JOIN US – 31st Engineer Battalion Association 2022 Reunion

The Veterans of the 31st Engineer Battalion Association cordially invite you and yours to gather and rekindle the bond of brotherhood, share fellowship and stories of our service together at Fort Leonard Wood.

HOTEL:

Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood

*PLEASE RESERVE YOUR ROOM EARLY*

Booking Link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/vu8ctu
Group Name: 31st Engineer Reunion

103 St. Robert Plaza Dr. St. Robert, MO 65584

Telephone 573-336-3355  

Cost is $96/night plus tax

Additional hotel details are provided at the bottom of this message.

BANQUET:

Saturday, October 8, 2022, Regimental Room Hall of Flags. The banquet will feature special guests, including the current BC and CSM with Color Guard, former BC Col. Bob Dixon and others.

AGENDA:

Plans include a Fort Leonard Wood base tour and a tour of the U.S. Army Engineer Museum with a banquet on Saturday, Oct. 8.

FUNDRAISING:

50/50 raffle will be held to raise funds for the Association, details to follow. We will also be selling 31st caps, shirts and coffee mugs.

DUES:

If you have not already done so, please pay your 2-year association dues of $25 for 2021/2022 to: Warren Dubois 906 West Virginia Ave. Salem, Missouri 65560  

BATTALION WEBSITE:

https://31stengineerbattalion.com  

SOCIAL MEDIA:

We have a dynamic Facebook group managed by John Lough. This group is a perfect place to share your stories and pictures and to stay in touch.

Please join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/356824815138376

POINTS OF CONTACT:

Warren Dubois, Treasurer 573-729-8157, dubois@embargmail.com  

June Robbins, Executive Director 941-348-5925, juneurobbins@gmail.com

PLEASE RSVP BY SENDING AN EMAIL OR TEXT TO JUNE ROBBINS

We look forward to seeing you at the reunion!

HOTEL DETAILS:

Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood

To book a room, please use booking link below.

Booking Link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/vu8ctu
Group Name: 31st Engineer Reunion

Located in St. Robert, Hampton Inn St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood is convenient to Hidden Valley Plaza and St. Robert Museum. This hotel is within close proximity of Tiger Aquatic Center and Bosa Heights Park.

Rooms

Make yourself at home in one of the 79 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while 25-inch flat-screen televisions with premium TV channels provide entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Amenities

Enjoy recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and tour/ticket assistance. Free self-parking is available onsite.

Dining

A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is included.

Business, Other Amenities

Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby.

Fred And Gloria Webb’s Daughter Nancy Tells Story Of Her Parents’ Passing

  • Funeral Services for Fred and Gloria Webb
    Fred and Gloria Webb

    Dear Friends and Family,

    I apologize if I am catching anyone off guard by sharing this information.

    For those of you who might be getting this news for the first time, my parents (Fred and Gloria Webb) both passed away from Covid-19.

    On Dec 24th mom was taken to the ER by a very special friend (an angel and a hero to me and my brother), Janice Harvison.

    Mom tested positive for COVID and was already very sick with pneumonia, and she was immediately admitted to the hospital.  We knew that dad most likely had it too.  He went by ambulance to the hospital on Christmas Day (again with the help of Janice).

    Also on Christmas day, Ron travelled to Saraland to be there for Mom and Dad as soon as they got out of the hospital.

    For the first few days they shared a hospital room, and we were encouraged —as they sounded like they were making some improvement with the treatments.

    But Mom was having trouble remembering why she was there and the importance of keeping on her oxygen mask.  Dad would try to help her, but this meant taking off his mask so he could get her to hear him.  Every time either of them took off their mask their oxygen immediately dropped very low.

    They were moved to separate rooms in hopes that they would just focus on getting themselves better.

    But then Mom became agitated and combative about keeping on her oxygen mask.  And on January 6th she took a turn for the worse and they put her on the vent.

