Date: 29 July 2002

SUBJECT: Reunion Operation After Action Report, Operation RENO 2002

TO: ALL CURRAHEES & TASK FORCE MEMBERS

1. Name of Operation: RENO REUNION 2002

2. Dates of Operation: 21-25 July 2002

3. Location: Sands Regency Hotel & Casino (Reno, NV).

4. Command and Control Headquarters: The “Stand Alone Battalion”—3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th

Infantry (Currahees), 101st Airborne Division.

5. Reporting Individual: Battalion PIO (1967/68), Jerry Berry.

6. Task Force and Supporting Forces (Reno 2002 Reunion):

a. 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry (Currahees).

b. 5th Battalion, 27th Artillery Detachment.

c. USMC/Naval Gunfire Spotter, TF SOUTH Detachment

d. Families of Currahees KIA

e. Other Special Guests

f. Sands Regency Hotel & Casino Detachment

g. Local Liquor Store Detachment

7. Intelligence:

8. Concept of Operation:

a. Split Reunions [Reno/Baltimore] Situation: Operation “RENO 2002” was a previously unscheduled 2002 operation that resulted primarily from miscommunications and cooperation with the 506th Airborne Regiment (Airmobile-Air Assault) Association. The details of this fact will be discussed further in a follow-up special report. However, when word reached members of the “Stand Alone” Battalion concerning the date, location, cost, etc., of the 2002 506th Assoc. reunion in Baltimore, the “Stand Alone” Battalion went on red alert and the majority of its members chose not to attend this year’s reunion. Known for its ability to react and adjust operational maneuvers in record time, orders were quickly issued to acting 3-506th Annual Reunion Organizer, “Sgt. Currahee” Jerry Berry, to FIND, FIX, AND FINALIZE a new 3-506 LZ out west at preferably Reno or Las Vegas, NV, where logistics, supply trains, and troopers could rendezvous with minimum impact to all concerned (battalion, Task Force Units, KIA families, and special guests). Orders stated that Sgt. Currahee would poll the Currahees concerning three choices for the 2002 Annual 3-506th Reunion site—Baltimore, Reno, or Las Vegas. The overwhelming choice was to CA into Reno, even though the possibility of holding our 2003 Reunion alongside the 101st Div. Assoc. back in Reno was highly likely.

b. Operational Area TAOR:

Sgt. Currahee immediately formed Task Force RENO WEST (list of names classified at this time, will be declassified in 11 years) and prepared the preliminary plan of attack, utilizing S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 services). Warning orders went out to our Reconnaissance element (S2 action), which began collecting intelligence on the target area. In the meantime, Sgt. Currahee began contacting LZ Watchers (event managers) within the Reno AO (S3 & S5 action). Intelligence indicated that the Sands Regency Hotel and Casino should be the targeted LZ to set up our Tactical Area of Operational Responsibility (TAOR). An agreement was made with the friendly element, and word went out that the sixth annual 3-506th Reunion was a go.

8. MISSION: To provide a rendezvous for all Currahees of “Stand Alone Battalion”, support members of Task Force 3-506th, and the families of our fallen Currahees, and guests.

9. CONCEPT OF OPERATION: Task Force 3-506th Veterans and families deployed by air and motor march from AZ, VA, OK, NC, SC, SD, TN, TX, IN, IL, AK, KY, NJ, CA, CO, OH, OR, FL, MI, MA, MN, NV, NY, NJ, WA, ID, MO, MT, VT, and as far away as Canada. Task Force 3-506th utilized the Sands Regency Hotel & Casino in downtown Reno, NV as a staging area for entry into the area of operations.

