Tracing a US Viet Vet who mixed with Aussies 68/69
G’day Robert,
By way of introduction my name is Mick Leonard. I was a
member of the Australian Army from 1966 – 1988. I served
in Vietnam 68/69 with 1 Field Squadron Workshop (RAEME)
as part of the 1 Field Squadron (Royal Australian
Engineer) Group.
36 Engr Bn Vung Tau often assisted 1 Fd
Sqn with heavy vehicles and the
loan of Rome Ploughs.
My reason for making contact with you is
that I have recently posted a video that I made from
photos of 1 Fd Sqn Wksp on YouTube, it includes I
believe shots of your unit’s heavy vehicles transporting
1 Fd Sqn’s earth moving equipment to Fire Support Base
Coral. Which maybe of interest to your group. A link to
the YouTube clip is below.
After FSB Coral 1 Fd Sqn Wksp members
spent some time in the Aust TFMA at Long Binh .To fill
in time they used their skills to repair US vehicles.
During this time friendships were made with US soldiers.
One of the friendships was, with a rank/ first name
unknown, Beier, we nicked named him “Bear”. It is
thought (after 50 years) that he worked in the Toppo ?
Workshop Office in Long Binh.
Somehow Bear managed to visit us at Nui
Dat and a picture of him on the right at the Baria
Orphanage is attached. This picture is included in the
clip.
I noticed on your web page that you try
to track down Vets, so thought you may be able to track
down ‘Bear’
If you could find info on Bear and pass
the clip on to him it would be appreciated. Perhaps you
could pass the clip on to your Engr colleagues.
Cheers and Best Wishes
Mick Leonard
PS The spelling of Bears surname may not
be quite right.