NDQSAAir Defense Artillery service during the Vietnam War
NDQSAThis website is dedicated to the men who served with Dusters, Quad 50s, Searchlights, Vulcans, and HAWKs in Vietnam. It is managed by the National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association, Inc. which endeavors to share their stories and provide meaningful venues for bonding together in honor of our shared service.
Together Then – Together Again.
Our common bond is that we served in U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery units while in Vietnam, though only the HAWK battalions were actually deployed in a classical air defense artillery role. Our 14 different units served from the DMZ in the north; along the coastal plains; throughout the hills, valleys, and rivers of the Central Highlands; and into the Mekong Delta region in the south. The Dusters, Quads, and Searchlights served in small detachments with as few as two men in the case of a Searchlight crew, or 4 to 6 men for a single Duster or Quad 50.
We were widely dispersed and protected Army, Marine, Navy, and Air Force units; Republic of Korea forces, Australian and New Zealand forces; and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces. Our duties in Vietnam covered a broad spectrum of services. At facilities and firebases, we provided counter mortar and counter rocket protection. Against ground attacks we would be located at the most likely avenues of enemy approach. We would also be tasked to participate in sweeps, counter attacks, and reaction forces. During convoy missions, we acted as a deterrent capable of quickly responding to ambushes and as ready reaction forces capable of breaking up bunker complexes with accurate fire. Our high volume of penetrating fire and the ability of Searchlights to “own the night” were in high demand and much appreciated.
Whether protecting from a high point; operating from barges during riverine operations; accompanying ground infantry operations in the bush; or protecting Special Forces camps, we were there. “First To Fire,” the motto of ADA, was our call to arms.
The National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association, Inc. (NDQSA™) is the original organization for U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery veterans who served in Vietnam. NDQSA is the only organization of Vietnam ADA veterans officially recognized by the Air Defense Artillery Association headquarters in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. It holds the longest, continual, and official annual reunion for Vietnam ADA veterans.
NDQSA is an IRS 501(c)(19) non-profit veterans’ organization and is incorporated in the State of Indiana.
As a tribute to the memory of the 212 ADA warriors who lost their lives during the Vietnam War, NDQSA members have funded, constructed, and dedicated a magnificent monument in the Memorial Park at Ft. Sill.
NDQSA was founded in 1981 by John Huelsenbeck and others and grew to a strength of over 4350 members. Even though time and health complications attributed to service in Vietnam have taken many from our fold, it still has over 400 active members with a directory of more than 2,200 ADA Vietnam veterans and supporters.
We welcome and encourage all ADA veterans who served in Vietnam to join NDQSA and to share the fellowship, mutual support, and continued service to our Nation on behalf of all military veterans and active-duty personnel.
The Beginning
In 1981, John “Tank” Huelsenbeck of C/1-44 stopped at fellow Veteran Darryl (and Lori) Hales’ house in Vermontville, MI. A couple of weeks later the Hales came to John’s house in Avilla, IN and that was the birth of the Duster Organization. “Before long we were calling all over the country. We decided then to have a ”Reunion” at our home in Sept 1981. Six guys showed up for this reunion. Later in 1982, the National Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial (The Wall) was dedicated and a couple of us went to Washington, D.C.. We put cardboard signs on our backs reading “DMZ DUSTERS C/l-44” and met other Duster and Marine comrades.” From that humble start the Duster Association was formed and grew to include the attached Quad-50 and Searchlight Batteries, Vulcan Combat Team and HAWK Missile Battalions. The National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association now encompasses all air defense artillery units that deployed to Vietnam. –John “Tank” Huelsenbeck C/1-44
On August 9, 2013 the National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association dedicated their memorial to the Air Defense soldiers who served in Vietnam. It occupies a prominent position in the Fort Sill, Oklahoma Memorial Park. Its centerpiece is a white marble statue of an eagle, carved by artisans from Marble Mountain, Vietnam stone. The memorial also has a panel to those ADA soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam, contemplation benches, and member dedication bricks. An article extract of the September 2013 Newsletter with story and pictures is linked.
