My birth name is Robert E. "PJ" Pagano.  I was at Khe Sanh from June '67 until 20 January '68 when I got hit.  On that day my call sign was Barkwood and that was the only time that call sign was ever used.  I pulled something more than 30 patrols at Khe Sanh and had many different call signs.  Among them were Black Bottom, Muster and Broad Weave.  Considering the number of patrols I pulled I's a fair bet that I was in your bird at one time or another - thanks for the ride. 

Speaking of thanks; there's something that I've wanted to say to you Purple Foxes for a very long time.  I'm copying Frank Gulledge, Al Chancy and Thomas J. "TJ" Miller here because I need to say it to all of you.  I know that Recon was your least favorite load - with good reason.  The NVA at had a big case of the a** for Recon and tried hard to snuff us.  If they had good NCO's or officers with them they would hold off coming in for the kill because they knew you guys would be coming and they had a big case of the a** for you too. They would take extra casualties from our fire just so they could get a crack at you. We were always somewhat distracted at the time so never thanked you appropriately.  Frankly, there are no words sufficient to thank you all enough.  I can't tell you what it felt like to be facing certain death and then see you brave Marines come down through a hail of fire into our crappy or non-existent LZ's to get our shot-up butts out.  I would never have blamed you for not coming down - but you did - you crazy bastards (thank God).

In talking to Al, "TJ" and "Uncle Frank" down in VA., on the occasion of Colonel Dabney's Navy Cross presentation, it dawned on me (I'm somewhat slow) that you guys saw the condensed version of the worst war has to offer.  Flying into harm's way day after day in a thin skinned sausage full of JP4 is incredible all by it's self.  But to keep doing it after repeatedly packing it full of wounded, dead and dying Marines is beyond the pale.  We only had to deal with our own dead and wounded; you guys had to deal with everybody's.  As I said; words are insufficient.  Then and now, we Recon Marines can only stand in your shadow. 

Semper Fi, 

PJ Pagano