Gone but not Forgotten
From John Powell -
Bill Cecil Powell
Bill Cecil Powell, Colonel, USA (Ret) soldier, Architect of Round Rock, TX passed away on 10/22/20 at the age of 91 after a 6 year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
He was a Potawatomi Citizen Band Native American, born in Maud, OK at the home of his grandparents on 5/13/29 to Mr. and Mrs. William Jefferson Powell of Clovis, NM. He was the third of six children. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marilou of Round Rock; son Marc (Karen) Powell of Georgetown, son John (Julie) Powell of Round Rock, daughter-in-law Marcia Powell of Austin, in addition to seven grandchildren: Missy (Russ) Cook, Daniel (fiancé Carrie) Powell, Katie (Cody) Sears, Jackson Powell, Jordan Powell, Joshua Powell, and PJ Powell, as well as 3 great-grandchildren: Riley Cook, Kace Cook, and Slate Sears. He was preceded in death by his daughter Gaye Tenoso and son Gary Powell, as well as his parents and three sisters. He is also survived by his brother Jerry Powell of Shawnee, OK and sister Carole Passmore of Carrollton.
He attended elementary and secondary school in Clovis, NM and graduated from Lubbock High School in 1947. He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army from Texas Tech University in June 1952.
He entered military service in August 1952 and served continuously until his retirement in 1978. He was stationed in Germany, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. He commanded units sized from company to brigade and was Post Commander of Flak Kaserne in Augsburg, Germany, Vint Hill Farms Station in Virginia, and Ramasun Station in Udorn, Thailand. His last duty was as Commandant of the US Army Security Agency School at Ft. Devens, MA. He received two Legion of Merit medals, two Meritorious Service medals, the Army Commendation medal, a Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Defense Service medal, the Army of Occupation medal, a Vietnam Service medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, a Vietnam Campaign medal and the Legion of Merit.
In 1959, he was selected for in-service graduate schooling and attended the University of Florida, graduating in 1961 with degrees of Bachelor (with high honors) and Master of Science in Building Construction. He performed duties as Construction Engineer in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Okinawa, and the Philippines. He also served as Overseas Project Manager for two multi-service installations in Germany and Thailand. He was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army Command Management School, and the Army War College.
In 1961, he was one of the first American covert army soldiers in Vietnam (3rd Radio Research Unit) with the mission to establish operations and infrastructure to verify the communist threat and convince President Diem of the need for U.S. Army intervention. He was most proud of receiving the ‘Travis Award’ in 1971 while stationed in Thailand for his cryptologic unit’s thwarting of an assassination attempt against a foreign leader, whose name and country he never revealed. He continued to excel with early promotions and retired as a Colonel. His last duty was as Commandant of the US Army Security Agency School at Ft. Devens, MA.
After military retirement in June 1978, he moved his family to Round Rock, TX. Having lived in 23 different sets of quarters during his 26-year military career, he was happy to settle into their final home where he could get on with the responsibility of caring for his family. He registered as a Texas architect and worked as Construction Contract Administrator with Ray Gill & Associates. In 1984, he helped form the firm of Gill, Spencer, Powell Architects – specializing in religious, civic, financial, educational, and industrial projects in the state of Texas. After retiring from his practice in 1987 he spent the remainder of his years pursuing his love of golf (almost daily), skiing, gardening, woodworking, building, grandfathering and pouring his time and energy into his expanding family. He was also an avid and talented artist and musician.
He was active in the First Baptist Church of Round Rock, where he served on the Building and Grounds Committee and was Chairman of the Family Life Center project. He was a longtime member of the Round Rock Noon Kiwanis Club, where he served as President. He was elected Kiwanian of the Year, Kiwanis Layperson of the Year and received the Hixson Medal. He served on the Texas Baptist Children’s Home Golf Marathon Committee, serving as Chairman of the 1995 Marathon. He also served for a period of time on the Round Rock Planning Review Board. He was past President of the National Military Intelligence Association and a former member of the American Institute of Architects and the Texas Society of Architects. He was a member of the Georgetown Country Club, serving on the Board of Governors and as President in 1986.
He always liked to be active, have fun, and had a great sense of humor, which he maintained to the end.
In later years, his typical response when being greeted was “If I was any better, I couldn’t stand myself!” Finally…he is better. He is fully restored and finally in the company of his Savior.
We would like to thank the staff of Poet’s Walk Round Rock for caring for Bill over the last 14 months.
Visitation will be held on 11/1/20 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX.
A funeral will be held on 11/2/20 at 2:00 pm at the same location, with limited capacity due to restrictions. Interment will follow immediately after the service with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Texas Baptist Children’s Home, one of Bill’s favorite ministries.
From Daniel Taylor:
Folks It is with great sadness that I inform you that another of our ASA Brother's has passed away. Bobby Rounds was a former ASA-era 05G (COMSEC Specialist) who served in Vietnam. Bobby died three weeks ago, on a Saturday, in the company of his loving family. He had been battling lung cancer for a few years, was in remission last year but unfortunately, it returned this past February. He has been cremated and the family is seeking interment at Arlington National Cemetery sometime next May 2021. Just wanted you to know. Sincerely, Charlie Hartmann
From: Homer Wiltshire
Jack Kay McPherson passed from this life at the Elmcroft Senior Living Center in Lake Jackson, Texas on August 29, 2020 at the age of 99. He was born in Casper, Wyoming to Martin and Alice McPherson on July 31, 1921. His loving wife of 66 years, Etta Caroline McPherson preceded him in death in April of 2014. ..... He had over 20 years of active military service in the U.S. Army. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 and earned the distinction of being the only Warrant Officer ever to receive two Legion of Merit Awards at that time. He then served another 20+ years of civil service at the NSA, helping to protect our country. ..... Jack wrote a book about the story of his life called “The Long, Long Journey, from a Sheep wagon to a Cadillac.” A very interesting story about his life, his military service in WWII, Korea & Vietnam, and his life around the USA & the world.
