The Dropshot Dispatch Chronicle

layout: layouts/document.njk title: "The Dropshot Dispatch Chronicle" slug: dropshot-dispatch-chronicle type: essay subtype: tribute

authors:

• rosenberg-kenneth
• vitucci-stephen
• kutter-wolf

date: 1972-00-00 date_known: false date_note: > Written during or shortly after Blagg's command (July 1971–mid-1972). Originally published in the Dropshot Dispatch, the 2/8th Cav field newsletter. Reprinted in Walking Point, Vol. 1, Issue 4, January 2007, pp. 4–5.

source: "Walking Point, Vol. 1, Issue 4 (January 2007), pp. 4–5" source_type: newsletter publication: Walking Point publication_issue: "Vol. 1, Issue 4" publication_date: 2007-01-01

status: draft

contains:

• blagg-thomas

tagged: []

event: []

files: []

open_questions:

• id: oq-01 publish: true question: > The piece names several men by nickname or role only — the CSM, "Sam" (S-4), "Barney," "Jethro," "Redleg," and "Max." Can any of these be identified? If you served with 2/8th Cav under Col. Blagg in 1971–72, we'd welcome your help.
• id: oq-02 publish: false question: > Confirm FSB sequence: Fanning → Jeffries → Makowski → Melanie. Cross-check against McGrew calendar and Blagg deposition if available.
• id: oq-03 publish: false question: > Rosenberg is listed as a co-editor but died May 14, 1972 in the Chinook crash — before the 2007 reprint. Determine whether this piece was written before the crash or assembled posthumously from his notes. Do not editorialize until confirmed.

archivist_notes: created: 2026-05-14 session: 28 sources: - ASA_Newsletter_2007_Jan.pdf notes: > The Dropshot Dispatch was the 2/8th Cav's own field newsletter. This piece is a chronicle/tribute to Col. Blagg's command and covers the full arc: assumption of command July 14, 1971; FSBs Fanning, Jeffries, Makowski, and Melanie; unit character and leadership style. Rich incidental detail — the CSM, the S-3, the S-4, Ranger team visits, artillery coordination friction, animals (Gopher the dog, Lifer the dog, JoJo and GiGi the monkeys), a Shakespeare-and-Chaucer night in the field, Christmas on Makowski, movement to Melanie. Kenneth Rosenberg is listed as deceased (14 May 1972) in the byline block. Vitucci and Kutter are the surviving authors. All three are credited as published; no editorial decision made on Rosenberg's authorship share. The LTC Carle Dunn email also on pp. 4–5 is a separate document and is not included here.

permalink: /documents/unit/dropshot-dispatch-chronicle/

It was quite a day when you assumed command of the 2/8 Cavalry on 14 July 1971. No sooner had you accepted the battalion colors from General Burton, then you ran a CA and hovered over a ten hour fire fight. This hectic and serious introduction to the Eagle Cavalry did not dampen your enthusiasm, nor for change. FSB Fanning, because it was a cramped circle off QL-1, was moved to Jeffries and constructed along more modern geometric lines. While the form of the triangle was not immediately accepted as progressive, it was eventually adopted throughout the 3rd Brigade.

To have some fun during those hectic days a new game, the Lions and the Christians was played in the chuck-chuck. Even with an umpire on hand things rarely went well for the Redleg. Invariably the game would end with a resounding "Say Thomas, that's a pretty good call – right 200, fire for effect." On the ground, while the S-3 and the CSM were exhausting themselves getting a good firebase built, you were thoughtfully preparing for them that nights' appreciation lesson of Shakespeare and Chaucer.

Territorial imperatives forced you to reconsider the 'open door policy' for visiting helicopters. With restrictions placed on the POL point that problem was neatly solved in very short order. It took some time though for higher to learn that infringement on Blagg's AO was sure to be followed by a roar. Especially appreciated were visiting Ranger teams, first for their manner of arrival, and secondly for their truly amazing map reading ability. After a while though an understanding was reached and the contract sealed with – "Nobody takes a Sierra in my AO without me knowing about it." The artillery however thought you still enjoyed surprises and the AO was consistently blessed with their precious rounds. Per chance one day you were in your royal chariot and spied their gifts coming into your land. In your most diplomatic irate manner you announced to the Redleg ambassador beside you – "I told you a thousand times nobody shoots a round of artillery in my AO without clearing it with me first. You get the son-of-a-bitch turned off, or I'll go back and personally wrap the tube around the man that cleared it." Yes, you were above all diplomatic.

For your subordinate commanders there were new lessons to be learned. First, not to call in a FAC while a CA was in progress. Recon ought to go out with more than just a cigarette lighter to mark their position at night for Max. Sometimes, while you were listening to an internal push you would mutter; "Would I think of something like that – no; would I say something like that – no; would I do something like that – no; but he is in charge down there!"

