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ex hal-3 det 2

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copy of letter sent to "In the Shadow of the Blade" project Patrick, I am a retired Army Colonel living in Augusta, and read an article in the morning paper (augustachronicle.com) about your visit here next month. I have always had an interest in letting the public know the details of what our Viet Nam era heroes did, and I am so happy you undertook such a project to highlight the UH-1. More important is the fact that you will give credit to our great veterans of the Viet Nam era. Several thoughts came to mind as I read your article. I talked to a Great American Hero this morning about your trip. Lieutentant General Mike Ackerman, retiring this month as the Inspector General of the Army and one of America's most decorated soldiers, not only was an infantry platoon leader with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Viet Nam, but he later became a Huey pilot and is active with the 174th Assault Helicopter Company Association (http://www.americal.org/174/). General Ackerman said he would be more than happy to help you with your documantary in any way he can. I cc'd him on this email. . Second and most dear to my heart is the fact that you are visiting Augusta and Ft. Gordon and talking with Viet Nam Veterans. That is super. As you know, these guys for the most part don't like to talk too much about their experiences, especially if they were in intense combat situations. One such individual is a senior civil service employee at Ft. Gordon named Sam Hagood, who was an infantry squad leader in the 1/7 Air Cavalry in Viet Nam. The 1/7th CAV was the lead unit for the 1st Air Cavalry Division, and was the first employment of the Hury in combat. As you may know, the book and movie "We Were Soldiers..." is based on the first major battle in Viet Nam, with Hal Moore's 1/7th Cavalry's fight in the Ia Drang Valley. Sam was a sergeant in the 1st platoon of Alpha Company, 1/7th Cav, who occupied what is known as the the creek bank in the book/movie. If you are interested in talking to Sam, let me know and I will discuss it with him. I just don't think he would openly talk about his experience. He still has a hard time talking about Ia Drang, since he lost so many of his men there. But I think he needs to talk through it, since he can offer so much to our young soldiers who may have to face such intense battles at any time. Sam is suffering kidney failure, likely from agent orange and is on dialysis three times a day. But, like a real soldier, he still goes to work every day. Also, I recommend you contact my brother, Doug (Gary) Taylor, 229-377-8790, who was a door gunner in Viet Nam for a Navy special ops unit (HAL 3) nicknamed the Seawolf (see website seawolf.org). They modified the Army Huey with special gun systems and black paint, with the mission to support covert ops involving Navy Seals and other special ops forces. Of particular interest is that Doug also has a Huey he got from Army Salvage and rebuilt it as a display for veterals events and other patriotic events. His many years of Huey research may be of interest to you. As well, about 200 Seawolves will have a reunion in Charlseton in November. I cc'd Doug as well so your folks can contact him directly. Patrick, thank you for what you are doing. You are brave to take on such a task, in that you are releasing to the public the solomn and untold emotions of a generation of American soldiers, sailors, and marines whose all shared the gut-wrenching excitement of their first trip into combat onboard a Huey. And for far too many, the ride back was all to quiet. Let me know if I can be of any help. My cell phone is 706-399-8199. Regards, Tom Taylor

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Det 1 & 5 Aug 70-71 AKA Freddie T. Good show mate

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Det 1 & 5 Aug 70-71 AKA Freddie T. Good show mate

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Great job, but you were on det7, what else should I have expected!