From: John Grosskopf
Subject: SGM Louis (Tony) Antonello
FYI, here is their home address for anyone wishing to send their condolences:
Valerie Antonello
12257 Wye Oak Commons Circle
Burke, VA 22015 2868
KTF, John
Eugene Zadra
Oct/1/2020 - Eugene A. Zadra, 64, of 43 Sargent Rd., died Aug. 19, at his home after a brief illness.He was born Feb. 27, 1942 in Ironwood, Mich., the son of the late Leno A. Zadra.He was educated in Michigan, where he graduated high school and received his bachelor’s degree in teaching. He was a Vietnam veteran in the Security Agency and served 20 years in the army before his retirement on Aug. 29, 1985 as a Sergeant First Class, and he received the Meritorious Service Medal on Aug. 31, 1986. He also worked for GTE as an electronic technician.He is a life member of the VFW in Michigan, a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Michigan, a member of the Fitchburg SportsMen’s Club and a member of the Boy Scouts of America with Troop 33 in Westminster.
He leaves his wife, Cheryl A. (Milne) Zadra, one son, Anthony E. Zadra, both of Westminster, and his mother, Mayme K. (Guzzo) Zadra, of Michigan.
Funeral Services will be held in the St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church St., Westminster, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23,2006. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon. Calling hours will be in the Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes,(www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net), 123 Main St., Westminster from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Courtesy of Denny Mitzner:
SFC Andrew Turner, US Army (Ret.)
April 22, 1936 - August 10, 2020
SFC Andrew Stanton Turner, US Army (Ret.), age 84, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away Monday, August 10, 2020. He was born in Spring City, TN to the late Clarence Turner and Lydia Fitzgerald Turner Moore. SFC Turner proudly served his country in the United States Army abroad in Turkey, Japan, Germany, and Vietnam. He worked in the ASA (American Security Agency), what is now the NSA. SFC Turner then worked for Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation as the credit union manager and in the call center. He was a faithful member of Restoration Fellowship.
SFC Turner is survived by his wife of 22 years, Matilda Carol Scott Turner; children, Mark Turner and his wife Kim of Murfreesboro, Phillip Turner of Murfreesboro, and Angela Hollins and her husband Stu of Shelbyville, TN; sister, Alice Goodwin and her husband Jimmy of Murfreesboro; sisters-in-law, Wanetta Scott of Murfreesboro and Jennifer Waggoner and her husband Bill of Old Hickory, TN; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Bowman.
The family would like to thank Wanetta Scott, Dr. Sumner at Nashville VA Medical Center, Alive Hospice, and Rev. James Spivey for the love and care of SFC Turner.
From Katherine Korzen:
| It Is with a heavy heart that I must report that: SFC Randy M Korzen Co. A. USAICS Ft. Huachuca, Az has Passed onto greener pastures on Jan 25, 2019 from cardiac arrest, due to anaphylactic shock from chemotherapy for stage iv lung cancer. He will be missed by all. I'm in the process of making a guest book for his mother if you knew him, and want to add your story please contact me at katheriner.korzen@gmail.com thank you in advance |
From Andy Francis:
The included link describes the death of fellow ASA soldier who I witnessed die in "D" row of the trailers at Phu Bai (8th RRFS). He was shot and killed by a fellow soldier on the date included in this link. Just thought he should be mentioned and thank you for what you do.
Andy Francis
8th RRFS 69'-70'
33B20
Eubank, Charles H
From Rich Sobieski:
From Denny Mitzner:
Ladies and gentlemen:
Our dear friend and comrade passed away this morning at 0130 in Dallas, TX. I just received a call from his son, Bob, who informed me of Tom's passing.
In recent weeks, Tom's health had been on the decline and yesterday,
eight hours before his death, he was placed in hospice care.
As many of you know, Tom was my Trick Chief in Sinop and was NCOIC(?) of Special Projects in Chitose.
Over the years, every couple of months we would call each other, and Janelle couldn't figure out how we could be on the phone for an hour or hour and a half.
Obviously, with the current pandemic, the family doesn't know when they can hold services for Tom. When I know, you will.
Our condolences go out to Tom's family.
Dennis
John Gray
June 10, 1948 - July 14, 2008
KENNEBUNK - John Ashley Gray died unexpectedly July 14, 2008. He was born June 10, 1948, in Belfast, the son of Ashley and Adelaide (Clements) Gray. He graduated from New Britain High School, New Britain, Conn., in 1965. He volunteered and served in the Army Security Agency, stationed at Fort Devens, Mass., Sinop, Turkey, and Chitose, Japan. He attended Central Connecticut State College and graduated from the University of Maine Law Enforcement Program in 1977. John worked for the Orono Police Department and was a lieutenant at the University of Maine Police and Safety Department. Upon moving to Kennebunk in 1993, he worked for the University of New England Police Department. He was currently working at the University of Southern Maine as a project manager in the Engineering and Architectural Services Department. John had a number of diverse interests. During his lifetime, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, an amateur surveyor, a skilled chess player, a book collector and enjoyed learning about and collecting guns. He was an avid reader and short wave radio enthusiast and could converse on many different topics. John appreciated the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and hiking around the woods and blueberry fields. Throughout his life he continued an interest in family history and contributed valuable information to a number of genealogy publications. A proud grandfather, he was looking forward to enjoying his grandson, Tyler. He is survived by two sons, Ashley Cotton Gray of Falmouth and Nathan Silas Gray of Brighton, Mass.; two daughters, Rachel Marian Gray of Cape Porpoise and Kathleen Andrews Gray of Kennebunk; his father, Ashley Gray of Searsport; his sister, Margaret and her husband, Paul Klotzle, of Searsport; four nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by his mother, Adelaide Clements Gray, in April 2008. John had recently become a grandparent when his daughter, Rachel gave birth to Tyler John Talamelli in May. He had remained in close contact with his former wife, Jean Andrews Gray of Kennebunk. He will be greatly missed by many people. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Aug. 2, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Swanville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Belfast Free Library, 106 High St., Belfast, ME 04915 to enlarge their genealogy collection.
