In Tribute to Those Who Served    

Our Departed Brothers

We will meet again at Fiddlers Green,
And have good talk.
We will talk of battles hard fought,
With acts of Valor and Courage,
And loves lost and won.
Mount up,
And go with God.
Officers and Men of D16-173 ABN BDE
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Click on Any Photo to Enlarge it.
Taps and Amazing Grace can be silenced below
CSM Clifford McDowell Jr.
CSM (RET) Clifford “Mac” “T-Bird” McDowell Jr., 72, native of Gum Springs, VA and resided in Radcliff, KY passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021. Mr. McDowell was retired from the United States Army and had served two tours in the Vietnam War, and one in Korea. He served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 16th Armor Company, and the 194th Armor Brigade. He was retired from Louisville Metro Police Department. His memberships include: Kentucky Pro Bass Warriors, and Lighthouse Mission Church of Deliverance. He was also an avid fisherman, an excellent billiards player, and a die hard Washington Redskins fan. He was a loving father, a devoted grandfather/ great grandfather, and the definition of a stellar husband.
​Survivors include:
His loving wife of fifty-two years, Sharon Marie McDowell; four children, Annisha Williams, Clifford McDowell III, Latoya McDowell, Lakischa McDowell-Greatheart and her husband Arnie; fifteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; four sisters, Shirley Askey (Dennis), Celita Gaither (Julian), Sheila Yarbough (Eric), and Lucille McDowell; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Funderburk; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family & friends. He was the community dad & grandad and he never ever met a stranger
​https://www.chismfamilyfunerals.com/obituary/Clifford-McDowellJr
SSGT James Waggoner
James Donald Waggoner, 48, of 6205 Lakebluff Place, Fayetteville. He was a retired Army sergeant first class and was a Vietnam War veteran. A graveside service with full military honors was conducted at the Post Cemetery on Fort Bragg by Chaplain Raymond Wade. Mr. Waggoner is survived by his wife, Luisanna P. Waggoner of the home; a daughter, Annalisa F. Waggoner of the home; a stepdaughter, Nathalie J. Grippon of the home; his mother, Violet J. Bledsoe of Bath, Maine; a brother, Paul D. Waggoner of Brunswick, Maine; a sister, Barbara J. Bush of Stewart, Tenn.; and his paternal grandfather, William
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pe/name/james-waggoner-obituary?id=23675865
SP5 Brett Beyer 
Brett was an exceptional paratrooper and human being. He was always quick to help anyone who might need it. He served as a APC track driver in Tuy Hoa. He was the best as any of his fellow soldiers would attest. He was fearless and would always help regardless of circumstances. He attended all D16th Reunions and brought a perspective that each of his fellow paratroopers appreciated. He passed away November 7, 2020 of complications of COVID. His brother, an 82nd Airborne veteran wrote, " Brett was very proud of his service to his country and gathering with fellow 173rd veterans was always a high point of the year for him" 
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pantagraph/name/brett-beyer-obituary?id=9761517
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CSM Jack Mandequit
I asked him to go scuba diving with me in Hawaii and I would pay for it. He said “ no way, there are sharks in the ocean “. My reply was “ Jack you are Hawaiian and you people worship sharks. “. His reply - “ not me”. But I said when we were at the beach north of Tuy Hoa you taught us all how to body surf. His reply “ did you remember I didn’t go into the ocean to do that . Son of a b..... I said ,you didn’t. Love the guy and his perpetual smile.
1st SGT Dannie Watkins
​Who could ever forget Dannie and his cantankerous humor and good nature. He did much good work in his life and many will miss him, especially the Vietnamese Community in California, the Purple Heart veterans he assisted and  those who served with him in Vietnam.
SP5 David Shelton 
​Mortar Platoon FDC, D/16 1966-1967.  4.2" Mortar Platoon HHC, 1/503d 1967-1968.
SGT Abelardo V. Miranda 
​June 1, 1936 - March 22, 2014 Squad Leader Mortar Platoon 1966-1967
Abel served with the original 503d Regiment in Okinawa before it was reorganized and became the 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), later to join it in Vietnam, both times with D Company, 16th Armor. Throughout his final years, he was very active with different activities within the chapter, as much as his physical status allowed. Burial services were conducted at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Gene Muller ​
He was a Psychologist, graduating from the University of Texas and practicing in Texas and Colorado until his death
Dave Tzynski
 I served with “ Ski” from the spring of 68 until I left in Feb 69. We were on the same track in first platoon off and on depending on our platoon strength. He had a great sense of humor but had a temper when pushed. All my pictures of him are smiling. He was great to serve with. I remember one instance in a free fire zone where we ran across a young kid who of course wasn’t supposed to be there but was. Dave “ ski” got off the APC to check him out. As Dave bent over to check him the kid pulled out a rice knife. Now I don’t know if the kid meant to hit ski with it but that was the way ski saw it. He was choking that kid beyond belief. I jumped off the APC and calmed him down. Ski was by nature a strong kid and it was probably by a stroke of luck the kid survived. I think we let him go as we had Arvns with us and I believe they didn’t think he was a threat. ( over 53 yrs ago my memory ain’t that great ). Dave was from the Erie Pa area and was proud of that. The last time I saw him was at one of the Rochester Mn reunions. He was thinner than I thought healthy and was not sure something was wrong. Heard he passed not long after that. I’ll always remember serving with a great trooper and a guy with a perpetual smile. RIP Skysoldier ​
Robert Hartwell
He and Bill Miller came from Germany to get away from the environment there ( pretty bad when a combat zone is preferred over Europe). They were best buddies and could drink beer better than anyone . One night while on a fire base it was my turn for guard duty. I heard them say “ let’s pull Hahn’s duty for him, we still have a partial case of beer left “. After Vietnam Bob became a Boston cop. The trauma of his last big battle never left him and his life ended early as a result. He was a good soldier to serve with. ​
​George A. Tyler, Sr. September 19, 1948 - July 10, 2014.
​Services were held Thursday, July 17,2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Pastor Eric Gallmon officiated. Military honors followed.  After a long battle of illness, Mr. George A. Tyler, Sr. went to be with the Lord, July 10, 2014. He served in the U. S. Army, 173d Airborne Brigade, 1968 - 1969, during the Vietnam War.
Russell Woodard 
​Russell served in D/16, 1st. Platoon 173d 4-66 to 4-67.
He was a great trooper and when he got home he served on the Omaha Police Department till his death.  You are not forgotten.
Platoon Sgt. A. Opdenacker, ​1st Platoon, D/16 1966-1967
​This was his last day in Nam. He was going to retire shortly after he got home.  He is holding his farewell plaque from the military. He was a truly great trooper and leader of men. 
George Tyler, Sr, ​Specialist 4
"Each of us had friends...close friends...forever friends. George was my closest friend. When that bullet went through his leg, I helped put him on the chopper. Each of us walked the same Nam yet each of us saw different parts. I shall always miss my friend George. Yes I am white and George was black but our blood was red. I know, I saw his and he saw mine."   Stephen Manthey 
Sgt Robert Lewis
​4.2 “ Mortar Platoon, Co D, 16th Armor, 1966-1967 
Passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Bob was a good man and treated everyone with equal respect. He was a exceptional squad leader and kept his troopers prepared for any mission sent to them. Bob attended the first D16 reunion, but had been in ill health since then. He will be missed by all, particularly those in the Mortar Platoon who knew him well. 
Albert Lynn Shields
Received a Bronze Star with V and Purple Heart for 4 March, 1968 battle in Tuy Hoa. Born 24 Feb 1947 Hockley County, Texas, USA Passed on 18 Sep 2006 (aged 59).  "A great guy and brave soldier.  And my good friend." Dave Curtin              https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155284972
Steven Manthey   
​Passed August 19, 2018, laid to rest at the Tahoma National Cemetery October 3rd with military honors.
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He was a pretty good guy when I served with him. His experience there made him pull away from our brotherhood. It will however not affect our feelings and sense of loss in his passing. RIP Skysoldier  -  Dave Hahn       

