BANDIDO MEMORIALS
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR LUIS J. LANDIN
CAROLE MARTON -FAITHFUL SUPPORTER
A TRIBUTE TO VIETNAM VETERANS -AUDIO BY GLEN BECK
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BANDIDO MEMORIALS COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR LUIS J. LANDIN CAROLE MARTON -FAITHFUL SUPPORTER A TRIBUTE TO VIETNAM VETERANS -AUDIO BY GLEN BECK
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Our friend Al Herrera has lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Al passed away June, 1, 2016. As a soldier and a civilian Al has spent his life in service to all who have served. |
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ARTWIN (GENE) ZEMPLE |
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Bandido Artwin (Gene) Zemple passed away December 11, 2011. Gene’s wife, Jeanne, and their son received the Bandido Charlie sympathy plaque, in memory of Gene. The plaque was presented to the family by Ron Mackedanz. |
We regret to announce the passing of Command Sergeant Major Luis J. Landin. CSM Landin passed away on Friday, August 27 at 2:00 AM. He had been in attendance at the recent Big Red One Reunion held in San Antonio, Texas. CSM Landin was one of the most highly respected members of the 16th Infantry Regiment. He served as the Command Sergeant Major of the 16th Infantry during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife Rosa and brother, Carlos Landin. |
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CAROLE MARTON -FAITHFUL SUPPORTER |
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Carole Marton, Honorary Bandido |
The Bandidos have lost a true and faithful friend. Carole Marton passed away, June 8th, from liver failure after a sudden and short battle with Pancreatic cancer. Although most of you did not know her, Carole was as good a friend as the Bandidos have ever had. She was a huge donor, contributor and supporter in so many ways. In addition to her support of the Bandidos, she adopted the Army Recruiters in Lakewood, Ohio. She would visit them once or twice a week, bringing them fruit, cheeses and other snacks…and the occasional pizza. She also brought them, the Bandidos and the 16th Infantry Regiment, love, friendship and "thanks" for a job well done from a true patriot. I met Carole on a watch forum on the Internet, and got into a discussion with her concerning the premise that you cannot support the troops without supporting their mission. Being a logical, yet cantankerous, curmudgeon of a retired schoolteacher…she finally saw the light and adopted the Bandidos…we were her heroes, and behind the scenes, she supported us to the hilt to the point where she was made an Honorary Bandido. In her words, being an Honorary Bandido was the greatest honor she had ever received. She was also a member of the Society of the 1st Infantry Division. So whether you knew her or not, we were all a little bit better for having her love us…she will be missed greatly. ~Kenneth
J Costich II |
Ken Watkins
This is a photo of E-4 Ken Watkins with two other soldiers in Vietnam,1969. Ken spent all his tour in Vietnam with the 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1/16th Infantry. In the photo he is the one in center and has a mustache. When he and another Bandido passed away last year, the current Bandidos felt that in some way we should honor our deceased Bandido Charlie brothers. We decided that we should award plaques and certificates to surviving dependents of each deceased Bandido. The ceremony has been very well received as we are fortunate have Bandidos in other parts of the country who have willingly agreed to personally present the plaques to the survivors on behalf the Bandido Charlie Association. In this case, Phil Ardoin, Bandido Charlie 1969, who lives in Ville Platte LA arranged to meet with Ken Watkin's wife, Edna to do the honors in Natchitoches, LA on April 20, 2007.
John Marfia prepared a tribute to Ken here: http://www.rockin-oldies.com/Watkins/index.html
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APRIL 13, 1947 - APRIL 11, 2009 |
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Whetheryou knew him or not, he served with Bandido Charlie in the summer of '69 until around November of that year; he was in the mortar platoon. You may recongnizehim after seeing his picture and his nickname was "chicken man". I had been in communication with him from time to time to encourage him to attend the reunions but the timing seemed to always be inconvenient. It was always "next year". I really regretnot getting closer to him as we were brother in arms. This was another tragiclesson in procrastination on my part. Rod Tokubo |
Frank passed away peacefully at his home in Del Rey Oaks, at 6:45 AM April 11, 2009. Frank was born at the Old Carmel Hospital, in Carmel, California. His father, Frank Pachon Mancha, Sr., preceded him in death at the age of 35 in 1957. Frank is survived by his loving wife Lolita Black Mancha, his mother Joan Campos (Hilo), brother Herman Campos (Robin), sister Jodie Adam (Tommy), aunt, Corinna Mancha and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Frank, a 1965 graduate of Monterey High School, held numerous cross country and other track records, including the 1320 MBL Championship competition record in 1965, which is still unbeaten today. He graduated from MPC in 1968. Frank also won an athletic scholarship to Sacramento State University however was unable to attend due to his induction into the Army to serve in Vietnam in 1969, as a member of the 1st Infantry Division, 1/16th Mechanized Infantry, Bandido Charlie Company. During his service he received the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Marksman Award.
