NDQSAAir Defense Artillery service during the Vietnam War
NDQSA
Bruce Geiger served in Vietnam ’67-’68 with both A and B batteries 1/44 Artillery attached to 3rd Marine Division and later 108th Artillery Group. He was the OIC of Dusters & Quads with the 26th Marine Regiment during the 1968 siege of Khe Sanh. After discharge he had a 25-year career as a corporate sales and marketing executive and then 11 years as a NY City elementary school teacher. He is a past president of NDQSA and continues to serve as the reunion committee chairman. He preserves our heritage as coordinator with the Vietnam Archives at Texas Tech.
Paul Hanson served in Vietnam from December 1971-72 with E-Battery, 41st Artillery Quad and then F Co, 50th Infantry in DaNang. He remained in the military, rising through the ranks to Command Sergeant Major after 20 years in a variety of key assignments. He has completed a doctor’s degree in history and is currently teaching American History for Neumann University. Paul is a past president of NDQSA. He is currently chairman of both the finance committee and the election committee for the executive officer elections.
George Walko served in Vietnam from Jan 1967 to 1968 with B-29th Searchlights doing searchlight repair. He later was assigned as a searchlight operator attached to the Republic of Korea White Horse Division. Following his discharge from the Army, he earned a degree in finance and investments and for several years worked in banking as vice president of commercial loans. George later owned his own company providing software and computer services. He is very involved in Florida Vietnam Veterans of America.
Garry Severin was in Vietnam with D/71st Quads from July 1970 until his ETS from the Army in September 1971. He was stationed at a variety of locations, including Bu Dop, Song Be, and Hobo Woods. His squad provided the full spectrum of Quad capabilities including fire base perimeter security, convoy operations, and fixed site security support. After his Army service, he was a production coordinator and final assembly mechanic for Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio. Garry served as secretary association before becoming one of their directors.
Roger Giza was drafted and served in Vietnam 1970-71 with 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery (AW)(SP) twin 40mm “Dusters.” His duty locations include LZ Whisky Mountain and then later at LZ Weight-Davis where he fought in what is known as the “last Duster battle.” He worked as a union mason for 36 years, 10 years with his tools, three as foreman, and 23 as an estimator with a large commercial masonry company. Roger has been a member of NDQSA since 2010. He is chairman of the membership committee helping to identify and recruit new members and overseeing membership rosters for the president.
Phil Hosey is a Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course graduate and served in Vietnam during 1971 with E/41 Quads. For 26 years he worked in Human Resources management at Chevron Corporation. He recently retired as Branch Director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, where he coordinated the complex actions of matching qualified individuals to employer needs. Phil serves on the publications committee, helping produce the newsletters that keep the membership informed about the activities of their association.
Bob Cuce served as a Quad 50 gunner in E/41 during 1970-71 performing convoy operations and perimeter security mainly in the Central Highlands at a variety of Fire Support Bases. He retired after 30 years working for New York’s Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Education Services as a database manager. He has been a member of NDQSA since 1998, progressing from being a director, to both vice president positions and ultimately president from 2018-2022. He is chairman of the steering and heritage committee.
Vince Tedesco served in Vietnam in ‘67-‘68 with the 1/44 ADA on the Bn staff and as commander C/1/44 out of Camp J.J. Carroll. As a career Army officer, he later commanded the 1/3 ADA Bn with the 101st Abn Div, and the 6th ADA Brigade. After his retirement, the Army honored him by making him the Honorary Colonel of the 44th ADA Regiment. Vince has been an advisor to the board of directors for years and is chairman of the Saint Barbara and Molly Pitcher Committee.
Bob Lauver deployed with G/65 Quads (attached to the 1/44th ADA) from the United States in 1966 aboard the USNS Gaffey. Bob was the battery clerk and volunteered for the guns after arriving in Vietnam. During his time in RVN he went from PFC to SGT E-5, acting section chief. He was awarded a Silver Star and his second Purple Heart for actions on 31 Jan 68 during the Tet offensive in Hue City. After discharge he earned his BA and 2 years of Graduate study, he founded two home medical businesses. Bob has served NDQSA as president, a board member, and is now active as an advisor. He and his wife led two Gold Star Mothers trips.
Luke Clark was a career soldier and served two tours in Vietnam, the first as an MACV advisor in Thang Binh District Quang Tin Province ’65-‘66, and the second with the 4/60 ADA as the S3 in 1971. He was also the S3 for 4th Bn 61st ADA AW SP (Vulcan) when it was activated in 1968. After military retirement he worked in commercial/ industrial construction. Luke generously donated the marble eagle statue that is the centerpiece of our memorial at Fort Sill. He continues to serve as an advisor for NDQSA.
Al Martin served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 in front line combat duty with D-71 out of Song Be then with G-55 Quads out of Chu Lai. After his discharge he became a Washington D.C. Metro police officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. For several years he counseled returning veterans and remains active in the VFW and other community service organizations. Al has been a director of the Association for many years, and a is faithful reunion attendee sharing the camaraderie of service.
Drafted in October 1966 and did basic training at Fort Polk, LA, then artillery training at Fort Sill, OK, then Honest John Rockets at Fort Hood, TX. Sent to Vietnam in October 1967 as a Private in G/65 Quads 50’s which ran convoys along Highway 9 and DMZ Firebases of Dong Ha, Gio Linh, Con Thien, Cam Lo Ville, Camp J.J. Carroll, Khe Gio Bridge, Rockpile, Calu and Khe Sanh. Gun truck was called the “Widow Makers.” Was discharged October 1968 as a Sergeant E5 and received a Purple Heart. My Quad was the last Quad 50 to leave the abandoned Khe Sanh.
From 1966 to 1968, he served as Chaplain to the 800 men of 4th Battalion 60th Artillery Vietnam who were called upon by our country to go to Vietnam and fight against a dedicated and deadly foe. They formed a new unit together, trained for six months together, shipped out together, served our tour of duty together, and came home together. Togetherness is the main theme of their unit’s wartime experiences, and he has documented in word and 90 photos the record of their wartime service.
John Huelsenbeck was drafted in 1966 and served in Vietnam with C/1/44th ADA performing daily convoy escort and body recover supporting 3rd Marine Division along the infamous I Corps Route 9. After discharge he had a career with Dana Corps, raised cattle on the family farm, and was a leader in his community. In 1981 John held the first gathering in his home of what was to become NDQSA. Over the years he has attended every reunion and served as treasurer, president, director, and advisor. Tank passed April 16, 2024. Rest in Peace Brother.