NDQSA Memorial dedication 9 Aug 2013 extract NL 2013 09 web17may25
The Memorial Brick Project encompasses a brick for each of the 212 men who lost their lives while assigned or attached to the Air Defense Artillery units in Vietnam and also a capstone with information about NDQSA and the ADA units in Vietnam. The 212 bricks are arrayed in order by date of death, from SSG Frank Nadany, October 31, 1965 to PFC Bennie Holbrook, July 22, 1972. These memorial bricks are a fitting tribute and in a great location, right outside the ADA Learning Center and Museum, where young soldiers and visitors will pass by every day and reflect on their sacrifice. An article extract of the April 2024 Newsletter with story and pictures is linked.
The Fort Sill Brick Project final 240411 extract NL 202404 web17may25
The National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association is unique among veteran organizations. It represents the most highly decorated army artillery outfits in Vietnam. Its lineage includes the only ADA unit with a Medal of Honor recipient. Vietnam ADA units and their soldier’s combat skills were in demand, firing over four million 40 MM rounds, ten million .50 cal. rounds, and a million miles of illumination from the DMZ to the Delta. This special brothers-in-arms relationship was so valuable that these veterans established their official motto as “Together Then – Together Again.” In 2024 the association established the NDQSA Memorial Trust to provide perpetual care of all their physical memorial structures and fixtures at Fort Sill as well as maintain this website, preserving the heritage of the United States Army Air Defense in Vietnam in perpetuity. An article extract of the January 2025 Newsletter with story and pictures is linked.
The NDQSA Memorial Trust final 250114 extract NL 2025 01 web17may25
Joe Belardo has been a dedicated member of NDQSA since it originated and has always been a board member. After a year of its existence, he became the historian and news editor and created the original KIA – MIA name list. His ’67-’68 Vietnam tour was with C/1/44 ADA attached to the 3 rd Marine Division’s mobile combat fighting team along the DMZ. After discharge, he founded Support Systems, a custom metal fabrication company. He has devoted his life to helping veterans and educating the public.
Rick Liebendorfer trained in MOS 16F at Ft Bliss in the spring of 1969. He arrived in Vietnam July 3, serving 18 months during ’69-70 with C/1/44 ADA, performing Duster tasks along highway 9 and the DMZ then supporting Americal Division near Chu Lai. He was squad leader on Track C221. After a career in the ceramic tile industry in Colorado, he did a stint as a corrections officer with the State of Missouri. He returned to Vietnam in 2017 and visited former areas of operations along Highway 9 as well as FSB 4-11 outside of Quang Ngai. He is the NDQSA.COM webmaster preserving our history and heritage.
Barry was drafted in 1968 and went to Ft. Dix and Ft. Bliss. November of 68. He went to Vietnam and was assigned to G-Btry. 65th Arty, 1st 44 Arty, serving all over the DMZ and other I Corps areas. He was the gunner and squad leader on the famous Quad called “The Widow Maker.” He is a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 415 in PA and served as President for 20 years. He is also a member of the American Legion for 31 years. He has dedicated his life to helping all veterans.
Richard Burmood served 1971 with C/1/44 ADA at Chu Lai and then the BN HQ at Red Beach, primarily in administrative positions rather than tactical duties. After returning stateside, he attended OCS and ended up serving 29 years in the Army, retiring as a LTC in logistics with the last ten years supporting Special Operations. After retirement he worked for a defense contractor as an embedded planner in a rapid deployment military headquarters supporting the federal response to domestic disasters.
Allan Penwell was commissioned through ROTC from Knox College and served with C/5/2 ADA as platoon leader and XO during ’67-’68 supporting the 9th ID. After returning to the U.S., he finished his MBA on the GI bill and had a 43-year career as a commercial banker. He has served as treasurer since 2009 and facilitates all NDQSA initiatives with financial planning and administrative support.
Dave McCray began his Vietnam tour with C/4th/60th (Dusters) then was transferred to E/41st (Quads). Upon discharge he finished college and obtained degrees in biology and accounting. Much of his career was spent in accounting and he was a vice president in the accounting firm Cole & McCray, CPAs. He joined the NDQSA in 1998 and attended his first reunion in 2000 with several of his NCOCC class members. He has previously served on the board as director, secretary, and vice president.