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Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
From: John Workman
Dated: April 13, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
I was [with] AFVN TV Saigon late 1969-late 1970. I also recorded the "infamous" Bob Lawrence broadcast charging US Army with censorship. I know [it] to be true as I had to edit all the CBS newscasts that came to the Saigon station to be re-broadcast and make copies sent to the detachment stations (7). If you are interested I have some of station, Bob Hope show at Tan Son Nhut airbase.
John Workman|V.P. Engineering | WITI Fox 6 | , Milwaukee, WI
From: John Workman
Dated: April 15, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
John, Thanks, Jim, I would like to be on the AFVN Yahoo group.
Yea I didn’t get into much trouble between working at station & CBS & officer & enlisted club, so it was work, eat, sleep 7 days a week.
Only “trouble” I had was [when a] GI ran in front of my van after curfew & hit him, threw him about 30 feet, he then ran off but I had to explain why the windshield was laying on the dash board.
Attached are a couple of pix I have, will scan more to send.
I shot a bunch of B&W as I could develop & print myself, many are 8x10.
What size scan (resolution & file size) do you prefer?
Hate to send a 2mb pix when if you can only post much smaller (typical)
Attached is (scanned at 300x300 to keep file size low) [NB: Go to John's "Photos & Stories" page for these photos. Webmaster]
・ aerial pix of tower & studio. (looking north)
・ Tower pix from ground
・ station entrance
・ Tim Bodle at the quad vtr--he better remember me as I remember him above all others.
・ Pix of 3--I’m the one on right, don’t remember other two names- (I’m terrible on names)
o Like I knew our transmitter guy pretty well but can’t recall name 45 yrs. later. Was USAF. I remember he was asleep
in a chair in the transmitter building (or passed out) and we rolled him out to the parking lot in the chair and left
him there to wake up.
Have more pix of Saigon TV & FM radio staff and some pix of AFVN Da Nang on the mountain.
Some pix of Bob Hope show, New Christy Minstrels, George Peppard, Miss America how that all visited the studio while in country for USO.
I’ll work on narrative of my time at AFVN and send more scans of pix.
Will have to check for any audio & video I may have
John Workman
From: John Workman
Dated: April 20, 2016
Subject: The latest offer from the AFVN Logo Store
Thanks for the link to buy items w/ AFVN. Had been thinking about buying cap with Vietnam Vet on it but AFVN is even better!!! Bought four items.
John
From: John Workman
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: Welcome Home AFVN'er JOHN WORKMAN -- Saigon
You are the 1st one to talk to since 1970 !!! (except Jim White)
Had emails with Jim White getting set up on website & Yahoo (Bob Morecook). Just got setup on Yahoo group today. You are the one I remember most, probably since we worked same / similar hours together in addition to be quite a character (in a good way). Plus have hard time remembering last week let alone 46 yrs. ago. Have number of pix of you, Joe and others that I can’t place a name to face. BTW, Art is Key (no “s” I’m told by Jim W) Are you still in Texas?? (from AFVN map). Will be getting Jim W scans of pix in few weeks or so to post on website and see if others can remember names. Good to hear from you after all these years, had thought about you in past but until found AFVN website didn’t know where you were. What have you been doing over the years? I see 71-72 in DaNang.
John
From: John Workman [In black] Jim White [In red]
Dated: April 17 & 18, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
[John] Thanks, I would be almost sure it was a van like a Ford Econoline. As I had a 62 Ford Econoline before I came in service and was same type just newer. i.e. very little front end between windshield & from bumper. I remember the Dodge pickup, definitely not it. Possibly recently got & I wrecked before you had chance to drive. [Jim] I remember seeing Ford Econolines in Saigon--maybe AFVN did have one.
[John] I was licensed to drive pretty much everything as I took my military driver test in a tow truck. (but was a tow truck for a tank, like the ones you see for semi’s). [Jim] I took my driver's license test in a 2 1/2 ton. So I was liscened for jeep and 3/4 as well. This was in late 1953 when, right out of clerical school, I was a clerk in a truck-driving school (company). Came in handy later in Korea in 1954/55 when I drove a jeep and a 3/4 ton a lot as an Engineer Company First Sergent then as an Operations Sergeant. And, then again, in Korea my license came in handy in 1959/60 when I was an NCO Club manager. Would usually take a 2 1/2 ton to go get supplies for the club. Sometime, perhaps in 1963 or so, the colonel I worked for asked me if I could drive a bus. I replied, "Probably," so I spent an hour OJT with a 29-passenger bus. These were the smaller ones with an engine under the hood in front. Got my license updated and ended up going to North Pier in Yokohama, picking up about 20 high school kids who had been on a boat tour/cruise and then taking some of them to the Washington Heights and the rest to the Grant Heighs Dependent House Areas in Tokyo. A round trip of 40+ miles and I haven't driven a bus since! Of course, again in Vietnam in 1970/71 I drove about everything AFVN had (never drove the OIC's Ford Bronco).