Published on July 23, 2008
George (Bill) Redford 1944 ~ 2010 Bill was born on Jan. 2, 1944 to Bella Holland and George W. Redford of Salt Lake City. He passed away in the late hours of June 25, 2010 at age 67 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was married to the love of his life Kaye Parker for 37 wonderful years. Bill served our country during the Vietnam War. He worked for the Utah Department of Transportation in construction materials as a technical instructor. He spent his life working in the public and private sector in materials consulting, helping to elevate the quality of materials used on projects throughout Utah. Those who knew Bill will miss his loving friendship and his keen sense of humor. He was a man who was guided by his moral compass and would always try to do the right thing. His vast patience, knowledge, and compassion for others made him the perfect mentor who loved to share everything he knew and more if you had the time to listen. Bill loved spending time in the Southern Utah Desert rock hounding: He was passionate in the study of Geology and Paleontology which he enjoyed sharing with others. Bill was survived by his loving wife Kaye Parker and sister Ruth Davis. Special thanks to our wonderful friends who have helped so much, you know who you are. Services will not be held, however
Steve White
July 18, 1948 - March 10, 2019
Steven T. White passed away Sunday, March 10, 2019, in Las Vegas, NV. Born in 1948 in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of Marion and Elizabeth White, both deceased. He is survived by his loving wife Libby, his sister Elaine, and his two daughters, Melanie and Jennifer, as well as his four grandchildren, Tyler, Addison, Caitlyn, and Hadley. Funeral Home Services for Steven are being provided by Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery of Las Vegas, NV. Steve is an U.S. Army veteran, as was his father, and will be interred at Arlington Cemetery, in Washington DC. later this year. "Please consider a donation to the or the in lieu of flowers."
He is preceded in death by his siblings, Donald Bennett and Patricia Morgan.
Per his wishes, a cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 2pm at the Coshocton Baptist Church on 1631 Denman Ave in Coshocton.
An online memorial can be viewed at www.given-dawson-paisleyfh.com.
Published in the Coshocton Tribune from June 2 to June 3, 2018
Those of you who saw or remember seeing "Get Max" messages in Heidwinkel, Bahrdorf, and Wobeck, might want to know that Meyrick Tiley Smith (Max) is buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. When we visited the grave on September 14, 2018, my wife made this video:
Some information about Max:
He was born August 28, 1929 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. His parents were Fred A. Smith and Jenny M. Tiley (thus his middle name Tiley).
He graduated from Shamokin Area High School in 1947.
He married Ursula. Ursula Luise Smith was born October 13, 1927 and died October 7, 2016.
He died July 12, 2003.
The burial plot of Meyrick and Ursula is at section 38-A, No. 463 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Don Bull
Robert Borkenhagen
I received this from the UK this morning... can you please forward it to our group.
Bob was a great guy and a good friend..
Be well
Frank Pitzi
Published in The Times on Oct. 12, 2018
Ed Cameron
Denny Mitzner:
Ed Cameron and I spent four years together in the Army Security Agency (1967-1971), from Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) at Ft. Devens, MA, to schooling at the National Security Agency (NSA) at Ft. George G. Meade, MD, to a year in Sinop, Turkey and two years in Chitose, Japan as Electronic Warfare Operators/Analysts.
Ed and I, after leaving Turkey toured Europe [10 days] together before going to Japan. He was a highly educated individual with a passion for Soviet missiles and spacecraft.
The following is excerpted from the works of Peter Pasavento, a researcher of Soviet missiles and spacecraft, and also a friend.
I just received his monograph.
3.3 PDBs and the Ed Cameron Connection
As it turns out, good friend and colleague Ed Cameron (1947- 2014) played a central role in the US IC reporting to top US policy makers about activities happening at Tyuratam’s Area J complexes. He had been, from circa 1968 through the early 1990s, NSA’s top analyst on foreign rocketry and missile activities, with an additional specialization in Soviet-era space activities. As part of his bailiwick, he provided expert testimony in US Congressional inquiries “behind closed doors” in regards to Soviet technological issues. [168] As Cameron noted in a draft of his unpublished autobiography [169],
“It was the early 1970s and I was working as an ASA 98J Electronics Warfare Analyst. Most Electronics Warfare operators and analysts worked with and on radar signals, learning to jam or blind hostile radars, spoof them, render them useless or simply make them a target. These were the guys involved in classical Electronic Intelligence (ELINT). But, I was one of the lucky, elite soldiers, sailors and airmen, whose job was called SpaCol (Space Collection of radio signals); I was an ASA 98J-J1. I was ASA’s top-rated analyst, and recognized as the best in my career field (based upon military-wide tests and my service record). A budding rocket scientist, I was also known in some quarters as a top-notch telemetry analyst, doing reverse engineering of both strategic and tactical foreign rocketry, and foreign spacecraft, in direct support of DoD, learning to understand them, how to make use of them if possible, and how to defeat them when needed. At least, that was our goal. For the most part, we were successful and it all worked.” [170]
A side note is that the acronym “ASA” was for the Army Security Agency, a major component of the NSA’s Defense Department entities-wide diaspora during the 1960s and early 1970s prior to its absorption into INSCOM – the US Army’s Intelligence and Security Command.)
Additionally, public comments made by Cameron nearly a decade ago have been recently corroborated in an unexpected manner. Some of this NSA’s top analyst’s earliest rocketry analysis work reached President Johnson, and was influential (source-wise) on a number of high-level intelligence assessments used by US policy makers at the height of the Space Race and Moon Race.
