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Pastimes : A Tribute Site to Mike Linnane, our "Unclewest."
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To: Clappy who wrote (25)9/30/2013 1:22:34 AM
From: unclewest11 Recommendations

Recommended By
Bill
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Clappy
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and 6 more members

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Defending West hill... did that have something to do with your nickname?


You nailed it.

During Tet 1969, the Ben Het "A" 244 Team's radio call sign was Polo Uncle.
Since I commanded the small force on the west outpost that was already known as the West Hill,
our senior radio operator assigned me the call sign "Uncle West". We also had an Uncle North.

I used that call sign when working the FAC (Forward Air Controller) who got us the F4 and A1E attack aircraft; when calling for artillery from the 155MM and 8 inch artillery batteries and our team mortars; when directing Spooky's fire by night and Cobra attack helicopters by day and when leading combat patrols outside the wire. We all knew each other by call sign. Eventually, and over the years, many of us have met.

I learned to call in all that support at Pathfinder School at Ft Benning. Pathfinders are known as first in and last out. At the time, I was the only Pathfinder on the team so I did it everyday and night that we were under attack. 1/2 of the men on some A Teams today are Pathfinder qualified.

Uncle West became a nickname that stuck to me like glue ever since.

One of the most difficult things about being in combat day in and night out is the lack of sleep. So far, I have always used unclewest for my email address. I thought about changing it to "Taking A Nap". but someone is already sleeping on that name.

Stay Safe,
uw
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