[John] I looked at Da Nang OIC and saw [that the OIC changed in 1970, now I have to rack memory as to what part of 70 I was there. Thinking it was Chuck Adams & his pix looks a bit familiar but [we were] only face to face with 2-3 times. One time in Saigon when the Da Nang OIC came down I think to rotate out of country. He and the MSG were great guys. He and MSG rode in back of pickup truck with me to mess hall when our Col Adams wanted the two guys in the front seat to switch with them but they said no, they wanted to ride & talk to me. This was real sign of being great guys and not letting rank be a big deal. [Jim] Most of the people with AFVN--regardless of rank--were good eggs. I could name one who wasn't worth a dang--but he isn't worth naming either.
John Workman
From: John Workman
Dated: April 15, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
Jim, since we overlapped tours you may show up in some of my photos. I usually worked PM evening & sometimes into overnight shift.
I recall driving guys back to barracks and coming back to station well after curfew when all the streets were deserted other than MP’s..
Couple additional updates:
・ Sgt Biever, is listed Nha Trang but was also at Saigon ? I have pix of him & can read name tag. I remember him well. Think he was there into early 70 ?
・ Van Vooren- I have pix of him. If he on Yahoo Group, I will reach out and share once I am on group.
・ Britt (no 1st name- Don’t see him on list but pretty sure he was FM Radio in Saigon as pix is him in record library. Can read his name tag.)
John Workman
From: John Workman
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: Welcome Home AFVN'er JOHN WORKMAN -- Saigon
Thanks since you were there most of time I was probably have a pix of you. Once i get them scanned 'n posted will let you know to see if you are among them.
From: Jim White [In black] John Workman [In red] & Jim White again [In green]
Dated: April 14 & 15, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
Jim wrote: My new comments are in green.
John wrote: My notes below in red.
John,
[Jim] Sounds like you used your time in Vietnam well. I did so, at least to an extent, translated a book from Japanese to English, did a couple of Army extension courses, etc. Many others didn't.
Guess the GI wasn't hurt. Which vehicle were you driving (jeep, 2.5 ton, the Dodge carryall)? I remember that for much of the time I was with AFVN we had a designated "night duty person cum night duty driver" (Army Sgt Falconer was one of them). However I also remember having a rather "heated conversation with Marine MSG Tom Segel about my belief that "everyone should be eligible and take their turn as night duty driver" and he disagreed. -- [John] Was the Van, possibly a Dodge don’t recall, happened as I came around the traffic circle (was after curfew) & probably my rotation turn as I don’t recall it being all the time. (I had no problem taking a turn, actually was kind of nice, especially after curfew). [Jim] At one time or another I drove practically everything AFVN that was drivable. I definitely drove the jeeps, the 2.5 ton, the 3/4 ton and a Dodge pickup with a back seat in the cab (does that make sense?). I don't really remember a van (i.e., something like a VW van). But, at 82, I'm lucky to remember my name sometimes.
[Jim] PHOTOS: (Should have written this earlier.) B&W are fine. Would much prefer JPG files over PDFs (Otherwise I would have to convert them.). Also, would like them to be properly orientated and cropped if you can do that. Pixel size should be no more than 720 wide by 720 tall (which doesn't mean that they have to be square). Since they will be shown "only on screen" around 200 to 300 dpi is ample. Anything over that means "large files with no real purpose." If you want only a few of your pictures posted, I'll insert them individually (for example, see: https://www.afvnvets.net/pho-sto---brigham.html ). Or, if you have a number of photos, I will make a slide show (for example, see: https://www.afvnvets.us/pho-sto-ashley.html ).
Your aerial photo, entrance photo and photo of the tower are all already on the website but I don't mind duplication (i.e., same shot--different shooter). You did a good job of explaining the photos you sent, but please add an approximate date if possible--or, if enough photos for a slide show, then give some kind of order (either by file name or in a separate list). And, finally, location would also be very helpful. "That's a nice shot, wonder when it was taken, where they are and who they may be" photos are rather meaningless to others. If you can't be precise, then being somewhat vague. (or, for people--"don't remember") is OK.