In late April 2007, on the public discussion listserv group “friends and partners in space,” Cameron painted in broad brushstrokes about some of his achievements while he was employed at NSA, and hinted that his analyses of the Area J vehicle actually pre-dated his self-disclosure of work that appeared in the 1971 National Intelligence Estimate on Soviet space programs (issued on July 1, 1971). [171] The boldface italics have been added for emphasis: “Many have asked just where I fit into the N-1 [Area J vehicle] story and what made me so sure of what I have said. Well, at first, when I was a new troop with the US Army SPACOL [acronym for NSA’s SPAce COLlection network of intercept sites around the periphery of the USSR] boys, I helped feed the TELLMAN [NSA-based supercomputer] and earlier telemetry processing systems as a covert space collector during the years when N-1 was of prime interest (1968-70), later I was key to developing processing software, ROCKET2 and SixDOF, for it and other intelligence agency supercomputers using telemetered data to produce extremely accurate and detailed flight, trajectory and resulting orbital path reconstructions. In the end, I saw and used everything known in those early days by the West about the N-1 and every resource available… From 1971 through 1974, based upon those TELLMAN outputs and a fresh and newly developed understanding of what it all meant, and through supercomputer simulation programs like my reprogramming of ROCKET (Rand’s Omnibus Calculator of Kinematic Earth Traces). I, almost alone, literally rewrote the entire catalog of Department of Defense assessments of every known foreign missile and rocket system on the face of our planet. It refuted much of the assessment work done by CIA, FTD [USAF Foreign Technology Division located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio] and the other intelligence agencies who reported to the Department of Defense. I used data from known US systems to verify the validity of my foreign models… In 1976, though at the time working already for two years as a civilian contractor for the government on a fairly high priority N1 project, I developed a similar full understanding of the N1 launch vehicle and its missions. But, my lengthy reports, many several inches thick, met with a ‘who-gives-a-damn’ attitude from both the intelligence community and NASA. That silhouette which appeared in the [1971] CIA-written NIE [on Soviet space], was from one of my earlier reports, but the comparative silhouettes of Saturn V and N-1 saved one classification compartment stamp by avoiding the use of [detailed illustrations based on] the high resolution satellite photograph [s] of the N-1. It was much the same as Mishin’s sketch when Soviet photographs were still secret in Russia.” [172]
In Fig. 21, the comparative silhouette graphic of the Area J vehicle and the US Saturn V that appeared in the 1971 NIE mentioned by Cameron can be viewed, which was ranked only at the “Top Secret” level – there was no code word markings on this version of the National Intelligence Estimate (keep in mind that there are indeed different versions of NIEs with some having more and some having less detail, depending upon which US policy official was the recipient of the document [173]). However, any earlier comparative illustration of the two rockets happened to not be extant (or even known about) until February 2014, when the November 28, 1968 PDB had excerpts declassified by CIA at the request of this researcher. [174] Indeed, the 1968 graphic is quite similar as that depicted in the 1971 NIE on Soviet space – although this time,
the rockets in the comparison are not in silhouette, and has more data and illustrative details.
That particular Daily Brief not only included an earlier comparative of the two Moon landing rockets, but also hitherto unknown disclosures appear (as can be seen in Fig. 22). Because the PDB was ranked higher in security classification – “Top Secret: Contains SIGINT and KEYHOLE material” versus merely “Top Secret” for the 1971 NIE publication – shows why that was.
The PDB has coloration scheme hints of the Soviet booster, as well as the evidence of the detection of the fuel line fairings on the first and second stages (indicating the use of GAMBIT-3 imagery in the creation of this rough order-of-magnitude depiction, and explicitly connotes that already in late 1968 that GAMBIT-3 equipment was able to image targets with better-than-four-inches resolution ground-resolved distance – something previously undisclosed).
This preciseness of the data about the Area J vehicle (including a more accurate measurement of the height of the rocket at 335 feet versus the later 1971 NIE data of 317 feet, with its base width at 55 feet, as well as a very excellent estimate on the payload capability of 80,000 to 96,000 pounds for a lunar mission) would require it to be ranked higher than merely “Top Secret.” It is noteworthy that this data was in hand in early November 1968. As a result of this new information, it is a reasonable conclusion that Cameron was already working on rocket analyses of the USSR’s manned lunar landing program booster at this time that had top-level, US policy-maker impact.
Tom "Mac" McDaniel
It is my sad task to inform those of our group for whom I have addresses that our friend and former companion in suffering Tom "Mac" McDaniel passed away this morning. The cause of death was cancer from which he had been suffering for some time, and the conclusion was not unexpected. I don't know anything about the arrangements, but knowing those involved would imagine that they will be simple. Some of you with a more complete list of email addresses might want to pass this message along. It would be appreciated.
A truly decent person. A Mensch in every respect.
Thomas Wilkie
Colonel Richard R. “Dick” Mitchell, US Army (Retired)
Colonel Richard R. “Dick” Mitchell, formerly of South Riding, VA, passed away on May 18, 2017 in Florence, Alabama, age 77. Born in Indianapolis, IN on Christmas Eve 1939, Dick was the son of Richard T. “Dick” and Mary Katherine “Kay” Mitchell. He always enjoyed anything involving aviation, and learned to fly before graduating from Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, FL in 1958.
Dick Mitchell joined the Army as a Morse Intercept Operator in 1962, later earning Army Aviator wings and appointment as a Warrant Officer 1 at Fort Wolters, TX with class 64-5W in 1964. While serving as an Instructor Pilot at Ft. Rucker, AL, he met and married Alice Katherine “Kathy” Worthington of Ozark, AL in September 1965, before deploying to Vietnam in 1965 to fly UH-1B Huey gunships with the Army’s original attack helicopter unit, the 197th Armed Helicopter Company.
