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

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Tom’s proudest day as he received his PHD in History – University of Colorado – May 15, 1992.

Introduction   Here’s one of my good buddies, Tom Hogle, of Syracuse, New York.  Tom joined the 2nd Platoon at Dong Tam as a replacement in May, 1967, and boy was he delighted to be an infantry rifleman.  Not!  With Tom’s outgoing and friendly personality, he quickly became friends with everyone, even though he was a New Yorker – haha! I give him much credit for he was one of the very few in our unit who volunteered to join the U.S. Army – almost to a man, the rest of us troopers were drafted. Tom was a great point man, but he really preferred carrying a radio and keeping communications going within the platoon for his squad. One of my fondest possessions is the newsclipping of Tom shown below. The photo was taken following our Battalion’s darkest day, June 19, 1967, and Tom represented all of us – it was truly a rough day of brutal combat.  A Company was destroyed, 48 young troopers within our Battalion lost their lives, many more were wounded, and six Huey Helicopters were shot down, including two med-evac choppers carrying wounded soldiers.  Yes, the mighty 4th/47th prevailed taking out approximately 250 communist soldiers, but it was indeed a costly battle. As you can see here, Tom has led a very good life after leaving the bloody Mekong Delta by furthering his education and becoming a college professor. You can say that Dr. John Thomas Hogle is truly a blessed American Patriot and is giving back to this Great Country.  I am very proud to call Tom Hogle my friend.       Bill Reynolds – November 6, 2002

November, 1994 – Tom teaching a class of U.S. Army students in, of all places, Saudia Arabia.  You can’t see it, but Tom was proudly wearing his CIB – Combat Infantryman’s Badge.  Eight months after this photo was taken, Al Quaida terrorist blew up a building there killing 19 servicemen.
This photo, taken after the 4th/47th’s huge battle on June 19, 1967, made the New York Times front page and numerous other major US newspapers.  Pfc. John Hogle was with Lt. Jack Benedick’s 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company

THE VIET CONG LOST, THE MUD WON Pfc. John T. Hogle of Syracuse, N.Y., may not be the muddiest soldier in Viet Nam, but he’ll do.  This is what he looked like after a 23 hour battle with Viet Cong troops on the fringe of the Mekong Delta.

-A P Wirephoto via Radio from Saigon

September ’67 – Tom is carrying a radio on this patrol down in the Mekong Delta – notice that he’s talking – even back in 1967, Tom really talked a lot.  Hey, I bet this assignment led him to becoming a professor!
Hey, hey, hey, here’s one mighty fine lookin’ young Irishman out of Syracuse, New York.
Having survived another dangerous and grueling patrol in the stinkin’ Mekong Delta, Tom musters up a slight smile.
Notice the difference between Bill Reynolds and Tom – the 5 months combat dazed look vs that of a bright eyed replacement. Haha!


Mike Cramer & Tom Hogle restin’ up during a patrol.
Tom and his buddy Dick Hunt at Dong Tam – August 21, 1967.
Charlie Company’s 2008 Reunion – Washinton D.C.
 Veteran’s Day evening, Bill Reynolds & Tom Hogle
(best buddies in Vietnam) discuss the Sun’s
massive effect on Global Warming.