~THEN AND NOW~

~THEN AND NOW~
PAGE ONE

John Anderson
5920 Deer Creek Way
Paso Robles, CA 93446
EMAIL

THEN
AGE: 19

NOW

I was first assigned to HHC 123rd Avn Btn at the Whispering Pines Dispensary. Then flew with B Co Warlords until May of 69 when I was assigned to F Troop as the Blues Medic from May 69 to October 69.

I worked in heating and air-conditioning construction from 69 to 82. I then returned to college and got my degree in electronics in 84. I worked in the electronics field until 96. I am currently employed by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund as Site Manager for the traveling wall, The Wall That Heals.
I met and married my wife, Linda upon returning from Vietnam 28 years ago, we now have two daughters and 3 grandchildren.

Sp5 Alex J Hernandez
EMAIL

THEN AGE: 20	NOW
I was a member of F Troop from Oct '71 to Jul '72. Sp5 Alex J Hernandez worked in the armament shop and ran the night crew.	This is myself and family today. My oldest daughter lives in Florida. The rest of the us live in Independence, MO.

David Owen
EMAIL

THEN
AGE 28

NOW

I came to Blue Ghost in September 1969 via the Army ROTC Flight Program and a two year tour in Germany as an armored cavalry troop commander before going to flight school in Mineral Wells and Savannah. I began my tour dual-hatted as the operations officer and member of the aero-weapons platoon and later took over the "guns" as Blue Ghost White. Worst day with Blue Ghost: Picking up Bob Farrington's body and a wounded Don Bentley after their LOH was raked with AK-47 fire. Best day with Blue Ghost: Surviving (along with Bob Wiggins) being shot down by a pair of .51's in a classic "air ambush."
(The picture credit goes to John Boyer who was also with F/8 in the 69-70 period.)

After leaving Blue Ghost in September 1970, I spent another 17 years in the Army before retiring as an LTC. I then "re-engineered" myself as a telecommunications manager and have been doing that ever since, including a long stint in Europe right after retirement. The last seven years have been spent with Alcatel, a French-owned telecom mega-company. Family-wise, I have been married to the same woman, Susan, for 30 years and have two adult sons, one, Chris, an Infantry 2LT (and Gulf War veteran) currently at Ft. Hood, and the other, David Jr., a consultant for Booz-Allen Hamilton (and a 1LT in the Army Reserves). All things considered, including Vietnam and the Blue Ghost experience, I consider myself a very lucky man indeed.

Jim Snider
EMAIL

THEN
AGE 22
NOW

Hometown: Altadena, California After two and a half in a college my draft board decided I wasn't making sufficient progress in my college career and needed an all-expense-paid trip to Southeast Asia. I ended up in the Blue Ghost Blues from February 1969 to February 1970. Moved to Seattle, WA in 1976 Worked for Boeing since 1978 on the 767, B2, F22 and Joint Strike Fighter programs. My wife of 25 years - Donna - and I have two daughters, the oldest just graduated from the University of Washington.

Roland Pelletier
EMAIL

THEN
AGE: 19
NOW

I was a doorgunner in A Co 123rd CBT AVN BN from 1 Dec 68 till 23 Dec 69. I returned to the 123rd. as a helicopter technical inspector from 16 Mar 71 till 1 Nov 71 when the typhoon hit Chu Lai. I then transfered to F TRP, blueghost and left on 2March 1972. Here is a picture of my wife and youngest son and myself. I retired from the Army on 1 Mar 88 and he was born Mar 2nd. I have two older children Melissa and Brian. After retiring I worked as a machine operator on weekends and as a substitute teacher during the week. I am now fully retired.

Richard (DICK) A. Crawley
EMAIL

THEN
AGE: 24
NOW

Dick was born in Pontiac, MI and entered the Army in 1966. He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant following graduation from Artillery OCS, Class 34-67. Pre-aviation assignments included company commander, battalion operations officer, executive officer and adjutant. Capt. Crawley graduated (rated) from Flight Class 70-26, and actively sought assignment with Troop F, 8th Cav. upon arrival in Vietnam. As "Blueghost Green," Crawley headed the Aero-Lift Detachment of F/8 (23rd Inf. Div., RVN), "Green" flew 1000+ missions throughout I Corps. before, during and after Lam Son 719. Capt. Crawley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Numeral 36 and V, Army Commendation Medal with OLC and V, and nummerous other awards and commendations.
The picture was taken February 1971 in Quang Tri. I am a proud father of Devonie (who has graduated from college) and Derek (Army veteran with active participation in Desert Shield and Desert Storm). I am a graduate of Ferris State University. My career is changing. While I still do some consulting, arbitration and mediation, I am forced to slowdown due to health considerations. My primary occupational interest is a transportation service for handicapped individuals which I acquired a few years ago. Presently, residing in Jackson, MI and is a life member of both the VHPA and DAV.

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THEN AGE 22	NOW
Hometown: Altadena, California After two and a half in a college my draft board decided I wasn't making sufficient progress in my college career and needed an all-expense-paid trip to Southeast Asia. I ended up in the Blue Ghost Blues from February 1969 to February 1970.	Moved to Seattle, WA in 1976 Worked for Boeing since 1978 on the 767, B2, F22 and Joint Strike Fighter programs. My wife of 25 years - Donna - and I have two daughters, the oldest just graduated from the University of Washington.

THEN AGE: 19	NOW
I was a doorgunner in A Co 123rd CBT AVN BN from 1 Dec 68 till 23 Dec 69. I returned to the 123rd. as a helicopter technical inspector from 16 Mar 71 till 1 Nov 71 when the typhoon hit Chu Lai. I then transfered to F TRP, blueghost and left on 2March 1972.	Here is a picture of my wife and youngest son and myself. I retired from the Army on 1 Mar 88 and he was born Mar 2nd. I have two older children Melissa and Brian. After retiring I worked as a machine operator on weekends and as a substitute teacher during the week. I am now fully retired.