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

Doc Ray, thank you for your reply and kind words. It means so much to me to read the anecdote you shared. My dad wrote a letter to his friend about the Thanksgiving Day attack and the CBS reporters being there. I found the footage from that CBS TV segment on YouTube, and seeing those young men and the conditions is truly heartbreaking.

Like most veterans, my dad never wanted to talk about Vietnam. He always brushed it off when I tried to learn and understand; now that I'm an adult, I can understand how painful it must have been for him to conjure up those memories. I can recall two of his Vietnam friends visiting our home in Oshkosh, WI in the late 70s/early 80s. They would sit in the driveway, drink beer, and reminisce. Those were the only glimpses I had into this period of his life.

My dad passed away before my sons could know him, and I feel honored to share this part of our family history with them. Thank you for your service. Thank you for passing on the legacy of your experience to this next generation.

Doc Ray, thank you for your reply and kind words. It means so much to me to read the anecdote you shared. My dad wrote a letter to his friend about the Thanksgiving Day attack and the CBS reporters being there. I found the footage from that CBS TV segment on YouTube, and seeing those young men and the conditions is truly heartbreaking.

Like most veterans, my dad never wanted to talk about Vietnam. He always brushed it off when I tried to learn and understand; now that I'm an adult, I can understand how painful it must have been for him to conjure up those memories. I can recall two of his Vietnam friends visiting our home in Oshkosh, WI in the late 70s/early 80s. They would sit in the driveway, drink beer, and reminisce. Those were the only glimpses I had into this period of his life.

My dad passed away before my sons could know him, and I feel honored to share this part of our family history with them. Thank you for your service. Thank you for passing on the legacy of your experience to this next generation.

I think I have a picture of Joe around here somewhere. If you would like, I will send you a copy

Hi Doc Ray, I would love to see a photo! You can just post it here online if you're comfortable with that. Otherwise not sure now we can connect?

I have tried to upload a picture that I have of your dad. I may have sent it to you already, I cannot remember. I am not able to get it to load on this format. If you are able to give me a facebook page or some other way to connect, I will send it to you.