10. EXECUTION:

a. By D-Day + 6 months, reunion committees (Banquet, Reception, Hospitality, PX, Awards & Recognition, and Special Activities) were identified and requests went out for volunteers (S1 Action).

b. By D-Day + 4 months, things were shaping up. The various committees were coming together nicely. Our banquet committee was the Currahee-ttes--Donna “Mama” Bradford, Kaye “Rancher Mon” Gomes, and Lori “Docile” Salas (S4 Activity) to see that our mess facilities and rations were accounted for. Our fine reception committee was Curt “Name Taker” Hardin and better half, Jenny “Name Maker” Hardin (S1 Action). Hospitality room committee was Ed “Hard Core” Bassista and Ron “The Tank” Ford (S4 & S5 Action). PX Committee was Donna “Down Home Cooking Mom” Berry and Marianne “Doctor Mom” Bigelow (S4 Activities). The Awards & Recognition Committee included Jerry “Sgt. Currahee” Berry and Don “Band-Aid” Bigelow (S1, S2 Activity). Special Activities Committee was Sonny “Reno Man” Suntag and Dean “Thumper” Morrison (S3 & S5 Activity).

c. By D-Day + 1 month, things were really shaping up. Tactical Operational Center (TOC – Hospitality Room) was setup in the Palm Court Room, 2nd floor of the Sands. The S4 (3-506 PX) was setup in the Atrium Room adjoining TOC. The mess hall (banquet & awards/recognition night) was located immediately across the hall from TOC in the Regency A, B, and C Ball Rooms (three large connecting rooms).

d. On D-3 (Thursday) 18 July 2002, Dean “Thumper” Morrison (MA) and his “Mama Son” eased into the rendezvous site to recon the area in advance of the Task Force.

e. On D-2 (Friday) 19 July 2002, Ed “Hard Core” Bassista (NJ), his “Mama Son”, and “Baby-Son” haloed into the AO to prep LZ for incoming Currahees.

f. On D-1 (Saturday) 20 July 2002, a clandestine semi-advance team, lead by Gale “Smoked Carp” Shire (AK), Dan “Handsaw” Lopez (AK), Bill “Scrapper” Collins (OR), Roosevelt “Bartender” Mitchell (WA) and their “Mama Sons” eased into the rendezvous site to oversee the recon team as they collected reconnaissance information from the area in advance of the Task Force.

g. On D-Day (Sunday) 21 July 2001, the main Currahee force (with support personnel) hit the “hot” LZ via aircraft and motor convoy. The arriving troopers, led by Alpha-Sixers Bob “Crazy Man” Bates (Alaska), Tom “Timekeeper” Gaffney (SC), Stan “Loadmaster” Kolanowski (VT); Bn. Surgeon Andrew “Shotgun” Lovy (IL), and Freeman “The Goodies Man” Dallas (TN). The ranks included (with their support): Jim “Bitch” Atwood, Jerry “Sgt. Currahee” Berry, Jim “Band-Aid” Bigelow, Bill “Ain’t Coming” Brightman, Sterling “Chap” Chapman, Ron “The Tank” Ford, Doug “Trail Runner” Gandel, Tom “Slackman” Gentry, Curt “Name Taker” Hardin, John “Horse” Hass, Jim “Jackpot” Martin, George “Boot Lace” May, Ray “Crystal” Mayfield, Rick “Lima Beans & Ham” Nielsen, Steve “I-V” Oliphant, Carl “Battle Group” Ostrom, Richard “Pit Man” Pittman, Robert “Paper Man” Pulcini, Jose “Biker” Ramos, Henry “Habanera” Salas, Duane “Alligator” Savage, and Cecil “Gambler” Stotts, Sonny “Reno Man” Suntag, Carl “T-Rex” Thanheiser, Gary “Caseman” Thimsen, Frank “Sgt. Rock” Vinales, Ed “G-Man” Snider, and Carl “ARVN Man” Yoshida. VIPs included: Rod “Booby-Trap” Goehler, Ann “Lewis & Clark” Dagen and Linda “Canuk” Thompson, Cecil’s sister and Mama-son, Loren “War Dog” & Marge “Slot Machine Sally” Herrick.

The Task Force suffered two casualty teams (Cancellation)—the Mal Danner and Barry Meyerson teams. The 3-506th PX became operational. The afternoon and evening hours were spent in the 3-506th Hospitality Rooms for Social Time, viewing photo albums and memorabilia. Members also conducted Search and Give operations in the surrounding casinos. Several significant contacts were made with “one arm bandits”. Caches found included one $10,000 stash and a number of smaller ones ranging from $200 - $1000.

