596 Signal Company

Veterans

Viet Nam

Here, with the help of some of the Nam vets, I hope to pass on some of the experiences of the 596th at war.

Below is a map of the general area around Phu Bai where the unit was deployed. It is in the northern part of South Viet Nam.

To War

The 596 Signal Company (Support) received orders dated 13 Dec. 1967 for a Permanent Change Of Station with a ready date of 29 Jan 1968. Authorized strength at the time was 350 officers & enlisted. All of their equipment was loaded on RR flatcars and shipped to the port. In January 1968 the men of the 596th, carrying their duffle bags, web gear and weapons, went to the Tucson, AZ airport and flew to Long Beach, CA where they boarded the MSTS Upshur for the 2 week cruise to Viet Nam. They dropped off an aviation outfit at Da Nang then continued on to Qui Nhon where they debarked and convoyed to An Khe where they spent a couple of weeks doing nothing. Then they were flown to Phu Bai where they found their equipment and set up shop.

They were initially assigned to the 459th Signal Battalion (Provisional) where they supported the 1st Cav and the Marines in the relief of Khe Sahn and the recapture of Hue. They were then assigned to the 63rd Signal Battalion for the remainder of their time in Viet Nam. They had sites at Camp Eagle, Gar Lai combat base, Firebases Birmingham, Bastogne.

1968 Stars & Strips article on the arrival of the 596th at Phu Bai, Viet Nam. Thanks to Joe Dempsey


596 soldiers arrive in Viet Nam Stars & Strips		SSG Dempsey sworn in by CPT Berkley C Whipple on re-enlistment around June 1967
Here are part of the orders that sent the 596th to Viet Nam.


L to R: 2LT Larry Reynolds, SSG Bob Ulner, SSG Joe Dempsey	596 troops on Upshur	Ships in DaNang harbor from Upshur	Stand L-R: SSG Joe Dempsey, Unknown, Unknown, SSG Jack Faux, Unknown. Kneel L-R: Unknown, SFC Pete Cox

2LT Reynolds on Upshur 1968	SSG Dempsey on Upshur 1968	Da Nang Harbor 1968	Dempsey's Jungle Expert Patch

A view from the deck of the Upshur - Jan 1968	596th Building at Phu Bai	Unknown soldier burning documents - Phu Bai 1968	1st Cav Armor at Camp Hockmuth 1968

Crossing the dateline initiation on the Upshur	Platoon barracks at Gar Lai combat base	The Shower	Refilling the shower 1SG Teel leaning on truck

Troops sandbagging building at Phu Bai	SSG Bob Ulner gets haircut from SPC Escalante	Ammo dump blows up Burned for 4 days	SSG Joe Dempsey @ Phu Bai Signal Site 1968

NCO group photo Phu Bai 1968 Anybody know these guys?	SSG Grubaugh Radio Platoon Sgt	SSG Bob Ulner
Below are some photos from "Long Island Ron" Valastin"

No explanation needed Ron Valastin	Supply run to Da Nang Ron Valastin	596 Comm Site sign Ron Valastin	Part of HF Radio site Ron Valastin

Spc Seth was killed one night while standing perimeter guard duty. I don't know if they called it a KIA, though. I believe it went down as an accidental shooting, friendly fire from another GI. I remember talking to the guy who was "the shooter." He said it was all very confusing out there. There were reports of "something in the wire" and flares going off all over the place. He said he saw someone coming across the berm and challenged him three times but the intruder did not answer. He just kept advancing, so the guy fired three shots and ran out. The reactionary force came out and found Seth dead. The shooter's ammo clip showed that he was three shells shy of a full load, but other witnesses said they heard seven shots. Nobody knows where those shots came from. There was an inquiry and the shooter returned to duty and finished out his tour, but you could tell he was rattled from the experience. God rest his soul.
Name withheld.

CHARLES WILLIAM SETH

SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
1st Signal Brigade
26 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 24, 1941
From AMBRIDGE, PENNSYLVANIA
Length of service 4 years.
His tour of duty began on Jan 23, 1968
Casualty was on Sep 14, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MISADVENTURE
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

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EDWARD LEWIS NIX

SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
1st Signal Brigade
21 year old Married, Negro, Male
Born on Aug 12, 1946
From ALPINE, ALABAMA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on May 29, 1967
Casualty was on May 16, 1968
SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury
GROUND CASUALTY
ILLNESS, DISEASE
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

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RANDY LEE HANSEN

SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
1st Signal Brigade
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 23, 1948
From WILLISTON, NORTH DAKOTA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Feb 01, 1968
Casualty was on Apr 06, 1969
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
VEHICLE CRASH
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST

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GEORGE WILLIAM WINKLES JR

PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
1st Signal Brigade
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 29, 1949
From COLLEGE PLACE, WASHINGTON
His tour of duty began on Jan 29, 1971
Casualty was on May 11, 1971
in GIA DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury
GROUND CASUALTY
ACCIDENTAL SELF-DESTRUCTION
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT

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SFC Squarell was a Platoon Sergeant of Sig Cntr 2 at Fort Huachuca in 1964 & 1965

SAMUEL LUVENE SQUARRELL SFC

SFC - E7 - Army - Regular
1st Signal Brigade
44 year old Married, Negro, Male
Born on Jul 27, 1923
From BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Length of service 18 years.
His tour of duty began on Aug 03, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 07, 1968
in HUA NGHIA, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST

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