 Oh no this is terrible news . We were APC crew members. D11 lead scout track D16 . He taught me the M60 and M16 as soon as I arrived at D16 Armor. I never saw either of these weapons until I got to Vietnam. After about 30 times breaking down that M60 which was his weapon . I asked how many times have we got to do this. His answer was, as many times as it takes to break it down and put it back together without missing a shot in a fire fight. I was his loader and driver for a short while. He got moved to Track Commander on D12. I was placed on his right side M60 at that time. We remained best of friends till he rotated home. We both got wounded in the same firefight and in the hospital together and went back to the front lines together. We took photos of each other. Out of four main track positions not counting a loader was Robert (Bob) Hartwell , Steve Manthey , George Alvin Tyler and Roger. Wallace. I proud to have my name on this list. The other three were my War Hero Brothers . We all together made an unbeatable unit which was well proven by actions in Combat. Combined metals were Bronze Stars , Army Commendation Medals and Purple Hearts. Steve proved to be a very important element of this unit. Steve is one we can all be proud he is our Brother. My prayers go out to Steve and his Family. May Steve Rest in Peace.  -  Roger Wallace
Charles "Pop" Nolan
PSG Charles ”POP” Nolan was a giant of a man literally and figuratively. He was well over six feet tall and about 250 pounds. He was a mentor to everyone for imparting his mechanical and shooting skills with the Browning M2 .50 Caliber HMG. He taught everyone in the 2nd Platoon and anyone else in D16 who wanted to know, how to maintain, repair, and diagnose problems with the M2. His shooting skills were unsurpassed. He once took down three of the enemy at some distance using only three two-shot bursts. Befitting his stature, he was never addressed by his rank, but by only POP.

