DEPARTMENT OF THE 3

DEPARTMENT OF THE 3-506TH CURRAHEES
HEADQUARTERS, 3RD BATTALION (AIRBORNE) 506TH INFANTRY
APO Libby, Montana 59923

1.    SUBJECT:      Operational After Action Report for KANSAS CITY Reunion 2001

2.    DATE OF OPERATION:      31 July 2001 to 5 August 2001

3.    LOCATION:      Holiday Inn, Olathe, Kansas (Southwest Kansas City)

4.    Command and Control Headquarters:      Currahees, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th
            Infantry (Currahees), 101st Airborne Division

5.    Reporting Individual:      Battalion PIO, Jerry Berry.

6.    Task Force and Supporting Forces:

a.     3rd Battalion 506th Infantry
b.     272nd Military Police Detachment
c.     Families of Currahees KIA
d.     Special Guests
e.     Olathe Holiday Inn
f.     Santa Fe Trails VFW Post 846

7. Intelligence:

a. Anticipated Host Situation:

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8.    MISSION:     To provide a rendezvous for all Currahees of the 3^rd Battalion (Airborne, Airmobile, and Air Assault), 506^th Infantry, members of Task Force 3-506^th, and the families of our fallen Currahees.

9.    CONCEPT OF OPERATION::     Task Force 3-506^th Veterans and families deployed by air and motor march from VA, OK, PA, AR, NC, SC, IL, AK, KY, MD, CA, OH, FL, MI, MA, KS, NJ, WA, IA, MO, MT, and as far away as England. Task Force 3-506^th utilized the Holiday Inn at Olathe, Kansas as a staging area for entry into the area of operations.

10.    EXECUTION:

a. On D-3 (Saturday) 28 July 2001,

b. D-2(Sunday) 29 July 2001,

c. D-1(Monday) 30 July 2001

d. D-Day (Tuesday) 31 July 2001

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Hospitality Rooms for Social Time, Photo and Slide Viewing, Albums and Memorabilia Display and Information Gathering.

e. On D+1 (Wednesday) 1 August 2001,

VFW “Santa Fe Trails” Post 846 in Overland Park, KS

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f. On D+2 (Thursday) 2 August 2001, a sixth lift of Currahees and their support team assaulted in to the AO. The arrivals included FAC James “Jack Sprat” Pratz, Alpha-SIX Tom “Blood-on-the Risers” Gaffney, Charlie-SIX Nick Nahas, Don “Top Wrench” Eberle, Alpha-Two-Six John “Charge of the Light Brigade” Harrison, Bill “Boonie Rat” Sorg, John “Toe Tagged” Colone, and Mike “Tunnel Rat” Erwin. VIPs arriving included Marilyn & Jerry Gaudreau, and Pamela Kudriaszow. The Task Force suffered one team casualty—Charlie-Three-Six Wylie “Maverick” Cox (Cancellation). The special events for the day included a “Habanera” Salas and "Ambush" Bradford [Click] parachute assault elsewhere in the AO. The following is a debriefing report from LRRP Team 3X's "HALO" Jump. Check out the jump photos.

The afternoon and evening hours were spent in the two 3-506^th Hospitality Rooms for Social Time, Photo and Slide Viewing, Albums and Memorabilia Display and Information Gathering.

g. On D+3 (Friday) 3 August 2001,

Trip to Fort Riley –

Group Photo –

Professional photographer, Christopher Wilborn of Wilborn & Associates Photographers of Kansas City, MO, came to the gathering just prior to the banquet dinner and took separate group photos of the men and women. The 8x10 color prints [CLICK ON "Group Photo"] will be available for $14.00 each.

Banquet Dinner –

Award & Special Recognition Ceremony –

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1. Jose Ramos:

2. John Colone:

3. Gale Shire:

4. Gary Purcell:

5. Louie Oswald:

6. Mike & Charollett Mullican:

7. Jerry Berry:

8. Donna Berry:

9. Families of KIA:

10. Jerry Berry:

11. Platoon Sergeant John H. Gfeller (KIA) Family –

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12. Platoon Sergeant James A. Bunn (KIA) Family –

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13. Sergeant Carl A. Rattee (KIA) Sisters –

14. SP4 Charles Robena (KIA) Brother –

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15. Battalion Commander Robert Elton -

