What's New at the 28th

• New Book by David Maraniss
  Rome 1960 by David Maraniss is the Blockbuster story of the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome
  The Release date is July 1, 2008

• Sad News
  Sgt Fairman's wife Helen, died of Cancer on April 30, 2008

• LTG Robert Haldane
  LTG Robert Haldane passed away from Cancer on Wednesday 5 March. He was one of our finest combat commanders, a constant, dedicated supporter of all Black Lion activities and the epitome of the professional Army officer.
  He took the 1st Bn, 28th Infantry to Vietnam in August of 1965 and commanded it for the following year. Returning to Vietnam in September of 1968, he commanded 1st Division Support Command until February 1969 and then the 3rd Brigade, 1st Inf Div until August on 1969.
  He was the first Honorary Colonel of the 28th Infantry Regiment and could always be counted on for sage wisdom and advice. He attended reunions, memorial services and the officers dinner regularly.
  Friend may call at the Everly Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA on Sunday, 9 March from 1 to 4 pm. Funeral Service will Thursday, 1 May at 9 am at the Old Post CHapel, Ft Meyer. Burial will follow at Arlington.
  Farewell old friend!

• The 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry is Coming Back!
  On March 17, 2008, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry in Schweinfurt, Germany will become the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, Black Lions.
  The reactivated 2nd Battalion will be part of the 172nd Seperate Infantry Brigade, stationed in Grafenwohr, Germany.

• Julio Martinez - Recon 2/28th 6/67-6/68
  Is now a VA Service Officer for the VFW and is willing to help veterans with their claims.
  Contact Julio via email: JulioMartinez2007@cox.net - Thanks Julio!

• Roy Key's Wife
  Susie passed away suddently on Jan 10, 2008. She was only 49 years old. Roy Key was with 2/28th Chharlie & Delta from 1/67-1/68.

• The Rock
  David Laub, who survived October 17, 1967, was given a surprise "Rock" from his daughter for Christmas.

• Son of James Blackwell
  Michael Blackwell, son of James Blackwell(S2, 2/28th, KIA 10/17/67) will be in Washington, DC on Friday, November 9th, for the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Wall.
  If you would like to meet Michael, you can email him at miblackw@vt.edu or contact Fred Kirkpatrick for his phone number.

• ESPN/FSN This Saturday 10/6/07
  ESPN Game Day this Saturday will be doing a segment on the relationship between KSU and the Black Lions.
  ESPN's Game Day is from 10-12PM Eastern Time. At 12:00 Eastern, KSU vs KU begins on FSN (Fox Sports Network).

• Veterans Memorial for Wesley E. Dodson
  A Veterans Memorial is being built at the side of the Wesley E. Dodson Bridge in Robinson, PA, Wesley's home town. Wesley was KIA on October 17, 1967 in Vietnam while serving with Alpha 2/28th. A $5000 state grant has been received and the rest of the project is being funded through donations and the selling of bricks that will display the name of a local Veteran or Gold Star Mother. The cost of the bricks are $50 each. A seperate area will display bricks with the names of donors. The memorial will also display the flags of all branches of services as well as MIA and POW's. There is also plans to have a howitzer on the site. Ground has been broken and dedication is being planned for Veterans Day.
  If you are interested, contact Wesley's brother, Don Dodson, via email at dondeb1@verizon.net or call him at (724) 694-9238

• Press Release on Jim Shelton's upcoming 7/25/07 Talk

• Caring Warrior
  Jane Menetrey, a journalist and published writer, has written a book about her husband General Louis C. Menetrey
  "Caring Warrior , General Louis C. Menetrey"
  From the fields of Vietnam to Commander of all forces in Korea, Menetrey was the ultimate leader. Mrs. Menetrey compiled remembrances from friends and soldiers and added materials from his files, his own words from his Oral History and narrations of her own. Order from Xlibris

• Chris Ronnau - 2/28th Charlie 1967
  Has written a book about his experiences in Vietnam
  "Blood Trails" written by Chris Ronnau is now available at book stores
  Order from Amazon.com

• "A Gathering of Warriors" by Sgt Mike Troyer
  Troyer's version of newly formed Delta Company 2/28th (7/67-7/68)

• Memorial Service for Iraq Black Lions
  There will be a Memorial Service for SGT Cornell, PFC Richardson, and PFC Glawson,
  on Thursday March 29, 2007 at 1300 hours at Morris Hill Chapel at Ft. Riley.

