Is This Guy SF?

[Marauder]

For all you guys out there who might know, do you recall a guy who served ~15 years in the Army (not sure how much in SF) and then another ~5 in govt' service after that who ended up in Vegas as a dealer in a casino (or something like that)? This guy also claims to have been an ordained minister before he split with the church. He also dislike Jimmy Carter with a passion ("that damn peanut farmer") because he thinks that Carter could have ordered forces into Tehran right after the hostages were taken instead of setting up Desert Claw. My impression was that he lost friends at Desert One. This guy also likes historical wargaming, and hates all politicians regardless of party with a burning passion.
I have seen this guy post on another BB I frequent. He is quite articulate and seems to know what he's talking about in regards to geopolitics. I was wondering if someone could confirm if they know a dude like this for me. If he is legit, I don't want to piss this guy off by asking for a Det. #. Any help would be appreciated.
(And yeah, I know it sounds farfetched, but...)

[Tracy]

cough-cough, b*llsh*t, cough-cough.

[Marauder]

Thanks, Tracy. Much appreciated.

[Marauder]

K, these are from the horse's mouth, so to speak, just wanted to update this a little...
This was in response to someone asking him what he did in RVN:
Originally posted by "Neywon Darkson":
I do not give out details of what units I served with due to the fact that some of them were very small and can expose my real name. I am very careful online to never do that, as I have had problems with it in the past.
I will say that I was U.S. Army SF, with a secondary Field as U.S. Army M.P. I was also trained in several other areas and served as a trainer at a Selective Marksmanship school. I left the Army after 16 years to take a position with the government working out of Washington D.C. I served the Government a total of 22 years before taking retirement.

All the men in my family running back 8 generations have been military men. We have fought in every major and most minor wars. One of my uncles was one of the first SF men in the U.S. Army. He's the one who influenced me to join and work towards that goal. Growing up I always loved when he would visit and tell his stories of the 1st Special Service Force, the Devil's Brigade. He was a kind and gentle man, I miss him greatly.

I would add that I (intentionally) asked him if it was "CPT Rich Medowes" who was nicknamed "Mad Dog" at CCS, and he corrected me by linking me to a site about SFC Shriver's disappearance. So if he's a poser, he has at least been bothered to read MAJ Plaster's excellent (IMHO) chronicle on SOG.

One last thing: Was there an 18A named Homer Pratt who was killed piloting a chopper in RVN during a pick up of five other SF troops who were trapped, after he was ordered not to? Or is someone (else) pulling my leg?

[Dark Helmet]

Well, I have been wrong before, but.....this is what I hear.

1. Claims SF heritage. No unit, no AO. But SF, of course.
2. Claims to have been a casino dealer.
3. Claims to have been an ordianed minister.
4. Claims 8th generation (?) soldier (ancestors off the Mayflower, perhaps?).

Bullshit alarm at full klaxon. I'm with Tracy.

[Marauder]

Yeah, that's what my instinct is sayin, I justed wanted to see if our resident meateaters recognized any of that particular fingerprint, on the off chance....

[E19]

Marauder,

I checked the SF database for KIAs in Vietnam, and no one by the name of Pratt was on the list.

[Tracy]

Originally posted by Marauder:

One last thing: Was there an 18A named Homer Pratt who was killed piloting a chopper in RVN during a pick up of five other SF troops who were trapped, after he was ordered not to? Or is someone (else) pulling my leg?


1. The MOS 18A did not exist until the mid 80s.
2. Most Aviation personnel are kept away from SF careers because of the investment the Army made in their flight training.

[Scotty]

"All the men in my family running back 8 generations have been military men. We have fought in every major and most minor wars."

I know this guy. You do too. It's Lt. Dan from Forest Gump. He was meant to die in 'Nam. Sad story...

Scotty

------------------
Some people call them "terrorists", these boys have simply been misguided

[Marauder]

Many thanks for the help here guys. I appreciate any help that allows me to look less of a rube than I really am.

Although I will admit that I put "18A" in place of "SF officer" as the guy that told me that "info" put it. This guy claimed "Pratt" was his uncle, so he is either lying through his teeth or his family fed him a line of BS when he was growing up.

Tracy, E19, (or Riflemaster, if he's hanging around out there) if either of you are so inclined, I can prolly come up with an e-mail addy for "Neywon" if you want to drop him a "WTF, cease-and-desist" mail. Just gimme the word and an address to send the info to.
Thanks again.

[E19]

Marauder,

I just checked the Vietnam Memorial Database
and it didn't have anyone with the last name of Pratt listed.

