A local pal of mine here in CT stumbled across an American Legion Post in Colorado that is guarding the memory of one of ours, Merlyn Wentzel.
If anyone has ony further information for Don Cygan, please get in touch with me and I'll send you his address information.
Patches and a coin are in the mail to Legion Post 1864. Correspondence is below, newest first:
Bob K--
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1/28/2008
Patches and coin in the mail today, Don.
The shield-shaped patch was the company pocket patch that everyone wore at that time. All (or most) assault helicopter companies had them. We had two UH-1 Huey "slick" platoons (callsign "Alligator" or "Gator") of 8-10 ships each, and one gunship platoon ("Crocodile" or "Croc") of about 8 ships.
The round patches are flight platoon patches, First Flight has the yellow center, and Second Flight has the blue center. I have not been able to find out which platoon Mr. Wentzel flew for, but will let you know when I do.
Thanks again for guarding the memory of our fellow aviator.
Bob Kilpatrick
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In a message dated 1/26/2008 9:07:23 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, CYGXXXX@MSN.COM writes:
Bob:
Thanks for the gesture! We felt it was important for our American Legion Post (Parker Post #1864) to honor Merlyn Wentzel, as he was from the rural area of Franktown, located just a few miles from our post. Last year, we sponsored his name n the Colorado Veterans Memorial, soon to be completed just southeast of Denver, in Aurora. It would be a great honor to have the items you mentioned. We will keep them in the post museum for safekeeping. If we are ever in touch with relatives of Mr. Wentzel (we have found none that still reside in the area) we will pass them on to them, along with your AAR on the readings. I think they would find that of interest. My mailing address is: Don Cygan, Parker, CO. 80134
Thanks again!
--Don Cygan
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From: Hosco6@aol.com [mailto:Hosco6@aol.com] Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 6:50 AM
To: nordXXXX@comcast.net
Subject: Website Comments - Post 1864 - (Merlyn Wentzel)
Please Forward to Don Cygan:
Good Morning Don,
A friend just alerted me to your sponsorship of the memorial to Merlyn Wentzel of the 119th Assault Helicopter Company, KIA in Vietnam in 1970.
Veterans of the 119th read his name at The Wall last Veterans Day, and we have published an After Action Report that I will attach to this email. If you will send me a mailing address, I will mail you some reproductions of our 119th unit patches and a 119th "God's Own Lunatics" unit coin for your use in honoring Merlyn Wentzel's memory, however you see fit.
Thanks,
Bob Kilpatrick
East Hampton CT
119th AHC, 1968-1969