Dick received a direct commission in the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant in May 1966 before returning to the US, where he was one of the first Army pilots to fly the new AH-1G Cobra gunship as part of the operational test & evaluation team, which later took the helicopter to Vietnam in 1967 for combat testing. He then transitioned as a multi-engine fixed wing pilot before returning to Vietnam in 1969 to serve with the 224th Radio Research Battalion, where he flew RU-8D and RU-21 aircraft conducting cutting edge signals intelligence collection missions.
From this point on, Dick became an acknowledged expert and pioneer in US Army Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA) development and operations, including standardization of training and safety, while serving in multiple aviation and intelligence staff positions. These included assignments at the Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) and at Headquarters, Department of the Army, where he focused on the Army intelligence collection aircraft mission, including the RC-12G Crazy Horse program, fielded in 1985 to satisfy collection requirements in Central America.
As a Lieutenant Colonel Dick completed OV-1 Mohawk transition before taking command of 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) in Stuttgart, Germany from 1986 to 1988, which included the Guardrail V system in B Company. While at 2nd MI, Dick regularly flew both RC-12 and OV-1 aircraft.
Following promotion to Colonel, Dick Mitchell graduated from the National War College in 1989, and served in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence until retiring from the Army in 1993. Dick then shifted to senior management positions at Raytheon Corporation and SAIC, applying his extensive aviation and intelligence expertise to several key programs for the US Army through 1999.
COL Mitchell’s awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Air Medal with V (38), Army Commendation Medal (1 0LC), Meritorious Unit Citation (3), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal (6), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Meritorious Unit Citation, Master Aviator Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.
Over the past few years COL Mitchell suffered from medical issues, which impaired his ability to fully enjoy retirement, yet he remained a very loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. COL Mitchell leaves behind his wife of 52 years Kathy Mitchell, his daughters Kara Mitchell Smith (Bill Smith) of South Riding, VA, Amy Mitchell and Brian Cote of Las Vegas, NV, and grandchildren Mitchell T. Bowers, Ashley M. Pearce, and Lauren L. Smith.
Memorial service and interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on 9 March 2018.
Jim Dorschner
Jim_dorschner@yahoo.com
26 February 2018
Dale Ivan Patchen
Date of Birth : Dec 3 1937
Date Deceased : September 30th 2017
Place of Death : Airway Heights, Washington
Dale Patchen, of Airway Heights, WA went to be with our Lord on September
30, 2017. Dale was born to the late Guy W. and Alta M. Patchen on
December 3, 1937 in Coeur d' Alene, ID. He is survived by his daughters
Cindy (husband Jim and granddaughters Jaimi and Lindsay) Robertson, Susan Patchen, and Leslie Patchen; his brother, Guy Lee (Faye) Patchen; his sister, Ida Mae; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Rose.
Dale served 22 years in the ASA, and retired in 1978 as a First Sergeant (E8).
The obituary did not list any of his ASA assignments. My records (gH) show that Dale Ivan Patchen served at Det 4 in 1960 and 1969 and nothing else.
In 2006. Dale retired from long-haul trucking after logging more than 2 million accident free miles, of which he was very proud.
Dale’s late wife, Rose, happily accompanied him for many of those miles, traveling to all lower 48 states, Canada, and Alaska.
A Celebration of his life was held on November 25, 2017 at Hayford
Community Church, 5306 S Hayford Rd, Spokane, WA 99224 at 1:00 P.M.
Nelson Beck Johnson
Major, U.S.A.R. (Ret.) April 8, 1933 - June 2, 2017
Nelson Beck Johnson was born at Peking Union Medical College in Peking, China where his father, Nelson Trusler Johnson was serving as American Minister and later Ambassador to China. He lived in Japanese occupied Peking after 1937 until 1940. The family was briefly in Nanking shortly before the infamous Rape of Nanking. From 1937 to 1940, he, his mother and sister lived in Peking and his father went on with Chiang Kai-shek to the wartime capital of Chungking. Nelson went to the Peking American School. After 4 years of separation, the family was reunited in Washington, D.C. After Ambassador Johnson requested a quiet post, the family went to Australia in 1941 prior to Pearl Harbor where he served as Minister and Ambassador.
After the battle of Guadalcanal, young Nelson and his sister accompanied their parents to Melbourne where the First Marine Division was having R & R after the battle. The Commanding Officer, Gen. Archie Vandergrift, who had served in Peking, made young Nelson a Sgt. Major (permanent) in the First Marine Division at age nine. While in Canberra, he attended the Boys Grammar School. In 1945, he returned to the Unites States of America. Recently he was interviewed for a documentary that is about to be released, called "The China Marines". His Marine uniform, made for him in Peking, has been donated to the National Museum of the Marine Corps where an exhibit on the "China Marines" is planned.
Upon graduating from St James High School in Hagerstown, MD in 1952, he enlisted with the US Marine Aviation Reserves in 1952 at the Anacostia Naval Air Station in Washington D.C. As a Private, he learned to maintain the F8F Bearcat Fighter aircraft assigned to the USMC, VMF 321st (Hells Angels) Squadron at Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington D.C. Upon completion of his basic reserve training, he was promoted to Private First Class and was assigned to an F8 aircraft as Plane Captain. In 1953, upon graduation from USMC Basic training at Parris Island, SC, he was assigned to duty at the USMC detachment in Annapolis, MD. He was admitted to the US Naval Academy for a semester and decided to change his academic direction. He completed a year at George Washington University, and during that year his father passed away. He next attended the University of Wyoming in 1955, where he joined the Army ROTC program. He started a business in Laramie selling HiFi equipment and records, and then teamed up with several friends to create a corporation to pursue several other business interests, however that came to an end when he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science at the University of Wyoming, at Laramie, Wyoming, and was then commissioned a Second Lieutenant USAR, in January 1959.
