Final Mission of SFC Alvin W. Floyd
Posted on 11/5/17 - by wkillian@smjuhsd.org
On April 2, 1970, teams from Company F (Ranger), 75th Infantry, were inserted into the Renegade Woods, Tay Ninh Province, RVN, to exploit intelligence information which indicated that enemy main force units might be moving into the Renegade Woods to establish a base area from which to conduct offensive operations. A 13-man Ranger element was deployed from helicopters, and immediately found signs of recent activity. They began moving west toward where structures had been uncovered. Very quickly they made contact with the enemy and suffered one wounded. The Rangers then split into two teams. One team entered a tree line when they began to receive a heavy volume of fire. The other team had just reached the vicinity of a large bomb crater when a combination of small arms and a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) fired from the north killed SFC Alvin W. Floyd and SGT Michael F. Thomas and wounded SP4 Donald Tinney. After expending most of their ammunition, the team was rescued when a UH-1H from Centaur 23 landed after a low-level approach to pick up the wounded. The ship landed ten to 15 feet from the lip of the crater. After spending 30 seconds on the ground, the overloaded UH-1H lifted off with maximum torque and severe vertical vibration and cleared the tree line with 11 Rangers and its crew of four aboard. One of its M-60 machine guns jammed as it was lifting off, but the Rangers continued firing their individual weapons. The two dead man were left on the ground along with some destroyed or damaged weapons and equipment. Centaur 23 had to stop near Trang Bang to administer initial first aid to SP4 Tinney and to redistribute the passengers, some of whom were literally hanging on, before landing at the 12th Evacuation Hospital. The bodies of the two dead Rangers were recovered by Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry the following day. [army.mil]
Rest In Peace
Posted on 5/17/17 - by TF
I will never have the pleasure in meeting you. But the stories i have been told of you make you one of my idols. I one day hope to do something as helpful to our country as you.
Renegade Woods
Posted on 1/7/17 - by Bob Ahles, Vietnam Vet, St. Cloud, Minnesota
On 02 Apr 1970 a recon team from F Company, 75th Rangers, was sent into an area called the "Renegade Woods" to investigate reports of a large NVA/VC force. The Rangers found the enemy - all they could handle and more besides. Companies B and C, 2nd Bn, 27th Infantry, were inserted as the initial reaction force; A/2/27 joined in the late afternoon, and two additional companies from 2/22nd Infantry came in the next day. By the time the fighting ended several days later, over 100 NVA/VA troops from the 271st NVA/VC Regiment were dead, a large base camp was in American hands, and twelve American soldiers were dead:
• 2nd Bn, 27th Inf Rgt
o CPL Dwight H. Ball, Sardis, OH, A Company (KIA 04/03/1970)
o SGT John J. Lyons, Yonkers, NY, B Company
o SSG William T. Smith, Marshfield, WI, B Company
o SGT Mickey E. Griffith, San Gabriel, CA, C Company
o SSG Melvyn H. Kalili, Hauula, HI, C Company
o 1LT Ronald V. Kolb, Washington, DC, C Company
o SGT John E. Rarrick, Beaver Dams, NY, C Company (Dist Svc Cross)
o CPL Severiano Rios, Oak Creek, WI, C Company
• F Co, 75th Inf Rgt
o SFC Alvin W. Floyd, Augusta, GA, (Dist Svc Cross)
o SSG Michael F. Thomas, Louisville, KY
o SGT Donald W. Tinney, New York, NY (DoW 04/14/1970) (Silver Star)
• B Btry, 2nd Bn, 77th Arty Rgt
o 2LT Orville E. Kitchen, Dayton, OH
Rest in Peace and Honor
Posted on 1/7/17 - by Bob Ahles, Vietnam Vet, St. Cloud, Minnesota
You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Alvin.
Blessings and Love from your Sisters Alice and Sandra
Posted on 8/16/16 - by Alice agorgolinski@gmail.com
Our Brother was the best and missed every day you have two wonderful Children and five living grandchildren. Matthew (your first) I am sure you met him on his arrival for Matthew was a hero like you he drowned saving someone. You gave your life saving others. We are proud of you and love and miss you more than the millions of stars. RIP see you soon.
Jackie Taylor
With Honor and Respect, Memorial Website
http://www.geocities.com/vietnamwa
You were one, of the brave, that answered, the call. You honored us, by your service and sacrifice. We now honor, You each time, we stand and sing the words, “THE LAND, OF THE FREE AND THE HOME, OF THE BRAVE.” Thank you, for your bravery, courage and dedication, to our Country and freedom. Rest In Peace and Honor.
Mar 31, 2009
Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
manuel.manuel.pino728@gmail.com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
F/75th Inf Rgt, 25th Inf Div
It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, not the lawyer, Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves under the flag, And whose coffin is draped in the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag ©Copyright by Charles M. Province Throughout our history America has been built on the blood of Heros and Brave Men of Honor like this Solider. Thank you for your service, bravery, and for the ultimate sacrifice you have made. Thank you for my freedom. Rest well in Gods loving embrace brave solider. You Sir are a true American Hero who is remembered by a grateful Veteran.
Feb 13, 2009
Vietnam Vet.
