Sp/4 Peter R. Clausen
Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
2nd Bn, 8th Inf
4th Infantry Division, RVN

1966-1967

My father is the late Peter R. Clausen, who served in Vietnam (1966-1967). My father never discussed Vietnam, but from my late Aunt’s recollection, during a mortar attack my father was knocked unconscious and covered by debris. It was either his Platoon SGT, or Lt, who held off the enemy advance until all of his soldiers were recovered. If this is remotely accurate, I’d love to thank that man, or his next of kin - I literally exist because of him. I just came across some photos. I’m not sure where my dad or these soldiers fit in, but if anyone knows any of these men, or their loved ones, I’d love to share copies with them. Again, it would be amazing to possibly connect with anyone from my dad’s unit. Sir, thank you again.

Posted 03 23 2023

If you knew SP/4 Clausen or recognize anyone in these photos, email swamp_fox at the address on the bottom of this webpage and I will forward it to his daughter.

SP/4  Lawrence William Maple
HQ Company, 3rd Bn, 8th Inf
4th Infantry, Vietnam
1967-68

My name is Christopher Maple and I am a Veteran of Desert Storm. My father recently passed away and in his things I found my Uncle Larry's DD-214. My uncle served in Vietnam, I was told in 1968. His DD-214 listed HQ Company, 3rd Battalion of the 8th Infantry. My uncle never talked about the war even after I entered the Army. He died several years ago. I was wondering if there are any sources, besides these pages, that might shed some light on his service.

(His MOS from the DD-214 indicated he was a supply specialist. He was in country sometimes between 30 DEC 66 - 17 DEC 68.) Webmaster

Posted: 28 MAR 2021

If you remember SP/4 Maple, send an email to the swamp_fox address listed at the bottom of the page and I will forward it to Chirstopher.

Kenneth Hughes
A Company, 3/8th Infantry
Medic
4th Infantry Division

Dear Homer,

I was a medic with Alpha Co, 3/8 on 3/3/69 when we were ambushed on a ridge west of Kontum during "Operation Wayne Gray". I know 119 AHC supported us throughout the night which was reported by Ron Carey in his book, "War Above the Trees". I have a couple questions about that day for which you might help me find answers. I had been severely wounded and was only able to scramble back to our small perimeter under cover provided during a few passes of a gun ship with mini-guns. Is there any way to know when and by whom we were given that support? I was one of very few who were evacuated by a medivac helicopter around midnight. The crew of that ship hovered overhead to lower a jungle penetrator and retrieve us. It must have been a very gutsy thing to do. Is there a way to find what crew they were? I owe my life to them.

On a lighter note, I always loved the times our company was ferried from place to place by helicopters. It was great fun sitting in back, weighed down by our packs, feet dangling out the sides as we flew so fast over the jungle! I know there were probably weapons pointed our direction but it still seemed like a short R&R each flight. I don't remember any of our ships having doors like they show in movies, anyway it was much more fun flying in the open. You may post this openly if you think it might find me some answers.

Thank you all,
Kenneth Hughes

Posted 8 MAR 2019

If you wish to contact Kenneth, send the email to me at the swamp_fox address below and I will forward it to him.

I served in Vietnam from March 1969 to March 1970, in the 3rd Battalion 8th Infantry of the 4th ID.

I am trying to find name of the Company Commander of D Company, 3rd of the 8th Infantry during July of 1969. He was a great guy, West Point graduate. I think his name starts with a D and he followed Captain Mike Daughtery. His name sounded French like Dunaux or Denaue, my spelling isn't reliable. I can't recall his name tag. I would like to thank him.

Posted 3 MAR 2016

If you wish to contact Joe, send the email to me at the swamp_fox address below and I will forward it to him.

Anthony Suglia
C/3/8th Infantry
4th Infantry Division

I dated my Girlfriend Jane in 12/65, age 17, while attending all boy's High School. Graduated Aviation High School, 6/66, Power Plant Mechanic. Worked on reciprocating and Jet Engines, specifically Sikorsky Helicopters. Attempted to join US Navy in 67 to repair Jet Aircraft, on waiting list four years. Worked as a fuel gauge machinist in 1967. Built, tested first LEM ( Lunar Excursion Module) fuel gauges for NASA. Enrolled in LaGuardia College 1967. Jane and I engaged to be married. Drafted 2 Apr 68 and tried to enlist with US Army to repair Jet engine helicopters for War effort in RVN. Basic at Ft.Gordon, GA, AIT at Ft. Jackson, SC, MOS awarded 11B. Told the Army needed grunts, not certified jet engine mechanics. Maybe in the future son, I was told by this 6 ft 5 in. E8. At 5 ft 3 inches, 105 pounds, I replied yes Sergeant. Levied to Vietnam 9/68, proudly served C/3/8th Infantry, Pleiku, Kontum, Dak To,until 12/68. Survived ambush 9/68 Plei Djereng. I was extracted from the field 1/69, thinking I was finally going to use my education and Jet engine mechanical experience. Sent to MACV, Long Bing, as a Specialist 4, PRC 25 radio operator. I was informed by a Major, that this was a temporary PCS, until I trained graduated Vietnamese Regulars with radio, map and small arms tactics. The Vietnamese Regulars spoke little English-language, but smiled and laughed a lot. I was not amused. However, I taught them how to call in Artillery, and not on themselves. Map reading, no GPS in those days, and squad tactics to survive. I wanted to rejoin my squad, but was informed, that then President Nixon announced he was withdrawing 50,000 combat personnel and I may be one of them. I was disappointed and wanted to complete my tour with my unit. The Army didn't want to hear it. I remained South and was attached to the proud 147th Infantry Company, sporting my IVY leaf patch. River Boat Patrols, Search and Patrol missions. My last 3 months in country were not kind. Losses as I did with C/3/8, 4th Infantry and several close friends with my new home of the 9th Infantry. From IVY Leaf to River-Rat. Now it's 8/69, and this tall First Sergeant, calls my name out during a stand down. Your going home Boy. I was short. Less than 40 days left in country. Smartly I asked when? He said tonight. I said good by, was lifted to Tan San Nut AFB. Spent two weeks awaiting a Braniff Airlines Flight back to the world. Returned to Oakland, CA., then to Maguire AFB, in NJ. My girlfriend Jane met me there. We were married in SEPTEMBER 69. Still married with 3 daughters and six grandchildren. I retired in 1995 from the Army, as Brigade Command Sergeant Major. Anyone out there that remembers anything about C 3/8 from 9/68 to 12/68, please contact me, as my long term memory no longer serves me during that dark time. Too many friends lost. I'm 100 percent disabled and before I meet my brothers in heaven, I wish all a Welcome Home.

