Book Reviews & Comments

Submitted by
Name: Dean Neumeyer
From: Fountain Hills, AZ
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
29th RSM, Clark AFB, Philippines 1953-54. Thanks Larry. Fascinating reading for those of us that participated and for those that are interested in how we keep our freedom intact.
It's been almost 60 years and brings back many memories. Am enjoying the way you combine the history and the real life stories to bring it together. After the Korean war ended, the vigilance remained; however some of the priorities changed to include what was going on between France and Vietnam.
Some of the "non-work" nostelgia included "eating eggs" as mentioned by Francis Hollifield at Key West. The midnight shift called for eating dried eggs and powdered milk at 11:00 PM and coming back for a breakfast of powdered eggs and milk in the morning. That, and trying to sleep in 120 degree temperature resulted in losing 20 pounds while I was there. Some of the eggs were packed in 1943 for the WW2 troops. Also remember putting on rain coats before going to bed to keep dry in the Sawaki huts when the wind blew.
Our 29th gang is very fortunate to have my friend Bob Rennick, mentioned on page 1347 of vol.3, that compiled a list of a great majority of us that served in the P.I. and keeps of informed of their status, unfortunatly not always good news at our age. We have caps, coats,and insignias all designed around the 29th and USAFSS.
Thanks again< Larry and look forward to the next volume.

Added: February 12, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Ray Bernard
From: Asheboro, NC now, Phillie originally
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Larry, I'm on board. My wife bought the 1st three volumes as a Christmas gift. I'm midway through Vol. II and having a great time. I flew with the 88th out of Yokota 65-67 (dash 2) and spent time with the 87th at Lin K'ou in 74-75. Can't wait to get into Vol. III and especially IV. Thanks for the great & monumental job.

Added: February 10, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Bob Hewitt
From: Oroville, California
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Thank you, Larry, for doing this for everyone to see, and for those of us who were in Air Force Sec. Service. It's great to find out things that were never mentioned in one place before, even at San Antonio.

Added: February 9, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Don Mencl Peshawar 1960-62, WAS 63-64
From: Bristol, Tennessee
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Larry:
Thoroughly enjoyed the first three volumes and am anxiously awaiting the 4th. Having had only two tours in SS I am always confused by the "buzz words" that everybody tosses around. Your books help to put it all in perspective. Keep up the good work.

Don M

Added: February 8, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Joe Betty
From: Monterey, CA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Powerful...Can't wait for Vol IV...Was in USAFSS from 1965 to 1979. Spent most of my time during that period at Osan both in ground ops and airborne. Hats off to a truly monumental work.

Added: February 7, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Larry Matelski
From: Newberry, MI
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Larry -- I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first three volumes of Freedom Through Vigilance. I could scarcely put them down. Brought back memories of people and places from the past. Thank you for researching and writing this history and allowing us to read it. I am looking forward to Vol IV.

Added: February 7, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Jeff Wilcher
From: Leesburg, FL
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Larry, Great job on the first three volumes. I especially
enjoyed the first hand experiences of so many people.
I do wonder, though, why so many unit changes and if they
were worth it.
One responder wanted more about the Turkey sites, Well I
was at TUSLOG Det 3-3 for five months in late 1956. The
site was at Sile (pronounced Shile), but drew per diem
and lived in apartments in Fenerbache a suburb of Istanbul. I was one of the three Russian intercept ops
along with Romanian and Bulgarian. Believe me, I really
enjoyed my time there. The Russian effort didn't work out and me and John Nelson were shipped to Samsun where
we lived in houses still with per diem.

:!rofl:

Added: February 7, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Jim Lasch
From: Louisville, KY
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I admit it, I'm an airborne snob. My only contact with ground ops was a single -D class while I was an airborne instructor at Goodfellow. "The Price of Vigilance" reminded me of what I walked into shortly after that event. I'm waiting now for Volume IV to see what I missed by getting out. Great job, Larry!

Added: February 6, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Virgil C. Fordham
From: Temecula, California
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Larry, I found your book, "The Price of Vigilance" 1st Edition Jn 2001,exceptionally well done, and enjoyed it cover to cover. Your later books/volumes "Freedom Through Vigilance - History of the USAFSS" add valuable details and pictures. Good to see you are carrying on your tradition as a gifted historian. It would be nice if our Army (ASA) and other Agency folks could contribute a little of their history in SIGINT collection.

Added: February 6, 2011

Submitted by
Name: Orville Schinke
From: Originally, Upper Peninsula of Michigan
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Just finished reading Freedom Through Vigilance and although I was a Ground Radio Maintenance Technician, I found the book to be extremely interesting and thought provoking. It made me think back to my days with the 29th RSM at Clark AFB, PI and the many friends I still have from those days. I thank you Larry for devoting so much time to putting down in writing what most of us would not have been able to do.

Added: February 6, 2011