339th Transportation Company (DS) Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa/Phu Hiep, Red Beach, Da Nang
339th History By Mike Edwards from his former Website.
The following is not meant to be an in depth history of the 339th Transportation Company (DS), but rather a brief chronological listing. My information was gathered from a wealth of sources, which included mostly former members of the 339th Transportation Company (DS), from the Internet, and from Ralph B. Young's excellent book Army Aviation in Vietnam 1963-1966. The book is out of print, however, I highly recommend that you read it if you can find a copy.
The 339th Transportation Company (DS), stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, was alerted for movement to Vietnam on 31 December 1961. The unit deployed arriving in Saigon on 7 February 1962 under the command of Captain (later Major) Robert E. Allwine, Jr. aboard the USNS (T-CVU-11) Core. The unit later made its way to Nha Trang.
As Robert Meyer, one of the unit members who deployed, conveyed to me, "We left for Vietnam about the middle of January 1962, on the aircraft carrier USS Core. She was an old WWII single deck (only kind they made then. small jeep, I think they called them during WWII, carrier. The 18th Aviation was with us at Fort Riley and they went with us on the Core. It was 27 days at sea. What a ride! Did not get seasick, but came close at times. Finally got to RVN, almost anyway. We dropped anchor just offshore at the mouth of the Saigon River. Had to wait for a Navy escort to travel up the river into the harbor at Saigon. The escort was two destroyers, one in front and one behind. It was a sight to see the wake from the three ships as it broke on the shore of the river like a tidal wave."
From what I have been able to gather after arriving in country, the 339th Transportation Company (DS) was the first assigned to the 45th Transportation Battalion and then to the 52nd Aviation Battalion (Provisional) in April 1964. It was then assigned to the 765th Transportation Battalion (AM&S) before joining the 14th Aviation Battalion in late October 1964. In 1966 the unit was assigned to the 34th General Support Group (AM&S) until it was inactivated on 1 July 1968.
Major Robert S. Lawrence became the second Commander of the 339th until late 1963 when Major Wayne Barker assumed command. Major Murray D. Smith then commanded the Unit from approximately August 1964 until June 1965, passing the command to Major Thomas H. Small, who was the Commander from when I (Mike Edwards) arrived August 1965 until I left September 1966. (Ralph B. Young, in his book Army Aviation in Vietnam 1963-1966 references the Commander after Major Murray D. Smith to be Major Augustine "Gus" T. Ledwidge.)
I received information from Felix Montalvo, who was the mail clerk in 1967 until the 339th moved to Tuy Hoa (Phu Hiep). Felix remembers that the Commander was Major Phelps.
This is all the information I have been able to compile at this time. I cannot verify that it is 100% accurate. If anyone has information and can help fill in the blanks, I will be happy to update the unit history as I receive it. You can reach me through my email address [email protected] or Ralph Frank at [email protected].
The following is not meant to be an in depth history of the 339th Transportation Company (DS), but rather a brief chronological listing. My information was gathered from a wealth of sources, which included mostly former members of the 339th Transportation Company (DS), from the Internet, and from Ralph B. Young's excellent book Army Aviation in Vietnam 1963-1966. The book is out of print, however, I highly recommend that you read it if you can find a copy.
The 339th Transportation Company (DS), stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, was alerted for movement to Vietnam on 31 December 1961. The unit deployed arriving in Saigon on 7 February 1962 under the command of Captain (later Major) Robert E. Allwine, Jr. aboard the USNS (T-CVU-11) Core. The unit later made its way to Nha Trang.
As Robert Meyer, one of the unit members who deployed, conveyed to me, "We left for Vietnam about the middle of January 1962, on the aircraft carrier USS Core. She was an old WWII single deck (only kind they made then. small jeep, I think they called them during WWII, carrier. The 18th Aviation was with us at Fort Riley and they went with us on the Core. It was 27 days at sea. What a ride! Did not get seasick, but came close at times. Finally got to RVN, almost anyway. We dropped anchor just offshore at the mouth of the Saigon River. Had to wait for a Navy escort to travel up the river into the harbor at Saigon. The escort was two destroyers, one in front and one behind. It was a sight to see the wake from the three ships as it broke on the shore of the river like a tidal wave."
From what I have been able to gather after arriving in country, the 339th Transportation Company (DS) was the first assigned to the 45th Transportation Battalion and then to the 52nd Aviation Battalion (Provisional) in April 1964. It was then assigned to the 765th Transportation Battalion (AM&S) before joining the 14th Aviation Battalion in late October 1964. In 1966 the unit was assigned to the 34th General Support Group (AM&S) until it was inactivated on 1 July 1968.