He married Harriet Fetcher that same year in Steamboat Springs Colorado and they had two sons. His primary military education included the Army Security Agency, Officer Basic Course, and Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, both at Fort Devens, MA. He then attended the Joint Senior Cryptologic Course, at the National Security Agency. Throughout his career, he continued his specialized training to enhance his technical and professional understanding and capabilities in Signals Intelligence, Computers, Electronic Warfare/Reconnaissance, Signal Security, Human Intelligence and Surveillance Operations and the undertaking of Strategic and Tactical Threat Analysis.
Major Johnson served in numerous command and staff positions of responsibility during his twenty years of Military Service. Prior to retiring from the Army, he was Officer in Charge of a Collection Detachment on the South Korean Demilitarized Zone near Munsani in support of the 7th Infantry Div. He then commanded a tactical ASA Collection Unit, in support of 1st Cavalry Division, I Corps, 8th US Army in the central sector of the Korean Peninsula at the critical time of President Kennedy's assassination. These units also were an integral part of the National SIGINT system controlled by NSA. Later, he served as the S-3 of 502d MI Group in Augsburg, then in West Germany, where he developed and coordinated the implementation of the post-Vietnam ASA Group reactivation plans in West Germany, which had previously been drawn down to build up the Army Cryptologic force structure in the conflict in South East Asia. While in West Germany, he was successively assigned to the Group headquarters to perform a pre-activation IG inspection then as the S-3 Operations officer to the Group. Next, he was assigned as Executive Officer of the 302nd, Intelligence and Security Battalion in support of V Corps in West Germany during a critical period of reconstituting and rebuilding the Tactical Intelligence and Security forces in support of USAREUR and the Seventh Army. Before his retirement, he then served HQ USAREUR in a senior Cryptologic Staff position developing plans to integrate the ASA units into the US Army deployed in Europe at the time when the Army Security Agency was reorganized into the US Army Intelligence and Security Command.
Throughout his career, Major Johnson also served in a variety of senior staff positions in Component, Joint and Combined in intelligence, counter-intelligence, and security Forces in the United States, Korea, Vietnam, and Europe. First, he trained and became proficient as a Radio Traffic Analyst and as an Operations Officer. He then served successively as a Communications Officer at the National Security Agency developing a deep understanding of our Global Signals Intelligence operations and how it worked. He next served as a desk analyst overseeing the ground missions in the Far East. This required an understanding of the need to use and translate from Chinese to English to Chinese to foster rapid translations, interpretations, analysis and response by combat and strategic forces. In a Staff capacity, he served at a succession of major command Headquarters from Headquarters Army Security Agency in Washington DC, through the J-2 MACV, in South Vietnam; the S-3, 502d ASA Group in West Germany, and XO, 321st ASA Bn., V Corps, Frankfurt, West Germany. Finally, between 1977 & 1980, he served as the SIGNINT/ EW Architect on the Intelligence Staff of USAREUR, 7th Army, in Heidelberg, West Germany. This last assignment, he planned and supported the execution of the Army Security Agency units in Germany, into a fully integrated Direct Support Units of the US Army, Europe. Upon the completion if this assignment, he retired.
Awards and decorations Major Johnson received while on Active Duty include: The Legion of Merit (to be validated), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (otherwise with oak leaf cluster), the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters for service during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He also received decorations presented by South Vietnam and Korea. As a retiree, he served an additional 20 years as a consultant working for ESL Corporation, TRW, ManTech International, and RCA Corporation.
He worked in support of many Army Intelligence and Electronic Warfare projects and programs involving Threat Assessment/Definition to include Doctrine development/enhancement and the articulation of Requirements in capability both tactical and strategic. Much of his work became standards that brought the Army Intelligence and Electronic Warfare capabilities forward into the modern Army extant in the early part of the 21st Century. Over the last 10 years, he was very active in support of the ASA Alumni Association. He coordinated annual reunions that were regularly attended by retired members from across the country. Mr. Johnson died at the age of 84, on June 2nd in Falls Church, Virginia. Mr. Johnson is survived by his sister, two sons, seven grandchildren, two nephews, 3 grand-nephews, a grand-niece, and former wife Harriet Johnson. Mr. Johnson will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial dinner is planned for this fall and will be by invitation. If you would like to attend the service, please call 703-517-9321 and leave your name and number.
Published in Washington Times on July 28, 2017
All - it is again that I pass on info regarding the loss of another one of our SIGINT warriors. I didn't know MAJ Nelson "Nels" Johnson until we met at the Augsburg reunions 15+ years ago. We shared many exchanges over the years since then but I no idea of his detailed background until reading his obit and what what Bill Doyle had to say ... below the obit. Please keep his family in your prayers and may he live in peace forever!
Larry
Lt. Dick Patton
I’m sorry to have to report the passing of (Lt.) Dick Patton. Dick served his entire Army career with ASA, both as an enlisted man and as an officer. After basic training he went to Morse Intercept School at Ft. Devens then to OCS at Ft. Benning and then back to Devens as an officer. He was then, along with several contemporaries, sent to Germany where he was assigned to Herzo Base until his discharge in 1953.
Dick died in late 2018 in Naples, Florida at the age of 85.
Bill Martin
Passed away 03/07/15. Known as "Motor mouth" Bill was an 05D20 from 1968-1972, and was originally from Bayonne, NJ. His duty stations were P-Y-Do, Korea and Hakata, Japan.
Richard Jaslovsky
JASLOVSKYy past away suddenly on Friday, August 12th, 2016. He was born to William G. Jaslovsky and Anne (nee Egel) in West NY, NJ. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Before retiring from Avaya in 2014, Richard was the Exhibit Marketing Technical Manager with whom he was employed for 49 years.
Richard was known as "Toolman", he could fix anything and always had a tool handy; he enjoyed home improvement. He also had his dog "Gizmo" who was his little buddy. Richard was a member of the NRA and Vietnam Veterans Association.