[John] Yes, later after I sent, I saw a color aerial photo posted. Will try to contact person to see if I can get a color hi-res copy once on the Yahoo Group. [Jim] Gene Wentz has some aerial photos of the AFVN compound in his slide show at https://www.afvnvets.net/pho-sto---wentz.html . [John] My aerial photo was signed on back- Paul (admin) - no last name, maybe Paul Mariano (sp?) [Jim] Probably SP5 Paul Miano who worked (?) for me in Admin. The question mark is a result of his propensity to goof off as much as possible and pass anything I gave him to do on to Jerry Nelson. More than once, I would pick up some work that I had originally given Paul from Jerry's desk and give it back to Paul with a "THIS IS YOUR JOB!"
[John] Have lots photos to make a slide show & will add info & scan as JPG so meet your needs for easy posting, you don’t need to try to convert those PDF’s, just sent them as examples & scanner I used was auto set to PDF. I’m working on lots of photos as my wife passed away last May, which started me on looking back thru all the photos I have of her & family and brought to attention my book of Nam photos, which then led me to Internet search to try & ID those I couldn’t remember, and then found the AFVN site. [Jim] Am sorry to hear that you lost your wife--even if it led you back to AFVN. I guess I am very lucky that my wife of nearly 60 years is still in reasonably good shape.
[Jim] You said you had some Da Nang photos. Does that mean you were stationed or TDY there for a while? If stationed there, I should correct your entry in the roster. [John] I guess I would say it was TDY (very short) as I went up to repair the 2” Quad VTR. OIC Capt. (name?- believe USAF) and as I recall Chief MSG (name?) let me stay day several extra days as sort of on base R&R.
[Jim] Short-term TDY's are not entered on the roster. As far as I know, Da Nang never had an AF OIC. Mike Pitts, USMC was there in 1969 and Chuck Adams, USA took over in 1970. Perhaps one or the other. From my diary. I know that Chuck Adams was the OIC and CMS Joe (or Richard -- or both) Allison, USAF was the NCOIC in October 1970. [John] Chief MSG (name?) later stopped by Saigon station on his way back to states to be promoted to highest level (don’t recall rank name) would have been sometime in 1970.
[Jim] Write a story about your tour if possible. Your working for CBS and for the clubs sounds interesting. [John] Will do as AFVN got me started in the Broadcasting business and been doing ever since, worked for all the major networks & PBS.
[Jim] Reference your other message. Will change Sgt Biever's (Do you remember a first name?) roster entry to:
Biever, ?? SGT, USA, Nha Trang / Saigon (69-70)
[John] No I don’t recall 1st name as obviously didn’t use it to address him. We also had a Chief Warrant Officer at Saigon station for early part of my time (late 69- 70)- “think” he had something do with AFV / tower technical side and not operational? [Jim] The CWO might have been William Lilly. I understand that he died of natural causes not long after leaving AFVN.
[Jim] Joe Van Voreen has never contacted me so I don't know if he is a member of the AFVN Yahoo group or not. Bob Morecook might be able to tell you.
[Jim] Britt: May be a new person. Will add him to the roster, but can you give me a little more info? First name, rank, branch of service in pix was SP4, years with AFVN, etc. [John] Again don’t recall except for picture where I was able put to name to a face from his name tag. From the website pix w/ names I have been able to know more names of some of my other pix that I didn’t have names. Will update names to pix when I send.
[Jim] Now that I know you are in Wisconsin, I'll add you to the "Where are we now?" map. [John] That would be great. [Jim] You are now there. Best wishes,
From: John Workman
Dated: April 14, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
Yes to all. I will try for Sept reunion. I saw the video clip and remember it as I watched recoding during show that clip probably came from the "extra' air check recording I did that night. Don't recall who grabbed it after show was done. Was looking to also contact Tim Bodle and Art Keys as I worked with both at Saigon station. Lost touch over the years. I also worked CBS News while there. After Bob's on air claims they moved us to barracks at Tan Son Nhut AB. Bob, of course, they moved out of station. Attempted to court martial me till CBS stepped in. When I'm asked how I got my start in broadcasting they are shocked when I tell my 1st job I carried 45 auto to work.
Thanks jw
From: John Workman
Dated: April 15, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
Jim, since we overlapped tours you may show up in some of my photos. I usually worked PM evening & sometimes into overnight shift.
I recall driving guys back to barracks and coming back to station well after curfew when all the streets were deserted other than MP’s..
Couple additional updates:
・ Sgt Biever, is listed Nha Trang but was also at Saigon ? I have pix of him & can read name tag. I remember him well. Think he was there into early 70 ?