It appears that not only was Homer Pratt not an SF KIA, but that he was not KIA in Vietnam period. Top Secret Missison? LOL

Oddly enough there is a Pratt Museum located in Homer, Alaska.

[Marauder]

Found some pictures of "Neywon".
>>This<< (http://www.portent.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=304911) is supposed to be his grad pic from MP school, when he was 19 and a year out of 'Nam.
>>Here<< (http://www.portent.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=232797) he is recently with "his" Green Beanie.
And >>one more<< (http://www.portent.net/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=222831) just for interest's sake.
Apparently he has a weapons fetish. http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

[colmurph]

WOO,WOOO,WOOOOO! You definitely got a wannabee here! I may be an old fart and I have my "Senior Moments" now and then but have you EVER seen somebody who was SF with his master blaster pin on his rug? And get a load of those nifty tattoos! He looks like one of the pukes on the Seals Wall of Shame.(They have a picture of three or four trolls sporting black berets with the trident on them standing by the wall in DC) This guy fits the general description (ie. Fat and tattoed). I'd start asking him some pointed questions, or if you like, steer me in the right direction and I'll be glad to flame him.LOL

Murph

[1026]

The only things missing are stints as an underwater welder and an oil field roughneck.

[SixfootTwo]

Whats wrong with being a roughneck?

[1026]

6'2"- Nothing at all, if the guy actually did it. In my experience, rough necks and underwater welders are the civilian equivalent (phony wise) of SEALs/SF/Rangers/FR, etc.

Basic training/Boot Camp/AIT/"A" School is, in the words of Steve Irwin, "chock-a-block" full of former "rough necks".
Bear in mind this was 25 years back; today they probably all had a hand in designing Windows.

BTW, they all own a '57 Chevy and have a model for a girlfriend http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/icons/icon6.gif

[Dax]

Here is his Bio on Portent
Registered: 08-17-2000
Status: Warlord of Khorne
Total Posts: 2349 (5.38 posts per day)
Last Post: 10-12-2001 08:27 AM
I out of here
Contact Neywon Darkson: Click here to email Neywon Darkson
Send Neywon Darkson a Private Message!
Homepage:
ICQ Number:
AOL Instant Messenger Handle:
Yahoo Instant Messenger Handle:
Birthday December 14, 1954
Armies Khornate Chaos Marines (Primary army, NOT Berzerkers!), Eldar, Dark Eldar, Orks, Tyranids, Imperial Guard
Biography You will sleep better not knowing my background.
Location Most people never know where I am till it's already too late.
Interests Warhammer 40K, Painting, Poetry, Weaponry, Collecting Skulls.
Occupation Retired

[Tracy]

DOB December 1954?

Unless I'm missing something, he's no Vietnam Vet.

That means he could legally go to RVN in December 1972. As I recall, we were doing a MAJOR wind-down by then.

ColMurph: Any input?

Also, I've NEVER heard of anyone going from SF to MPs.

[SixfootTwo]

If he had gone to MP school after a tour in Vietnam wouldn't he have some sort of Vietnam service ribbon on his chest?

[RAT]

Originally posted by SixfootTwo:

Whats wrong with being a roughneck?


YEA!!!! I AGREE!!!! I may be a little dirty behind the ears with some oil based mud. BUT YOU GOT TO LOVE IT....

6'2" You oil field TRASH TOO????

RAT OUT!!!

[SixfootTwo]

RAT

Odessa, Tx, USA born and raised!!

If that ain't oil field trash, than I don't know what is.. Ha

[Greenhat]

Originally posted by Marauder:
his grad pic from MP school, when he was 19 and a year out of 'Nam.

19 and a year out of Vietnam? So he left Vietnam when he was 18? Tours are a year. He went when he was 17?

------------------
De Oppresso Liber

[JamesJanos]

Remember SF babies?

This guy must have been an SF Premie!

http://animatedgif.net/animals/frogs/dancfrog_e0.gif

[colmurph]

Tracy, I don't ever recall seeing anybody in SF(Officers that is) with MP Branch Insignia. It was mostly Combat Arms with an occaisional Ordinance, MSC, Chaplain or Chemical Branch Type. We had a LT Ramey who was Chemical and I suppose he got on board because of some special abilities in that field. He was a pretty well squared away dude. The Enlisted ranks were ALL from a prior Combat Arms Branch with the exception of the support folks. All of them had a previous tour with an Airborne Unit. Just about all of them came to SF as NCO's with maybe some exceptions in the newly minted 91B's graduating from "Dog Lab". We used to have a story we would tell folks from Division, that there was only "ONE TO&E Slot in a Group for a PFC", his job was to push a broom in the riggers shed.
This character seems to be a "Veteran" of Sci Fi Video Games. The knives look like the crap that is sold late at night on the cable channels to folks who want weapons but can't buy firearms because of criminal records and/or mental health problems. The tattos are straight out of the "Video World".
I've NEVER heard of someone going from either MP to SF or from SF to MP. It's worlds apart with nothing in common except the uniform. Where was this troll posting?

