Charles Edward Pinks, age 68, of Francesville, Indiana, died Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at his daughter’s home in Francesville. He was born on May 3, 1946 in Martin, Kentucky to the late Caloup and Ruth Salyers Pinks. Charles married Carol Stout on July 18, 1966 in Bailey’s Corner, Indiana.
Charles was a Vietnam Veteran. He honorably served with the U.S. Army’s 919th Engineer Company of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Charles was a member of the Francesville American Legion Post #228 and Winamac VFW Post #1728. He was a lifetime member of the Blackhorse Association.
He loved God very much and enjoyed reading the Bible. Charles enjoyed fishing and hunting. He liked bluegrass music. Charles was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a hero to each of his daughters. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Jean Pinks, three daughters, two grandsons and three granddaughters, a great granddaughter, two brothers, two sisters, and many nieces and nephews
Memorial Contributions may be given to The Francesville American Legion Post #228 or Winamac VFW Post #1728.
Gary O. Gehrig passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at BAMC in San Antonio, Texas. Gary grew up on Long Island, New York. He graduated from Eastport High School. He joined the United States Army in 1954 and served for 20 years. He served in the Vietnam War. He retired in 1975, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. Gary proudly served with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam. He was a life member of the 11th ACR Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. He was always known to proudly display the Blackhorse insignia (whether it be on a hat he was wearing or displayed on a sticker decal on his wheelchair). He served in Headquarters and Headquarters Company as a personnel sergeant, and he thought so much of the young men who served on the tanks. Gary’s intention was to serve in the military for 30 years. He had to retire at 20 because he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and felt that he was not able to perform the job up to his standards. Gary married Dorothee Hoberg on June 3, 1957, in Tokyo, Japan. They were married for 57 years. Gary is survived by his wife, Dorothee of San Antonio, Texas; his son, Richard Gehrig and his wife, Lisa, of Saginaw, Texas; his daughter, Lisa Owens of San Antonio, Texas; his son Kevin Gehrig and his wife, Laura of Georgetown, Texas; his grandchildren Daniel Owens, April Crawford and her husband Richard, Brian Gehrig, and Shelby Gehrig; and his great-grandchild Kai Revolloso. He also leaves behind his sister, Judy Lucas of East Moriches, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org
Bob Stefanowicz and Randy Mitchell, junior officers in the 2/11 ACR in Bad Kissingen in the early 1980s, have created a web site that recalls the history of the US Army at Bad Kissingen from 1945 – 1991. The site begins with the military history of Kissingen in the mid-1930s and the building of the Kaserne to garrison the 2nd Motorcycle Battalion of the 2nd Panzer Division, and it continues thru the war years when the barracks was a training center for German Army medics. Then the website covers the American Army missions of occupation, thru the arrival of the 2/14 ACR and the beginning of the border observation mission, and finally to the re-flagging of this unit to the 2/11 ACR, Eaglehorse, and its turn on the border beginning in 1972. The site also recalls the history of the various VII Corps units that occupied the other side of the Kaserne – we are sure you will find something entertaining to read and consider.
The web site contains hundreds of donated period photographs, original research writing projects, personal recollections, and a host of material related to the US Army, Bad Kissingen, the Cold War Period and the 14th then 11th ACR in Germany. Whether you were stationed in Kissingen or simply have an interest in the history of the Regiment on the border in Germany – give the site a visit.
A Great Picture – The Blackhorse: Then and Now
On September 12, 2014, 4500 active Blackhorse Troopers were joined by 700 Blackhorse Vietnam Veterans. Truly a stunning picture and an example of what binds together those who serve.
Dave Cowan is spearheading the Association’s participation in 25th Anniversary of The Last Border Patrol to be held in Germany next Spring. He is going to send an e-mail to his mailing list of prospective attendees soon. If you are interested, look for the email. If you receive it and are interested, contact Dave at: opens in a new windowDave.Cowan@nullACRPros.comcreate new email
opens in a new windowClick here to see a great tribute to a Blackhorse Veteran, Mark Gernhart.
opens in a new windowClick here to see a story about the latest 11th ACRVVC Convention.
From Glenn Snodgrass:
I want to officially welcome Dan Caughey as the new Treasurer of the Association (we will officially VOTE him in next June in Las Vegas). Below is a short bio from Dan, which explains exactly why I think he is a perfect replacement for Crystal – Blackhorse experience, full Army career, CPA with expertise working with non-profits, he has kept in touch with Association activities over the years, and he has kept in touch with many Blackhorse friends over time.
Crystal has been our treasurer since 2007 and has done a magnificent job – you heard John Sherman say, at our meeting in Colorado Springs, that our tax folks have told him that her books are the best non-profit books they have seen. I know that we have not heard the last from Crystal – she has promised to work carefully through a good handover process with Dan, and then “be available” to Dan as needed as he gets fully into things. She has always been the voice of “fiscal sanity.” I am sure we will continue to see her at reunions. We are indebted to her for what she has done over these many years – I don’t think that we could be any more solvent and “financially straight.”
Please welcome Dan to the Association Leadership, along with his wife, Helga, and his cavalry son Patrick.
Dan Caughey, LTC, US Army (ret), graduated from the University of Illinois in 1972 as an infantry officer. From 1972 through 1975, LTC Caughey served with 1st BN 18th Infantry, First Infantry Division, Ft. Riley Kansas as a rifle platoon leader, also leading a 4.2 mortar platoon, scout platoon and finally serving as BDE HHC XO. Dan transferred to the Finance Corps after suffering a serious spinal injury during a free-fall parachute jump with the 1st Division Sport Parachute Team. After serving in Korea as a Finance Officer, Dan was assigned to Readiness Group I, supporting the reserve components in the six New England States while his wife Helga led students of 10th Special Forces through the intense German language program. LTC Caughey served as Commander of 2nd Finance, Fulda, Germany supporting the 11th ACR and Wildflicken Military Community 1980 – 1983. He continued in Germany Commanding 22nd Finance in New Ulm, supporting the 56th Artillery BDE (Pershing) in Neu Ulm and the 1st Infantry Division FWD at Goeppingen. After six years in Germany, LTC Caughey attended CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth KS, served as an Inspector General in Sixth US Army, then as Finance Officer and Deputy Comptroller at Presidio of San Francisco. Since retiring from active service in 1993, Dan has been a Certified Public Accountant with emphasis in tax, nonprofits, health care, and general accounting. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Helga. Their son, CPT Patrick Caughey, continued in the cavalry tradition serving combat tours with 3/7 CAV in Baghdad and 1/71 CAV in Kandahar and is currently attending Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia.