The incoming group was met by a well-entrenched element and contact quickly became “whiney” after learning that “Hard Core” Bassista’s bar would not be operational until the following day. Talk of “fragging” quickly circulated on the LZ. Intelligence indicated that this threat came from Ron “Tank” Ford (MT).

h. On D+1 (Monday) 22 July 2002, a fourth lift of Currahees and their support team assaulted into the AO. These included SIX, Walter “Brown Badger” Price, Alpha-1-6 Jim “Fence Jumper” Schlax, Alpha-4-6 Joe “Rocky Top” Alexander, Lee “Ambush” Bradford, Dave “Pric-25” Brown, John “Come to Hell” Colone, Dan “School Mom” Gaworecki, Marshall “Lead Catcher” Hill, Larry “Hog” Johnson, Steve “Rucksack” Jorgenson; and Steve “Popcorn” Wilke. VIPs included Joe “Airborne Scrapper” Beyrle (WWII PIR), Roger Price (SIX’s baby-son), Linda “Sweetheart” Jones & husband Tim (KIA Heath’s sister), and Henry.

The afternoon and evening hours were again spent socializing in the 3-506th Hospitality room, viewing photo albums and memorabilia. Members conducted routine Search and Give operations in the surrounding casinos. Several significant contacts were made with “one arm bandits”. Caches found included a number of small stashes ones ranging from $200 - $1000.

i. On D+2 (Tuesday) 23 July 2002, a fifth lift of Currahees and their support team assaulted into the AO. The arrivals included Charlie-6’ers “Nick “Irishman” Nahas, Dave “Cut-bait Fisherman” Hillard, Alpha 2-6 Jeff “Pistol Pete” Jankot, Bill “Boonie Rat” Sorg, and Mike “Tunnel Rat” Erwin. Mike “ChiCom” Stuart. Task Force 3-506 suffered one casualty—VIP Odell Landers (Cancellation). The afternoon and evening hours were spent in the two 3-506th Hospitality Rooms for Social Time, Photo and Slide Viewing, Albums and Memorabilia Display and Information Gathering.

The afternoon and evening hours were again spent socializing in the 3-506th Hospitality room, viewing photo albums and memorabilia. Members conducted routine Search and Give operations in nearby casinos. A few significant contacts were made with “one arm bandits”. Caches found included a number of small stashes ranging from $200 - $500.

j. On D+3 (Wednesday) 24 July 2002, the last significant lift of Currahees, support team, and special guests assaulted into the AO. This group included SIX Joseph “Wildcat” Jaggers , Charlie-2-6 Charles “Kinky Dix” Arce, Joe “Pineapple” Jerviss, Lupe “Ripcord” Noriega, Nick “Fox Hole” Ramirez, Art “Claymore” Terronez. VIPs included Baby-sons Mat “Hiker” Bassista, Ryan “The Graduate” Pittman, Mama-son Pittman, and the Terronez family.

Three significant events took place during the day—the group photo session, the banquet dinner and the special tribute and recognition ceremony. Earlier in the day, the Currahees and guests spent the day sightseeing, shopping, and enjoying the casinos. Beginning at 1700 hours, the Currahees gathered on the stairway outside the hospitality room for group pictures. Immediately following the group photo session, everyone gathered in the Regency Bald Rooms for a fine buffet dinner and a full night of speeches, stories, and special tributes. The first of two silence auctions was also held.

(1). Group Photo – Professional photographers, Tim & Debbie Pinnell of “Remember When Photography” in Reno, NV, came to the gathering just prior to the banquet dinner and took separate group photos of the MEN and WOMEN. The 8x10 color prints will be mailed out to those who paid ($12 for each or $22 for both). If you missed getting yours, contact them at:

(2). Banquet Dinner & Special Tribute and Recognition Ceremony – The day’s activities concluded with the annual Currahee banquet and special recognition ceremony. One hundred and forty plus enjoyed a hearty buffet dinner of baked ham, sliced roast beef and grilled halibut and all the trimmings. Special Tribute and Recognition Ceremony – The members of the 3-506th Battalion take great pride in presenting special tributes to fellow Currahees, families of KIAs, and special guests. The following recognitions were made at this year’s reunion:

Wednesday Night Event

· Linda Heath-Jones (Sister of Ned Author Heath – KIA) – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Walter Price [LTC Ret.]