The President of the United States, takes pride, in presenting, the Distinguished, Service Cross, (Posthumously) to Alvin Winslow Floyd, (260624471) Sergeant, First Class, U.S., Army, for extraordinary heroism, in connection with military operations, involving conflict with an armed, hostile force, in the Republic, of Vietnam, while serving, with Team 38, Company F, (Ranger) 75th, Infantry Regiment, 25th, Infantry Division. Sergeant, First Class, Floyd distinguished himself, by exceptionally, valorous actions, on 2, April 1970, while serving as team leader, of a ranger team, inserted deep, within enemy territory. Upon insertion, the team came under intense, small, arms fire, from a numerically, superior, enemy force. Sergeant, First Class, Floyd took charge, of his scattered, elements and directed them, against the enemy. Through his efforts, an enemy, machine gun bunker, was destroyed and the enemy was forced, to retreat. After moving about eighty-five, meters, from the landing zone, the team encountered, the enemy again and became, pinned down, by accurate, hostile rocket and machine, gun fire, coming, from three sides. Discovering that enemy, small, arms fire, had severed, the radio, headset cord, Sergeant, First Class, Floyd exposed himself, to enemy fire, as he stood up and directed, friendly, gunship fire, on the enemy positions. When another ranger, was wounded and required, medical treatment, Sergeant, First Class, Floyd and another comrade, moved, to his side. As the enemy, fire intensified and became concentrated, on the three, figures, Sergeant, First Class, Floyd, arose and advanced, toward the enemy, in an apparent, effort, to shield, his comrades. As he moved, forward, he was, mortally wounded by an enemy, rocket, propelled grenade. Sergeant, First Class, Floyd's, extraordinary heroism and devotion, to duty, at the cost, of his life, were in keeping, with the highest traditions, of the military service and reflect, great credit, upon himself, his unit and the United, States Army.
Apr 2, 2008
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. “He which hath no stomach, to this fight, let him depart. But we in it, shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless you, for your Sacrifice!!!
Apr 2, 2007
John "DJ" Krone
nitrate66lrrp@yahoo.com
SFC., Floyd was, my 1SG.
Harbor City, Ca., 90710, USA
I'll Never Forget
About mid-April, 1969, SFC., Floyd came, to my LZ. and asked, for LRRP., volunteers and he inspired me to join, the 3rd, Brigade, 4th, ID., Lrrps., at LZ., Oasis. He was the 1SG., of that unit and during my assignment, conducting patrols deep, in enemy controlled territory, SFC., Floyd was there, during the insertions and extractions. He was a man, well-respected and admired, by the ranger, unit and was the kind of leader, one rarely sees. He was in short, my mentor. SFC., Floyd had already served, in country a minimum, of two years, already. During one patrol, that went badly, SP/4, Jerry Hodges and I became separated, from our other three lrrp., members, in an area known, to have a company, of NVA.. In short, Hodges and I were lost, without any radio, but we didn't lose our nerve. It was SFC., Floyd who arrived, by chopper to extract us, after our signals were seen, from above. SFC., Floyd just gave, that "look" and didn't, have to say a word, knowing, he didn't lose confidence, in the soldiers we were. I learned, to pattern myself from SFC., Floyd, during the ensuing, months and grew, because of his leadership. I wished he made it home, safe, but that wasn't meant to be. Our country lost a patriot, a hero, a man who Rangers, admired and I... I lost my friend, who believed in me. His end came, on April 2, 1970, when he postumously earned, the DSC., serving the country, he loved. In my 50th, year, I scaled the top, of Mount Whitney, our highest elevation and entered, the name of SFC., Alvin Winslow Floyd, in a log book there, beyond where eagles, fly and closer, for heaven to see, a hero's name. No, I'll never forget.
8/11/2006
John Smith
Sgt., Floyd was, a Ranger who served, on Long, Range, Recon., patrol. He and others, on his team were KIA., after being inserted by helicopter, on a mission, in the middle, of an enemy held area. He was one of America's, best and bravest, a real hero and not forgotten!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Regina williams-Miller
admirer
I never knew you, but I owe you, a deep debt of gratitude. Because of your williness, to fight a war, my civil liberties, are ensured. You, are not forgotten, dear sir. You are remebered, by your comrades, your fellow countrymen and I can assure you, your family has not, forgotten you. I'am not a poet, or even, very educated, so I can not, write the words, that you deserve. But I honor, you and all, the young men who died, in that God forsaken country, Rest well my brother, Regina, from Texas.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
fellow, nam vet.
Rest in peace, my friend, you, are not forgotten.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
RENEGADE WOODS
SFC ALVIN FLOYD, ( ASSISTANT TEAM LEADER ) WAS KILLED IN THE RENEGADE WOODS, HIEU THIEN DISTRICT, TAY NINH PROVINCE ON APRIL 02, 1970. SGT THOMAS WAS A MEMBER OF COMPANY F , TEAM 38( RANGER ), 75TH INFANTRY AND WAS KILLED BY SMALL ARMS FIRE AND AN ENEMY ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE(RPG)DURING GROUND RECONNAISSANCE AT APPROXIMATELY 09:00 HOURS. REST IN PEACE BRAVE HERO
Posted by: ANDY COHEN
Relationship: HISTORIAN
Tuesday, December 26, 2000
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
ALVIN WINSLOW FLOYD
was posthumously awarded the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: cmarston@interlog.com
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER-DSC
Friday, July 30, 1999
Untitled
To your buddy Gino. Rest in Peace
Posted by: Eugene Reilly
Relationship: Friend/comrade
Thursday, November 12, 1998
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