    Dad was very worried about Mom being put on the vent.  He wanted them to put her in his bed so he could hold the oxygen mask on her rather than putting her on the vent.  But she seemed to be tolerating the vent ok and we were hopeful that it would help her.

    The hospital had started doing some rehab with Dad, and he seemed to be holding his own and at least not getting worse.

    On January 12th, my brother, Ron and I were in the middle of a Zoom call with a social worker at the hospital to discuss transitioning Dad to a nursing home for intermediate care when I got the call from the doctor that he had stopped breathing, they attempted to revive him but he did not survive.

    It was shattering!

    Then on the evening of January 14th the doctor called Ron to explain that Mom was in very bad condition and suffering.  He recommended that we take her off the ventilator.

    Since Ron was there and I was still in South Point, Ron went to the hospital to be there with Mom when they took her off the vent.  He was able to facetime with me so that I could also say goodbye to Mom.

    We were able to spend about an hour with Mom before they removed the ventilator, but she was not responsive.

    Once they removed the vent, it was just a few minutes before Mom joined Dad in heaven.

    I felt like I should explain what happened and I also wanted to share the link to the funeral.

    We know that there are many who would have travelled to the funeral if there wasn’t a pandemic raging around us, but we feel you must try to be safe — for we don’t want you to take any chances with your health and the health of those you love.

    The funeral is tomorrow at 2pm and visitation at 1pm at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home in South Point, OH.

    It will be live streamed and you can watch that with this link which will be activated at 2pm when the funeral begins:

    Here is the link for the live stream.   https://my.gather.app/remember/earl-fred-gloria-webb

    If you miss it at 2pm, then you should still be able to watch a recording of the funeral later using the same link.

    Here is the link for the obituary and funeral home:  https://www.slackandwallace.com/obituaries/Earl-Fredrick-Fred-Webb–and—Gloria-Almeda-Virginia-Morrison-Webb?obId=19674013#/obituaryInfo

    Please take care and God Bless You!

    Nancy

    Nancy’s email address:  nwebb@marshall.edu.  Mailing address is 102 Elm St., South Point, Ohio  45680. Phone 740-550-0800.

Last chance to book at special discounted rate for 2019 31st Engineer Battalion Reunion in Boston

Message from Executive Director, Louis Brown

Fellow 31st Combat Engineer Battalion Veterans:

First, thank you to all who have booked your rooms for the upcoming 2019 Reunion. Please bug your fellow 31st Vets who “haven’t gotten around to it yet”.

 For those of you planning to attend but “haven’t gotten around to it yet” you’re running out of time. You have until 3 September to book at the reunion discount rate!

After 3 September, you can still book, but it’s subject to availability and at the standard rates.

Call the Double Tree Hotel in Danvers, MA today!

Call the hotel directly (978) 777-2500

Be sure to tell the clerk that you’re with the 31st EBN Reunion.

Don’t forget $25.00 bi-annual Association Dues are due as well.

Make checks payable to 31st CBT ENGR BN ASSN

Mail checks to:        Warren DuBois

                                    906 W. Virginia Ave.

                                    Salem, MO 65560

 I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.

 Wilson L. Brown, Executive Director, 31st Engineer Battalion Association

(508) 294-5869

Vietnam Photos by Bob Simmins

Bob Simmins recently reached out to share some photos of his Vietnam experience. These will be added to the gallery. They include: General Cooper presenting Bob Simmins with a Bronze Star at Fire Base Blue; Bob receiving the Purple Heart in Ft. Hood Texas; Mark Buckholt and Bob Simmons; and additional photos show the guys in the outfit in Phou Loi.

bob-simmins-and-groupbob-simmins-receives-purple-heart-in-ftbob-simmins-and-some-of-the-guys-in-the-outfit-phou-loibob-simmins-and-the-guys

Bob shared that he was Mark’s drill instructor in Ft. Leonard Wood, then they bumped into each other in Vietnam, and now have been best friends for 47 years!