· Rick and Lesley Korba (Nephew of 1Lt. Arthur Quezada – KIA) – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Walter Price [LTC Ret.]

· Freeman B. Dallas, Jr., Battalion S4 Officer [Cpt.] – Screaming Eagle Statue – Presented by [Company C Cmdr./S1] Nicholas “Nick” Nahas [LTG-Ret].

· Jeffery Jankot, Platoon Leader (Co. A) [1Lt.] – Large Screaming Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Joseph N. Jaggers [MG-Ret]

· Stanley J. Kolanowski, Company A Cmdr. [Cpt.] – Large Screaming Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Joseph N. Jaggers [MG-Ret]

· Robert Pulcini, Company Clerk – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Joseph N. Jaggers [MG-Ret]

· Henry Parker, Field Artillery Observer [1Lt.] – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Walter Price [LTC Ret.]

· Joseph N. Jaggers, Battalion’s 6th Commander [LTC] – Large Eagle Statue – Presented by Company A Cmdr. & S3 [Cpt.] Thomas “Tom” F. Gaffney [MAJ Ret].

· Frank Vinales, Team Leader (Co. C) [Sgt.] & Silver Star Recipient – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by [Company C Cmdr./S1] Nicholas “Nick” Nahas [LTG-Ret].

· Joseph “Joe” Beyrle, WW II 3/506th Currahee ‘Five-O Sink’ Paratrooper – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Joe R. Alexander [COL Ret].

*Note: Several other awards were scheduled to be presented, but were not, due to last minute cancellations, etc.

Following the banquet dinner and award ceremony, the group retuned to the hospitality room for social debriefing.

k. D+4 (Thursday) 25 July 2002 marked the final day of the rendezvous. For many, the early part of the day was spent sightseeing, shopping, and enjoying the casinos. Beginning at 1800 hours, the Currahees gathered in the Regency banquet rooms for a light buffet dinner followed by more special awards, speeches and stories, as well as another silent auction. The gathering served primarily as a “wind-down” session.

Thursday Night Recognition Tributes

· Jose Ramos: Medic (for medical service to Co. A/Battalion – Presented by Company A Cmdr./S2] Thomas “Tom” F. Gaffney [MAJ-Ret]. *Note: Ramos had to leave prior to the ceremony. Eagle shipped.

· James “Jim” Mezzetta: Medic (for medical service to Co. A/Battalion – Presented by Company A Cmdr./S2] Thomas “Tom” F. Gaffney [MAJ-Ret]. *Note: Mezzetta had to leave prior to the ceremony. Eagle shipped

· Steve Oliphant: Medic (for medical service to Co. B/Battalion – Presented by [Company C Cmdr./S1] Nicholas “Nick” Nahas [LTG-Ret].

· Roosevelt Mitchell: Medic (for medical service to Co. B/Battalion – Presented by [Company C Cmdr./S1] Nicholas “Nick” Nahas [LTG-Ret].

· Donald “Don” Bigelow: Medic (for medical service to Co. C/Battalion – Presented by [Company C Cmdr./S1] Nicholas “Nick” Nahas [LTG-Ret].

· Ronald “Ron” Goehler “Special Guest” – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Battalion Commander Walter Price [LTC Ret.]

· William “Bill” Reed: Naval Gunfire Spotter – Soaring Eagle Statue – Presented by Company A Cmdr. & S3 [Cpt.] Thomas “Tom” F. Gaffney [MAJ Ret]. *Note: Reed had to leave prior to the ceremony. Eagle shipped.

· Joseph “Joe” Beyrle, WW II 3/506th Currahee ‘Five-O Sink’ Paratrooper – Specially autographed Limited Edition copy of “The Stand Alone Battalion” book – Presented by Joe R. Alexander [COL Ret].

*Note: Once more, several other awards were to be presented, but were not, due to last minute cancellations, etc.