Original first Air Medal

[Mike Dobson]

I'm trying to remember , does the original Air Medal certificate say something to the effect of " against insurgents in S.E.Asia" or more specifically, " against blaa blaa blaa in South Vietnam " ?  

[Mike Connelly]

Mike
Mine says Southeast Asia.

[Howard Jacobs ROH]

Mike... mine says "during missions in support of combat operations in Southeast Asia against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors"  Then dates from and to... etc.

[Mike Dobson]

Thats what I remembered too --- I'm not home right now so was working on memory ----  Gary Taylor, the combat photographer, earned a air medal while flying with us ------ that is what his air medal says, and the evaluator (or what ever his handle is)  , who seems to be in Janesville Wisconsin, says that is too general -- it should say Vietnam according to him.   Well, once again, a veteran is dealing with someone who thinks paperwork should show everything perfect by todays standards ---- well, it was perfect 50 years ago, and Garys unit was minuscule with a far looser system ---- can you imaging Yokusuka Japan (Which is where Gary was dispatched from) trying to pre document what Det to go to on what day and how to get there ???   We couldn't even do that being IN the squadron and didn't have all the gear Gary was toting !!!      Gary's MACV card with picture and name , authorizing him to travel anywhere should have been a deal maker from the get-go -----  After all. MACV means Military Assistance Command Vietnam  as I remember

[Mike Louy]

Hey Mike,  I just got a note from Tom Anzalone who was with me on Det. 4 in '67-'68.  He got a note from a Mr. TURNER who was a combat photog from Yokosuka.  

Gary Turner
3035 Oliver Street
Bozeman, MT 59718
406 522-7397  


Saying "VA lacks proof I was in Vietnam.  I was a Photo Mate with Combat Camera Group in 1968, mostly April and May flying with Seawolves on various Dets."  

Is someone trying to work a scam or is this guy for real?  Different names, same story.

Best to all,

Mike Louy

[Mike Dobson]

awww hell, MY ERROR !!!   TURNER !!!   TURNER !!    don't know how I skipped to taylor --- MY BAD !!    Gary is for real, I've seen many of his pictures --- his dates are right and the places are right --- the names he can see on his pictures are also right .   He still has cans of 16 mm film from there ---  The VA is messing with this guy .....  Please advise Tom to endorse him ------   the clown in Janesville thinks we would somehow remember every single person's name that we met in Nam -----  admittedly, Gary would have been at any Det for a short period of time, and learning names wasn't exactly one of our strong points was it ??   I'm not sure I could name all of my HS graduating class and there were only 60 -----  and I was with most of them for 12 years !!   ......  Mike Connally, if you read this , please contact me !

[Mike Dobson]

Mike Louy, Gary identified Tom specifically in one of his photos --- you must have been there at the same time ---- he had pictures of a holed windshield and said there was rotor damage also --- might be Det 4 ?     Call Gary and talk to him, I'm sure you will agree the real deal

[Mike Brinck]

Mike Dobson - pls call me at 410-271-0297.

MB