As an animal lover you had no peer. You demonstrated touching concern for Gopher, the mild manner S-4 dog, to whom you awarded a princely kingdom – an entire minibase. In the meantime poor Lifer, your favorite dog who liked to bite visiting Generals, was being nursed by Doc back to health. Your love for dogs finally found its bounds and mass deportation orders were issued after several daily dogfights. The Eagle Cavalry though was not to be deprived of favorite mascots. JoJo and GiGi were the most endearing monkeys in the TOC area and the best attraction on the firebase – doughnut dollies notwithstanding.

With the firebase fairly secure Sir TB ventured forth from his castle to visit the knights in the field. It seemed hard though to realize that talking loud was a no-no and falling from the hammock in the middle of the night made the whole perimeter stir with apprehension. The cuisine was also found wanting in the field. When offered beefsteak-a-la-C-ration, you politely declined such fare and munched happily on a monstrous delectable hoagie sandwich which the CSM had thoughtfully packed. There were serious moments too when Charlie Co mounted the best available transportation, a water truck, and moved in the middle of the night to OP-4 to reinforce the hard-pressed Recon platoon. That same night you hovered 20 feet over the patrol trying to drop a strobe light on top of a flickering cigarette lighter. Later you listened with apprehension as Barney was pulled out by McGuire rig, holding on to the rope with one hand, the radio with the other – telling you all the time "The rope is slipping, I can't hold on."

The Dropshot Dispatch had finally published its third edition and the grass started growing through the sandbags. The decision was made to move to Makowski. This time though it was to be an unhurried, planned affair. "25 yards of rough gravel road," bad weather and soil conditions made shambles of that good sounding plan. This was to be a neat firebase and since no one took heed we had several mass shoulder to shoulder police calls. Yes neatness was the word. Haircuts too became the new vogue in the true VOLAR spirit, as exemplified in the highly enlightened and permissive statement: "Short hair why not? A soldier asked me if I can fight just as well with long hair as I can with short hair. I said Roger that. Then he asked me 'Why should I have short hair?' – and I answered Roger that why not short hair?"

Everyone worked hard on Makowski. For two weeks there had been no entertainment until seven local lovelies decided to help the morale. You took a dim view however, branded them all infiltrators, symbolically chained them together with white engineer tape, and after a night in the conex container presented them to shocked Province officials. We all had then another chance to excel when a few days before Christmas you announced to the S-4: "Don't shake your head Sam, you love it and you know it." And so we moved to Melanie. Suffice it to say Melanie wasn't built in a day.

In our new home you displayed vast understanding and compassion. Compassion for the many artillery showers; compassion for JoJo and GiGi who were continuously supplied with a stock of eyeglasses for their 'failing' eyesight; understanding for the generator man Bad News, as he stood at the evening briefing for the fifth time and informed you that two 15kw and three 10kw were down, but that you would have lights in the TOC with a 1.5kw. Your lenient and progressive attitude towards friendly woodcutters was especially commendable for allotting them and their pet oxen vast picnic and recreation areas in the middle of the battalion's AO. At Melanie you also excelled in your daily VIP briefings – all standard 14 versions. While Shakespeare and Chaucer were not the current mode, lessons on OERs, Logistics, Asset Management, and being a good unit CO were in. There were many captains who received thoughtful points to ponder. You adjudicated problem areas, and if pressed too hard the conversation would end with a simple "Cut me some slack." Even Jethro had to marvel over your semantics when after the usual cup of coffee you demolished an ice-cream cup – all the while telling him "Gee Jethro I'm sure glad you didn't give me any ice cream so that I can keep my weight down." You also liked to play cards. It seemed like sometime you, the CSM, and Redleg-and-Redleg sat down to a good pinochle game it was rudely interrupted by movement at the bridge. One night an element from B Co needed reinforcement. You took personal charge. It was quite a procession – you and the patrol mounted on a D-7, the CSM pulling rear security, and Gopher out front pointing.

In retrospect, your presence in the Eagle Cavalry was strongly felt many times, particularly whenever the companies were in contact. Your arrival over the firefight area lent reassurance and confidence to a confused battle scene below. "No sweat babe, I'm here" were glad words to hear to the unsettled platoon leader or company commander in contact. Pink teams, Max, Medevac, Flare birds would magically appear and a steady hover over the contact area to drop smoke was never out of the question. The officers and men of the Eagle Cavalry are truly proud to have had you as their inspiring leader and commander.

The Editors: Kenneth S. Rosenberg (deceased) 14 May 1972 S. Stephen Vitucci — FSB Melanie Wolf D. Kutter — RVN