Reunion 2010 Sponsored By Army Transportation Association June (dates to be announced later) Pigeon Forge, TN Register with Jim Rose 261-991-1467 or email jhr0545@Comcast.net for info Open to all Army Trucking and Transportation Units including Boats, Helicopters, Engineers and Maint/Supply/Depot Army Transportation Association-Vietnam is for you! Only $15 per year |
572nd Transportation Company Gypsy Bandits - Vietnam The official History Website by Don Mangus Vietnam 1970 -1971 |
Don Mangus & Bill Hampton Jessie Cole Don Mangus Johnson City, TN |
Bandit - David Bigby , Quang Tri, Vietnam 1971 |
Bandit - Ray Clinton Lake City, Florida |
Bandits - Larry Toscano & Don Mangus Vero Beach, FL |
Convoy thru Hue Jan 71' to Tan My Ramp for supplies |
Don Mangus May 1970 - April 1971 |
History of the Gypsy Bandits in Vietnam |
General Background Information The 572nd Transportation Company Medium Truck) (Cargo) was originally established during World War II as a component of the Quartermaster Corps. After being converted to the Transportation Corps, the unit saw active service in the European Theater of Operations. After participation in campaigns in France, Germany and Italy; the unit reverted to an inactive status in December of 1945. The unit was reactivated in Feb of 1956 for a period of fifteen months. The company was reactivated on 1 July 1966 in its present configuration as a medium truck company at Fort George G. Meade. After deployment to the Republic of Vietnam, the unit was assigned to the 7th Transportation Battalion (Truck), 48th Transportation Group, In Long Binh, Vietnam on 20 November 1966. In addition to providing general logistical support for combat units in the III and IV Corps areas, the 572nd furnished direct support to the units engaged in operations Gadsen, Junction City, and Manhattan during the early part of 1967. After successfully completing this mission, the unit returned to Lonh Binh. In the March of 1968, the company moved north to Da Nang to provide additional line haul capability for transportation of cargo between Danang and Phu Bai'. After another move further north, the 572nd was tasked with the mission of supporting tactical units involved in the relief of Khe Sanh. On 18 April 1968, The unit was part of the convoy to Khe Sanh. After this historic operation, the unit begun support of the 1st Cavalry Division in the Quang Tri - Dong Ha Area. In November of 1968, the 572nd returned to Long Binh in order to resume it's prior mission and responsibilities. Operations and Statistics for the period of 1 May 1970-- 30 April 1971 On 7 May 1970, the 572nd furnished one Platoon in direct support of the 25th Infantry Division during the 25's unit move prior to the entry of Uniterd States' forces into Cambodia and during the first part of ther Cambodian operation. The unit remained in direct support of the Cambodian operations, hauling ammunition, and other supplies forward, and returning with retrograde equipment, captured ammunition, weapons, foodstuffs and other miscellaneous items foundin the huge supply caches in Cambodia. The 572nd departed Long Binh on 26 January to take part in the support of the Laotion campaign - Operation Lam Son 719. The unit was moved by both sea and air to close on the logistical area of operations by 29 January 1971. Initially assigned to the 39th Transportation Battalion, 26th general Support Group, the 572nd was reassigned to the 57th Transportation Battalion. The company was engaged in port clearence from Dong Ha to Quang Tri and forward to the Forward Support Activities at FSB Vandergriff and Khe Sanh, as well as line haul operations from Quang Tri to the forward Support Activities,. Convoy operations were conducted on a twenty-four hours basis initially, and then during daylight hours. All classes of supply except for bulk fuels were transported by the unit. During the period of 29 January - 31 March 1971 , the unit moved 30,118 tons over 98,649 miles for a ton miles total of 1,267,233. This result was achieved with the unit operating at an average daily task vehicle availability of 62%. Recapitulation of Unit Accomplishments Since November 1966, the 572nd transpotation Company has participated in five major combat operations, and has played an important part in the overall logistical support for tactical units located througout Vietnam. Aggregate statistics show that this unit has moved cargo over an estimate distance of 9.7 million miles. This unit has compiled a distinguished and envible record during its period of service in the Republic of Vietnam.The Company has shown itself to be flexible and responsive to the constantly changing demands of a complex counterinsurgency conflict. Personnel of the unit of material assets under all types of adverse conditions in order to carry out any and all assigned missions. More history to follow |