Murph

[colmurph]

Tracy, I forgot to mention....that photo of him "A year out of Vietnam" shows him as a "Slick Sleeve", no NDSM (maybe not enough time in or perhaps AFTER the cut off date) and the blouse doesn't fit. This looks like one of those AIT photos where they march everybody to the photographer's shop and throw on a Blouse and Cap that don't fit too well just to get the picture for the Class Book. He was probably wearing fatigues under that blouse when he had his picture taken. I still have a photo that looks like that (Ill fitting Blouse) from basic training in January/Febuary 1958.

Murph

[RAT]

Originally posted by SixfootTwo:
Odessa, Tx, USA born and raised!!

If that ain't oil field trash, than I don't know what is.. Ha


Houston, Tx, here. Glad to see a fellow TEXAN on Board.

I am working off shore in the patch right now. Good to see another HAND on here.

Take care, Semper Fi.

RAT OUT!!!

[Baja]

I think this guy is actually a wannabe of another wannabe! His story matches a book I just saw in the bookstore, but I think the surname is different...?

To wit: There is a book out now about a former SF soldierin', casino-workin', ordained-ministerin' chap who had run-ins with Carter, etc.

Of course, he "specialized in black bag ops."

The book is primarily about how CHUCK FRIGGIN' NORRIS sent him to Russia on a mission and then abandoned him there. He had a "narrow escape" from Russia and he and his wife "live in hiding" now...

Don't laugh! You'd be living in hiding too if Chuck Norris's evil henchman, Russian mafioso, and US government workers were all after you http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/wink.gif It's hard being a real American hero when there is a VAST GLOBAL CONSPIRACY targeting you. http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/rolleyes.gif

Now if I could just remember the name of the book! It was at both Books-A-Million and Barnes and Noble...?

- Baja

Originally posted by Marauder:
For all you guys out there who might know, do you recall a guy who served ~15 years in the Army (not sure how much in SF) and then another ~5 in govt' service after that who ended up in Vegas as a dealer in a casino (or something like that)? This guy also claims to have been an ordained minister before he split with the church. He also dislike Jimmy Carter with a passion ("that damn peanut farmer") because he thinks that Carter could have ordered forces into Tehran right after the hostages were taken instead of setting up Desert Claw. My impression was that he lost friends at Desert One. This guy also likes historical wargaming, and hates all politicians regardless of party with a burning passion.
I have seen this guy post on another BB I frequent. He is quite articulate and seems to know what he's talking about in regards to geopolitics. I was wondering if someone could confirm if they know a dude like this for me. If he is legit, I don't want to piss this guy off by asking for a Det. #. Any help would be appreciated.
(And yeah, I know it sounds farfetched, but...)

[longrange1947]

OK I'll play. First of all, 5th was pulled out of SEA before our boy could have played. I was in 1st SF during that time and played at taking up the slack of the boneheaded call by Abrams(sp? didn't like the track head anyway) to pull SF out of SEA.

Next, was also a SF baby and you had to be 21 upon graduation form SF training during that period (65 - 70), not sure of after that but we did not have any youngens on any of the teams I was on.

Worked on a "few" of the "other" missions and ANYONE claiming that they can't tell of units after broaching the subject is full of shit. I will be more than glad to talk about "clowns in action", "duds in action" and any of the other idiot organizations during that time. We just can not talk of "certain" specifics. It is accepted that we operated in Laos and Cambodia as well as a few other fun and games spots. What is the secret?

MPs did come to SF as enlisted. The old SF school was MOS producing so any MOS could have a whack at it. Hell had an ex MP on my team. He knew all the good tricks for getting out of trouble in off limits joints. Officers didn't count because we just ignored them. :-)

Since timeline is wrong, age is wrong, and his knowledge of actual times that SF(5th Group) was in Viet Nam, and the conclusion can only be that he is a BS liar, not just a wannabe.

Just my take on the subject.

>>The Enlisted ranks were ALL from a prior Combat Arms Branch with the exception of the support folks. All of them had a previous tour with an Airborne Unit. Just about all of them came to SF as NCO's with maybe some exceptions in the newly minted 91B's graduating from "Dog Lab".<<

Actually, SWCS was taking any MOS Colmurph. As a matter of fact there was a period of time that the school became a shake and bake and we had all sorts. That is true today as it was then, we still take all MOSs. I went through in 67 and while I was fresh out of basic, infantry AIT and Jump school, our 35 man class had commo, engineers, artillary, a cook, two admin types, and an MP, and I can assure you that I was not a support type.
:-)

Have fun guys!

