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My Dad's service in Vietnam (A Co 2/5th 1st Cav)

Brad Clark

Hello

I am seeking anyone who might know my Dad.  He was in country from Dec 68 - Dec 69.  Primarily in and around Tay Ninh.  I have his OMPF and can provide additional info if needed.  I would I have spoken to a few VN vets who were part of A Co but not in my Dad's platoon.  I would like to find anyone or perhaps sources for records that could tell me what platoon he was in.

Thomas (Tom) E Clark
Sergeant
11B40-Infantryman
1969-1969, 11B40, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division

Many thanks.

Brad

  • 0

     

    Thank you for posting your request on History Hub.

    The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) does not provide services to locate living individuals.  Records in our custody typically were transferred from other Federal agencies at least 30 years after they were created and used.  Therefore, our records are not usually helpful in providing current information about individuals.  Veterans associations may be a better source.

    The semi-annual rosters (i.e., April and October) from 1960 to 1974 for Army units are attached to the Morning Reports of the respective units; they may not include information on platoons.  All rosters for the period are not available and usually list only enlisted personnel.  Paper copies may be obtained from microfilm by writing to the National Personnel Records Center, (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO  63138-1002.  Research and reproduction fees are charged for this service.  See https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center for an overview of what records are available and how to request them.  

    Operational records of the unit may be in our custody, in particular in series among the Records of the United States Forces in Southeast Asia, 1950-1975 (Record Group 472).  However, they rarely include names of individuals.  Although they may include references to Company A, available records will be of the battalion and division.

    If you have additional questions for the staff at Archives II, please email us at archives2reference@nara.gov so that we can assist you further.  We also invite you to continue the conversation with community members on History Hub.

    We hope that this information assists you with your research.

    Sincerely,

    Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RR)
    [RR2RR-24-15584-MAG]

  • 0

    Try searching the Texas Tech University Vietnam Canter's Virtual Vietnam Archives. It's a collection of papers donated by Vietnam veterans (and organizations), is digitized, and searchable.

    The search engine is a little quirky, though. So first, search for 5th Cavalry, then search within that for 2nd battalion, then within those results for A Company. If you just search for A Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, you'll get anything that has any of the terms in it.

    https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/

  • 0 in reply to Donald Hall

    Thank you Donald for the tips.  I am actually a TTU alum and have been on that site.  Your right the search is quirky.  But I will try your suggestion.  Many thanks for the tips and thank you for your service.

  • +1

    Hi Brad, I believe my Dad was also 1st Cavalry Division A Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment and was in Vietnam from March 1968-March 1969. Unfortunately he passed away in 2010, but I have letters he wrote to a friend during that time. I'd love to compare notes.

  • 0 in reply to swinkelb

    Good morning.  Thank you for your message.  I would love to compare notes.  I have been able to get some traction into A company, but not must past there.  It is real hard getting any sort of info at the platoon level.  I have been able to connect with a handful of vets that served in A but don't think they knew Dad.  I have some resources I can share with you.  What was your Dad's name and rank when he left VN?  Not sure how we exchange contact info

  • 0 in reply to Brad Clark

    Hi Brad, I tried, but the moderator does not let us exchange email addresses/contact info. My Dad was Joseph Winkelbauer and his rank was E5.

  • +1

    Hi Brad, my name is William Hendrix, I am trying to get information on my father’s service in Vietnam, his unit was Co A 2nd Bn 5th Cav 1st Air Cavalry. 1st Sgt Luther C Hendrix. I really don’t know how to get info. I think I am going to contact the 5th Cavalry in Texas. If anybody has any suggestions, would You please respond. Thank You

  • 0 in reply to WilliamHendrix

    There are several sites I use in my research.  I also paid a professional researcher (Army VN vet) to pull records from the Archive in DC.  It is a very tedious process but I have been able to talk to a handful of vets that were in A Co.  Unfortunately, easily accessible records only drill down to the company level.  I would love to chat further, share some of my resources, but this particular forum doesn't allow for the sharing of contact info.  If the moderators will allow, I can share some websites I use

  • 0 in reply to Brad Clark

    I appreciate that, I called the 1st Cav association but they said there was a fire and a lot of records got destroyed. The only thing the had to say was the archives. I appreciate any thing You can do. Thank You very much , William Hendrix

  • 0

    Hello Brad. My name is Norman Ray. I was the medic in 2nd Platoon from Sept. 68 until May 69 when I left the field and went to the Aid Station. I definitely remember a Tom Clark in 2nd Platoon. If I remember correctly he came over about October or so. His mother passed away and he went home and rejoined the Platoon later in the year. If this is the Tom Clark you are looking for, I have a picture of him in the squad he was with. I saw him at Fort Carson, Colo.in Dec 69 or Jan70. If this is your Dad, I would be glad to send you a copy of the picture.