POP was a poor black kid with virtually no formal education who found a home in the Army. He served in three wars; WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He spent at least three years with D16.  When the Army could no longer honor his last re-enlistment, he retired. With no education to speak of, he was given the rank of PSG E7, but with a paygrade of E6. Because he couldn’t pass the written exam for advancement to the Super Grades of E7 and above. But he could read an Army Field Manual backwards and forwards. And his Bible.

Whenever the company was in a secure area, POP would conduct Church Services that were supposed to be voluntary. With his imposing size and military bearing, he put the fear of God in you if you didn’t attend. This only made him all the more beloved by everyone in the company. After he retired, he had a small ministry in the backwoods of North Carolina. He passed in the late nineties and is interred with PSG Herlihy, another three-year war veteran from D16, in a desegregated cemetery.
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If this had been twenty – thirties years earlier, they would have been buried in segregated cemeteries. What is interesting is that both could have listed any number of units in which they served in their illustrious careers, but each only listed D16-173d ABN BDE (SEP).

Not much is known about his early career, but when he enlisted, or drafted, in WWII the Army was segregated. For the most part, black servicemen were assigned to labor battalions. At some point, he went to jump school and served mostly in Airborne units his entire career. His distinguished service, and along with other Black American Patriots who served honorably under such trying times, did much to desegregate the Army.

