Reflections: Thailand
The Wolfhounds in Thailand
by Stanley Sykes
Members of the 25th Infantry Division (The Wolfhounds) gathered after a long flight from Hawaii at an airstrip in Korat Thailand. THe time was May 1962. While in Thailand, the Wolfhounds provided protection for the many airstrips (RTAF) in and around Thailand. Korat was the hub for us, the troops. And a "hooch-ville" for the Wolfhounds.
These were some trying times for Southeast Asia. The communist threat was at a high point. The countries that were involved formed an allegiance to protect themselves against this threat. Now comes SEATO (the The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) with the countries involved. Also there would be JTF 116, where all the military units were coordinated to meet the insurgency threats.
Not only did we have base guard duty we also had patrol duty. Quite a bit more than perimeter duty.
While performing our duties we were visited by the King and Queen of Thailand. They gave us a "thumbs up".
Our tour would end in August, 1962. We were replaced by the 35th Infantry, also a part of the 25th Division. Tropical Lightning struck again.
Co B 1st BG 27th Infantry (Wolfhounds).
This is a picture of some of the guys in the 2nd Platoon, taken in 1962 in Korat Thailand. We were there under (SETO), (JTF-116). As we as Wolfhounds know, there is always some time to show off our wares. Starting from the left we have PFC Swoverland, SPC- 4 Alvin B Smith, SPC-4 Stanley Sykes and SPC-4 Joseph Martino. We were in what we called (Hoochville), USA. And in the other photos, we have Alvin and Stan.