Richard will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Gail (nee Smith) Jaslovsky; his children, Ann Kehoe and her husband Steven and Steven Jaslovsky; his grandchildren, Amanda and Steven.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday 3 to 7 PM with 6:30 PM Prayer Service, in the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford, NJ. Private Cremation.
Passed away March 31, 2011 from complications of MDS. He proudly served in the U.S. Army at Herzo Base from 1956-1959, and in the Army Reserve from 1959-1962
David Deemer, 68
Passed away January 12, 2004. David was an Army veteran
Dick Patton
I know we are constantly losing some of the older ASA vets due to ag and/or infirmity. We lost a good one last week with the passing of Dick Patton. Dick was serving at Herzo Base in Germany at the same time I was in Giessen. He had retired ti Naples , Florida a couple of years ago and died in a personal care home there.
Jack Kerr
James “Jim” Eugene Dow
Evans, GA – Entered into rest Tuesday, August 23, 2016, James Eugene Dow, 63, husband of 41 years to Mrs. Judy Dixon Dow.
He was a Medevac pilot who flew Hueys and Blackhawks. James was an avid scuba diver instructor and a member of the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) for 40 years. He was a military intelligence soldier retiring after 26 years as a Chief Warrant Officer Four. He served tours in Okinawa, Panama and Korea. Mr. Dow was a member of the American Legion, Post 192.
Family members in addition to his wife include; son: Jeff Dow; granddaughter: Bella Marley Dow; sisters: Pat D. Furman, Frances D. Wheat, Mary D. Caldwell; brothers: Frederick A. Dow, Jr. and Henry O. Dow and numerous nephews. Mr. Dow is preceded in death by a brother: Alfred H. Dow.
A memorial service will be Saturday, August 27, 2016, at 5:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with full military honors. The family will receive friends following the service until 7:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials contributions to American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Blvd, Augusta, GA 30909.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
Ronald (Ron) E. Stapp
One of our members, Ron Stapp, passed away. Here are a couple notes from his family:
From Candace Bush: My heart has the biggest hole in it right now. My brother Ronald Stapp has joined my Mom this afternoon in Heaven, my only consultation right now is knowing one day we will be together again and his heart is now that of a young man once again. Rest now in peace Bro. I love you.
From Natasha Stapp Lindahl: Arrangements for my dad Ronald Stapp have been made. Visitation is from 2-5 Sunday at Neal Parchman Tarpley funeral home in Clarksville TN. Visitation will also be from 9 am until the time of service on Monday. Service is at 11 am at Neal Parchman Tarpley followed by graveside services at Kentucky veterans cemetery west, Hopkinsville Ky with full military honors.
George Fred Miller, Sr.
Suffolk - George Fred Miller, Sr., 95, of Suffolk, VA passed away October 21, 2015. He was born in Jacksonville, FL to the late George and Rose Miller. He is also predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Eileen Ada Miller. George worked as an electrical engineer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. George retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer having served during WWII, Korea , and Vietnam. He was a member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, VA and the 29th Infantry Division Association Post 5. George is survived by his son, George Fred Miller, Jr. and wife, Lori of Colonial Heights, VA; grandchildren, Collin and Christopher Miller; and niece, Linda and Fred Allen of Virginia Beach. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 28 , 2015 at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3300 Cedar Ln., Portsmouth, VA 22703 with Rector Eileen P. Walsh officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr. Suffolk, VA 2343
Homer V. Thompson, 96
Passed away May 16, 2013 from natural causes. Active military service During World War II and the Korean War. Lt. Colonel Thompson was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service with the Army Security Agency
CSM James W. Jones (Ret)
I found this site while doing some background research on my father in laws military service. He was one of my best friends from 1989-2012 I just thought many of the friends he served with in ASA may want to know Jim passed away in 2012 of heart complications Jim served from 1959-1984 then went on to work for the State Department until 1989. I know that it is hard to find friends we all served with. I know Jim did 2 tours in vietnam one in Chu Li he served in Hawaii, Turkey, Ft. Devens, Arlington Hall, Two Rock Ranch, Korea, and a few others. If anyone that served with him would like to speak with me or is willing to speak with me please feel free to share my contact info. Jim always wanted to write a book but said they would never let me get away with it! He was a great man. Thank you. Kevin
Col. Kevin M Jankoskin
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonel's
ADA/Veterans Rights Advocate
502-548-5315
Kevin@kevinjankoski.com
Spec. 4 David Tyler
It's great to see the ASA Website, and read all the stuff we were told back then not to talk about, lol! I have a name, regrettably, to add to the list of those permanently relieved of duty: Spec.4 David Tyler, of Mississippi, who was reported to have committed suicide, not long after he got out. I hope that one day, the American People will know how much we all did for them, during the days of Viet Nam and the Cold War. All the Way!
John M. Steele, CWO3
I am sorry to inform you of John's passing He passed away on October 29, 2016 at his home in Thailand with his wife by his side. Please remove this email address from your contact list unless you have business with the Steele estate. My name is Larry Edmonds and was asked by John to assist his wife after his death. My contact information is below.
Larry Edmonds
Commander
Thailand American Legion Post TH01
ldedmonds@aol.com
083 201 1062 Lcl.
+66 83 201 1062 Int'l
Lt. Colonel Robert Dales Slocum, 80
Robert Dale Slocum (Bob) passed away October 8, 2011 from heart failure. Lt. Colonel Slocum enlisted in the Army Security Agency in 1950. He attended several military schools, graduating as Lieutenant from OCS in 1952. He studied the Russion language in Monterey, California. His duty stations included Hawaii, Thailand, Viet Nam and retired at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
Wanda June Key Ruskowski, 64
Wanda June Key Rustowski passed away March 15, 2013 from pneumonia. Wanda was a Viet Nam era veteran and served a tour in Okinawa as a 98J Traffic Analyst in the Army Security Agency.
