:
a. the unknown guy (with thumbs up)
b. or fill in any missing first names and Batteries of these men
let me know.

3. Health News -

a. Les Spohr (68-69), Harold Whitten (67-68), John Yore (67-68) and Don Donaldson (New Zealand) all are, or recently have been, dealing with some serious health issues. Please reach out with a message of support. Contact info for all can be found on the Roster.

I try to make everyone aware of these situations when I know of them but probably have dropped the ball on some occasions. I apologize if I have so please let me know and I will correct that. I am a firm believer, from my own personal experiences, that the support I have received is of great comfort and help.

b. Bill Bailey (76-79 1/83rd Germany) is a VA service Officer and has helped some of us before with VA questions. He just sent this advice.

"Hello Bill,

I wanted to pass along some info related to Agent Orange, and the presumptive diseases associated with exposure. This link shows the current presumptive's, and descriptions of each.

When it comes to filing a claim, being exposed in and of itself is not a disease. If you have a diagnosis of one of the presumptive's listed, file right away. A Letter of Intent sent to the VA will start the one year time frame in which you can gather medical records, etc., to submit to the VA along with your claim. Any award will come back to the day that the Letter of Intent was received by the VA.

Also, a VA study looking at COPD and Agent Orange exposure was recently completed (in 1999-2000). I encourage those brothers and sisters who were exposed to Agent Orange and have a diagnosis of COPD to file a claim for that, even though COPD is not a presumptive disease at this time. Reason being, the laws continue to change, and what may be denied today, could be awarded in the future. Better to err on the side of caution, and get your claim in.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp#veterans

Thanks for your service.

William Bailey
Asst. Veterans Service Officer
Johnson County Veterans Office
247 Elk Drive Suite 102
Burleson, Texas 76028"

c. Unfortunately, many in the group have Prostate related problems. Rich Magin (66-67) had a family member with this problem and passed along this advice if you are going through this yourself.

"Bill, some years back a family member had his PSA levels in the double digits, so his doctor advised him of the potential of cancer. He went in for microscopic surgery, and had a long road of recovery to regain control of his bladder.

For those of us who might want to try some bladder exercise in the event they must go in for the prostate surgery, "while urinating, hold your stream, and then release it." According to my family member, this was the advice his doctor gave him to help strengthen the muscles that he needed for his recovery. The exercise is pre-surgery. Rich"

3. Good News - Rich Webekind (66-67) recently welcomed his 5th Grandchild. Christian Webekind, was born May 15 to S/Sgt Richard and Hilary Webekind. Mom, Dad, Baby, brother Richard III, and grandparents are all doing well!

Congratulations to all the Webekind family!

5. I want to thank all of you who sent me your many messages of support for my Granddaughter Julie. After 7 weeks in the hospital, Julie came home last week and is doing much better. She is not out of the woods yet, so keep her on your prayer list please, but things are looking much better.

6. Check out these 2 pages on the 83 site and see if you can provide any answers. Missing and Inactive.

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Be sure to let me know what is going on in your life so we can share it with everyone in this section. See the latest 1/83rd News by clicking here.

General News

"I was stationed with HHC 1/327th at Camp Eagle in May-Oct. 1970. If you or anyone else remembers grunts being attacked by NVA on June 25 and twice on June 26, it would be helpful to me?
Stephen Struzan
sstruzan@yahoo.com "

Please contact Stephen directly if you can help.

2. Dan O'Brien (69-70) sent along this story on the 101st Airborne. Click here.

Interesting Links and More

2. Dan O'Brien (69-70) sent this video of the ceremony at Dover AFB when a fallen service man or woman return. Click here.

Website Updates

3. Check out all the latest updates by looking at the website Table of Contents.

Vietnam Veterans of America Update

2. VVA website

2014 Reunion News

Show promo.

Hughes Bros website

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2. Please check the list on the website of those who have said they will attend the 2014 Reunion and make sure you are listed and that you are listed correctly.

3. Unless you are extending your stay longer, please make sure your hotel reservation covers at least 3 nights (October 12, 13 and 14). You will need to stay through Tuesday night Oct 14 (Check out on Oct 15) if you plan on going to the Farewell Dinner on Tuesday evening. Please double check the confirmation you receive from the hotel to make sure the dates are correct.

4. If you have any questions on the reunion, please let me know.

1/83rd Unit Crest Patches and Pins

If you want an 83rd Artillery Unit Crest Pin, I have a link on the website where you can order them from one of the 3 vendors listed. I have bought from all 3 of them and they are identical in quality, all are very good. Please note that Uniform Accessories will ship 2 for one price where the other 2 only ship 1 for almost the same price.

1/83rd Roster

I am sure that each of us has someone they would really like to reconnect with. If we all pitch in, we may find many more of our old buddies. Here are some ways to do that:

1. If you are in contact or have contact info for any 1/83rd guys please contact them and tell them about our group or at least tell me and I will contact them.

2. Look through the roster on the website and if you know of others who are not listed, let me know who they are. Also, if you see any incorrect or missing info (including your own entry) let me know.

3. If you have copies of old orders tucked away someplace, send me a copy so I can make sure those names are on the roster.

4. Sometimes all it takes is a name and location and we can find someone but the more details we know the better our chances.

Please make sure that your email system allows emails to be received from both of my email addresses, bill_t_08012@yahoo.com  and artillery_83rd@yahoo.com

Please note that there are no blank spaces in email addresses. What you see in mine between words/characters is the underscore (_) character.

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