George Slye

Posted on April 3, 2010

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George Slye while a.ssigned to Charlie Troop 1/9 Cav

George Slye while a.ssigned to Charlie Troop 1/9 Cav

George Slye 2

George Slye 1

George was assigned to Charlie Troop but later reassigned to Alpha Troop 1/9 Cav where he was Killed in Action an May 2, 1970. Once a Charlie Trooper always a Charlie Trooper. Jack was an Observer on an OH-6A Light Observation Helicopter. Jack was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and a set of Crew Member Wings.

If any family member or friend reads this blog, please contact me as I am looking for personal stories about this brave man.

Maryann Walters wote the following : I am a niece of George Slye. I was born after he died. His wife is my mother Lore’s sister. I heard a lot about Uncle George from my mom and Aunt Carla and although I never knew him I’m nonetheless very proud.Harold I agree with you 1000%. George Slye was a Warrior. He came into the Blues
about a month or two after I became Blue and he was an Excellent addition to the
Blues. He was tough and he was brave. He helped me out a lot and I really
depended on him. He put together the McQuire rigs and the repelling ropes. He
set up the emergency ammo boxes that could be pushed out of the lift birds when
he got into some firefights and needed resupply. I learned a lot from Slye. I
learned of his fate after I got back to the states also and I couldn’t believe
it. He told me he was leaving the C Troop Blues right before I left and was
going to A Troop to fly scouts. I advised against it but he wanted a little more
excitement. He was a Great Soldier, and I considered him a friend also. God
Bless George Syle.

John Mackel

Hi Pat,
SSG George Dale Slye was a close friend of mine. He was our point man and a
good one, Â warrior for sure. I was hard hit by the loss after I had already returned to the states.
“Chic”, LeLand McLain Chestnut, was another similar kia that I learned of back in the world.
Chic was a Lift and White Crew Chief and another close friend. They were both lost in Cambodia within eight days of one another. Chic doesn’t appear on the Charlie Troop website roster but he does on
the “Remembrance” page. I think more than a few guys are missing off of that Roster. It bothers me
sometimes. If I remember correctly, Chic was hit in the chest while not wearing his
Chicken Plate.
I learned more about George after a Bullwhip Squadron Reunion. There was a lot of photo albums on one of the tables. An Apache Troop friend of his had some pictures and a memorial page dedicated to him.
I thought I wrote the trooper’s contact info down but didn’t follow up on it. I may still have it, somewhere around here.
So anyway, George had 8 years on me but back then but we were so young and crazy, you couldn’t tell the difference. haha ! Looks like he was only 17 years old when he enlisted. He had already served a dozen years when I first met him in Phouc Vinh. It was hard to believe and he had 5 children too !
> I knew him on an AO basis rather than a family back home type friendship. There was a serious disagreement between George and the Blue Platoon Sergeant
– Lionel De La Rosa Jr.. George got ticked off and put in a transfer to A-Troop Scouts.

Good Men…Sad Losses !

Harold Reeg

The following is a letter from Dave Rogers. He gave me permission to post it:

Letter from Dave

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Posted in: Our Fallen Comrades, S-T