China Post 1

To include people on this page, please send all data possible formatted in an email to webmaster or use contact form at bottom of page. BOTTOM LINE: send complete formatted final copy of info for uploading to webpage. Lets honor our members well! CP1 Eulogy for use by members circa 1980

Retired Col. Lewis L. Millett, who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading what was reportedly the last major American bayonet charge, died Nov 14, 2009.

Millett, 88, died in Loma Linda, Calif., last weekend after serving for more than 15 years as the honorary colonel of the 27th Infantry Regiment Association.

Millet received the Medal of Honor for his actions Feb. 7, 1951. He led Company E, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in a bayonet charge up Hill 180 near Soam-Ni, Korea.

Below is an excerpt from his eulogy which was written by Bill Sparkman and delivered by Capt. Fred.

I can only imagine the personal fight that went on in his mind everyday since then. A wounded Warrior, unable to fight anymore.

Now he's free and I'm sure he's already found a new audience to share his stories with.

I can't even remember the year I first met Jerry, but it was Memorial Day, had my Marine Corps and American flags flying, and like always on Memorial Day, I was sitting in my garage sipping my scotch, already half off the wall. This red Lincoln Continental pulls into my driveway and out comes Jerry wearing his flight suit and 1st Calvary Hat, hidden behind his dark glasses. I walked out and asked "can I help you?", and he said "are you a combat veteran?" Well three hours later, and a few more scotches down my throat and at least a six pack down his, he got up, said, "I'll be right back", drove off, came back in 10 minutes with a China Post 1 application card and said, "here, fill this out!", which of course I did, and we sat down and had a few more rounds before he left.

And so it went, Jerry would disappear for a while and come back, we would have our little social events with others from CP1 in Jerry's dungeon, and the years passed.

Although I will miss Jerry and his "pain in the ass" demeanor, I am happy that his final battle on this earth is over now, and I'm sure he is delighted to have the freedom to move around as he pleases. He enjoyed Freedom and was truly a Dog Of War.

God Bless You Jerry Man, aka Gunslinger. You were a hero up until your last breath. And Sinatra's song, "I Did It My Way!" is certainly applicable to you. You lived hard, although unfortunately not long enough for us, but the perfect amount of time for you to do your duty to your Country.

Raise a glass to passing of a true warrior. Robert Goingsnake Thundercloud, CP1 and 40&8 member, has transferred his membership to Post Eternal.

Rob did four tours in Viet Nam as a member of the United States Marine Corps and is the only man I ever met with a gold cluster on his Purple Heart. He also earned more combat medals than I can count.

When the war was over he had a problem fitting into the peacetime Marines so, as he was a brilliant artist, he went to college graduated with a degree in art and became the art director for a major manufacturer. All this while serving on the gang unit of the Compton CA Police Department where he was wounded twice in the line of duty. He was the only officer to earn both the Compton PD Medal of Valor and the Medal of Honor since 1921.

Rob was a man of honor and a true friend to those of us who were privileged to know him.

Lt. Cmdr Paul “Monty” Montgomery USN (Retired) passed away on Friday May 11^th, 2007 in Mesa, Arizona. After suffering a broken hip and several minor strokes, in the past year, he finally succumbed to Congestive Heart Failure at the age of 89, just 3 months shy of his 90^th birthday. All who knew him will miss him dearly. Obit

Elizabeth was a long-time member of American Legion China Post No. 1 - Ladies Auxiliary....

Elizabeth Ann Baumgardner Barbee died peacefully, of natural causes, at her home in New Carrollton, Maryland, surrounded by family members and friends, on February 3, 2006. Full Obit

(El Cajon, CA)FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The area has lost a dedicated humanitarian and long-time Congressional employee. Wendell R. Cutting of El Cajon died Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at his home following a lengthy illness with cancer. In 1995, Cutting was diagnosed with the disease, but overcame the odds and got well. In 2003 he was re-diagnosed with a second form of terminal cancer. Cutting was 59.

Cutting served as the District Chief of Staff for United States Congressman Duncan Hunter for almost two decades. He was responsible for the activities involving the district office and staff, and was Hunter's representative and spokesperson when the Congressman was in Washington. Cutting was arguably Hunter's closest adviser.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6 at the Shadow Mountain Church; 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA. Visitation will be from noon until 2:00 p.m. at the church. A reception will follow the service in the Pavilion at the church.

The services will be officiated by Captain Darren Norton of the Salvation Army. Eulogies will be presented by United States Congressman Duncan Hunter, California State Assemblyman Jay LaSuer, and Omero Suarez, Chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District. A slide presentation will detail some of Cutting's humanitarian efforts worldwide. The services are under the direction of the El Cajon Mortuary. Cutting is survived by his brothers, Wayne Cutting and Larry Cutting. The brothers remained at his bedside throughout his illness.