How many of our Gypsy Bandits located in Vietnam has had the following health /mental problems after returning to the United States? Agent Orange symptoms Diabetes Type 2 , etc. Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Cancers of any major organs PTSD Just plain hate society in general? Have nothing or little to do with our Government ? Fear of large crowds and load noises? Unable to hold a lasting relationship with family or friends? You are not alone. Wives and spouses of our Gypsy Bandits if you wish to contact each other for support or just to chat please email me and I will get you in contact. Spouses are very important to the Vietnam Veteran and we thank them and love them even more for their understanding love and patience helping us cope with our demons of war. |
Dean Kroulik "Walrus" Gypsy Bandit |
Bandit - Dean Over 13,000 days ago |
More Gypsy Bandit Brothers |
Bruce Clark & Chuck Baird in the hootch |
Chuck Baird Ron Wheeler "Big Boy" Dean Kroulik "Walrus" You can see the anguish and mental depression on these young men's faces |
Most of us came home confused war torn and just plain disgusted about the situation with the war in Vietnam. Make no mistake we did our job just like our fathers and their fathers before them. We we brothers then and , brothers now. In the words I quote from Dean K. " We have been forgiven , but it won't be forgotten" God? We have spent our time in hell early here on earth, please find a special place for all my Bandit brothers in Heaven. We Got It Done! |
Ron Lester,Joe Gorman, Melton( Tenn), James Shipley |
I need more Bandit Pictures! Picture CD almost ready! |
Set Me Free and Lt. Calley Boy did I start something in Battalion when they got wind of the Lt. Calley part and made me remove it from the vehicle. |
Don Mangus; 1970 Long Binh, 1971 Quang Tri |
Jessie Cole 1971 |
The History above by the US Army has a section underlined. It said we did not haul fuel as supply or in bulk. well doesn't that look like a 5,000 gallon tanker in front of me at Cam Lo? Yes and one was hooked onto the back of my truck as well. Who holds the truth? We hauled Fuel Bladders to Khe Sanh often as well as tankers to FSB Vandergriff. I was hauling one empty back on the night of the Feb. 8, 1971 ambush on Highway 9. when we had to be saved by the the guntruckers of the 57th Trans and we all got busted up pretty bad.Including Lt. Stafford who was riding in the back of the 57th's Guntruck that took a direct hit. Men were blow out onto the side of the highway and the driver Charlie Soule never had a chance took the hit and many men injuried (Sam Hoskins was one. We jumped out and returned fire from under the rear wheels of our vehicles. We were ordered to do this by the Lt. Col earlier that week. Direct Order. |
History Links Click Below |
This is just a sample of some of the history of the 572nd Trans Company in Vietnam. A Cd Rom complete with history and hundreds of pictures and Vietnam era memorabilia and info . If you wish to order ahead of time ( Waiting List ) no problem it will be delivered the minute I get it back from press. This Cd Rom will be shipped to any 572nd Personnel or their Families free of charge in exchange for their history and/or additional pictures. Thank You! |
I'd Like to thank some of the following Gypsy Bandits for their help putting this history in motion! The Duece Rolls On! Don Mangus " Mongoose The Loose" 70-71 Gil Drollette 70-71 William Hampton "Hamp" 69-71 Larry Toscano "Sgt Toss" 69-71 Matt Bland 69 - 70 David Bigby "Mississippi Hippy" 70-71 Dean Kroulik "Walrus" 70-71 Ron Lester "Crow" 70-71 Ray Clinton "Stevie Ray" Jessie Cole " Hillbilly" 70-71 Charles Haller "The Nose " Sgt 69-70 Jim Donelan - 67- 68 (In Heaven now) Henry Bechold "Chunky" 67- 68 Mike Rasmussen "Rass" 69-71 Daniel McNeff "Tex" 70-71 Ellis Nichols - 68 Robert Holtz - 72' Gypsy The Bandit Guntruck Ken Bonham - 1LT 68-69 Dave Morris - 68-69 Peter Karous - 68-69 Jim Waddington "Stilt" - 68-69 Patrick Peters - Capt 1970-71 (In Heaven Now) Michael McHenry - Capt 1971-73 Gordon Baraw - 68-69 Ken Harper"Harp" 70-71 Iziah Patton "Ike" 70-71 Shannon Nichols Capt 1971 Set Me Free 2 |
