~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~
 
V100 Armored Commando Car ~ C54
This Page Last Updated   5 January 2015
In some instances the nicknames of the Cars changed with each new Car Commander and crew.
   Regardless of MOS if you served on or participated in the repair of any Battalion V100 and would like to contribute any information, personal stories, documents, media articles, photographs, or, if you can provide information on any missing nicknames and logos for this Car, or crew members not listed, please take a moment to contact the History Project Manager at the Email Links provided for you. Your contributions are important to the recording of the Battalion history and always welcomed here.
   Please take the time to report any broken links on this page to the History Project Manager via any of the Email Links.
    Send your photographs or documents as .jpg via the Email Links. Scan them as large as you can, one to an Email and include as much information as you can. If you do not have a scanner, please direct any questions on how to send materials to the History Project Manager via the Email Links.
18th MP
Brigade
89th MP
Group
720th MP
Battalion
"C54"
To pass along information or questions about "C54," please use this Email Link.
The Crew Members
SGT Leonard G.
Handler
.
.
.
.
28 April 1969
SGT John A.
Golembeuski
SP/4 John C.
Mitchell
PFC Kenneth A.
Wilborn
     At the time of this V100 the use of painted Logos and nicknames had yet to begin.
Wanted: Photograph of PFC Wilborn, and the missing names and photographs of  the first crews, please use the Email Link provided above.
 
Car History - The exact date that the original V100 C54 arrived at the 720th MP Battalion and became active is unknown. In 1969 C-54 was being used by C Company on convoy escorts in III Corps Tactical Zone, and primarily on the Quan Loi- 1st Infantry Division "Devils Convoy"; where it was destroyed during an ambush. The story of C54 and its heroic crew can be found by visiting the 28 April 1969 Timeline..
 

     The C54 crew was later decorated for their actions that day. SGT Golembeuski received the Silver Star and Purple Heart Medals, SP/4 John C. Mitchell the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and a Purple Heart Medal, and PFC Wilborn the Purple Heart Medal.

     As a result of its complete destruction, a new V100 was obtained and remarked as C54 with the nickname "Pig Power."

                                                                                                                              Click on map to view the 4 zones and regions >
 

Reflection  “I gave up my V100 IC position to be the night TOC NCOIC. SGT Golembeuski, we called him “Alphabet,” he was now the IC of my former V100 when the car was destroyed and he was badly wounded. When I went to see him in the hospital, he said he was sorry about the car. He was burned when the RPG exploded inside the car. He was apparently in the turret, and I guess the force of the blast sought that exit. I told him don't be silly it was only a car. I think he was in shock, or medicated, or both. I remember being at a loss for words at his condition. He was a very dedicated young soldier, and I admired his courage very much.

     John Mitchell, also wounded that day, was the driver. He had a piece of shrapnel go through his midsection without serious damage. Our gunner Ken Wilborn had a severe Achilles tendon wound, and was sent to Japan.”  SGT Leonard Handler, C Company, 720th MP Battalion.

 
Wanted: Photographs of  C54 before it was destroyed in the ambush, please use the Email Link provided above.
 
 
 
Miscellaneous Photographs
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