An avid fan of all sports Frank would sometimes watch separate events on two televisions and have a radio going at the same time. The SF 49ers had a staunch fan in Frank. He also enjoyed auto racing and when the season started he would often be found at Laguna Seca having a great time watching the races with a group of friends. Poker was also one of his favorite pass-times and his poker group will miss the humor and abuse that only Frank could add to the game.
On a regular basis he enjoyed going downtown, sometimes driving the “Magic Bus”, to run errands, have a “bite to eat” and catch-up with friends and acquaintances.
He also loved to travel, especially to Mexico where one of his favorite vacation spots was Puerto Vallarta. Other recent destinations were Paris and Washington DC where he spent time at the Vietnam Memorial.
Frank had a kind soul, a compassionate spirit and loved a great party. He was always supportive and ready to come to the aid of those he cherished. Many people have said how Frank helped them during difficult times in their lives, lifting their spirits and setting them on a straight path. He was a “spiritual” counselor in party clothes. |
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Herman Campos Salinas, CA 93908 Date: May 29, 2009 Mr. Kenneth J. Costich II & Mr. Alfredo G. Herrera Gentlemen, Yesterday, I received the plaque and other items you sent. I am deeply touched by them and filled with pride for my brother, Frank Mancha. I can only believe he survived his time in country because of the dedicated and good people he had on his six while he was there. I am honored and humbled to be an associate member of the Bandido Charlie Association, and all that it and its individual members represent. With Many Thanks, Herman Campos |
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MAY 7 1948 - December 7 1994 |
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Brad Gunder was a good friend of mine and was riding the 3-2 track at one time. I think that was in Nov. or Dec '68. The last time I saw him he was going to sick call in Lima Kilo with a M-79 shrapnel wound in the thumb. He was a character of the first degree. I remember his favorite saying was "shitty leaf". Going on an LP was always "shitty leaf", as was anything that required work like sand bags, etc. I haven't seen the checkered scarf of the "Iron Rangers" since I left An Dien in '68, but I do remember him having one and tying it on the ammo rack on the track. I dreamed about Brad just the other night.
Don Frazier |
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Bandido Rod Tokubo's Father
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Carmel – Frank Teruo Tokubo, 90, passed away on
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at his home with his family at his side. He was born in
Florin, CA and has lived on the Monterey Peninsula for over 55 years. Frank
joined the Army in 1941 and spent much of his career in Military Intelligence,
first serving in China-Burma-India during WWII to his final assignment Published in the Monterey Herald on 8/11/2008 See: Tokubo, Frank Teruo |
Last name: MACKEDANZ
First name: LYLE EVERETT
Home of Record (official): HUTCHINSON
State (official): MN
Date of Birth: Saturday, September 16, 1939
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married
Branch: Army
Rank: SFC
Serial Number: 475409701
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E7
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 67N40
Major Organization: 1st Aviation Bde
Start of Tour: Sunday, April 21, 1968
Date of Casualty: Wednesday, August 28, 1974
Age at time of loss: 34
Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing
Reason: Air loss - Crashed on land (Helicopter, non-crew)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Thua Thien
The Wall: Panel 51E - Row 022
Respectfully submitted by his cousin, Ron "Mack" Mackedanz
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Honor flag for Curtis Hatterman Debbie Hatterman was unable to get help from anyone to get the pole set, so Mack called on the Oklahoma Patriot Guard Riders, and they came through for us. Special thanks to Jerry Lakey, Oklahoma State Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard Riders. |
From the Enid News and Eagle, Sunday, Dec 18, 2005
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William Ralph Morledge
We had just met that evening before going out on that fateful ambush. I knew him less than five hours. In the excitement of being wounded myself that night, I forgot his name. All I could remember was that he said he was a rodeo rider back home. Through the years I had looked at the names listed on the Wall several times knowing his name was listed somewhere on it. It took thirty-two years and the help of the internet before I was able to find his name so I could know who to thank - the name of the young man who saved my life that night of September 20, 1968. Thank you my Bandido brother.
William R. "Bill" Morledge - Panel 43W - Row 048.
Respectfully, Curtis Hatterman
"FINEST SON"
By RON MACKEDANZ
The year was 1968,and into 69.
Brave young soldiers wrote letters home.
Said Mom, I’m doing fine.
When in reality, things were not so well.
From the rice paddies and the jungles,
war was a living hell.
On January 8th of 69, Michael Tessaro died
some men held their heads,
and some men even cried
One of Americas’ finest sons’ and a brother to us all,
now lies at rest in his family plot.
His name is on The Wall.
His name is on The Wall.
Mike Tessaro and I , at his son Michael's gravesite
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