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One Veteran’s Story – Bob Neusch

The following is the account of the experiences of one Martin County veteran, Bob Neusch, and his service in Vietnam. “…during the TET Offensive, they were subject to mortar attacks every night for about two to three weeks.” The full account of his experiences are as follows.

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Martin County’s Veterans’ Memorial Site will have a Bell Cobra Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter on display.  This helicopter was a stalwart of the U. S. Army’s attack aviation serving in both Vietnam and Laos from 1968-1971, often saving the lives of many American soldiers. There are many Martin County veterans that have experienced helicopter service as well.  The following is the account of the experiences of one Martin County veteran, Bob Neusch.

“In late January, 1968, during the lunar new year (or “Tet”) holiday, North Vietnamese and communist Viet Cong forces launched a coordinated attack against a number of targets in South Vietnam. The U.S. and South Vietnamese militaries sustained heavy losses before finally repelling the communist assault. The Tet Offensive played an important role in weakening U.S. public support for the war in Vietnam.”[1]

Martin County native Bob Neusch served in the Army in Vietnam during the TET Offensive. 

Prior to joining the Army, he was attending Mankato State College, now Minnesota State University, in 1966, studying to become a mechanical engineer.  He knew he would have to transfer to complete his studies and that the draft was a factor for every young man during that era.  As a result, he decided to investigate what opportunities might be available in the Army and take the necessary tests to see what he might qualify for if he were to enlist.  Upon completion of his testing, he was informed that he qualified for whatever area he might want to pursue in the Army. 

Consequently, Neusch enlisted in the Army in 1966 and took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He received advanced training for helicopters at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  Neusch initially wanted to become a pilot.  However, since that would entail extending his enlistment, he decided to become a mechanic instead and work on helicopters.

Neusch’s military service spanned from September of 1966 through September of 1969.  He served in Vietnam from April of 1967 through April of 1968 during the TET Offensive.  He was located at Ban Me Thuot in the south central highlands of Vietnam.  His assignment was that of being a mechanic working on Huey Helicopters.  In that capacity, he soon became a crew leader with six crew members under him.  Their assignment involved conducting scheduled maintenance on helicopters.  That would take about one week for four to five crew members to complete.  They would make sure the blades were tracking properly and, interestingly enough, ran walnut shells through the engines to clean them. 

The compound he was assigned to was relatively new.  At first he said that they slept in tents, however, the facility was improved over time. He said the time went fast and described his assignment as being good duty, relatively speaking.  Nevertheless, during the TET Offensive, they were subject to mortar attacks every night for about two to three weeks.  Because of that, they slept in bunkers that were fortified to prevent injury from mortar attacks during that period of time.

Although not a pilot, Neusch did go on test flights of helicopters after they had been serviced.  He had the opportunity to service helicopters at the DMZ as Chinese Mercenaries were there supporting the U. S. efforts with the war.  

Following his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was stationed at Hunter Army Air Force Base in Savannah, Georgia, for one and one-half years as a mechanic working on helicopters.

Although it’s been nearly fifty years since he was in the military, Neusch views his time spent in the Army as a positive experience.  He has no disabilities as a result of his service and is very thankful for that.  He is also appreciative of having the Bell Cobra-Fixed Wing Attack Helicopter on display at the Martin County Veterans’ Memorial Site.

Mr. Neusch returned to farming following his military duty and is currently farming in Martin County.

All branches of the military are comprised of many different and necessary segments.  Each is important and plays a significant part in maintaining our freedom.  Regardless of when and where one served, all are to be honored for their sacrifices and service to our country.   The Bell Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter will be dedicated on August 1, 2020, at the Martin County Veterans’ Memorial Site on Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont.  Watch the local media for exact time of the event and other activities planned for that day.

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[1] https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/tet

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One Veteran’s Story – Doug Kahler

The following is the account of the experiences of one Martin County veteran, Doug Kahler, and his time in Vietnam aboard a UH-1 Huey Helicopter. “As one might expect, a helicopter on missions in Vietnam would frequently be the target of enemy fire. Such was the case with the helicopter that Kahler was assigned to during his tour of duty.” The full account of his experiences are as follows.

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Martin County’s Veterans’ Memorial Site will have a Bell Cobra Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter on display.  This helicopter was a stalwart of the U. S. Army’s attack aviation serving in both Vietnam and Laos from 1968-1971, often saving the lives of many American soldiers. There are many Martin County veterans that have experienced helicopter service as well.  The following is the account of the experiences of one Martin County veteran, Doug Kahler.