Thank you Homer.

Anthony Suglia
Command Sergeant Major
US Army, Retired

Posted 5 OCT 2014

If you wish to contact Anthony, send the email to me at the swamp_fox address below and I will forward it to him.

Walter Cichon
Rifleman
A Company, 3/8th Infantry

He was 22 when he died, on March 30, 1968 of a head wound, but the body was never recovered. If you served with Walter, please send an email with your memories to Swamp_Fox address at the bottom of this page.

Posted 26 NOV 2013

If you wish to contact Walter, send the email to me at the swamp_fox address below and I will forward it to him.

Dave Newton
3rd Bn, 8th Infantry
4th Infantry Division

Thanks Homer for starting this site just for 3/8/4th. Hope a lot of people find it and we get to communicate and reminisce – the good and the bad. After graduating from college and getting drafted – I took the OCS test at FT. Lewis and went to OCS after basic and A.I.T. Got my orders for Viet Nam on Christmas eve 1968 and after jungle school and mortar school, I was sent to Nam. I was a platoon leader with the 2nd platoon, Co. B of the 3/8/4th from 7-1-70 thru 11-1-70. Just before they stood down; they came around and asked for officer volunteers for the Qui Nhon Support Command and rather than be transferred to another infantry unit - some of us thought it would be great to go to the beaches of Qui Nhon and pull life guard duty. Of course that was not the case – they wanted infantry officers with combat experience because the convoys were being hit a lot. I got shot at more on the highways than I ever did in the jungle. While with the 3/8/4th of course we operated out of An Khe and worked the central highlands and S&D missions. I had some great guys in my platoon and we became a close-knit machine as most platoons did. I prided myself in losing only one guy one of my platoon SGTs - but of course that was one too many. We did see some heavy action and even rescued a Lt. Col whose chopper went down and of course he was scared shitless the whole time we were getting him to a safe LZ - Oh yes he got a silver star out of it. LOL. I re-upped for a year and made Captain back in the states while working on the MAPTOE team at Ft. Riley. As many Vets (I work with vets) have told me “Wish the damn government would learn a lesson that war does not accomplish anything but make the rich – richer and get some great men and women killed.”

Contact Dave at -

Posted 06 OCT 2012

John Dickert
C/3/8
1 JAN 70 - 1 DEC 70

I am glad to have found this venue which allows me to greet many of those I served with so long ago. I discovered this site in a quest to determine our Company's casualties during my time there. I served in Vietnam from 1 January 1970 until 1 December 1970, in Charlie Company, 3rd of the 8th. I had the honor of serving in the Color Guard for the ceremony marking the 4th Infantry Division's return to the United States. I was a graduate of the NCO School at Fort Benning. I served just over half my time in the field as a member of an infantry unit and the rest in a Vietnamization program training small teams in the use of the 81-mm and 4.2-in. mortars. I did serve 10 days in Cambodia, at the time of the Kent State incident. While we experienced an eventless Tet, in Cambodia, our A Company did experience a tragedy; while serving as a reconnaissance party the Company's Commanding Officer was seized with three other men when they walked into what was later discovered to be an underground field hospital. Efforts to rescue them that day were repulsed by heavy ground fire. Their 4 bodies were found the next day, after the enemy had abandoned the facility under the cover of darkness. The Company Commander for my company was also killed on the day of the initial incursion, after he had finally dusted off our injured from the small group who had made the initial landing. He had been scheduled to leave for his R&R the next day. As I live near Washington DC, I get to visit our War Memorial frequently. I attended the reunion events associated with its opening coming up on 30 years ago, and I participated in a reading of the names some 10 years ago. I encourage all Veterans with stories to tell to also contact the Library of Congress Veterans Affairs Office. They have a successful program in collecting written and oral histories, which are readily available on-line.

The computer contact is http://www.loc.gov/vets/

I can be contacted at -- John Dickert Mount Vernon Farms Virginia

Posted 01 OCT 2012

John Ranney
C/3/8
08/68-05/69

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your tales about Wayne Grey. I also participated in the Wayne Grey operation with C/3/8. I have read Ron Carey's account and the after-action report about A company. The only point I can add to the tales are Welcome Home.

Posted 26 JAN 2005

If you wish to contact John, send the email to me at the swamp_fox address below and I will forward it to him.

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