• General Shelton to Speak on July 25, 2007

  Sibley J. Smith, Jr., Director of Education
  Vietnam Era Educational Center at the
  New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial
  Garden State Parkway, Exit 116
  1 Memorial Lane, P.O. Box 648
  Holmdel (Monmouth County), NJ 07733
  1-800-648-VETS www.njvvmf.org
  

  Dear Sirs:

  Please note that General Shelton has agreed to serve as a guest speaker here, at the Vietnam Era Educational Center museum, on Wednesday, July 25, at 7:00 PM. He will discuss his book, The Beast Was Out There: The 28th Infantry Black Lions and the Battle of Ong Thanh, Vietnam, October 1967. Would you please support this program by, at least, speading the word amongst your membership, particularly those who live within day-trip driving distance and who might be able to help give and bring audience to the general's talk? If there are Black Lions in the New Jersey/Philly/NYC area, I'd love to be able to solicit their help in both encouraging attendance and perhaps providing refreshments for a reception after the talk. In January (for instance), for a program remembering the 39th anniversary of the Battle of Khe Sanh, local members of the Khe Sanh Veterans Association and the Dusters, Quads and Searchlights Association, through their efforts, helped bring an audience of 70 people for the program. I'd like no fewer to help thank Big Jim for volunteering to do this program for us. I hope you can help. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me at sjsmith2@njvvmf.org or call me at 1-800-648-VETS.

  Sincerely,

  Sib Smith
  

• A Gathering of Eagles
  1000 Hours, March 17, 2007
  Vietnam Memorial Wall
  Washington, D.C.
  to defend "The Wall" against the MarchOnPentagon.org

• They Marched Into Sunlight
  Movie adaption of the Vietnam War-era book by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Maraniss.
  Release Date:2008

• "Two Days In October" wins Emmy
  The documentary based on David Maraniss' acclaimed 2003 book, "They Marched Into Sunglight", captured a Creative Arts Emmy Award.
  The "glamour" categories of the Emmy Awards will be presented live August 27, 2006 at 7PM on NBC. The more technical and behind-the-scenes awards were handed out August 19, 2006 in Los Angeles. "Two Days in October" won in the Exceptional Merit in Non-Fiction Filmmaking category.
  The Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony, which was hosted by Penn & Teller
  will air this Saturday August 26, 2006 at 7PM on the E! Network.

• 1st Infantry Division Return to Ft. Riley and Gathering of Black Lions
  On Tuesday, 1 August, the Big Red One officially returns to Ft. Riley. All 1st Infantry
  Division veterans are invited to attend the ceremonies associated with this very important
  event. The following day, 2 August, the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry will host
  Black Lion veterans for a day of activities.

  31 July - 1730 to 1930 - Welcome Reception at "Riley's" on Ft. Filey post

  1 August
  0900 - Cavalary Parade Field
  - Inactivation of the 24th Infantry Division
  - Transfer of Authority for Ft. Riley to 1st Infantry Division
  - 1st Infantry Division Change of Command (MG Hunzeker to MG Ham)

  1800 to 2100 - Junction City Reception - Junction City/Geary County
  Convention Center next to the Courtyard by Marriott

  2 August - Will be "Black Lion Day" in the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Area
  - 0630 to 0800 - Iron Lion PT Competition
  - 0830 to 0930 - Black Lion Prayer Breakfast (Chap Geary) in Mess Hall
  - 1100 to 1130 - Regimental Room Dedication
  - 1130 to 1300 - Open House and Equipment Display
  - 1700 to 2000 - Reception at Battalion Commander's quarters

  Rooms. Roooms are available at the Courtyard by Marriott for $79 per night plus tax.
  Call 1 (785) 210-1500. Mention Big Red One Committee.

  Local Transportation. The 1/28 is trying to get a van to transport our veterans to and
  from the Black Lion activities, but confirmation has not been received yet.

• "Two Days In October"
  Documentary based on David Maraniss' book "They Marched into Sunlight" will air again on Memorial Day May 29, 2006 on PBS American Experience.

• Fort Sill Dedication to Harold Durham
  Fort Sill is planning to dedicate plaque to "Durham Hall", their hall of fame, in June 2006

• Vietnam Era Saga Wins Peabody
  "Two Days In October", the PBS documentary based on David Maraniss's "They Marched Into Sunlight", won the Peabody Award, widely considered the most prestigious award in electronic media.