“Vietnam has long been known as the “Helicopter War.” The distinctive “thump-thump” of UH-1 Huey choppers is seared deeply into the memories of Vietnam veterans, and even many Americans who only heard it on the evening news or recall it from Apocalypse Now. It was where the Army rolled out its notion of “air mobility”—skies full of helicopters rushing troops to the front, plucking them from trouble, rescuing the wounded, and bringing home the dead.”[1]

Fairmont native Doug Kahler enlisted in the Army on May 15, 1968, serving until he was honorably discharged on June 17, 1970.  His basic training was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  Since he had an electrician’s license, he was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama, to be involved with construction.  However, that area closed and he was subsequently trained to fight fires.  As a result, he then volunteered to be on a crash and rescue helicopter primarily in the Fort Rucker area. 

He wasn’t particularly satisfied with his assignment at that time and, consequently, in May of 1969, he volunteered to go to Vietnam.  He was assigned to an aviation company in Vietnam, however, they didn’t need a firefighter.  Therefore, he had the choice of being a mechanic or a door gunner on a helicopter.  He chose being a door gunner.

Kahler served as a door gunner on a Huey Helicopter with an M-60 machine gun.  The Huey had a crew of four, two pilots and two door gunners.  They would fly approximately four to five missions weekly with much of their work being in the central highlands of Vietnam.  He served in this capacity from June of 1969 to April of 1970.

Some of their missions involved dropping Special Forces in Cambodia.  In one instance, they took Green Berets to Cambodia where they parachuted in at night.  However, that mission was compromised as the enemy could see the parachutes.  Consequently, they had go back in and pick the Green Berets up in their helicopter.  In another mission, special forces captured an NVA (North Vietnamese Army) Sergeant and they helicoptered him and the special forces back to the base.  This was a very important mission as the captured NVA Sergeant could, and did, provide very useful information as U. S. forces were closely monitoring Cambodia at the time.

As one might expect, a helicopter on missions in Vietnam would frequently be the target of enemy fire.  Such was the case with the helicopter that Kahler was assigned to during his tour of duty.  In one instance when the helicopter was under fire one of the rounds, including some shrapnel, hit Kahler in the leg.  He was taken to a hospital in Pleiku, Vietnam, and then sent to Japan for surgery.  He spent three weeks in a hospital in Japan prior to being honorably discharged in June of 1970 as the recipient of a Purple Heart.

Although wartime service is both challenging and dangerous, Kahler feels positive about his time in the military.  Although being young at the time, he stated that it was an experience that provided him the opportunity to meet many different people and see parts of the world he would not have seen had it not been for being in the military. 

Kahler also feels that having the helicopter displayed at the Martin County Veterans’ Memorial Site is a very positive symbol in commemorating the experiences of Martin County veterans in the Vietnam War. 

Following his military service, Kahler returned to Fairmont working at Kahler Electric Company and continues to work there today.

The Bell Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter will be dedicated on August 1, 2020, at the Martin County Veterans’ Memorial Site on Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont.  Watch the local media for exact time of the event and other activities planned for that day.

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[1] https://time.com/4495714/vietnam-war-helicopter-memorial/

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One Veteran’s Story – Dale Tauer

The following is the account of the experiences of one Vietnam veteran, Dale Tauer and a Martin County Veteran who saved his life. “He remembers the flash from the RPG as the enemy was only 30 feet away. If it weren’t for Randy Benck, Tauer would not be alive today.” The full account of his experiences are as follows.

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Martin County’s Veterans’ Memorial Site will soon have a Bell Cobra Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter on display.  This helicopter was a stalwart of the U. S. Army’s attack aviation serving in both Vietnam and Laos from 1968-1971, often saving the lives of many American soldiers. There are many Martin County veterans that have experienced helicopter service as well.  The following is the account of the experiences of one veteran, Dale Tauer, and the Martin County soldier that saved his life, Randy Benck.

“The Vietnam War was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. The conflict was intensified by the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. More than 3 million people (including over 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War, and more than half of the dead were Vietnamese civilians. Opposition to the war in the United States bitterly divided Americans, even after President Richard Nixon ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 1973. Communist forces ended the war by seizing control of South Vietnam in 1975, and the country was unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam the following year.”[1]

Dale Tauer grew up and graduated from high school in Morgan, Minnesota, and is currently a resident of Punta Gorda Isles, Florida. Tauer has first-hand knowledge of the Vietnam War, including the significant role a helicopter played during his service. 

Tauer was just out of high school in 1969 when he went to Minneapolis to sign up for the draft.  He had no desire to go to Vietnam and actually considered going to Canada.  However, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for basic training.  He then went on to jump school with the 101^st Airborne becoming a member of the Vietnam version of the famous “Band of Brothers” from World War II.  Following that was three weeks in Fort Lewis, Washington, serving as a clerk typist until an extra soldier was needed to fill a seat on a plane headed to Vietnam.  He just happened to become that extra soldier.