------------------
Hold Hard Guys

Rick B

[This message has been edited by longrange1947 (edited 10-28-2001).]

[E19]

Originally posted by colmurph:
Tracy, I don't ever recall seeing anybody in SF(Officers that is) with MP Branch Insignia. It was mostly Combat Arms with an occaisional Ordinance, MSC, Chaplain or Chemical Branch Type..

I recall officer from almost every branch that were SF qualified including AG, SIG, MED (MD's went through the course back then)and lots of AD.

The Enlisted ranks were ALL from a prior Combat Arms Branch with the exception of the support folks. All of them had a previous tour with an Airborne Unit.

That's pure nonsense.

Just about all of them came to SF as NCO's with maybe some exceptions in the newly minted 91B's graduating from "Dog Lab".

Again that's not true.

We used to have a story we would tell folks from Division, that there was only "ONE TO&E Slot in a Group for a PFC", his job was to push a broom in the riggers shed.

Although the Operational Detatchment's TO&E slots were E5 & up the GRps were full of PFC's and SP4's who had the "S" suffix.

This character seems to be a "Veteran" of Sci Fi Video Games. The knives look like the crap that is sold late at night on the cable channels to folks who want weapons but can't buy firearms because of criminal records and/or mental health problems. The tattos are straight out of the "Video World".

Whatever.

I've NEVER heard of someone going from.
either MP to SF or from SF to MP. It's worlds apart with nothing in common except the uniform.

I know more than one, including a LTC from 7th Group circa 66/67.

[/B]

Murph,

How could you have been in SF at Bragg during 66/67/68 and not know most of these things?

Hell there were lots SP4's on ODA's in Nam during the sixties.



[This message has been edited by E19 (edited 10-29-2001).]

[Gold6]

Bump......wanna see how this turns out.

[flashbang]

Gotta go with E19 on this one...Quite a few E-3, E-4 or SPEC-4 types at that time...Granted, many of them wearing a recognition bar, but that counts in my book.

While all forces were being drawn down in 73-74...SF continued to operate 'till arround mid 1974...out of Thailand, doing whatever. I've been told stories about SF teams running ops. in Vietnam right up to the end...I've never been alble to confirm them, but some of the stories sounded really credible.

The last time I checked, there are a few men listed on the Wall with DOB's in 1957...Granted, not SF and most probably involved in the Saigon evacuation or in Cambodian ops.

Bill

Almost forgot....Junk knives are not always a bad thing...It's hard as hell for the surgeon to get them out when they snap off..or bust into tons of little pieces when they smash into bone.



[This message has been edited by flashbang (edited 10-30-2001).]

[E19]

I did a quick count of the E1 to E4's in the
7th SFG in 1966, based on yearbook photos.

Total E1 - E4's in Group: 196
SF Qualified: 154
Non Qualiifed: 42

SF Qualified
SP4: 144*
PFC: 10

*Note 1 of these SP4s was KIA 11/67 in RVN with MACVSOG
awarded Silver Star.

Assigned to
HQ/HQCO: 11 (6 SP4, 5 PFC)
Co's A - E: 135 (130 SP4, 5 PFC)
Sig Co 8: (8 SP4)

Non SF Qualified
SP4: 18 (6 Not Abn)
PFC: 20 (1 Not Abn)
PVT: 4

Assigned to
HQ/HQCo: 32 (14 SP4, 17 PFC, 1 PVT
Sig Co: 9 ( 4 SP4, 3 PFC, 2 PVT)
D Co: 1 (1 PFC)






[This message has been edited by E19 (edited 10-30-2001).]

[colmurph]

When I was on A-14 with the 3d Group we had nobody on the team less than E-5 and most were Korean Vets as Well as having had a tour in Vietnam. One was even a WWII vet, Ernie Smitka, but didn't rate anything other than the basic CIB. He was in the German Army (Fallshirmjaeger) during WWII and was an FA Officer during Korea. When I got to B-10 in Delta Co. of the 3d (support team for the SFOC course) we had one E-4 who was a 91B1S. I didn't know many folks at the 7th. and the few I knew from the 6th Group were neighbors of mine out in Loch Lomond. My next door neighbor was a CWO Homer Shoe who became the Post Equipment Disposal Officer (GS-12) after he retired. When I got to group in 66 there weren't many E-1 to E-4's in the 3d. I left Bragg in May 68 on leave and my first day in country was June 14, 1968. I do know that there was a lot of pi$$ing and moaning between JFK and IIXX Corps because all you saw in the morning along the road from the 82d SPC to the corner of Gruber and Reilly roads on "Police Call" were NCO's. Things may have changed by 68 but I was probably too involved with the SFOC course and Det. B-10 to make much note of it. I've got an old set of Group Travel Orders for "Westward Ho" (the 3d's first trip out to Utah and Montana) with about 350 names on it. I'll dig it out and have a look to see what kind of rank distribution is on it.