• Black Lion DSC's Awarded in Vietnam
  There were 1,057 DSC's awarded in Vietnam from 1963-1973. A total of 82 were awarded to 1st ID. 10 were awarded to Black Lions, one since Vietnam and one is still pending.

• VFW Magazine - February 1, 2006
  Pages 34-36 features an article about the Battle of Ong Thanh on October 17, 1967, considered one of the top ten battles of the Vietnam War.

• Updated Link List at Lion Link
  Check out How to Find Anyone,Tips To Find Your Buddy, How To Get Your DD-214, How To Get Your Medals and Military Records, and Lots More.

• 1st Battalion Commander & CSM at Fort Riley, Kansas 1/06:
  Battalion Commander: LTC Patrick Frank
  CSM: Clifford Dockter

• Black Lions: This is a “good news” – “bad news” report about the future of the Black Lions. The good news is that the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry will finally become part of the 1st Infantry Division again on 16 January 2006. The bad news is that the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 28th Infantry that are currently stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, will be reflagged and become other Fort Jackson training units on 16 November 2005. The 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry will be deactivated. Since there will no longer be any 28th Infantry units at Fort Jackson, our Regimental Reunion planned for the spring of 2006 at Fort Jackson will not happen. All Black Lions are invited to the activation ceremony at Fort Riley, Kansas. Since the 16th of January is a federal holiday, this very important ceremony will be held on 12 January 2006. On that date, the new 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and all of its subordinate units, including the 1st Bn, 28th Infantry will be officially activated. The 4th Brigade is planning a day of activities culminating in the activation ceremony at King Field House in the afternoon. If there is sufficient interest and attendance, we will have a 28th Infantry hotel and hospitality suite. Further details when available. Please spread the word! Hope to see you there. Black Lions, Ed Burke

• "Two Days In October"
  Documentary based on David Maraniss' book "They Marched into Sunlight" will air this October 17, 2005 at 9PM on PBS American Experience. Earlier in the month there will be two screenings plus some panel discussions in Madison, WI, organized by Wisconsin Public Television. Clark Welch and Jim Shelton will be participating in some of the discussions.
  Any and ALL Black Lions are invited to attend to attend the events. Contact David Maranisss at David_Maraniss@msn.com if you are interested. Here is the schedule:
  1) Tuesday, October 4th
  Taping for television program at WPT studios.
  2) Wednesday, October 5th
  Major Donor Lunch and conversation at Monona Terrace at Noon. In the afternoon, screening for lunch attendees and UW History Department. Evening: Public Forum discussion of Vietnam/Madison lessons to be drawn.
  3) Thursday, October 6th
  Noon: Seminar at UW with History department.
  4) Friday, October 7th
  Evening: Screening of "2 Days in October".

• Chris Ronnau - 2/28th Charlie 1967
  Has written a book about his experiences in Vietnam:
  Tenative Title: Blood Trails
  Author: Chris Ronnau
  Publisher: Presidio Press
  Publication Date: September 2006
  Estimated Retail Price: $6.99

• Paul Greengrass
  will write and direct They Marched Into Sunlight, an adaption of the Vietnam War-era book by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Maraniss.
  The Universal Pictures feature will be produced by Playtone's Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.
  Release Date:2008

• Editor for The Lions Pride
  Ed Burke is looking for someone who would be interested in being the Editor of "The Lions Pride.
  You would be responsible for putting together 2-3 issues per year. If interested contact Ed Burke at (703) 719-9851 or BLKLIONED@aol.com

• 1st Annual Black Lion Award goes to Will Sullivan #98
  Will Sullivan #98, starting Defensive End for Army is the recipient of the first ever Black Lion Award at West Point.
  Look for Will and the Black Lion over White background this Saturday December 4, 2004 during the Army/Navy game.
  The formal presentation of the award will be at the January 4, 2005 banquet and the presentation will be made by the Holleder family.
  The AFC is preparing a permanent display for the locker room and Will will receive a certificate and gift at the banquet.
  

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  My good friend Pasquale Tizzio was buried at Arlington Cemetery on November 18, 2004 with full military honors overlooking the Pentagon.
  At the ceremony:the Tizzio family, Tizzio's girlfriend from 1967, close family friends, and
  Black Lions: David Maraniss, Jim Shelton and his son, Ralph Morton, Clark Welch, David Aldridge, and myself (Fred Kirkpatrick).