・ Van Vooren- I have pix of him. If he on Yahoo Group, I will reach out and share once I am on group.
・ Britt (no 1st name- Don’t see him on list but pretty sure he was FM Radio in Saigon as pix is him in record library. Can read his name tag.)
John Workman
From: Jim White
Dated: April 14, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
John,
I was at AFVN from August 1970 to June 1971 so our tours overlapped--but I must admit I don't remember you. You're not in my diary either so evidently you were never in any particular trouble.
Both Art Key (no "s") and Tim Boodle have been in contact with me within the past year. Art is now living in Thailand and Tim is in Texas. If, as suggested by Bob Morecook, you join the AFVN Yahoo Group you can out a message asking them to contact you and you might be pleasantly surprised. To join, just send a "I want to join" message to Bob.
I've already added you to the roster as a "Broadcasting Engineer." ( https://www.afvnvets.net/roster-w.html ) Let me know if that is wrong or there are any other corrections needed. There is a map at https://www.afvnvets.net/afvn-roster.html / "Where are we today?" Let me know what state you live in and I'll add you to the list. [It may take a few hours for the changes to reach you via the internet.]
Any photos, video or audio that you may have you can send to me and I'll post them on the AFVNVETS.net site. Also, any stories you might have (to include further enlightenment related to the censorship problem) will be welcomed. Please "wander" AFVNVETS.net a bit to see what we already have. One place is: https://www.afvnvets.net/conv--censorship.html and Para 1-16 on https://www.afvnvets.net/afvn-history.html
Hoping to continue this conversation....,
Jim W
From: Tim Bodle
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: Welcome Home AFVN'er JOHN WORKMAN -- Saigon
Welcome John. Have you communicated with Joe VanVorren lately? Art Keys[sp] is here living in Thailand.
Tim
From: Tim Boodle
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: Welcome Home AFVN'er JOHN WORKMAN -- Saigon
Joe - I live in Waco and work for the VA here right now. I'm so glad you are here. I've always wondered about you, Joe, and Art too. Things are coming together for me now.
John Workman Coming Home to AFVN
April 2016
From: John Workman AFVNVETS.NET Contact: Form Submission
Dated: April 14, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV
I was assigned to AFVN TV late 1969 to late 1970. Was US Army, SP4. I also have pictures of station, Bob Hope show (1969) which AFVN did live from Tan Son Nhut airbase by microwave link. I did recording of Bob Hope show for distribution to other AFRTS station.
From: Bob Morecook
Dated: April 13, 2016
Subject: AFVN TV Website
Hi John
Yes I am very interested. I am copying Jim White on this as he maintains the AFVN webpages. I maintain the Facebook page and the yahoo email group. I have a short clip of the Bob Lawrence event on YouTube at this time. I am in touch with Bob from time to time. We have an AFVN reunion set for late sept of this year in Raleigh NC. Want to come? Would you like to be on the AFVN group email list? I am also copying Rick Frederickson and Ken Kalish about this.
Welcome home Bob Morecook AFVN news 72-73
AFVN Group Conversations
From: Jim White
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: Welcome Home AFVN'er JOHN WORKMAN -- Saigon
To clarify:
According to Art Key, there is no 's' in Art Key's name (that was a possessive "s," the use of which probably helps lead to many errors by many people). As proof, attached is a message from Art dated July 24,2014.:
Jim W
Art's Message:
I was in AFVN Saigon as a SP5 for a year from June 1969 with a brief week to Nha Trang. I worked as a technician trying to keep the AMPEX VTRs running. I enjoyed my R&R to Bangkok so much I eventually found a job here. After surviving a good year in Viet Nam Thank God, I was running for fun in the Bangkok suburbs and fell of a bridge. I'm in a wheelchair now but otherwise would like to meet a few friends at your upcoming Reunion. I'd like to contact Walter Leriche an old AFVN Saigon and Boston drinking buddy. Does Pat Sajak join in the AFVN Group? He's probably the most famous from AFVN. If anybody comes to Bangkok please email me.
Best wishes to all, Art Key
From: Mike Jackson
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: The latest offer from the AFVN Logo Store
Shop our online store now and get a 10% discount, regardless of our order size! Click below to take advantage of this great deal by February 9th.
From: Rob Bartlett
Dated: April 19, 2016
Subject: Welcome Home AFVN'er JOHN WORKMAN -- Saigon
Welcome, john. Ron Bartlett TV director tv type SEPT 1969 to July 31, 1970. I spoke with Joe Van Vooren back in the late 1990's and he was with John Deere at the time (I think).