Cutting was a former teacher and school administrator and served as the Mayor of the City of San Jacinto, Ca. After operating successful businesses in the Middle East and Asia, Cutting returned to the Washington scene to develop foreign policy, defense and economic issues for the Republican Leadership in the House of Representatives. He dedicated his efforts toward special responsibilities involving Middle East and Arab affairs.

Cutting's efforts and influence covered a wide area. He served on the Governing Boards of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, the Grossmont Hospital District, and the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross. . He was a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Government Affairs Committee. He also served on the Government Affairs Committee of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce, the Boards of the Olaf Wieghorst Museum Foundation and the East County Economic Development Council. Cutting was an Assistant Governor of Rotary District 5340, a past president of the El Cajon Rotary Club and was a member of the American Legion and El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812. He also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. In 2001, he co-chaired the "LESSONS COMMISSION," which evaluated the responses to and made recommendations to the Grossmont Union High School District concerning the school shootings at Santana and Granite Hills High Schools.

Cutting was best known for his role as the volunteer Vice-President of Rescue Task Force, a non-profit, volunteer-driven, international relief agency founded in 1988. During the war in Kosovo, Cutting made two trips to Albania and was reported as among the first civilians into the war zone. He set up a distribution system that delivered tons of supplies to the region's refugee sites.

In 1999 Cutting traveled to the slums of southern Thailand, teaching hygienic methods to the resident's in an attempt to help curb Dengue Fever. While in Thailand, he also counseled cancer victims and their families.

Cutting has overseen the building and equipping of a medical clinic in the remote Honduras jungles. He also helped oversee the distribution of large quantities of food and medical supplies to various Mexican orphanages, clinics, and hospitals. This past year, Cutting worked with El Salvador civil war refugees helping them constructs water well systems. He aided in the roofing of a local school. Recently, Cutting was in the process of assisting the residents in building a suspension footbridge over a river.

Cutting also traveled to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to set-up a distribution system for American relief supplies for refugees. While there, he provided assistance to a pro-American, anti-Taliban tribe and helped to stop the delivery of goods to the Al-Qaeda network of terrorists.

Cutting has received literally hundreds of honors. They include being named East County's Service Above Self Award winner; the President's Award winner; Lifetime of Achievement Award winner, and El Cajon Man of the Year. He has had several buildings, parks, streets, and football fields named after him and the Real Heroes Wendell Cutting Humanitarian Award is also named after him.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Rescue Task Force, 864 North 2nd Street, #340, El Cajon, CA 92021and to the Salvation Army, El Cajon Corps, 1011 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 92021.

Francis 'Frank' Shaw, Raven Line Chief at Long Tieng, Laos Nov '68 to Nov 1969 passed away at 2 AM 4 Feb 05. He was a China Post Vice Commander and hosted the CP 1 reunion in St Louis as well as being awarded the "Minute Man Trophy" as the China Post Legionnaire of the year. The Ravens and the Post join Frank's wife Nancy and his daughters, granddaughter and his brother Dave in grief over his loss.

Services in the St Louis area are pending.

Visitation is scheduled from 1-5 PM Sunday 6 Feb at Marks funeral home in Wood River, IL.

Funeral services scheduled for 10:30 AM Monday 7 Feb at the 1st United Methodist Church in East Alton, Il.

Additional write in info:

Francis N. Shaw (a.k.a. Frank) went out in grand style this morning, 7FEB05, departing from a Methodist church on the border between Wood River and East Alton, IL. Funeral began right on time at 1030 AM, about 140 people in the pews. Service, conducted by the Reverend Mr. Powers, was pretty heavy on how we were all going to be seeing Frank again soon, another time, another place. He pretty well locked onto much of his source material from Isaiah 43. (I thought Isaiah 40 would have been a better choice for the occasion, but then I've been out of the pulpit for 48 years and they've since cleaned out most of the draft dodgers from the seminaries so ecclesiastic emphasis may well have changed somewhat.) A male organist did a nice background job on a medley of familiar hymns. Another male played the piano while singing Amazing Grace (which I've always regarded as the single worst hymn ever written). A responsive reading and prayers. Frank was right up there in front, with a U.S. flag, in a lovely metal open casket with lots of handles on the sides. No shortage of floral bouquets. No eulogy delivered, none invited.

In the atrium just beyond the sanctuary there was a very nice, mounted display of Frank's memorabilia which, among other things, included his impressive and tall American Legion Minuteman statue, a China Post #1 embroidered service hat, his vice-director baseball cap, a Raven patch, and a photo of a clearly prized restoration of a fifties era automobile which had been painted mostly bright red. A copy of a local newspaper's half-page article about Frank's work in the Secret War in Laos was displayed on an easel. Frank's casket was closed, totally covered by a U.S. flag, then rolled away. The dear, sweet ladies of the church were preparing a sit-down luncheon for the crowd as I departed.