• John Iorio & Marion Iorio, sister of Pasquale Tizzio will be moving her brothers body from Long Island National Cemetery, to Arlington National Cemetery.
  The Ceremony will be on Thursday November 18, 2004 at 11:00AM. If your attending, you must be there by 10:30AM.
  A luncheon will follow at the Marriot Crystal City after the ceremony. If you plan to attend, Please R.S.V.P. to Marion at (718) 352-6070
  Pasquale Tizzio, one of Terry Allen's RTO's , was KIA on October 17,1967.
  It was Tizzio's wish to be buried at Arlington if he should be KIA in Vietnam as told to his good friend Paul Scott while with Charlie Company.

  If any Black Lion would like to attend attend the ceremony, or send a donation to the Tizzio family, contact Marion Iorio
  211 Forest Road
  Douglaston, NY 11363
  (347) 563-8740 or (718) 352-6070

  Thank you in advance for your help!

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• Current COs & CSMs of Ft. Jackson's two Black Lion Battalions:

  1/28th: CO - LTC Chris Rizzo, CSM - Billy J. Blackman

  2/28th: CO - LTC Mel Hull, CSM - Barry Kelly

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• Robby Kenner, an award-winning filmmaker, is working on a documentary based on David Maraniss's book "They Marched Into Sunlight". The film will be broadcast on PBS's American Experience on October 17, 2005 (tentative date). Like the book, the documentary will tell the story of the October 17, 1967 Ong Thanh battle as well as the Madison, Wisconsin, student protests.
  Although Robby will be contacting some of you directly, he is hoping to collect as many visual materials (Super-8mm films, photographs..)as possible pertaining to that battle and the days leading to it, as well as the aftermath. Things of interest would be anything that could help illustrate the life of the soldiers who were involved in that battle: general photographs of Lai Khe (village, camp), Vung Tau, photographs taken during missions, at NDPs, at evacuation hospitals, etc...

  If you would like to contribute your materials (which will be well-cared for and returned) please contact Lisa Chemery. The phone number is (323) 460-6486 or email
  lisa_chemery@hotmail.com

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  • Hanks Going to War with Vietnam Saga
    Tom Hanks' production company has optioned the feature
    film rights to "They Marched Into Sunlight"

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  • "They March Into Sunlight: War and Peace in Vietnam and America October 1967"
    written by David Maraniss, about the events of October 17, 1967 is now available at at book stores
    Order from Amazon.com Now - Save 30%!

    - Read the 1st Chapter!

    - Read the Kirkus Reviews about this best seller!

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  • 1/LT Albert Clark Welch
    Company Commander of Delta, 2/28th on October 17, 1967 - Narrative description for award of Medal of Honor Recommendation.
    Clark Welch was awarded the DSC on April 27 2003 for his actions on October 17 1967 and a new MOH recommendation with three additional eyewittnesses is pending.

  • VC Tunnel Hospital
    Jonathan Clemente MD, jonathan_clemente@yahoo.com
    is researching a scholarly history of the US Army Medical intelligence from WW II to the present. Wants to write extensively about the Army's medical intelligence effort in the Republic of Vietnam.

    Interested in getting in touch with Black Lion veterans, especially those of Bravo 2/28th, who particapated in Operation Lam Son in April 1967 and may have knowledge of the large VC tunnel hospital captured near Lai Thieu. Interested in description of the tunnel and disposition of the captured medical material in the tunnel.

  • New Commander of the 28th
    LTC Phil Kaiser, (pictured with his sister), will be taking over for LTC Sam Hawes.
    Great Job LTC Hawes!

  • "The Turncoat
    Black Lion Gerard Grosso's book is getting RAVE Reviews!

  • "The Beast Was Out There"
    Black Lion BG Jim Shelton's book about his experience in Vietnam 1967
    All monies derived from the sale of the book will first go to cover costs, and any other monies will be shared equally by the 28th Infantry Association and the 1st Division Museum to further memmorialize the sacrifices of our great men who have passed.

  • Back to Vietnam
    Clark Welch, Delta 2/28th Company Commander on October 17, 1967, and David Maraniss, "They Marched Into Sunlight" were back in Vietnam on January 31, 2002