Mark Buckholt and Bob Simmins
Mark Buckholt and Bob Simmins

They will both be at the 2019 reunion in Boston, MA. If you recognize anyone in these pictures, drop a comment and say hello!

If you have photos to share, please contact June Robbins

31st Engineer Battalion Association Brothers Who Have Passed Since 2015

31st Engineer Battalion (CBT)
ASSOCIATION REUNION
Members, spouses, daughters, sons, families and friends of the 31st Engineer Battalion (Cbt) wish to remember the following loved ones who have passed since our last meeting in San Antonio, TX, October 2015.
Radmilo Batinic
Richard Cartwright, C Co Thomas Cooley
Doyle Dietsch, C Co
John Frye, HHC
Michael Gandolfo, B Co Keith Hiltner, A. Co
Rich Hopkins, C Co
Willa Dean Hoyle, B Co Michael J. Hurtt, B Co George Ingram, HHC Willie Lee
Ernie Meyers
Maurice Modisette, HHC Sam Pollard, D Co
Al Sandlin, D Co
Henry Sua
Robert Solvedt, C Co Linda Willis, HHC
Dave Young, C Co
May They Rest In Peace

Charlie Company’s Action in Cambodia Earned Citation For Valor

Submitted by John Lough, in honor of all those Engineers who served and supported the Cambodian mission from headquarters to the front line.
The Cambodian Incursion in May and June 1970 was one of the largest combat operations of the Vietnam War. President Nixon sent 32,000 soldiers, including engineers of the 20th Brigade.
 

engineers-clear-bridge-cambodia-john-lough
Engineers prepare explosives to clear the twisted wreckage of a blown bridge, Cambodia 1970

Twenty six men of Company C 31st Combat Engineer Battalion became the first engineers to reach Cambodian soil on May 5th.  A bridge destroyed by a stunned and retreating enemy kept the 11th Armored Cav. from encircling the enemy sanctuary. After combat assaulting with the 11th ACR into the dense jungle, they were able to clear the mangled bridge away.

engineers-thrust-into-cambodia-j-lough
Army engineers work on a bridge in Cambodia, 1970

The first of a three bridge section assembled in Quan Loi by the 79th Engineer Company was brought in by Sky Crane to be wrestled into position by Charlie Company Engineers.

While the road to Memot was inching its way forward, other engineers including Charlie Company were building their way to Snoul chasing the NVA back toward their headquarters. Then the word was received that “The City” had been found. Company C 31st Engineer Bn and 557th Engineers were dispatched to begin ripping a trail while under enemy fire to “The City” and “Rock Island East” then began removing tons and tons of NVA supplies, destroying what was left.

1970 Cambodia, 31st Engineer Battalion
1970 Cambodia, 31st Engineer Battalion

Many Engineers were killed or wounded during this operation. For their action, Charlie Company 31st Combat Engineers was awarded a Citation for Valor.

Editor’s note:

John Lough served with the 31st Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Army) and was wounded during the Cambodian Incursion in 1970. He is a Purple Heart recipient.

If you served with the 31st Engineer Battalion and have an experience to you’d like to share, please email the editor. Thank you.

Submitted stories are not verified for historical accuracy; they are personal accounts as told by those who experienced them. Comments are welcome.

 

 

If You Build It, They Will Come

By Paul Sharp

HHC, 31st Engineer Battalion (Combat), US Army, Vietnam

Our battalion of the 31st Engineers was attached to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Blackhorse base camp in 1968, during the Vietnam War. Base camp was about 6 miles from Xuan Loc village, which was about 30 miles east of Saigon. During our first few weeks we were busy with our regular duty as well as trying to improve our living quarters (Army tents stretched over wooden frames) which was referred to as “the hooch”. Our hooch provided a home away from home for me and my buddies James D. (“JD”) Gillis, Douglas Leo Neely, Sam J. Van Riper and Joseph P. (“Joe”) Shahum.

