Who made up Echo Company when it was formed in mid 1968?
For those troopers who were not "in-country" during the middle part of 1968, this was when Echo Company was formed up.
Echo Company was formed in April 1968, just after the Division came out of the A Shau Valley, Operation Delaware, and
was supposed to be the recon platoon for the Battalion. The 4 line companies were asked to send 3 men to LZ Sharon for
assignment to Echo company. S-3 Major Tom Weiskirsch started interviewing the new replacements coming into the
Battalion in May and if the interview went OK, the replacement was asked if he wanted to join Echo Company instead of
going to a line company.
The 1st four replacements that were assigned to Echo Company were Bret Barham, Jim Bridges, James Shorter and Aaron
Harris in May and they joined the troops that had came from the line companies.
Shortly after Sgt Joseph W “Rock” Musial joined Echo Company in July, Echo became the true recon platoon it was formed
for, thanks to Sgt. Rock. Before Sgt Rock, the platoon was used as a security platoon for LZ Sharon and other
miscellaneous operations. Sgt. Rock acted as the platoon leader until Lt. David Hadly left Charlie Company for Echo
Company.
Lt. Hadly was the 2nd Platoon Leader (2-6) in Charlie Company and he recruited 3 more guys from Charlie Company to go
with him to Echo company, Able Mendes, Tony Saxon and Frank Gawell.
The below scarf was designed and presented to the recon platoon members by Lt. David Hadly just before the move to III
Corps and Tay Ninh provence. At the same time Lt. Hadly got authorization for Echo Company to wear the Tiger Camo
Fatigues.
For those troopers who were not "in-country" during the middle part of 1968, this was when Echo Company was formed up.
Echo Company was formed in April 1968, just after the Division came out of the A Shau Valley, Operation Delaware, and
was supposed to be the recon platoon for the Battalion. The 4 line companies were asked to send 3 men to LZ Sharon for
assignment to Echo company. S-3 Major Tom Weiskirsch started interviewing the new replacements coming into the
Battalion in May and if the interview went OK, the replacement was asked if he wanted to join Echo Company instead of
going to a line company.
The 1st four replacements that were assigned to Echo Company were Bret Barham, Jim Bridges, James Shorter and Aaron
Harris in May and they joined the troops that had came from the line companies.
Shortly after Sgt Joseph W “Rock” Musial joined Echo Company in July, Echo became the true recon platoon it was formed
for, thanks to Sgt. Rock. Before Sgt Rock, the platoon was used as a security platoon for LZ Sharon and other
miscellaneous operations. Sgt. Rock acted as the platoon leader until Lt. David Hadly left Charlie Company for Echo
Company.
Lt. Hadly was the 2nd Platoon Leader (2-6) in Charlie Company and he recruited 3 more guys from Charlie Company to go
with him to Echo company, Able Mendes, Tony Saxon and Frank Gawell.
The below scarf was designed and presented to the recon platoon members by Lt. David Hadly just before the move to III
Corps and Tay Ninh provence. At the same time Lt. Hadly got authorization for Echo Company to wear the Tiger Camo
Fatigues.
Above is a scan of a neckerchief presented to Recon Platoon grunts after we intercepted an NVA Company near Long
Binh around April, 1969. No GI received a scratch from the encounter.
At dusk we left the road for night patrol on a hill about 1500 meters from the base. We were told Charlie was going
after 25th Medical Group there after his less successful Tet offensive in March of '68. The weather was clear and the
fires and incoming across the valley were clearly visible. Recon wanted to get in the bush and out of site. Most of the
NVA were wiped out by M60, frags and artillery fire. It was the only time we got caught walking a trail. We never wore
the scarf in combat because of the obvious good target it makes. It was my first experience walking point. My eyes told
me a child was standing on the trail with a rifle on his shoulder but my brain wouldn't believe it. A guy from Tennessee
put his M16 on my shoulder and saved my life.
Rick "Smitty" Smith
Binh around April, 1969. No GI received a scratch from the encounter.
At dusk we left the road for night patrol on a hill about 1500 meters from the base. We were told Charlie was going
after 25th Medical Group there after his less successful Tet offensive in March of '68. The weather was clear and the
fires and incoming across the valley were clearly visible. Recon wanted to get in the bush and out of site. Most of the
NVA were wiped out by M60, frags and artillery fire. It was the only time we got caught walking a trail. We never wore
the scarf in combat because of the obvious good target it makes. It was my first experience walking point. My eyes told
me a child was standing on the trail with a rifle on his shoulder but my brain wouldn't believe it. A guy from Tennessee
put his M16 on my shoulder and saved my life.
Rick "Smitty" Smith
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| Echo Company 1968 - 1971 Home |
Notice, Notice, Notice,
Echo Company is planning a reunion June 11-13, 2010 at
Paris Landing State Park, TN.
For information, please contact bretbarham@yahoo.com
or ph 337-515-1077
Paris Landing State Park, TN.
For information, please contact bretbarham@yahoo.com
or ph 337-515-1077
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