Major Robert S. Lawrence became the second Commander of the 339th until late 1963 when Major Wayne Barker assumed command. Major Murray D. Smith then commanded the Unit from approximately August 1964 until June 1965, passing the command to Major Thomas H. Small, who was the Commander from when I (Mike Edwards) arrived August 1965 until I left September 1966. (Ralph B. Young, in his book Army Aviation in Vietnam 1963-1966 references the Commander after Major Murray D. Smith to be Major Augustine "Gus" T. Ledwidge.)
I received information from Felix Montalvo, who was the mail clerk in 1967 until the 339th moved to Tuy Hoa (Phu Hiep). Felix remembers that the Commander was Major Phelps.
This is all the information I have been able to compile at this time. I cannot verify that it is 100% accurate. If anyone has information and can help fill in the blanks, I will be happy to update the unit history as I receive it. You can reach me through my email address [email protected] or Ralph Frank at [email protected].
Early News article about 339th and 18th aviation
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History of the 339th Company (Direct Support)
1 January 1964 to 31 December 1964
Click on the Download File below:
| 339tcjan64-dec64.pdf |
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In memory of those who died in the 339th
while serving in Vietnam
SP5 Steven Hernandez
SP4 David H. Valerio
Sp5 John A. Bafile
SP5 George W. Rushing
CWO W2 Roy B. Parsons
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Company Commanders
Select Picture for information
2021 14th Reunion - Tucson AZ
339th
Left to right, front: Ronald Eagmin, James Kirby, Gary Alcorn, Dave Rainsburg, Ralph Frank
Left to right, back: Robert James, Russell Planck
Left to right, back: Robert James, Russell Planck
2018 14th Reunion - Charleston - SC
339th
Left to Right - James Kirby, Ralph Frank, Frank Ferry
2016 14th Reunion - Hampton - VA
339th
Standing LR Russell Planck, Frank Ferry, Dave Rainsburg, Jim (Rip) Kirby
Seated LR leslie Gorsuch, Carley Charles, George Stewart, Ralph Frank, Gary Alcorn
Seated LR leslie Gorsuch, Carley Charles, George Stewart, Ralph Frank, Gary Alcorn
2014 14th Reunion - San Antonio - TX
339th
Left to Right Stairs. James Robert, Ron Eagmin, Russell Planck, Jimmy Gonzales, James Kelly.
Left to Right Front. Tim Heal, Ralph Frank, Cecil Keith, Frank Ferry
2012 14th Reunion - Orlando FL
339th
2010 14th Reunion - Branson MO
All 14th and just the 339th
2008 14th Reunion - Nashville TN
339th Attendees
Rosters:
If you have any questions, changes or additions to the rosters below please E-mail Ralph Frank at [email protected].
| located_roster.pdf |
| in_search_of_roster.pdf |
| deceased_roster.pdf |
Note: The deceased roster contains names of deceased and those we had found and then have lost contact with.
Their line entry will be marked with a "D" for deceased or "L" for lost.
Their line entry will be marked with a "D" for deceased or "L" for lost.
PHOTO ALBUMNS:
Photos by SP4 Ralph Frank - NhaTrang - 62-63
Photos by SP5 Russell Planck - NaTrang - 62-63
Photos by SP5 William Black - NaTrang - 62-63
Photos by SP5 Bill Woodward - NaTrang - 62-63
Photos Submitted by SP5 Bill Miller - 62-63
Photos Submitted by SP4 Sam Crabb - 62-63
Photos Submitted by PFC Tommy Dorsey - 63-63
Photos Submitted by SP5 Gary Batt - 63-64
Photos submitted by SP4 Kenneth Kleine - 63-64
Photos by SP4 Larry Gadberry - Nha Trang - 63-64
Photos by SFC John Jones - Nha Trang - 63-64
Photos by SP4 Frank Ferry - Nha Trang - 64-65
Photos submitted by SP4 Mike Edwards for 64-65
Photos submitted by SP4 Mike Edwards for 65-66
Photos by SP4 Berry Cowles -Nha Trang - 65-66
Photos by SP5 Chuck Carley -Nha Trang - 65-66
Photos by Walter Harper - Nha Trang - 66-67
Photos by SP4 Ron Eagmin - Nha Trang - 66-67
Photos by SP4 Gorgon Lueder - Na Trang - 65-66
Photos by SP5 John Reed - Nha Trang/ Phu Heip - 67-68
Photos by SP4 Dirk Sundbaum - Nha Trang/ Phu Heip - 67-68
Individual Photo Contributions
Memorial Service for 339th Members who died 1968
