| John A "Pappy" Loughran Delta Company 1st Bn (Abn) 8th Cav 1st Sgt, 66-06 / 67-06 Command Sargent Major (retired) United States Army Pappy passed to Fiddler's Green May 10, 2008 He will be missed by all who knew him, whether in combat or after Viet Nam. An outstanding Soldier and a TRUE Gentleman. Honor and Courage. |
| Delta Company 1965 -1971 Home |
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I am proud of the units I served with in WWII and the Korean war. However that pride is over-shadowed by my feelings for Delta
Company 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry.
As a 44 year old infantry First Sergeant, I was fortunate enough to be assigned while we still had the Airborne designation. I can
truthfully say that Airborne or Airmobile, this was a top-notch company. Those young men, officers and enlisted, were outstanding.
They were the cream of the crop. When I joined Delta Company, June 1966, we were a combat support unit with 3 platoons; Recon,
Mortar, and Anti-Tank. In late October ‘66, we reorganized into a light infantry company of 3 rifle platoons. I have a lot of memories
of Delta Company.
Foremost for those who gave the full measure of devotion. I lost 25 good men during my tour. Each ones face and name is etched in
my heart and brain, just as their names are engraved on that “Black Wall” in Washington, D.C. At least once a week I mentally have
a roll call: Barrearas, Baumann, Brown, Byrd, Carley, Cooper, Cunningham, Falato, Feeney, Finney, Hayes, King, Lawson, Lester,
McDaniels, Mcguire, Mobley, Moore, Null, Ramirez, Ratliff, Reagan, Richardson, Surles, Werner. I will never forget them. I often
think of the young man who had the feeling that his luck had run I am proud of the units I served with in WWII and the Korean war.
However that pride is over-shadowed by my feelings for Delta Company 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry. As a 44 year old infantry First
Sergeant, I was fortunate enough to be assigned while we still had the Airborne designation. I can truthfully say that Airborne or
Airmobile, this was a top-notch company. Those young men, officers and enlisted, were outstanding. They were the cream of the
crop. When I joined Delta Company, June 1966, we were a combat support unit with 3 platoons; Recon, Mortar, and Anti-Tank. In
late October ‘66, we reorganized into a light infantry company of 3 rifle platoons. I have a lot of memories of Delta Company.
Foremost for those who gave the full measure of devotion. I lost 25 good men during my tour. Each ones face and name is etched in
my heart and brain, just as their names are engraved on that “Black Wall” in Washington, D.C. At least once a week I mentally have
a roll call: Barrearas, Baumann, Brown, Byrd, Carley, Cooper, Cunningham, Falato, Feeney, Finney, Hayes, King, Lawson, Lester,
McDaniels, Mcguire, Mobley, Moore, Null, Ramirez, Ratliff, Reagan, Richardson, Surles, Werner. I will never forget them. I often
think of the young man who had the feeling that his luck had run out and wrote his “Last Letter” on March 19, 1967. The next day he
was among those who were KIA.
I have other memories too, like the First Cook who we recruited from our Mess Hall and made him a squad leader in the Recon
Platoon. This guy liked his new job so much that he extended his tour and his exploits became legendary. He even had a LZ named
after him...I salute each and everyone who served with me in Viet Nam.
If you don’t think I’m proud of my tour with Delta Company, just check my license plate, D 8 CAV.
SGM John A. Loughran (USA Ret.) 1/Sgt.
D Co. 1/8th Cavalry June ‘66-June ‘67
Company 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry.
As a 44 year old infantry First Sergeant, I was fortunate enough to be assigned while we still had the Airborne designation. I can
truthfully say that Airborne or Airmobile, this was a top-notch company. Those young men, officers and enlisted, were outstanding.
They were the cream of the crop. When I joined Delta Company, June 1966, we were a combat support unit with 3 platoons; Recon,
Mortar, and Anti-Tank. In late October ‘66, we reorganized into a light infantry company of 3 rifle platoons. I have a lot of memories
of Delta Company.
Foremost for those who gave the full measure of devotion. I lost 25 good men during my tour. Each ones face and name is etched in
my heart and brain, just as their names are engraved on that “Black Wall” in Washington, D.C. At least once a week I mentally have
a roll call: Barrearas, Baumann, Brown, Byrd, Carley, Cooper, Cunningham, Falato, Feeney, Finney, Hayes, King, Lawson, Lester,
McDaniels, Mcguire, Mobley, Moore, Null, Ramirez, Ratliff, Reagan, Richardson, Surles, Werner. I will never forget them. I often
think of the young man who had the feeling that his luck had run I am proud of the units I served with in WWII and the Korean war.