We'll all miss Frank. He was a few months more than 57 years old when he was taken from us. Born on Christmas Eve, his arrival messed up that holiday for his Mom -- but she didn't complain. 24DEC47 - 4FEB05. See you later, Frank.

Memorial donations to: Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Foundation, c/o First United Methodist Church of East Alton, 1001 Third Street, East Alton, IL 62024-1604.

Jeff Johnson died Wednesday, January 19, 2005. Services were held beginning the evening of Wednesday, 19 Jan, and for the next five days at Wat Chonlaprathan in Pak Kret. The cremation took place at the same Wat on the afternoon of Monday, 24 January.

Jeff was the 'facilities' man for Air America, putting together most of the STOL airstrips up country and stayed on in Thailand where he was involved in manufacturing and other business activities. "Ole" was at his Christmas Party in BKK this year and he appeared to be in fair shape then. He was one of the principals in staging the 'Return to SEA 2002' meeting which resulted in a $900+ donation to the Post building fund and was active, along with Mac in setting up the event planned for 2005.

Member, Rick Eaton died in Iraq Aug 03. With 8+ years in service with US Army in Korea, tours in Panama, and Hondoras as an Army Counterintelligence Agent. He was the U.S. Army counterintelligence analyst whose Pentagon office was struck by a hijacked jetliner on Sept. 11, 2001, has died of an illness while serving in Iraq. See: http://www.militarycity.com/valor/2131442.html and http://www.rense.com/general40/dies.htm

Governor Rowland has ordered that all State of Connecticut flags be lowered immediately to half staff in honor of Staff Sergeant Eaton. The Connecticut flag should remain lowered through sundown of the day of his internment which is yet to be determined.

Additional info page on Rick.

Gift for Rick's Parents from his Friends in Korea

SHARON, Pa. — Edward W. Ulrich, 81, of 145 Buhl Blvd., Sharon, Pa., died at 6:45 p.m. July 15, 2003, at his home after an extended illness.

He was born June 6, 1922, in Turtle Creek, Pa., the son of the late Gustav Ulrich and the late Anna (Ungerman) Ulrich.

He graduated from Sharon High School in 1942. In the same year, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as an instructor pilot during World War II.
Following his attendance at St.Paul (Minn.) Bible College, he was commissioned by the Christian and Missionary Alliance as a missionary pilot in Netherlands New Guinea (now Papua, Indonesia).He flew numerous missions in New Guinea, transporting personnel and supplies into the interior regions where westerners had never before been seen.

He also flew for Kroonduif, KLM's New Guinea airline. He found great satisfaction in helping to open the interior to the Christian gospel. His experiences are recounted in his book "Out There Beyond Beyond," published in 2000.

Ed was known for his compassion, generosity, courage and professionalism. These characteristics were apparent also in his subsequent service with Air America (the CIA' s airline) in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. He served as deputy base manager in Bangkok and chief pilot in Laos. During the years with Air America, he continued his interest in the Missionary work for the Alliance and in serving in international evangelical churches in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Following his return to the U.S. in 1974, he was employed by the former McLean Trucking Co., retiring in 1986.

Ed was chaplain of the American Legion's China Post 1 and was a member of the Air America Association, and the Thailand, Laos and Cambodia Brotherhood. Ed was a member of the North-Mar Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Warren, Ohio, and had served as chairman of the board of elders.

He leaves his wife, Elaine (Sutton) Ulrich, whom he married on Aug. 6, 1949, at home; three daughters, Lynne Evans and her husband, John, of Gahanna, Ohio, Laurie Ulrich of Falls Church, Va., and Leslie McBane and her husband, Patrick, of Youngstown, Ohio; a son, Ted Ulrich and his wife, Judy, of Suffolk, Va.; a sister, Lois Roth and her husband, Benjamin, of Conneautville, Pa.; two brothers, Robert Ulrich and his wife, Carolyn, of Muncie, Ind., and William Ulrich and his wife, Betty, of Kingston, TN. ; six grand-children and five great grandchildren. His parents and his first wife, Alberta (Hunter) Ulrich, who died in 1948, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, at the North-Mar C.M.A. Church, Warren, Ohio, with Pastor John Temple. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to: remember@flynnfuneral-home.com.

Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Sharon PA.

Member, Frank Marsh, SGM, USA, RET sent following info:
I have been informed by his son Ted, that Ed Ulrich has recently passed on to his reward. Further information can be gathered from his son, also a member.

Member, Tony Poshepny, RIP July 03, was the model for Col Kurtz in Appocalpse Now. The writer / producer told me so soon after the movie came out and others were trying to claim that unique distinction.
-- Post Cmdr Fred Platt

Here we are 1982 presenting Tony with his China Post 1 flag, at the Five Sisters Restaurant in Udorn.

He'll be missed by friends and our stories about him will be told again and again so that he isn't ever forgotten. But stories about him will ALSO be told by his enemies for years to come. That's something unique.