PSG Charles “POP” Nolan was a giant.
Picture
      
Charlie Farmer
​To Charlie's Daughter
​We lost your Dad approximately 30 hours after I got to the D/16 Armor. Me lighting a cigarette in the open got me chewed out by a young Buck Sgt Farmer. Hey are you crazy, you'll get your head blown off out here. If you don't learn to hide that flame you'll never make it home. This ain't Basic training we don't give second chances or second tries here here and keep it covered or put it out. This Sgt. Farmer took me to My Track commander Sgt. Hartwell. There I took one big double teaming. One really mean and dirty and the other was Sgt Farmer Younger and Calmer. When this very uncomfortable discussion ended, as I set down, they started a normal conversation. Sgt. Farmer reached in his shirt pocket over his heart. Look what I got at mail call. Pulling out pictures she's here with happy tears in his eyes. I cant wait to hold her. Until then I'm carrying her over my heart. The Happiest New father I think I ever saw. This all being 51 years ago I still remember word for word even at my age. The next evening about dark we got orders to load up and move immediately to a Hamlet with Heavy initial reports. Arriving after dark we got led in by Arvin Soldiers with red lens flashlights, put us right where they wanted us. In less than 5 minutes we heard mortar thumps from inside the perimeter. No one payed attention. Then the rounds started landing on us. As we jumped to action we moved out turned around to return fire. We were 1st Platoon and had to call 2nd Plt. To reinforce us to get resupplied . Choppers brought us ammo and 2nd plt called 3rd plt for reinforcement as 2nd plt got more ammo 3rd plt called us back in. Each plt had resupplied 3 complete lots of ammo by this time it was turning daylight . Incoming fire slacked off till it slowly stopped. We knew we heard Dustoffs called in for us several times. When the reports started coming in we new a crew members voice calling for Dustoff and Medics . We moved wide-open to Sgt. Farmers APC we figured out it had to be for Sgt. Farmer. He is who was supposed to be making that radio transmission. Sgt Hartwell and Steve Manthey were the first 2 off our APC . As the newest guy there I had to remain on our track. Some dustoffs came in and flew away. As I watched my crew return, they where so torn apart they literally had to help each other back. They told me one was Sgt Farmer. Although I'd only met him the night before His words went in my head for ever. Yes I truly believe his words that prepared me for the rest of my tour and brought me home. For all these years talking to everyone that knew him he had made quite the impression on them also in one way or another. As of Steve Manthey passing, I am the only surviving crew member of my APC and know there is at least one other Platoon member surviving Tom Gasior. Tom may have actually been on Sgt Farmers APC and FYI he is on Facebook. As my 12 months started vanishing a lot of the SOP was said you know the way Sgt. Farmer used to do it.He will always be remembered by me he was remember for year by others till their last breath. Honored to write you for your Dad.
Roger
​Earnie Heitman
Earnie was a mechanic with D/16th who enjoyed bringing his tool kit to the field and riding with various platoons. Many things he could fix in the field. And he always pulled his weight. I served with him at Bragg after Vietnam. He eventually moved to his home state of West Virginia . He was unique in that he had earned a CIB during the 82nds trip to the Dominican Republic. RIP.
​John "Doc" Palmer - December 2016
Kirk Grubbs
Mark Savage   D/16 1968   Death 1984
RIP, Trooper Savage, you are not forgotten.  Mark Savage needs to be remembered properly. Sp4 Savage requested that his PSG and PLDR send him to the rear because he was afraid of being in the field any longer. He reasoned, rightly, that he was becoming a danger to himself and others because he was so scared. He was sent back to the rear. 1SG Rickman, a very good top soldier, wanted him court martialed for cowardice. 

Savage was with us on 4 MAR,  and he acquitted himself honorably and bravely. But he had reached his breaking point and knew it. I told the 1SG that we were not going to court martial the only honest man in the company. He became my jeep driver and RTO for the duration of my time as the XO.

On one memorable occasion, I was personally ordered by the Brigade Assistant CO to blow in place an APC that got high centered on a rock in the middle of the Song Ba. That’s what I got for giving an impromptu lesson on how to use a 40 lb. cratering charge. So after drawing the cratering charge, McCoy, OPNS SGT, Savage, and I choppered out to the company location. 
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Before McCoy and I stripped down to plant the charge, I drew a twenty foot circle with my boot on the beach. In the middle of the circle I had Savage put the clacker in his right front pocket and draw his forty-five in his right hand cocked and locked. In his left I placed the capped detcord end. I told him to shoot anyone who entered the twenty foot circle while McCoy and I planted the cratering charge. He asked if that included the CPT, and I said especially him.

Mark never completely came home from Vietnam, or I should say Vietnam never left him. His life was chaotic after the Army, and he died in 1984. RIP, Trooper Savage, you are not forgotten.

Frank​ Mantua XO D16
William Makijewski  - 2005
He drove APCs like they were nascar vehicles. Mechanics were always telling him to take it easy. Whenever he extended or got R&R he would go to Australia and get yet another tattoo. He would actually get our input as to design of his next tattoo. He was from the Chicago area If I remember correctly. His mom wondered why he didn’t come home on extension leaves. He told her he was on a special mission for the army ( at least that is what he told us). A character for sure but you could count on him.
Ray Barefoot 
​Retired as a CSM. He was in the first class of the then newly established Command Sergeant Major School or Course. There were only nine in that first class. He was also an original member of D16 on Okinawa.
James Voss
​He passed away on 7/10/18 and is buried in the Ohio Western National Reserve. He took his last jump and reached Glory
No Photos Or Information Available For These Troopers
​Please send any information you may have to [email protected]
Dave Webb

Bob Kapczynski
Robert Stewart
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Hal Marsolais
Donald Dunleavy

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Weymouth Derby
Please email information on these or any other departed D/16 veteran to Warren Williams , [email protected].
It will be posted here.