However that pride is over-shadowed by my feelings for Delta Company 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry. As a 44 year old infantry First
Sergeant, I was fortunate enough to be assigned while we still had the Airborne designation. I can truthfully say that Airborne or
Airmobile, this was a top-notch company. Those young men, officers and enlisted, were outstanding. They were the cream of the
crop. When I joined Delta Company, June 1966, we were a combat support unit with 3 platoons; Recon, Mortar, and Anti-Tank. In
late October ‘66, we reorganized into a light infantry company of 3 rifle platoons. I have a lot of memories of Delta Company.
Foremost for those who gave the full measure of devotion. I lost 25 good men during my tour. Each ones face and name is etched in
my heart and brain, just as their names are engraved on that “Black Wall” in Washington, D.C. At least once a week I mentally have
a roll call: Barrearas, Baumann, Brown, Byrd, Carley, Cooper, Cunningham, Falato, Feeney, Finney, Hayes, King, Lawson, Lester,
McDaniels, Mcguire, Mobley, Moore, Null, Ramirez, Ratliff, Reagan, Richardson, Surles, Werner. I will never forget them. I often
think of the young man who had the feeling that his luck had run out and wrote his “Last Letter” on March 19, 1967. The next day he
was among those who were KIA.
I have other memories too, like the First Cook who we recruited from our Mess Hall and made him a squad leader in the Recon
Platoon. This guy liked his new job so much that he extended his tour and his exploits became legendary. He even had a LZ named
after him...I salute each and everyone who served with me in Viet Nam.
If you don’t think I’m proud of my tour with Delta Company, just check my license plate, D 8 CAV.
SGM John A. Loughran (USA Ret.) 1/Sgt.
D Co. 1/8th Cavalry June ‘66-June ‘67
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Hello,
My family also served inVietnam. After I read the story of Sgt. Musial and how all of you guys cared for one another, I wanted to
read more on him. Please post more photo's of this hero if you can.
Day 2001 and so has his sister since then.
I found this link of the 1/8 Cav. It shows that Valentine's day Feb. 14th 1967 ambush. Hodierne captured it's entirety on film. I
contacted him and gave him this site as well. He said he had not seen this version. His article also appeared (which was Musial's last
interview) in Reader's Digest 2002.
I did 6yrs in the Army (80-86) and come to find out, my unit, 74th Field Evac Hosp here in NY was last used in Long Binh '70...See,
you men left us a proud legacy, we are so proud of you all. Your sacrifice was NOT in vain. Hope you share this site with the guys of
the 1/8 who fought there that day, I'm sure they would like to see this.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6c4_1222121796.
http://vietnamphotography.com/, this is the website of Musial's photo's.
God Bless you all,
Thank You,
Caren
I received the above message in an email to the webmaster of the Jumping Mustangs site. I felt that everyone should have a chance
to read it and maybe visit the links that are in the message.
Kevan
My family also served inVietnam. After I read the story of Sgt. Musial and how all of you guys cared for one another, I wanted to
read more on him. Please post more photo's of this hero if you can.
Day 2001 and so has his sister since then.
I found this link of the 1/8 Cav. It shows that Valentine's day Feb. 14th 1967 ambush. Hodierne captured it's entirety on film. I
contacted him and gave him this site as well. He said he had not seen this version. His article also appeared (which was Musial's last
interview) in Reader's Digest 2002.
I did 6yrs in the Army (80-86) and come to find out, my unit, 74th Field Evac Hosp here in NY was last used in Long Binh '70...See,
you men left us a proud legacy, we are so proud of you all. Your sacrifice was NOT in vain. Hope you share this site with the guys of
the 1/8 who fought there that day, I'm sure they would like to see this.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6c4_1222121796.
http://vietnamphotography.com/, this is the website of Musial's photo's.
God Bless you all,
Thank You,
Caren
I received the above message in an email to the webmaster of the Jumping Mustangs site. I felt that everyone should have a chance
to read it and maybe visit the links that are in the message.
Kevan
See Trooper's Page for
addition submitted by
Pat Dooley
addition submitted by
Pat Dooley
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