Things we forget; The Rockpile QL1 & QL9 FSB 1 & 2 Dong Ha, Cam Lo P-38, Gold Leaf Cigs C-Rations, M-16 Monsoon Season Red Rocks and Dust in-coming / out-going sound of the Trucks turbocharger, Log Jp-4, Jet fuel, Diesel |
Bigby Haller Cantrell |
Vaccura Saunders Mangus Karas |
Capt. Patrick I. Peters |
Ron Lester & Kenny Harper 1970 Banditos elite! |
Reunion will be in 2010 !!! |
Reunion 2010 Sponsored By Army Transportation Association June (dates to be announced later) Pigeon Forge, TN Register with Jim Rose 261-991-1467 or email jhr0545@Comcast.net for info Open to all Army Trucking and Transportation Units including Boats, Helicopters, Engineers and Maint/Supply/Depot Army Transportation Association-Vietnam is for you! Only $15 per year |
Bruce Contact me! we lost your current email |
Newsletter and reunion info and website info for minimal yearly membership fee. Find you old Army buddies! Cheaper than Dirt! |
Ron Lester has checked In ! Welcome Home "Crow" |
Details below! Scan down now! |
any corrections let me know! |
Click on the tag to order one The way you want it! David will get it to you! |
The Duece lives! This website is FREE to all Gypsy Bandits Who served in Vietnam at any time! The ATA - V is Hosting The Reunion and you can meet many others in Trans! |
In the future I will be breaking the enlisted men in groups of "Tour of Duty" with The Bandits..By the years.. So check in often and if you have another Bandits info or contact please have them contact us! |
1966 - 67 1968 - 69 1970 - 71 1971 - 73 Then & Now Reunions |
Ellis Nichols - Florida |
David Morris - Maint 68 |
Jim Waddington writes - " I had a call from Rekah Sommers ( Lt. Dave Sommers Wife) confirming that Dave had passed away in Janurary of 2000. We lost a fine officer, friend and member of the 572nd Transportation Company. He served as platoon leader from 1968 - 69. I had the honor of taking Dave to the transfer company when he left country in 1969 and I can still remember shaking his hand, giving him a salute and wishing him well. He is remembered by me as an officer who treated his men with respect and never asking of them anything he would not do himself. This past Memorial Day Ken Bonham and Peter Karous made the drive to his gravesite to pay their respects. I understand they had a beer and left one in Dave's honor. I wish I could have met them there but my heart was with them. Jim Waddington Spec /5, 572nd Trans Co. June 68 Thru August 69. |
1971 - 73 Holtz & Capt McHenry |
In1968 |
Toscano, Bigby & Mangus Thanksgiving 2007 Tampa, Florida |
Reunion 2008 Branson was a blast! |
If you didn't make it to the 2008 reunion in June you missed a great time! over 90 people attended with their families and some we haven't seen in nearly 40 years arrived and we had a great time. (see pics below) 11 of our own Gypsy Bandits were present and we all shared stories and memories of past. |
Rasmussen, Garrison, Toscano, Bonham, Malone, Mangus, Kroulik, Hampton & Nichols Morris and Karous had to leave early and are pictured below |
Morris and Karous |
We were entertained by the legendary Willie Nash of The Platters Fame at the reunion banquet and several spoke and were moved to tears at the dinner also. Thank you all for attending .. It was Healing to say the least... Best story was about Morris having to salute Lt. Bonham as Morris made his way back from theshowers wearing only a towel and soap and razor in hand.. Need I say more and I'll let you guess which hand was holding the towel...Oh yes his saluting one... Lt. Bonham recalls ... yelling... Morris you SOB..!!!! Ha ah aha ah ...Things we did in Nam.. oh boy! |
Gypsy Bandits 2008 Branson, MO |
Someone has a picture of us down at the meeting room as a complete group.. Who ever has that picture please send a copy to us for the history book? Thanks email is listed above! Please everyone please keep in touch! we are looking for more Bandits! |
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