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

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.

Hello My name is Norman "Doc" Ray. If your dad was Joe Winkelbauer. he was in 2nd Platoon A 2/5 1st Cav Division. I was the medic in that platoon. Joe Winkelbauer was a natural born leader if I ever saw one. Everything he did was right. He always looked out for the men in his squad and the whole platoon In Nov. 68 we were attacked right as CBS came in to televise Thanksgiving Dinner in the field. Wo lost about 5 men in our platoon and It really upset me to the point that I didn't eat any of the dinner. Joe came over to me with a can of ravioli and told me to eat it or "else." I ate the ravioli. I talked to Joe on the phone in 2004 and tried to get him to come to our reunion. He said no that was a partof his life that was over. I never talked to him after that. He was by far the best soldier I was ever around and an excellent human being to boot. If he was your father you were a very fortunate person.

                                                                                                         DOC RAY

Mr Ray,  I want to ask You when my  Dad 1st Sgt Hendrix was in Your unit and the last time You saw him, what platoon and squad. Thank You very much William Hendrix

Mr Ray,  I want to ask You when my  Dad 1st Sgt Hendrix was in Your unit and the last time You saw him, what platoon and squad. Thank You very much William Hendrix

I think your Dad was in the Company when I got there in very early September. He was the only first Sergeant I remember in the Company. The last time I remember seeing Top was shortly after the court martial for the guy who threatened him in March 1969.

Thank You very much for that Mr Ray I really appreciate You providing that information to me. Thank You , William Hendrix