The following photos were taken at the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Change of Command Ceremony
 at Chu Lai, Viet Nam, in June 1971 when LTC James W. Sawey transferred the colors of the unit
 to his successor.

If you recognize the NCOIC of the color guard (holding the unit colors), please contact
wr9r@aol.com

L to R  LTC Rolf G. Arnhm (new CO, 1-6 Inf), LTC James W. Sawey, Chaplain Donald
  G. Gover, CPT Don E. Deen (S-3), and CPT Ward K. Odom (CO, A Co.).
 
 

This is the flight helmet LTC Sawey was wearing on 9 June 1971 when he was shot in the head while landing at A Co., 1st Bn 6th Inf, during "Operaion Little Big Horn."  He survived to hold the helmet for this photo twenty-nine years later.  Note the metal rod sticking through the entry and exit holes caused by the bullet fired by a Viet Cong sniper. See the story at "Air America and the 'Bug' in the VC Typewriter."

Select additional photos from the index at left, or link to the 1st Bn 6th Inf  Home Page