| Ralph L. Keiper Jr. Sherry Ann MOS: 64B20 Served: 1970 VIETNAM Entered the service on August 20th 1969, had Basic Training, and then advanced Individual Training, (Primary MOS 64A10) Lt. Veh DRV/31G Bravo Radio Operator and at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Was assigned to Engineers in Vietnam, January 1970, landed at Bien Hua and then to relocation center, 2 days later was assigned to 20th brigade, 79th Group 104th Engineers (DT) at Camp Frenzel Jones, A Company, 20-Ton (Yellow) trucks. Left Vietnam on Dec. 2, 1970 Secondary MOS 31B10 Radio Operator GERMANY January 1971 to March, 17 1972 8th Division, 1st of 59th Low Altitude Aircraft Artillery. VULCAN & CHAPPERELL 31G30 Communications Chief: Installed & Repaired Radio's in all tanks and Rocket Launchers. Operated our base communications from Como Room E-Mail: rlkeiper@104thengineers.com Web Site: 104thengineers.com www.Pocono-Patriots.com Address: P. O. Box 516 137 Firehouse Rd. Pocono Pines, Pa. 18350 Phone: (570) 350-7588 Cell |
| This patch was not a favorite the military. |
| GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL |
| We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give |
| LT VEH DVR 64A10 64C30 Heavy Vehicle 62B20 Organizational Maintenance 31G30 31B10 National Defence Service Metal Vietnam Service Metal, with 3 Bronze Star's Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Vietnam Civic Action Army Commendation Metal Presidential Citation with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters Sharpshooter M16 with Auto Rifle Bar with Pistol Bar with Rifle Bar Expert M16 Expert M79 Expert Badge with Grenade Bar Drivers Medal 20,000 Mechanic Badge Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal 2 OS Bars Good Conduct Medal Acting Noncommissioned Officer E-5 SIG 9-E-6 Organizational Maintenance of Field Radio Equipment Trk Cgo M 715 Trk Cgo M35A2 APC M 113 Gun 20mm XM 163 Msl Car XM 48 |
| Here is a cartoon that someone sent to me. |
| Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance... |
| Off on a camping trip with the Upland Boy Scout Troop, this trip went a mere 7 miles from home to the Brookhaven area where we set up camp for the night, small note, you should never set up your tents next especially on a night when a storm is predicted. |
| Had this vest made in 2007, simple design with tribute to the POW/MIA's and the 3 Soldiers Statue. |
| Alfred E Newman |
| A Bamboo Guitar from the montugard people, at the dedication or the wall, I laid this at the base of the wall with one of mt business cards, on the back I wrote who it was from, it later appeared in a show case of items left at The Wall. |
| One of my visits to the 3 Soldiers Statue |
| This picture was taken around 1995, Pictured is Radio Personality "Gary in the Morning" from Stroudsburg, Pa. during a safety show put on by Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps where I volunteered as an EMT for 20 years up till 1999 when I had my 1st back operation. |
Here is a wall at Command Headquarters for the 20th Engineer Brigade,
written in red are the words SUPER and GROUP on either side of the word
EXCELLENCE PROVEN IN COMBAT. The other side of this structure is a
"Hand Ball Court" the Commander had built.
written in red are the words SUPER and GROUP on either side of the word
EXCELLENCE PROVEN IN COMBAT. The other side of this structure is a
"Hand Ball Court" the Commander had built.
| Can you imagine being a kid in a combat zone, there were some lucky kids who still had a family but that too buy a child, the frame is made from wires left over from flares, the tires are made from balls of tar from the blacktop we were spreading. |
| Another group of lids, they are probably homeless from the fact of the clothes or lack of they are wearing, They would steal you blind one moment and sell something back at a inflated price, they even tried to sell the services of the mothers or sisters. |
| At every village you would find the kids, unlike the kids pictured above, these kids still had a mother or grandmother to take care of then, this village is considered a safe zone as witnessed by the Constantina wire around the homes. It was normal not to find any young men in the villages, they would be " RECRUITED" during the nights by the VC, they had a choice, join now or be executed. |
| On just about any village roadway would be one of the local bow salesmen trying to sell his wears or to spy on us. You had to suspect everyone and trust no-one. |
| Here are two of the hooch girls outside one of the hooches as you can see they are scrubbing some of the combat boots,makes you wonder where that water is coming from. |
| Here is a more recent picture of a young girl carrying her younger brother, this picture was taken by John Groh on his return trip to Vietnam in 2000 with the Baptist Convention and Playgrounds Around the World. |
| Mullins, Andy Mullis, Ralph Keiper, James Peake, back Sylvan Jessie, Jimmy Williams, Benny Wilhelm (back to us) and the guy on the far right is a civilian mechanic who maintained the Yellow GMC trucks. |
| Ralph Keiper with Joe, he was one of our 20-ton drivers and I believe to be a VC, note hight, not from South Vietnam. . Picture supplies by Roger Kriz |
| After 6 months in country, my cousin Bill Kressge was drafted and ended up being assigned to the 199 Light Artillery Brigade, located on the upper end of Camp Frenzel Jones. At home in the states we lived about 9 miles apart. |
| Broken foot, We were repairing truck tires and Stephen Petz threw a rim over toward me, it hit the top of my foot and cracked a bone. Back in the United States, I had to convince the VA that I really had a broken foot. |
| Ralph and Roger Kriz, this is at our barracks and in my area. Today Roger lives about 2 hours drive from me. |
| A summer time ride into Cambodia. |
| T.T.V.A.C. |
