WE-WERE-SOLDIERS.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-02-18T16:42:32Z

I was on FSB Phi Ma near the An Loc rubber plantation when the attach on Illingsworth went down. We were expecting human wave attacks and on 100% red alert but it never happened on Phi Ma (Black Horse). I was serving with E Co 1/5 Recon.

We saw the fireworks on Illingsworth that night and it was a horrifying sight. Smoke, flares, gunships, Snoopy circling the base. It was unbelievable! It went on until daylight and we were very apprehensive about the fate of the guys on that fire base. Our fears were not unfounded. As usual it took a number of days for all the information to filter the 5 or so kilometers between our sister fire bases. The result certainly was not encouraging except that the personnel on the base had wasted so many NVA.

A good friend of mine (I found out 3 weeks later) was killed in this attack. He was with the artillery and my understanding is that he was killed while attempting to re-establish commo by putting up a new antenna. His name is Tom Murphy of River Falls, WI and he was a specialist with the artillery unit. He was the finest guy that you could ever befriend. We lived in towns about 12 miles apart but through our athletic competitions and competing for each others girlfriends Tom and I became very fast friends. No one met Tom Murphy and left without have a new friend. I attended a service at the Highground Memorial near Neilsville, WI when a Legacy Stone was laid in Tom's honor in the walk at the memorial. It was a powerful ceremony where we spent meaningful time with Tom's family and reminisced about this great man. Tom was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his actions that night. I miss Tom every day for the great friend that he was. You can find a description of the Highground ceremony on the echorecon.com website. Please visit and leave your comments.

I will always be thankful that I met another hero who was on Illingsworth that night. His name is Robert Shepardson and he hails from Grants Pass, OR. He too was a participant in and held witness to the horrifying events of that night.

In closing I honor all who died, were wounded, and who fought so valiantly that night on April 1, 1970. May God keep you all in a special place.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Leigh Livermore
SSG Echorecon 1/5 1st Cav. Airmobile

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-02-16T05:40:22Z

Hey Jim - Remember it all too well.
I am proud of our men killing all of the targets.

Today I still have flashbacks around that time of the year.

God bless us all.

Shep

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-02-14T14:45:13Z

I WAS ON IIILINSWORTH WITH 77 ARTILLERY.

Comment on Gabby Luna

2010-02-05T22:12:23Z

To Chuckie and Gabbie, You were like
brothers, you suffered with pain,
laughed, enjoyed all that life could give. Bless our fallen comrade, keep
him in our memories, live life as he
would want us to. We love you chuckie.

SSG. Kilgore

Comment on LZ Ike

2010-02-05T22:06:38Z

Loved your article about LZ Ike, See
you at the reunion in October in Warm Springs, Georgia.

Love You brother,

SSG. Kilgore

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-02-02T06:07:49Z

My e-mail is hometeam@montana.net.

Comment on LZ Ike

2010-01-30T23:37:50Z

I was there on LZ Ike on September 8, 1969 at the time of Randall's original description on this website. I was with the motor pool with the 2/8 1st Air Cav, and it was one of the longest Mad Minutes I ever had, lasting from midnight til 5 a.m. Sgt Whitey asked me to help with the evac of wounded to the Chinook on the chopper pad later that morning and the chopper was fired upon and then landed on the VIP pad where he should have been in the first place.

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-01-29T05:57:59Z

Thank you. I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I appreciate your passing my information along. LeRoy does have a surviving brother (my father) and sister. My phone is 406-697-7983 also.

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-01-12T22:27:23Z

After I sent the email from Jack L. Morrison to my E,2/8,1st Cav guys, Bill Radam sent a copy to Dana ____ who was in Radar with Bill Radam . Dana sent this reply to Bill.

Bill,

Here’s a memory, more so a visual that I have.

Maybe a day or 2 before April 1, the 11th wanted to come to Illingworth & our Commander (don’t remember his name) said “No, there is no room on the LZ for your tanks.”

If memory serves me correctly. I heard this conversation in TOC. It was a humorous one.

Do you remember this visual?. The 11th came out of the clearing, X tanks flanked (impressive) in a jester stating “were coming anyway and did.”

Got pretty crowded as we in the know, know.

Dana

Comment on My memories of Firebase Illingworth on April 1, 1970

2010-01-12T22:18:46Z

The following was an email sent to Randall Richards from Jack L. Morrison. I forwarded it to some of the guys from Echo, 2/8, 1st Cav Div. Some of them sent comments.

Of all the news articles, videos, and broadcasts yesterday about this event, I think this video (about 4 minutes long) is the best one by far.
It's outstanding....especially the last minute or
so...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/10/19/VI2009101902649.html?sid=ST2009101903723

Many of you participated in or supported those in this fight or were in
country on March 26, 1970 or knew of a relative who served in Vietnam
during this time period or any other time. I like it because it's more
than just a summary of events of one battle by a member of A Troop, 11th
ACR - it's a tribute to all Vietnam Veterans who served honorably.

Welcome Home!

Jack Morrison