When getting on the plane headed for Vietnam, he thought they were going to Korea, however, he was quickly corrected.  After refueling in Alaska, the plane hit some ice on the runway during takeoff and crashed through a barricade. As a result, he spent the Christmas weekend in the terminal before being shipped out to Hawaii, without orders.

While in Hawaii, and still with no orders, he was given the job of fixing boat motors at the officers’ club.  He also spent time surfing, water skiing, bartending, and in general being somewhat of a “cabana boy.”  That came to an abrupt end when one of the officers noted that he had some radio training.  The officer told Tauer that he was taking him along to Da Nang because he needed a radioman.

Tauer ended up in Quang Tri as a radioman, admittedly not knowing what was really happening.  He was sent with another young soldier to a fire base.  The other soldier, a ham radio operator, really liked Tauer’s radio, so Tauer gave him the radio in trade for the other soldier’s job. However, the other soldier didn’t even know his own job.

Tauer’s first day of experiencing battle was very frightening.  Their point man was killed and a soldier named “Red” took his place.  Tauer then became Red’s slack man (understudy).  Next, a sniper killed “Red,” so Tauer became the point man for his squad. 

Tauer was involved in “The Battle of Ripcord” that took place in July of 1970.  This was the only battle that the 101^st Airborne ever lost as well as being one of the last big battles of the Vietnam War.  The series of events that followed for Tauer were momentous and life threatening. 

The battle involved about 1,500 U. S. Troops up against about 15,000 NVA regulars.  During the encounter, Tauer was hit with an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) as he jumped out of a hole to pull another soldier, John Knott, into cover of an enemy’s fox hole complex that they had been dropped into earlier in the day.  He remembers the flash from the RPG as the enemy was only 30 feet away. The blast sent Tauer and Knott into the air over the tops of trees.

The next day as the squad was pulling back, Randy Benck, a Martin County soldier, ran down the hill to look for Tauer’s body as he was thought to be dead.   He was fortunately found alive by Benck the day following the RPG blast. Benck carried him back to the hill where the few surviving soldiers were gathered waiting for extraction while still under heavy enemy fire.

The first chopper in was hit by a rocket and crashed on top of the guys killing Captain Workman. He had just received the call, “every man for himself.”    A second chopper came in after calls from the downed pilot and a remaining crew member in distress.   Tauer was in no condition to walk, was in shock, and was weak from loss of blood.  Consequently, Benck, who had also been wounded, carried Tauer on to the last chopper.

 As if that wasn’t enough, while being medevaced out of battle, the helicopter Tauer was on was struck with machine gun fire by the NVA.  The door gunner was hit and bullets pierced the floor of the chopper going between Tauer’s arm and body while, fortunately, entirely missing him.  Then, when he finally arrived at the field clinic at Camp Evans, a nurse saw that since he was not “bleeding out,” he was sent to the end of the line of the wounded soldiers.  He eventually received treatment for his injuries, was moved to a hospital ship, and then relocated to a recovery center at Da Nang. 

As a result of Benck’s daring rescue, Tauer considers him not only his buddy but also his hero. If it weren’t for Randy Benck, Tauer would not be alive today. Sadly, Benck died March 7, 2009, after battling cancer from Agent Orange.

Dale Tauer was honorably discharged from the Army in September of 1971 and returned home to his father’s farm in Minnesota before later getting into farming.

In reflecting on his experience in Vietnam and the war, Tauer felt it to be a terrible waste of lives and that it’s important for people to understand that war is horrible. Because of the bravery and sacrifices of Dale Tauer and Randy Benck, as well as that of others that have served, we as Americans have the privilege of living in a free country.  This is something that we can never take for granted!       

I would like to acknowledge and thank Dale Tauer for providing this memorable and vivid account of his military experiences and https://donmooreswartales.com/2011/02/23/dale-tauer/ that also served as a source of information for this article. 

The Bell Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter will be dedicated on August 1, 2020, at the Martin County Veterans’ Memorial Site on Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont.  Watch the local media for exact time of the event and other activities planned for that day.

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[1] https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history

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One Veteran’s Story – Dale Harbitz

The following is the account of the experiences of one Martin County veteran, Dale Harbitz. “Helicopters were the infantryman’s connection to where we had come from.” Harbitz had many experiences with helicopters and how they were utilized during his tour of duty while being in the infantry.   The account of several of his experiences are as follows.

