Remembrance
Posted on 7/6/12 - by JOHN ROTHRING rothring@hotmail.com
Photograph taken March 1966
Howie was a member of B Co 1st Bn 5th Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division that fought for a place called 'CU CHI VIETNAM' also known as 'HELLS HALF ACRE' because of the 'FIERCE FIGHTING' that had taken place when the 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division arrived at it and made it their Base of Operations. Cu Chi had over 240 square miles of Tunnel Networks beneath it. To the Enemy, it was the equivalent of our Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, a Holy Place and it's a National Historical Landmark today. Only 23 miles Northwest of Saigon. It was surrounded by and only a short distance in any direction from the Fil Hol Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Trang Bang, Tay Ninh, Boi Loi Woods, Michelin Plantations, Xuan Loc, Katum, French Fort, Cau Ding Jungle, Iron Triangle, Parrots Beak, Black Virgin Mountain, Go Dau Ha, the Fish Hook, Song Be, Trai Ba, Trung Lap, Ben Suc, Xuan Moi Woods, Bau Co, Ap Soui Tri, Ghost Town Trail, Dau Tang, Tri Tam, Tan An, Than Dien Forestry, the Angel Wing, Cambodia and the rest of 'HELL'. Any which way one went out of CU CHI, they were in 'THE DEVIL'S BACK YARD'. They were the Reactionary Unit for all of War Zone C & D. They were the 'LEWIS and CLARKS' of the Vietnam War in III and IV Corps Area of Operations. They were among if not the 1st American Combat Troops to ever penetrate most of the Areas of War Zone C & D along with the 27th Infantry, 14th Infantry, 173rd Airborne, 1st Infantry Division and some Australian Units in early 1966. On April 13th, the 1st Bn(M) 5th Inf began a two day search and destroy operation in what was called the Filhol. C Company of the 169th Armor was attached to the battalion along with 1 platoon of the 65th Engineers. The battalion task force was divided into three teams and a command group. At 0630 hours, all elements departed Cu Chi Base Camp through OP Ann Margret and the teams secured their respective objectives without opposition. The battalion command group established a task force forward base in the vicinity of XT 647207. As the teams conducted searches of their areas throughout the day, 7 APCs, 3 tanks and 1 VTR struck mines. 1 tank was struck by an RPG-2 round that penetrated through the tank and caused 1 minor injury. This was the first time that a tank of the 25th Division had been hit with an RPG round. Company B encountered a small group of VC in spider holes and tunnels who, by the use of snipers and rifle grenades, killed 5 and wounded 7 members of the company. The other teams suffered light casualties in scattered encounters. Companies A and C and the Recon Platoon closed into the battalion night base camp. B Company established its own perimeter as it was providing security for three tanks which had become mired and were not extracted until 2300 hours. On April 14, 1966 the companies continued the search of the area between the Filhol and the Ho Bo Woods. Light contact was made and mines and booby traps were again encountered. At 0950 hours, Company B received small arms fire resulting in 1 man killed. That man was Howie. He died in the Cu Chi District of Hau Nghia Province, located between the City of Saigon and the Cambodian Border. He is the beloved son of his surviving mother, Anna E. Rothring, and his seven surviving brothers and sisters: John, Claudia, Tom, Tina, Barb, Theresa & Lu.
Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~ In Humble Gratitude, For Your Sacrifice ~
In Remembrance of Pvt Howard Earl Rothring, with Profound Gratitude for his Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest well and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of Sgt David Dickinson, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam in 1967.....'THOSE WHO HAVE LONG ENJOYED SUCH PRIVILEGES AS WE ENJOY, FORGET IN TIME, THAT MEN HAVE DIED TO WIN THEM.' Franklin D. Roosevelt
Jan 9, 2011
Jackie Taylor
I Will Remember You
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.
Apr 13, 2009
Bill Pacey
pacey_w6@bellsouth.net
Howard was a friend
I lived and worked with Howard in Mitchell,Indiana prior to him being drafted into the military. He was a good honest person that I will never forget.
Jun 5, 2007
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 14, 2007
Tom Clark
vietnamresearchers@yahoo.com
research
St. John, IN 46373 USA
We need your help! Since 1986, the students of Lake Central High School, in Northwest Indiana, have been researching the men and women from the state of Indiana who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. We are the researchers for the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorials located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Of the 1,621 Vietnam casualties we have located, 896 families as of the date of this entry. We are seeking any and all help in locating the his family or his friends. If you have any information that may help us please contact us at the following: Lake Central High School, Tom Clark, History Dept., 8400 Wicker Ave., St. John, Indiana, 46373 or email us at: vietnamresearchers@yahoo.com.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Denis McDonough
Denis1146@aol.com
Fellow Bobcat 1/5 Mech
Howard,I just wanted you to know, you are not forgotten. You are loved and missed. My prayers to you and your family. If anyone knows this brave soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Would you please contact Randy@Bobcat.WS so we can honor Howard by having his picture placed on his former unit the 1/5 Mech website memorial page and on the Wall.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Mary Lou Hubisz
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of Christ, rest in peace. Amen.
Monday, April 14, 2003
carol fletcher
i went to the same school as howard. he was a few years older than me. i remember the community of crothersville grieving for him. our town has never forgotten him. every so often his name will be mentioned. he still has some family members in this area and seymour. he had dark curly hair and thin build with a very gentle smile.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Mary Frye – 1932
Posted by: Bob Ross
Relationship: Vietnam Veteran
Monday, March 6, 2006
Not forgotten
Howard, Although we never met, I just want you to know you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well and thank you
Posted by: Dave Kruger, 196th LIB, 66-67
Relationship: Fellow vet
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Thank You
I am a student at Gridley High School, and as a part of the Gridley High School Posting Project, it is our goal to leave a remembrance of all of those who lost their life during the Vietnam War. Thank you for this tremendous sacrifice and your courageous attitude. God Bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Jessi Ortega
Posted by: Jessi Ortega
Wednesday, April 14, 2004 |
