Leaf-Chronicle
June 14, 2008
Section: COMMUNITY
Page: 1B
Members of 'Geronimo' reunite after 42 years
JAKE LOWARY staff
By JAKE LOWARY
The Leaf-Chronicle
Forty-two years and seven days after leaving Fort Campbell for Vietnam, more than 200 original members of
the "Geronimo" battalion reunited Friday at the Riverview Inn. Many of the men came from across the
country to reunite with their comrades after decades apart. "There are a lot of these guys I haven't seen in
35 years," said Dayton Herrington, the battalion's retired sergeant major and Clarksville resident. "There are
lots and lots of stories here."
And stories there were. The battalion produced three posthumous Medal of Honor winners and was led by
retired Maj. Gen. "Iron Mike" Healy, who later led the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam.
More than 200 members of the battalion shared their tales, laughs and memories about their time in Vietnam.
Some were surprised by who they saw.
"All of a sudden they're bald and gray," said Dennis Elwell, who is the mayor of Secaucus, N.J. "It's
unbelievable." He noted that many were the same as they were 42 years ago. "We were tight a very, very
tight group of men," he said.
The group concludes its three-day reunion today after visiting Fort Campbell, where they say some things
were the same as when they left. The group toured the division headquarters, the Air Assault school and
watched a parachute demonstration by the 101st Airborne
Division Parachute Demonstration Team.
In addition to the Medal of Honor winners, the battalion also was the first Army unit to earn a Navy
Presidential Unit Citation for its service with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam.
"We really showed those Marines how to dance," said Chuck Huller, a medic and three-time Purple Heart
recipient who came to the reunion from New York City.
According to the citation, the unit "successfully executed 80 major combat operations, carrying the battle to
the enemy, destroying many of his forces and capturing thousands of tons of weapons and material."
Memories, stories and friends aside, Huller said he came to the reunion for one reason.
"That's why I come to these reunions, to meet and see true American heroes," he said.
Jake Lowary covers military affairs. He can be reached at 245-0719 or by e-mail at
jakelowary@theleafchronicle.com.
Copyright (c) The Leaf-Chronicle. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by
NewsBank, inc.
June 14, 2008
Section: COMMUNITY
Page: 1B
Members of 'Geronimo' reunite after 42 years
JAKE LOWARY staff
By JAKE LOWARY
The Leaf-Chronicle
Forty-two years and seven days after leaving Fort Campbell for Vietnam, more than 200 original members of
the "Geronimo" battalion reunited Friday at the Riverview Inn. Many of the men came from across the
country to reunite with their comrades after decades apart. "There are a lot of these guys I haven't seen in
35 years," said Dayton Herrington, the battalion's retired sergeant major and Clarksville resident. "There are
lots and lots of stories here."
And stories there were. The battalion produced three posthumous Medal of Honor winners and was led by
retired Maj. Gen. "Iron Mike" Healy, who later led the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam.
More than 200 members of the battalion shared their tales, laughs and memories about their time in Vietnam.
Some were surprised by who they saw.
"All of a sudden they're bald and gray," said Dennis Elwell, who is the mayor of Secaucus, N.J. "It's
unbelievable." He noted that many were the same as they were 42 years ago. "We were tight a very, very
tight group of men," he said.
The group concludes its three-day reunion today after visiting Fort Campbell, where they say some things
were the same as when they left. The group toured the division headquarters, the Air Assault school and
watched a parachute demonstration by the 101st Airborne
Division Parachute Demonstration Team.
In addition to the Medal of Honor winners, the battalion also was the first Army unit to earn a Navy
Presidential Unit Citation for its service with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam.
"We really showed those Marines how to dance," said Chuck Huller, a medic and three-time Purple Heart
recipient who came to the reunion from New York City.
According to the citation, the unit "successfully executed 80 major combat operations, carrying the battle to
the enemy, destroying many of his forces and capturing thousands of tons of weapons and material."
Memories, stories and friends aside, Huller said he came to the reunion for one reason.
"That's why I come to these reunions, to meet and see true American heroes," he said.
Jake Lowary covers military affairs. He can be reached at 245-0719 or by e-mail at
jakelowary@theleafchronicle.com.
Copyright (c) The Leaf-Chronicle. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by
NewsBank, inc.
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