Additional Information
506th Historical Artifacts Needed
The 4th Brigade Combat Team and the 506th Council at Fort Campbell, KY are looking for 506th historical artifacts that they can display in the 506th regimental areas at Fort Campbell. If you have any 506th-related artifacts/momentos from WWII, Camp Breckinridge, Fort Jackson, Fort Campbell, Vietnam, South Korea, and/or Iraq that you would be willing to donate, contact 1SG(R) John E. Foley (C Co, 1st BN, 506th, 1990-1991) at 270-798-3215 or chagress@outdrs.net. John is the Museum Technician at the Don F. Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell.
Air Assault Parity Coalition
A group of 1st Cavalry Division and 101st Division veterans whose mission is to advocate for change of the criteria for the awarding of the Air Assault Badge to include awarding the badge for combat assaults.
Letter Writing Campaign for Retroactive Air Assault Badge
The Air Assault Parity Coalition has begun a Letter Writing Campaign requesting the new Secretary of the Army make the current Air Assault Badge retroactive to the Vietnam war for former airmobile and air cavalry combat veterans. The Army previously “considered and rejected” the retroactive award of the current Air Assault Badge to former members of the air assault units.
The Air Assault Parity Coalition is also seeking a congressional sponsor for a Retroactive Air Assault Badge bill. For more information and sample letters, visit the Air Assault Parity Coalition website. Please help obtain this long overdue recognition for the pioneers of the current Air Assault technology (“We Put The Air in Air Assault”).
The Air Assault Badge was awarded only to members of the 11th Air Assault Division, and then for only a limited time before airmobile proficiency became an accepted army tactic. Though rare, recipients wore them in Vietnam. Most were transferred into the 1st Cavalry Division. The badge was unauthorized during the Vietnam era, but was authorized by the Department of the Army in 1979.
Text and image from Vietnam Order of Battle
American Veteran, the Power of One Essay and Scholarship Project
Free essay project open to all teens (middle and high school): a call for young writers to honor a soldier, write their story to be published in a book collection, and be eligible to win a camp scholarship or cash prize.
The Battle Cry - CURRAHEE! Has Been Sounded
On November 18, 2004, then Acting Secretary of the Army Romie Lee Brownlee issued a letter to Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum in which he stated,
After careful consideration of all the input, my review concludes that Major (Ret.) Winters earned the correct award for his valor. There is no evidence of material error or impropriety in the original processing of Major (Ret.) Winters’ award. It is my determination that the previously approved award of the Distinguished Service Cross remains the appropriate award to recognize the heroic acts of Major (Ret.) Winters.
So the Battle continues; an effort is being mounted for the introduction of a Congressional Bill, that if passed, would only require the President’s signature for the upgrading of Major Winters’ award to the CMH.
An online petition to the Secretary of the Army has been put on the Internet at Support our Veterans!- Medal of Honor for Major Richard D. Winters . While this petition is addressed to the current Secretary of the Army, Francis J. Harvey, it is being monitored by Pennsylvania Congressman Curt Weldon, who is working on the bill.
The online petition, along with its 8,394 signatories, was presented to Congressman Weldon on Monday 6th June 2005, and a Bill has now been presented to Congress. The reference number is HR2790, and everyone is encouraged to write to their Congressional Representatives and Senators, urging them to support this bill.
Free essay project open to all teens (middle and high school): a call for young writers to honor a soldier, write their story to be published in a book collection, and be eligible to win a camp scholarship or cash prize.
Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army
The NMUSA will be an experience that will engage visitors of all ages emotionally and intellectually in the Army’s history and heritage and allow them to experience what it is like to be a soldier.
The City of Bastogne, Belgium will conduct an OFFICIAL Medal Presentation at the City Hall of BASTOGNE, together with the City Council, for any WWII veteran and accompanying group of friends and family.
To participate in one of these Medal Presentation Ceremonies, contact Filip WILLEMS (fiwi@tijd.com) at least 3 weeks before you plan to visit Bastogne and provide him the following information:
- full name and units of the visiting veteran(s)
- how many persons plan to attend the ceremony (family and friends are welcome)
- what date and time can the veteran(s) attend at the ceremony
- will they be staying at a hotel in Bastogne? If yes, which hotel?
- do you want the Bastogne City Council to provide a local guide ?
Filip is the webmaster for Clancy Lyall's Homepage, a website honoring SFC(R) Clarence O. Lyall (E Co, 2nd BN, 506th PIR, 1944-1945; E Co, 1st ABG, 1956-1958). Medals have been awarded to several 506th PIR veterans.
DLEG Launches Project H*E*R*O Pilot to Assist Disabled Michigan Veterans
Michigan is the first state in the nation to offer statewide Project H*E*R*O applications.
GMU Scholarship Program for Career-Changing Military
George Mason University is the nation's first and only civilian university-based entity offering a comprehensive academic and research program in military applications of information technology. More information about GMU’s Center of Excellence in Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence (C4I) can be found on the website.
National Call for Photos for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The National Call for Photos is a campaign to collect a photograph for each of the more than 58,000 men and women whose names are inscribed on The Wall. Collected pictures will be used in the Education Center at The Wall.
Need 506th Vietnam Items for Display at Fort Campbell
The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 506th Infantry Regiment (Currahee) is requesting donations of Vietnam-era items to be placed on permanent display at 4th Brigade Headquarters at Fort Campbell, KY. Questions may be directed to either: Fred May (506th Association Active-Duty Liaison) at alfredmay@aol.com or MAJ Kamil Sztalkoper (4th BCT Public Affairs Officer) at Office: (270) 798-0563 or BB: (931) 249-7828.
The Shake 'n Bake Sergeant: True Story of Infantry Sergeants in Vietnam
by Jerry S. Horton
From the book's review by the late COL(R) David Hackworth (most-decorated Vietnam veteran):
"In 1968, the U.S. Army was running out of sergeants in Vietnam. Throughout military history, as least as far back as the Revolutionary War, sergeants were the backbone of the Army. This shortage of sergeants meant disaster in Vietnam. The NCO candidate school was created to solve this serious problem by doing one thing – train soldiers to lead men in combat. It was modeled after the Officer’s candidate school but streamlined to meet this critical need for leaders in half the time. Graduates were known by most as “Shake 'N Bake sergeants” “Instant NCOs” since the got there rank fast from going to school.
This book is the first time this important part of American history has ever been published. It is the first time anyone has given credit to Shake’N Bake sergeants – a credit that they so greatly deserved. At the time there were many who said they would fail. It seemed many did not respect them even though all destined for front line positions. The book documents how they proved their worth over and over again as front line infantry leaders even though for thirty some years their sacrifices have been unknown."
Patriot Express
The Small Business Administration offers a Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative for veterans and members of the military community wanting to establish or expand small businesses. The SBA and its resource partners are focusing additional efforts on counseling and training to augment this loan initiative, making it more accessible and easy to use.
Vietnam War Commemoration
The 506th Association is on a list of web sites that are consistent with the objectives of the United States of America Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration.
Veterans Crisis Line Website
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline and online chat. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or chat online to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Veterans History Project
The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. The Project collects remembrances of veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War or the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, DC, and via the VHP website.
WHVVD Vet Hunter Team
Hola my friends and Brothers. My WHVVD organization has undertaken a huge, huge project. My Vet Hunter Team and I have begun to bring into every living room in the country, the face of the homeless, faceless Veteran.
José G. Ramos [A/HHC (Medic), 3rd BN, 506th, 1967-1968]
Chairman/Founder