Murph

[longrange1947]

>>While all forces were being drawn down in 73-74...SF continued to operate 'till arround mid 1974...out of Thailand, doing whatever. I've been told stories about SF teams running ops. in Vietnam right up to the end...I've never been alble to confirm them, but some of the stories sounded really credible<< FLASHBANG

Yep and they were from the 1st Group or as it was known in those days, 1st SAFAsia. the unit was rather large and far flung. The 46th Company in Thailand was also a part of 1st Group. Those are the guys you are refering to.

Unfortunately, Abrams kicked 5th out of Viet Nam, since he hated the thought ofd unconventional and not tracked. It is not thought that he knew, understood, or just didn't think it out, that most of MACV SOG was 5th Group guys. When 5th left so did all of the projects. 1st got a call and filled Viet Nam at about the rate 1st did during snake bite in the 60s. Can not comment on where guys went during certain times but can tell you that I was still doing TDY trips with 46th Company after the peace accords. :-)



------------------
Hold Hard Guys

Rick B

[E19]

When the 5th was sent back to Bragg, SF personnel assigned to MACVSOG remained in country but were re-assigned to USARV (took off beanies). CCN, CCC, & CCS were re-named TF1AE, TF2AE, & TF3AE, MACVSOG.

[This message has been edited by E19 (edited 10-31-2001).]

[Spotlight_Ranger]

I've got to agree with E19. I jumped with the GB club 73-74, one thing I didn't see too many crossed rifles on the Officers, in fact I saw lots of Transportation, QM, some AD and Armored Cav. I kind of discovered that these guys got their commissions, probably not at the top of their class or whatever the needs of the service, so they wangled their way into SF and stayed as long as they could. As for E-4s I do recall one of my old PSGT, Bill McShea went to Delta in 66, as an E-5, he learned under an E-4 which was Joe Alderman. Col Murph there was another old Fallshirmjager that I met at the club, I'm old now as I was young then, I think his name was Kropik, or close to it.

[This message has been edited by Spotlight_Ranger (edited 10-30-2001).]

[colmurph]

If Bill McShea was from Pennsylvania (I think the Pittsburgh area) and worked for a while (off duty) as a bartender at the 82d Club. He may be the same Bill McShea that was in my 9th grade class at St. Francis Prep. in Springgrove, PA in 1955. When I ran into him behind the bar at the 82d Club he was in the 6th Group.

[Spotlight_Ranger]

He was from Pennsylvania, for some reason I thought Philly, I can email a picture of him around 1970.

[Jeff Rambo]

It's a small world afterall ... A small world afterall ...

[Spotlight_Ranger]

Tis a small, world, and in a small circle like this one represents, you generally either know a guy first hand, by reputation, or at least through someone else who dealt with him.

[ms6073]

Since this topic has kind of strayed in the last few days, I have to ask is Marauder's Lord Master of the Murky Cyberworld, sword master level 10, and fashion trend setter a phony or not?

[Tracy]

Originally posted by ms6073:
Since this topic has kind of strayed in the last few days, I have to ask is Marauder's Lord Master of the Murky Cyberworld, sword master level 10, and fashion trend setter a phony or not?

I think Mauve has the most RAM...

How's that for a non-sequitur?

[ms6073]

Yep, just like that tree one time during night land nav - didnt see it coming and walked right into it! http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

[mcdude]

Sorry for being slow on the uptake, but I got a kick out of the "SF baby" bit. Anybody know where ********** is? Last time I saw him was Panama. Any info would be great.

MD

P.S Sorry for the digression from the thread, but it kinda hits the spot.

[This message has been edited by mcdude (edited 11-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Sharky (edited 11-03-2001).]

[Doc]

mcdude,

I have the answer to your question. Shoot me an email.

[Sharky]

Since Doc is taking care of your question I went ahead and edited the name out.

------------------
F.I.D.O.

[flashbang]

Originally posted by ms6073:
Yep, just like that tree one time during night land nav - didnt see it coming and walked right into it! http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/wink.gif.....LMFAO

[mcdude]

Thanks, Sharky....mea culpa.