Roy Buswell, 66
Passed away December 14, 2004 from kidney failure. Roy was an Army Security Agency veteran, having served in Germany.
Robert "Bob" A. Wolff Jr
Age 76, of Prior Lake, passed away unexpectedly due to an automobile accident on Sunday, April 9, 2017.
A funeral will be held on Monday, April 17 at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 9:30 to 11 a.m. all at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16150 Arcadia Ave. SE, Prior Lake. The urnbearer will be Bob’s son, Kristopher Wolff. The Prior Lake Honor Guard will provide full military honors. Pastor Chad Gilbertson will preside. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be distributed by the family.
On December 24, 1940 in Evanston, IL, Robert and Jeanne (Brashears) Wolff celebrated the birth of their son, Robert Alfred Wolff, Jr. Being raised in a no-nonsense household, Bob learned the value of hard work and determination. From a young age, he was responsible for all the family’s yard work and garden—a task he later had his own children do.
Bob attended New Trier Township High School. Unfortunately, his graduation was delayed after breaking his leg in a ski accident. Around the same time, his family moved to St. Louis where Bob finished school. With his father’s encouragement, Bob attended Parsons College in Fairfield, IA and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Unbeknownst to his family and contrary to his parent’s wishes, Bob enlisted in the Army in 1966. While on his way to basic training, Bob let his family know.
During his ten years in the Army, Bob worked with the Army Security Agency and eventually the electronics division. After serving as a Staff Sergeant in Vietnam, Bob settled in New Zealand where he worked for a hospitality group. Bob’s career in hotel operations and management took him across the world. He visited every continent except Antarctica. Bob helped open the first hotel at Mystic Lake and served as their first director of hotel operations.
Bob’s return to the United States from New Zealand began a new chapter in life—he was soon married and this union was blessed with two wonderful children, Kristopher and Melissa. Following in his father’s footsteps, Bob was a supportive, steadfast parent. He had the habit of encouraging his children to eat new foods, but wouldn’t reveal what it was until after they ate it. Often, Bob taught by example. Mistakes were just another opportunity to learn.
Family was the most important thing in Bob’s life. Despite the distance between family members, Bob and the children always kept in touch. While living in Georgia, the family increased in numbers when one night a dog appeared during a thunderstorm. Always caring, Bob took the dog in, named her Ginger, and she became part of the family.
Bob enjoyed life whether he was traveling, golfing, bowling, swimming, or drinking a good scotch. He was a man with a presence—bold, adventurous, and never afraid.
His legacy will be carried on by his children, Kristopher (Erin Gerard) Wolff, Melissa (Andrew Davis) Wolff; grandchildren, Lillie Wolff, Gabe Wolff; sister, Liz (Jim) Weninger; niece, Ginny (David Jr.) Nyhus.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents and four-legged friend, Ginger.
James Ceniglio
MOS = High speed morse code intercept
Stationed = Fort Devens
Bad Aibling, Germany
Pleiku, RVN
Jim Ceniglio passed 07 July 2015
Ira Edward Andrews, Jr
Age 75 of Houston, Texas passed away at Houston Methodist Hospital on 15 August 2016.
Ira was born on 4 September 1940 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to his parents Ira Edward, Sr. and Lenora Andrews. Ira grew up in Pine Bluff and attended Watson Chapel High School. His friends and family knew him as "Sonny". After graduation, he enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard in 1959 then quickly transitioned to Active Duty and earned the nickname "Andy" spending nearly 21 years of dedicated service to our nation. During his time on Active Duty, Ira was a member of the prestigious Army Security Agency and held multiple assignments in the National Capital Region, West Germany, Turkey, Japan and Texas. A combat veteran, Ira proudly served two tours in Vietnam from 1967 through 1969 stationed in Hue and Phu Bai during the Tet Offensive. Following his retirement from the Army in 1980 as a Sergeant First Class, he moved to Houston and it was there that he attended the Harris County Sheriff's Academy and later finished his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Ira served once again in civilian law enforcement and dedicated over 20 years of his life to protecting the local community in which he lived.
Ira leaves behind his first wife, Nancy Andrews, and his current wife Lisa as well as his sisters Jean Graves and Sue Devine and her husband J.L., his daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Mike Maltzahn of California and his son and daughter-in-law Lt. Col. Mark and Hillary Andrews and his four grandchildren, Faith, Emma, Jack and Max of Belgium. Ira is preceded in death by his sister Judy Cox and his second daughter, baby Natalie.
Ira will be given full military honors and will be laid to rest on 6 September 2016 at the Houston National Cemetery (10410 Veteran's Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038). Please arrive no later than 11:00 and park in Lane 2 next to the Public Information Center. The procession will depart promptly at 11:10.
Bernard J. (Bernie) Rousher
of Munhall, PA, died on September 27, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. Bernie was our ELINT analyst (98J20/30) at Site 1, Rudow, in Berlin during the period from June or July, 1969 to early 1972. He was a very decent, friendly, and conscientious man in all his relationships and endeavors. He was a SP5, when he left the ASA after marrying Sigrid Kiievski, a German national. He worked for Westinghouse in their nuclear power division for years after leaving the Army in places all over the world. All of us who served with him remember him fondly and mourn his passing.
Cliff Nystedt
Just a sad note that my bro , Cliff Nystedt passed today. He was on the PRD- 1 team with me. He was the original cool guy that I was proud to serve with back in the day. May he rest in peace and always be in my memory. We did some damage together. Hoorah!
Edward J "Easy" Ryder
Sadly, I just recently made a connection with one of my best friends also stationed with me during school and duty assignment Japan via FB. Made contact finally with his wife on a Thursday and he passed on Saturday. Very sad after searching for almost 44 years and just missed talking to him. RIP Edward J "EASY" Ryder.
