The 101st Recondo School Collection

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The photos on this and the following pages entitled Recondo School Collection, were unearthed at Fort Campbell during a trip I made there in March 2003. Following a lead from Darol Walker, then Robert Nichols and finally Tom Hara, we discovered three three ring binders of photos and other documents at the NCO Academy. The Academy 1SG Robert Lonergan allowed me to leave with this collection, promising to return the items after scanning and cataloging. Scott Schoner, who at the time worked at the Pratt Museum was enlisted to scan the photos, while I took the remaining material home and scanned the documents, which included the history, training materials, news paper clippings and letters of thanks from a host of organizations where the cadre had given demonstrations. After all the scanning was completed, the material was returned to 1SG Lonergan. The items in these binders represents the largest single collection of history and photos of the school in existence, greatly adding to the meager holdings that The Pratt Museum had at the time. Without the help and cooperation of the named individuals, this material would still be sitting on a shelf at Ft. Campbell gathering dust. Over the coming years, this section of the web site will grow with additions from the collection, as they are made ready for posting. If anyone has further photos, names or items to add, please contact me.

RW

click on photo for a larger image.

 This picture was taken at the last Recondo School graduation prior to then Major Millet's reassignment to RVN in early 1961. Millet is in the front center holding the hunting rifle bought as a going away gift. Standing above everyone on the far right is khaki clad 1SG Chuck Waters, the school's second 1st SGT. In the back row #8 from the left or #6 from the right is Darol Walker, who later became 1SG of F/58 and who was a Sgt E-5 at the time this photo was taken and fourth from the right in the back row with the impressive mustache is SSG E-5 August Uncle who was later assigned to Recon Platoon 1/501. In the bottom row the third from the right or two men over from Millett is SSGT Olivas who went through the Ranger Course with Bob Gilbert, who later became 1SG of L Company.

 

 

Photo probably taken in April of 1962

 Sgt E-5 Frank L. Jones (Recondo 1321) is the very young Pfc, 2nd from the left in the front row standing.  First on the left in the back row standing is Sp4 James Beecher from Hilo, Hawaii.  Fifth from the left front row standing is Sp4 J.C. Jordon from somewhere in West Virginia.  Last on the right first row standing is Corky Godbolt from Westchester State College in Pennsylvania who later went on to OCS.  Godbolt was a tremendous athlete and he and Jones both played football for Headquarters Co.1/501st. Airborne Battle Group.  All of those listed above represented the Recon Platoon.

 
   
   
  SGT Olivez on rappel.
CPT Ed Fricke talking with CPT Mordani of the Indonesian Army at the time and who later went on to a very high position in their government. Harold Kaiama making a point with a trooper named Robertson. Kaiama served with both the 173rd LRP and 101st Ranger companies.