January 2012
8
The Comanche Nation News
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platoon was attacked by a squad of North Vietnamese Infantrymen using machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Lieutenant Choney immediately organized his men for a counter-assault. Although wounded himself, he refused medical evacuation until the enemy was repulsed and his men had been cared for. Lieutenant Choney’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army”. Choney’s second citation reads “For heroism in ground combat against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 July 1970. Lieutenant Choney distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company B, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 506th Infantry, during combat action near Fire Support Base Maureen, Republic of Vietnam. Coming under sudden attack by a large hostile force, Lieutenant Choney was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds, he immediately organized his men and led a counterassault on the hostiles. Moving from position to position under constant enemy fire he was assured that all other casualties were treated. Lieutenant Choney’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect grant credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army”. After his military service Choney served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 25+ years - he was decorated with the Bureau’s Shield of Bravery for his role in the rescue mission after the Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City. Choney also served as the Vice-Chairman of the NaBronze Star tional Indian Gaming Commis The Bronze Star, Com- sion for five years. He lives in mendation and Achievement Shawnee. medals are awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service. For heroic achievement a V Device (for Valor) is attached to the award. face. Specialist Young yelled that he was in an unmarked mine field. At this time Private First Class Kosechequetah, in spite of Specialist Young’s pleas to stay away and with complete disregard for his own safety, re-entered the mine field, picked up Specialist Young, placed him on his shoulders, and carried him to a position of safety. Here he administered first aid, treating the nearly unconscious soldier for shock. He stayed at the wounded soldier’s side for 20-minutes, completely ignoring his own wounds, until trained medical personnel arrived to treat and evacuate Specialist Young. Private First Class Kosechequetah’s bravery and compassion for a fellow soldier in the face of immense personal danger reflect the highest credit upon himself, the Military Police Corps, and the United States Army”. Kosechequetah was also awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam. He is one of two Comanches to earn the rank of Sergeant Major and graduate from the US Army Sergeants Major Academy. Kosechequetah is a strong advocate for the Salvation Army and lives between Cache and Altus near the western end of the Wichita Mountains.
mediate first aid treatment, he picked up the wounded Marine and courageously carried him through the withering fire to a position of relative safety. He then treated the casualty until he was relieved by a corpsman. His valiant effort undoubtedly saved the life of his comrade. Lance Corporal Lookingglass’ exceptional courage in the face of grave danger, daring initiative, and unfaltering dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.” Looking Glass was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (the equivalent to the Navy Cross) and the Purple Heart. On Jun. 11, 1966, Looking Glass was twice wounded - he was shot in the leg during the early hours and despite his wounds he continued his mission. Later that morning he and several other Marines were wounded from shrapnel from an exploding land mine. Looking Glass served from 1961-1967. He lives in Shiprock, NM and retired from the Indian Health Service - he also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Looking Glass grew up in the Boone area and attended school in Apache, Okla. He is an Ordained Minister with the Full Gospel Church.
withdraw. He then personally covered the withdrawal of his team. When the reconnaissance element was reinforced by a Vietnamese Regional Forces company, Captain Tiddark again led the combined force in an attack against the hostile positions. Due to his demonstrated courage under fire, the Vietnamese followed his example and the attack advanced four hundred meters, overrunning several enemy positions before the enemy’s resistance stiffened and the attack faltered. Upon seeing several Vietnamese soldiers wounded by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire, Captain Tiddark moved to the threatened area and directed friendly fire upon the enemy positions. He moved from man to man shouting encouragement and due to his fearless actions, the Vietnamese held the position. Captain Tiddark’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service”. Tiddark was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and was twicewounded while assigned to the Phoenix Program during the Vietnam War. His mission with the Phoenix Program was to identify and neutralize the Viet Cong infrastructure political Cadre via infiltration, capture, counter-terrorism and assassination. Tiddark retired from Veterans Affairs as Registered Pharmacists and Manager of the out-patient Pharmacy Program at the Dallas VA Hospital. He live in Forney, Tx.