After duty hours we typically spent time cleaning gear and weapons, writing letters to loved ones back home and reading letters after mail call. We spent time just talking with our buddies about the day’s challenges as well as what the next day might bring and routinely drank a few or more beers. In base camp time passed slowly and we constantly sought various ways to avoid the boredom. We had some fun playing poker, talking, laughing and reliving the events of the day.

On evening before dark I noticed a couple soldiers outside, playing catch. I walked over to them and mentioned to them how smart they were to bring their gloves and a ball. They told me they got the gloves and ball from the supply section. The next day I went to supply to see what kind of equipment they had. I was surprised to find gloves, balls, catcher equipment, bases … even a home plate! They had everything you needed to play a softball game.

The next morning I excitedly mentioned what I’d found to Lt Leo Farias, the company commander and suggested that we capitalize on the find by building a softball field for the troops – it would give us something to do in the evening, help keep us in shape, great for morale and would be fun and a distraction from the war.

Lt Farias was immediately supportive, but wondered where we would find an area that could be used for the ball field. Having already checked out several potential areas, I showed him the best one I’d found and explained how it could be done. He agreed that it would be good for the morale of the men and arranged for me to present the proposal to Colonel Patterson, the Battalion Commander.

Farias jumped right on it and a short time later he informed me to report to Headquarters to talk to the commander. Colonel Patterson listened intently until I was finished and then responded, “That sounds good to me, but where can we find space for a field?” I gave him my thoughts and he asked me to show him the exact area. I pointed out the area and a few trees which we’d have to take down and showed him how we could lay out the field. He asked me if I could get enough men to volunteer their time to accomplish and I assured him that I could. He said “OK; approved! You are in charge of getting it done ASAP” and that he would arrange to have a grader at our disposal the next morning at 0700 hours to remove the trees. He finished our conversation with, “I’m looking forward to playing some softball myself, Sharp; as I’m sure the men will.” With an emphatic “Yes sir; thank you, sir!” I was quickly out of his office headed to pass the good news to the rest of the guys.

A number of men from Headquarters Company promptly volunteered to help build the ball field and work began immediately. We worked on the field as time permitted and all had fun doing it. It was only a few days later that we had finished the field, complete with a chain link back stop, wooden benches and lime to mark the foul lines. What great excitement we all shared working on this together!

Our first game began with 2 teams: Officers versus enlisted men! The game was marked by varying levels of athleticism and lots of good sportsmanship. We urged our team on and razzed our opponents, laughing and kidding all the while. That first game on our new ball field provided us a venue and sport just like we’d find if we were back home, even though we were very far from home.

That was just the beginning of our ball games. As the word spread, other teams comprised of 31st Engineer Battalion soldiers were formed and the great fun continued, long after I left my buddies to go back home. We all said it didn’t matter who won and I suppose that was true. At the end of the game both teams left the field with heads held high, still discussing the high and low points of their efforts that day.

I will always remember that softball field and the times we played ball in that very tough place during that very hard time. You learn a lot about a person during an athletic endeavor and our efforts on that field taught me much about those with whom I served, regardless of their rank or years of service. The undertaking provided substantial exercise in which all the men could take part – on an equal basis. It increased morale, built esprit and provided a positive focus for what would follow a tough day operating heavy combat engineer equipment in the hot southeast-Asian sun.

Those games on that ball field brought us all closer together. I will always remember my comrades and buddies, young as we were; but also those we did not know so well, but lived and served with us in Vietnam – the great officers, NCO’s and men we were with every day. We laughed with each other and we cried for all those who were wounded and those who died. Although far from home, we cared for all who served with us at Blackhorse base camp no matter what rank, color, or religion.

We were a Band of Brothers, eternally bonded with those who served our country in the past, those who serve now and those who will serve America in the future.