2nd Platoon, C Company, 4th/47th Battalion, 2nd Brigade

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Heading out from Fort Riley, Kansas to the nearby “so called Oasis”, Junction City on a weekend pass – Bill Varsafsky wearing his favorite yellow shirt and his good buddy Curtis Irvin proudly wearing his fine
uniform. There’s Ronnie Bryan back there smokin’.

Introduction My memory of Bill Varsafsky: Bill was everyone’s friend and he was well respected by all who knew him.  He was one of my closest friends during our training at Fort Riley and while we experienced combat duty in Viet Nam.  We were in close proximity for nearly two years and I can tell you that no one had a more positive attitude, was more honest nor more reliable . . . .he was simply one of the most fun loving, decent soldiers in our platoon. Heck, even Curtis Irvin liked Bill.  Bill was also one of the most fortunate in our unit as he managed to complete his combat tour of duty without earning the Purple Heart.  After more than 33 years, I recently had the opportunity to speak with Bill over the phone and I could immediately tell that I was talkin’ to the same ole Bill that I knew so many years ago.  Bill’s sense of humor is intact!              Bill Reynolds – November 27, 2000

3rd Squad – Lower Left:  Frank Modde, Gene Harvey,
Gil Rodriguez, Howard Green, and Curtis Irvin.
Top Left:  ??, Bill Varsafsky, Bob Ehlert,
Ronnie Reynolds and Stan Cockerell.
Curtis Irvin passing time in Kansas…
Mike Cramer, Bill & Wilson Burleson.
Butch Eakins, Curtis Irvin and Bill Varsafsky.
 
Buck Sgt Jimmie Salazar enjoying
 relaxation at Dong Tam nearing the end of his tour of duty.
Sergeant Dan Kerr and Curtis Irvin.
Zane Baker!  How U doin?
Jerry Farber cleaning his boots – common practice for Mobile Riverine Troopers after dirty, rotten, stinking patrols in the Delta.
Bob French & Bill Varsafsky
loadin’ up for a ride to
thebarracks ship.
Hi Willie Williams – hope things are well for you
Who is this soldier?
James Holstine happy at Dong Tam!
Lt. Jack inspecting Bill’s M-16.
Willie Williams’ new girlfriend & Fred Harrell looking on. 
Bill Varsafsky at the Cu Chi hospital recovering from hookworm infestation. 
Rollie Gangler visiting his 2nd Platoon buddies aboard the USS Benewah.
Lt. Jack’s 2nd Platoon – the 13 lucky survivors of the
original platoon members that trained together at
Fort Riley, Kansas.  September, 1967.
Barbara Mandrel entertaining Charlie Company Troopers back in 1967.
Ronnie Bryan and Bill after visiting Camp Bearcat’s fine shower facility.
NOT A PRETTY PICTURE!  And who says Bill Varsafsky could not hold his beer!?
Photo courtesy of Bob & Pat Geier – April 2007