Rogue's Gallery

Sgt. Jerry Smith of Delta Troop's third platoon found some photos that he took of his Delta Troop adventures. Jerry served in Vietnam from November 1970 to November 1971. He spent the first two months working the ammo dump with HHT at Di An before joining D Troop. His photos provide an important record of Delta Troopers in 1971.

Sterling Withers of Delta Troop's second platoon has an equally impressive collection of photos taken between August 1970 and February 1971. Sterling, also known as Mississippi, was wounded at Nhon Trach in February 1971, thus shortening his government-sponsored tropical holiday. Mississippi survived his wounds, saved his pictures, and sent them to the web site just recently.

Andrew Hick from the mortar section also checked in recently with a pocket full of pictures from 1971. Andy is a great friend to have, still caring about and caring for fellow troopers even after thirty-five years. His pictures are a welcome addition to the site.

Rick Dormeyer also wandered in recently and left some great pictures of life in the field. Rick and I were together in shake-n-bake school at Fort Benning, and we stayed together through our remaining military careers (about eighteen months).

Several other troopers have added a few more photos from their collections to round out the collections of Jerry, Sterling, Andy and Rick.

Thanks, guys.

A Group Portrait of Delta Troop at Lai Khe, October 1971
From the Jerry Smith Collection

The Life and Times of Delta Troop - 1971

Captain Charles M. Baily, USMA '66, served a tour with the 173rd in 1967, and his second tour as CO of Delta Troop from January to July 1971. Unlike most career officers in Vietnam in 1971, Mike had no interest in ticket-punching. He rode his jeep, leading convoys through Ambush Alley, and he led company sweeps through rubber and rice fields. After Vietnam, Mike earned his Ph.D. in history from Duke University and spent much of his career at West Point as an educator, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died of service-connected cancer in November 2001 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. From the Sterling Withers Collection

1SGT Grenier as Gunner on a Gun Jeep, FSB Mace 1971
A native of Maine, a real E-8, Top held a Combat Infantryman's Badge with two stars.
He won the Silver Star in the Ardennes in World War II. He took special care of young
shake-and-bake sergeants, teaching them how to be real NCO's.
From the Jerry Smith Collection

Sgt. Jerry Smith at Tay Ninh - On Break from Convoy Security
From the Jerry Smith Collection

Sterling Withers at Nui Chua Chan, January 1971
From the Sterling Withers Collection

Ground Cav, Vietnam: Andy Hicks in the background, Lightfoot in the foreground.
From the Andrew Hicks Collection

Bob Cullinan, Known by Many as Sgt. Eagle, at the Local Car Wash
From the Jerry Smith Collection

Rick Dormeyer at the Local Spa, closely watched by Eddie "Pig Pen" Setlocker.
We have yet to determine the difference between the local spa and the local car wash.
From the Rick Dormeyer Collection

Second Platoon's Sterling Withers, Dan (Kit Carson Scout), Doc Stanley (medic), Lee Ballinger
From the Sterling Withers Collection