16. Battalion Commander Othar Shalikashvili –

17. Battalion FAC Pilot James Pratz -

18. Battalion S2 Officer Robert Robinson III –

19. Company A Cmdr. Robert “Bob” Bates –

20. Company B Cmdr. William “Bill” Knowlton –

21. Company C Cmdr. Nicholas “Nick” Nahas -

22. Company C Cmdr. Dave Hillard -

23. Platoon Leader (Co. A) John E. Harrison –

24. Platoon Leader (Co. C) Ron O. Newton -

25. Platoon Leader (Co. A) James Schlax –

26. Battalion Mtce. Officer Don Eberle –

27. Platoon Sergeant Carl Thanheiser (Co. C) –

28. Platoon Sergeant August Klamar (Co. C) –

29. Squad Leader (Co. A) Ed Bassista –

30. Reunion Committee Member Mike Krawczyk –

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h. On D+4 (Saturday) 4 August 2001

i. D+5 (Sunday) 5 August 2001 marked the close of the 3-506^th 2001 Reunion. The Currahees, wives, and special guests met in the hotel restaurant to say their goodbyes and promised to stay in touch. All look forward to attending Reunion 2002.

10. RESULTS:

A. Reunion Attendees:

Officers, Wives & Children:

Robert & Kally Elton – Bn. Cmdr. “Spider” 1968 – Fair Fax Station, VA [LTG, USA, Retired]
Walter & Son Roger Price – Bn. Cmdr. “Brown Badger” 1968 – Stillwater, OK [LTC, USA, Ret.]
Othar Shalikashvili – Bn. Cmdr. “Pulaski” 1970/71 – Carlisle, PA [COL, USA, Retired]
James & Peggy Pratz – Bn. FAC Pilot “Jack Sprat” 1967/68 – Hot Springs, AR [COL, USAF, Ret]
Bill & Terry Knowlton - Co. B (CO), S-2, S-3, 1969/69 – Hendersonville, NC [COL, USA, Retired]
Tom & Carolyn Gaffney - Co. A (CO), S-2, S-3, 1967/68 – Aiken, SC [USA, Retired]
Nick & Rosalie Nahas – Co. C (CO), S-1, 1967/68 – Vienna, VA [COL, USA, Retired]
Andrew (Doc) Lovy – HHC (Battalion Surgeon) 1967/68 – Olympia Fields, IL
Dave Hillard - Co. C (CO) 68/69 – Fairbanks, AK [CPT, USA, Retired]
Robert Bates – S2, S5, Co. A (CO), 68/69 – Chugiak, AK [LTC, USA, Retired]
Jim & Barbara Schlax - 1st Plt., Co. A (Plt. Ldr.) 67/68 – Aurora, IL
Barry & Karin Meyerson – 2nd Plt., Co. A (Plt. Ldr., XO, CO) 68/69 – Fayetteville, NC
Joe & Rikki Alexander - 4th Plt., Co. A & E (Plt. Ldr.), S-3 67/68 – Knoxville, TN [COL, USA, Retired]
John Harrison - 2^nd Plt., Co. A (Plt. Ldr., XO) 67/68 – Potomac, MD
Ron & Marilyn Newton - 2^nd Plt., Co. C (Plt. Ldr.), 67/68 – Los Angeles, CA
Don & Dottie Eberle - HHC (S4 Motor Officer) 67/68 – Fairfield, OH [WO8, USA, Retired]
Robert Robinson III - S2, 67/68; Co. A (CO) 1970 – Harker Heights, TX [COL, USA, Ret]

Total Officers, Wives &Children = 28

Enlisted Men, Wives & Children:

Joe Fisher – Co. A, 1967/68 – Bradley, IL
Joe Jerviss – PSG (1st Plt.) Co. B 67/68 – Marina, CA [1SGT, USA, Retired]
Marshall & Linda Hill – Co. B, 1967/68 – Fairmont, NC
August & Carole Klamar – PSG (1st Plt.) Co. C 67/68 – Barnesboro, PA [1SGT, USA, Retired]
Carl and Claudia Thanheiser – PSG (4^th Plt.) Co. C 67/68 – San Antonio, TX [1SGT,USA, Ret]
Mark Jones (Medic) - Co. A (Medic) 67/68) – Daytona Beach, FL
Richard Pittman - Co. C, HHC, 67/68) - Denison, TX
Rick Nielsen - Co. C, 67/68 - Santee, CA
Joe Hanks – HHC (Bn PIO), Co. B, 69/70 – Detroit, MI
William “Bill” Sorg & Diane – Co. B, 70/71 – Elmore, OH
Mike Stuart - Co. C, 1967/68 – Redding, CA
Gale Shire – Co. A, 1967/68 – Kasilof, AK
Carl Wilson – Co. A, 1967/68 – Cleona, PA
Richard Clanton - Co. B 1969/70 – Gastonia, NC
John & Ann Colone - Co. A, 67/68 – Pinckney, MI
Ed & Wilma Bassista - Co. A, 67/68 – Bridgewater, NJ
Mike & Donna Krawczyk - Co. C - 67/68 – Valparaiso, IN
Phillip & Diane Vernon - Co. A 67/68) – Junction City, KY
Roosevelt Mitchell (Medic) – Co. B/HHC 69/70 – Seattle, WA
Jerry, Danise & Anthony Rankin - Co. B 1967/68 – Louisville, KY
Gary & Jackie Alberhasky - Co. A, 67/68 – Iowa City, IA [1SGT, USA, Retired]
Ray Champoux, Wife & Sons - Co. D/E 68/69 - Glempool, OK
George & Barbara Nunnemacher - 272 MP Co. 67/68 - Stanley, KS
William "Bill" Brightman - Co. B, 67/68 – Levittown, NY
William "Bill" Edney & Joann Ford - Co. B, 67/68 – Aiken, SC
Lee & Donna Bradford - CSF/LRRP, 1967/68 – Mt. Washington, KY
Henry & Lori Salas - CSF/LRRP, 1967/68 – Natalia, TX
Sterling & Donna Chapman - Co. B 67/68 – Burlington, KY
Jose Ramos (Medic) - Co. A/HHC (Medic) 67/68 – Whitter, CA
Mike, Jeanette & son Kevin Erwin - Co. B 67/68 – Essexville, MI
William "Bill" Edney & Joann Ford - Co. B, 67/68 – Aiken, SC
Jerry & Donna Berry - Co. A, HHC, D, 67/68 - Battalion PIO) – Libby, MT
Paul & Patty Clement - Co. A, 67/68 – Saute Ste Marie, MI
Steve & Sherry Oliphant (Medic) - Co. B, 1968 – Texas
Tom Lundgren (Medic) – HHC, E (LRRPs) - Woodbury, MN
Dean & Suzanne Morrison - Co. C - 67/68 – Westhampton, MA
Mike & Charlotte Mullican – Co. A, 67/68 – Olney, MI
Gary & Doreen Purcell - Co. A, E 67/68 – Montrose, MI
Ray & Dianne Mayfield - Co. A 67/68 – Lewisville, TX
Steve & Rosie Williams - Co. D 69/70 – Berryton, KS [COL, USA, Retired]

Total Enlisted Men, Wives &Children = 70

Special Guests:

Muriel Wyman - Sister of PSG John Gfeller (Co. A 67/68, KIA) – Abilene, KS
Kenny Wyman – Brother-in-Law of PSG John Gfeller (Co. A 67/68, KIA) – Abilene, KS
Missy Blacketter - Granddaughter of PSG John Gfeller (Co. A 67/68, KIA) – Abilene, KS
Mary Widled - Sister of PSG John Gfeller (Co. A 67/68, KIA) – Enterprise, KS
Marge Herrick - Parents of Bennett James Herrick (Co. B 67/68, KIA) – KC, MO
Rachael Bunn Clinkscale - Widow of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Atlanta, GA
Cindajo Bunn Shields - Daughter of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Columbiana, AL
Holden Shields – Grand Son of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Columbiana, AL
Nadia Wilder – Granddaughter of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Atlanta, GA
Desire Bunn Spies - Daughter of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Collierville, TN
Samuel Spies – Grand Son of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) –
Carol Bunn Lincoln - Daughter of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Smyrna, GA
Eric Lincoln – Grand Son of PSG James A. Bunn (Co. A 1967/68) – Smyrna, GA
David Rattee - Cousin of Carl Rattee (Co. A – 67/68, KIA) – Cheshire, England
Pamela Kudriaszow - Sister of Carl Rattee (Co. A - 67/68, KIA) – Venice, FL
Marilyn Gaudreau - Sister of Carl Rattee (Co. A – 67/68, KIA) – Ludlow, MA
Terry Gurden - Brother-in-Law of Carl Rattee (Co. A – 67/68, KIA) – Ludlow, MA
Tom and Judy Robena - Brother of Charles Robena (272nd MP 67/68, KIA) – Rochester, NY
Paul Rogers – Co. E, 506^th PIR (WWII) “Band of Brothers” – Kansas City, MO
Terry Van Meter - - Representing the 506th Association (HHC/B/C Co., 2nd BN, 506th Inf., Vietnam 67/68)
Ms Claudia Lyndel Terrell – Kansas
Dan McCorgary – Olathe, KS
Darrell Ballard - Unknown
Steve Cordell – Olathe, KS
Total Special Guests = 26
Total Attendees - 124

[*The format of this report (An After Action Report) was done in fun and hopes are that no one was offended]