Welcome to the 377th SPS Guestbook!
Please take your time to read what others have written here and enjoy the messages or suggestions that friends have left on our web site. We would like to hear what your comments are. If you are a former member of Tan Son Nhut, Air Base, or passed through the base, we especially need to hear from you, today.

Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  Walt Parson, Jim Stewart and Charles Penley, remember Robert A. Throneburg and NEMO A534.

The event that altered Nemo's life began on Dec. 4, 1966. He and his handler, A1C Robert A. Throneburg of Charlotte, N.C., were on patrol at Tan Son Nhut AB. The proceeding day, Tan Son Nhut had been hit by a Viet Cong mortar attack. During the attack about 60 VC swept through an opening they made in the base perimeter's barbed wire fence.

The infiltrators were stopped and turned back by the 377th Security Police Squadron's main line of defense. But four VC eluded discovery by earlier search parties and were hiding within the base's perimeter. It was the sentry dog's job to find them.

In the silence of darkness, the two sentries walked cautiously forward. Suddenly their search ended. Nemo had alerted them to a group of hidden VC. "Watch him," said Airman Throneburg. The dog's muscles tensed for action. "Get him!" -- was the next command and Nemo lunged savagely forward, into the enemy's nest. Airman Throneburg followed close behind.

In the first moments of encounter, Airman Throneburg killed two of the VC. But, before additional security police could reach them, Airman Throneburg was wounded in the shoulder and Nemo's nose was creased by a bullet. The remaining enemy were soon killed by other security police.

Nemo was credited not only with saving the life of Airman Throneburg, but indirectly prevented further destruction of life and property at Tan Son Nhut.

The 377th SPS was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its "heroic valor," against the Viet Cong infiltration force.

From Air Force News.





Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron) Dec 08, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  



Name:  Leo Murray  (Tango Sector) Jul 06, 2022
Email:  
Comments:

   

To see the web page please go to URL:

https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/birdwell/?from=hp_spotlight

Hi Charles,

I was fortunate enough yesterday to watch the White House Medal of Honor Ceremony for four Viet Nam Veterans.

One of the recipients was Spec 5 Dwight Birdwell Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Calvary, 25th Infantry Division at Tan Son Nhut Airbase on January 31st, 1968.

Please forward the link to all of our members and post on the appropriate websites.

Thanks,

Sgt. Leo Murray, B Flight Towers 69/70



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron)Jun 28, 2022
Email:  
Comments:

   

From Stars and Stripes newspaper, June 27, 2022

Spec 5, Dwight Birdwell, Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav, 25th Inf Div., age 74, said in a phone interview monday that he received notification of his award (Medal of Honor) from the president last month and that the president told him twice it was a big deal.

The ceremony will take place on July 5, 2022, at the White House.

He previously received the Silver Star, the U.S. military third-highest award for combat valor, for his actions on Jan. 31, 1968, Tet Offensive. Others in his unit had sought the upgrade for years.

Frankly, he said, it is a bit overwhelming.

Birdwell was assigned to a cavalry unit with the 25th Infantry Division when a major military installation, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, came under attack.

North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong guerrillas had just launched the Tet Offensive, marked by surprise attacks across Vietnam on South Vietnamese soldiers, U.S. troops and their allies.

Birdwell and his fellow soldiers were ambushed while driving to the air base to assist, and Birdwell, tank commander was incapacitated with gunfire.

Specialist Birdwell immediately took command of the tank vehicle and began placing effective suppressive fire on the enemy force until all of his ammunition was expended, according to his Silver Star citation.

He then retrieved an M-60 machine gun and continued to place devastating fire on the enemy until his weapon became inoperable.

Birdwell, with complete disregard for his own safety, then ran under enemy gunfire to get ammunition from other damaged vehicles, distributed it to fellow soldiers and helped evacuate the wounded.

He was wounded in the torso and face during the battle.

Birdwell said Monday that he still replays, just about daily, what happened during the battle and whether there is anything he could have done better.

I also think quite a bit about the bullets whizzing by me, he said.

I can still hear that unique sound they make. It is a bit terrifying.

It stays with you.

*****************************************************************

Your brother and friend,

Charles Penley



Name:  Eddie Michels  (110th Transportation Company Depot and later HHC AMMC)Jun 06, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  I am looking for any Australian, stationed at Tan Son Nhut, during the "Tet Offensive, Jan 31, 1968 and the second, Tet Offensive, May 06, 1968."

I was with the 110th Transportation Company Depot and later, HHC AMMC.

Also I am looking for an Australian EOD member, whose younger sister was nicknamed, "Flinty" and I have photos.



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron)Jun 06, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  

Let us all, remember D-Day, June 06, 1944, was seventy eight years ago today.

To all the men and women of that day, We Salute You.

*****************************************************************

Brothers and Sisters of the United States Military, the Family are like branches on a tree.

We all grow in different directions.

Yet our roots remain, as one.

*****************************************************************

Your brother and friend,

Charles Penley



Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron)May 27, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  Below are all the names of the 377th Security Police Squadron personnel, who were "Killed In Action," from all years of Tan Son Nhut Air Base.  I did include the names of two US Army men, from the 69th Signal BN, part of "Task Force-35," who fought side by side with us during the "Tet Offensive, Jan 31, 1968."





Name:  Larry Beeching   April 30, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  My name is Larry Beeching and I served in the 377th at Tan Son Nuht from Jan 73 to March of 73.  I would like to become a member of your charter.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Larry Beeching
Name:  Steve Brown   April 06, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  I am reaching out to you about a booklet that I saw on the 377th Security Police Squadron web page.

The booklet is, Air Police Combat Preparedness Personal Protection.

It is from Lackland AFB, AZR Course.

The scans on your site looks to be missing about 5-6 pages.

Any idea about getting a scan of the complete manual.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

To see the booklet, please go to URL:

https://www.377sps.org/azr.pdf

Steve Brown

(Does anyone remember sending, Charles Penley, that booklet, in .pdf format?)

Name:  Leo Murray  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron)Mar 22, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  

Hi Jim Stewart and Charles Penley,

I saw the attached Washington Post article, 3/22/2022, in today's Tampa Bay Times.

Nemo was one of 6 dogs honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC on 3/9/2022.

Three dogs were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and three, including Nemo, the Medal for Bravery.

I thought you might want to share this with 377th SPS and the Vietnam Dog Handler Association.

I went through the K-9 school at Lackland in the spring of 1968 and saw Nemo often during that part of our training that took place at Lackland before we moved on to Medina AFS.

I was detailed on occassion to K-9 KP and came in close contact with Nemo.

I considered it an honor.

Please go to URL:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/kidspost/2022/03/22/dogs-awarded-war-and-peace-medals/

Leo Murray
B Flight, Towers, 69/70

Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron)Feb 15, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  

I have several 377th Security Policemen that needs to be identified, which section were they in and their time frame with us.

If you can help, then email me at the above address.

Please go to URL:  https://www.377sps.org/unidentified/index.html

Coin 2021
Alert Blotter
Click the .pdf on the left and you will read the information about the "TET Offensive, Jan 31, 1968 Alert Blotter" (Remember in a .pdf document you can enlarge it or shrink it, using the - and + icon at the top of the page.)

Name:  Charles Penley  (377th Combat Security Police Squadron)Jan 01, 2022
Email:  
Comments:  Today is, "New Years Day, 2022."