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Martin County’s Veterans’ Memorial Site will have a Bell Cobra Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter on display.  This helicopter was a stalwart of the U. S. Army’s attack aviation serving in both Vietnam and Laos from 1968-1971, often saving the lives of many American soldiers. There are many Martin County veterans that have experienced helicopter service as well.  The following is the account of the experiences of one Martin County veteran, Dale Harbitz.

“Vietnam War, (1954–75), a protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States.”[1]

“The most widely used military helicopter, the Bell UH-1 series Iroquois, better known as the “Huey”, began arriving in Vietnam in 1963. Before the end of the conflict, more than 5,000 of these versatile aircraft were introduced into Southeast Asia. “Hueys” were used for MedEvac, command and control, and air assault; to transport personnel and materiel; and as gunships. Considered to be the most widely used helicopter in the world, with more than 9,000 produced from the 1950s to the present, the Huey is flown today by about 40 countries.”[2]

Vietnam veteran Dale Harbitz, of Sherburn, grew up on a farm east of St. James and graduated from St. James High School in 1967.  He attended Worthington Junior College briefly before registering for the draft and enlisting in the Army in July of 1968.  Prior to his tour of duty in Vietnam, he spent a total of nine and one-half months in basic training, Advanced Infantry Training, and Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate School.   

Harbitz stated his perspective regarding the use and value of helicopters during the Vietnam War:

“Helicopters were the infantryman’s connection to where we had come from.  In the “boonies,” we were clearly isolated from anything but the unknown double and triple canopy jungle surrounding us both day and night.  Our enemy lie waiting for our incursions, dug-in and seeking to pick us off; the friendly call of our re-supply helicopters bringing in new FNG’s (replacements), c-rations, and water; sometimes, a hot meal.  Of the greatest respect for the Medevac choppers, whose crews always answered our call of needful desperation; Gunships, both UH-1 along with Loach and Cobra helicopters often were called upon to provide firepower and aerial support to ground units.  These ground units were tasked with the mission of traversing the jungle environs, locating enemy supply routes and positions and in engaging and destroying the enemy!  We found the enemy to be well-prepared and willing to take us on, usually at their own timing!”

Harbitz had many experiences with helicopters and how they were utilized during his tour of duty while being in the infantry.   The account of several of his experiences are as follows:

On May 11, 1969, Harbitz was on a UH-1 resupply chopper going to join his new unit in the jungle. The pilot decided to give them a “grand entry” into the landing zone by coming in at a high speed, pulling his nose up into a vertical lift, then into a stall, flipping 180 degrees, and finally dropping softly onto the landing zone experiencing what was called a “hammerhead” turn.

On June 17, 1969, a new point man was hit by an NVA sniper smashing the right side of his mouth and jaw.  A medevac chopper (UH-1) was called in, but due to the heavy tree canopy was unable to get down to the troops.  The medics devised a plan to float the injured soldier out to the middle of the river on an air mattress.  Then the Medevac chopper hovered overhead with the skids in the water and floated the injured man onto the deck of the helicopter. The attempt proved successful as a result of the skill demonstrated by the Medevac chopper pilot.

In another instance, in June of 1969, while on patrol west of the north end of Quan Loi basecamp’s airfield they were crossing a lengthy area of dried up rice paddies.  They observed six Huey “lift ships” and two Cobra gunships traveling north.  Then, one of the Cobras peeled off from the Combat Assault Formation and veered in their direction appearing to come directly at them.  The soldiers waved their weapons in the air trying to signal the helicopter that they were not the NVA as it flew directly overhead.  The Cobra returned to its original mission while the ground troops were thinking that it could have been what Harbitz described as being a “real bad day.” 

In March of 1970 what had started out as a routine flight of a Chinook CH47B twin-rotor helicopter ended tragically.  The Chinook moved in at a fast rate of speed with a sling-load full of concertina wire under its belly swaying from side to side.  It failed to gain altitude and appeared to have lost hydraulic control to the rotors and turbine control systems.  Attempts to regain control of the doomed flight failed and the rear rotor erupted in flames as it fell from the sky tragically ending the lives of its crew of five.

The preceding represents but a few of the many experiences Harbitz encountered while serving in Vietnam.  He completed his service in the Army in 1970 returning to Worthington Junior College before transferring to Mankato State University where he earned his BS Degree.  Ironically, his experience in Vietnam influenced him in choosing his career as a teacher and administrator as a result of encountering the many innocent children who were the innocent victims of the war that would trade bananas for the soldiers C-Rations.

Harbitz is very appreciative of the Martin County Veterans Memorial Site and the addition of the Cobra helicopter.  In addition, he keeps in contact with the men he served with as they have reunions annually.

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[1] https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War

[2] https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/uh-1.htm