Johnny Tiddark Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Combat “V” 1. In accordance with the authority delegated by the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific takes pleasure in awarding you the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”. 2. In recognition of your heroic achievement in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. In a document written by Rogers he said, “I earned the Navy Commendation Medal during an incident that occurred while on patrol near Da Nang. My squad was walking point when we came upon a rice paddy. The North Vietnamese opened fire with mortars, machine guns and automatic weapons. Several Marines were wounded and needed to rescued. My Fire Team (I was the Team Leader), volunteered to bring the wounded Marines to safety. Despite taking fire I was able to assist in saving two of the wounded Marines. While carrying one of them on my shoulder he was hit again in the leg. Miraculously I was not injured and all the men we assisted to safety survived the fight”. While in Vietnam, Rogers survived the 77-day siege of Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive of 1968. He was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (the equivalent to the Navy Cross), Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon. Rogers is credited with 37 combat operations and completed 11 months and three days of his tour in Vietnam when he was wounded. He served from 1967-1969. Rogers lives in Kyle, Tx. His grandfather was Amador Torralba (Farrala). His mother was Sophia Torralba Rodriguez (Rogers) who was raised by Juanita Grey Mountain (Esa-Toyah) Torralba.
Phillip K. Rogers Sr. Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Cloyce V. “Chuck” Choney
Captain Cloyce V. “Chuck” Choney served with the US Army from 1969-1975. He was awarded the Bronze Star three times - twice with/ Valor Device, the Purple Heart twice, the Presidential Unit Citation (the equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross) and the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. The first of his two citations reads “For heroism in ground combat against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 1 May 1970. Lieutenant Choney distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company B, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 506th Infantry, during combat operations near Fire Support Base Maureen, Republic of Vietnam. While receiving a resupply from a nearby landing zone, Lieutenant Choney’s
Lucien “Jimmy” Looking Glass
Sergeant Lucien “Jimmy” Looking Glass, US Marine Corps, was awarded the Bronze Star with/Valor Device. His citation reads “For heroic achievement in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines. On 30 Jan. 1966, Lance Corporal Lookingglass, serving as a Fire Team Leader with the Second Platoon, was operating with a combat patrol when it was ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force. In the midst of intense enemy small arms and mortar fire, Lance Corporal Lookingglass shot and killed the Viet Cong, and, with complete disregard for his own safety, ran to the side of his fallen comrade. Realizing that the savage action ruled out im-
Captain Johnny Tiddark served with the US Army from 1964-1969 and the US Army Reserve from 19701983. He was awarded the Bronze Star twice, once with/ Valor Device. His citation reads “For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Captain Tiddark distinguished himself by heroic action on 23 March 1969 while serving as Advisor, Quang Ngai Province Provincial Reconnaissance of Vietnam. On that date, he accompanied a small 10-man team on an assault against a large enemy for Captain Tiddark was assigned the responsibility for the left flank of the attacking force and when the order to attack was received, he personally led the team in a violent assault against the enemy positions. When the attack faltered, he rallied his men, but the heavy enemy fire forced the entire unit to
Lewis Chasenah
Lance Corporal Lewis Chasenah, US Marine Corps, was awarded the USN/USMC Achievement Medal with/ Valor Device. A copy of his citation was unavailable at the time this article was printed, however, this award is so noted on his DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Lance Corporal Phil- Active Duty). He served, in Vietnam, lip K. Rogers Sr., US Marine from Dec. 1967 to Jan. 1968 Corps, was awarded the USN/ USMC Commendation Medal with A Battery, 1st Battalion, with/Valor Device while as- 11th Marines, 1st Marine Divisigned with Lima Company, sion as an Artillery Gun Crew3rd Battalion, 26th Marines man on a 105 mm Howitzer. Chasenah also earned during the Vietnam War. A memo dated 8 February 1969, three Campaign Stars and the Combat Action Ribbon, while addressed to Rogers reads: in Vietnam, for extensive direct From: Commanding General, combat support, including the 77-day siege at Khe Sanh and Fleet Marine Force, Pacific To: Lance Corporal Phillip K. the Tet Offensive of 1968, and for action at Quang Tri, Dong Rogers, Ha, Cam Lo, Con Thein, Hue, Subject: Award of the Navy Continued on Page 9 Commendation Medal with