Alex Humphries

[Tbird]

Alex Humphries

i do not have alex's birthdates or death dates, what i do have is a memory of a man who gave to his brothers and sisters here at hadit.com and in his personal life. i miss him.

[Wings]

Posted by: evandc Feb 17 2008, 03:29 PM

Subject: Alex Humphrey Died This Weekend

Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:10:18 -0500

From: "David Houppert" <DHouppert@vva.org>

I am sad to report that Alex Humphrey passed away over the weekend. For those of you that did not know Alex he was a volunteer VVA Appellate Attorney at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Alex served in Vietnam as Green Beret and went on to study at

Harvard and Yale. As an attorney, Alex led a very successful professional career. Following his retirement over a decade ago, Alex contacted VVA about doing some pro

bono legal work for veterans. For many years Alex handled all VVA appeals before

the Board of Veterans Appeals. Over the years, he has helped thousands of claimants

for VA benefits prevail over the VA. As per Alex's instructions, his ashes will be deposited in Louisville and Nantucket. As such there will be no service.

Sincerely,

David L. Houppert, Esq.

Director, Veterans Benefits

Vietnam Veterans of America

Alexander Pope Humphrey IV

Obit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...8021902698.html

Alexander Pope Humphrey IV, 67, a lawyer for a telecommunications firm, died of complications of myotonic muscular dystrophy Feb. 16 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington. He lived in Chevy Chase. Mr. Humphrey was Washington counsel for GE American Communications and its predecessor firm, RCA American Communications, as well as RCA's international affiliate. He was a lawyer in the Department of Justice's Civil Appellate Division from 1969 to 1971. He was born in Louisville, Ky., and graduated from Yale University, where he was an all-American swimmer. He also taught sailing at a Massachusetts yacht club. He received a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1968. He served in the Army in Vietnam as a member of the Special Forces and received a Bronze Star. He had lived in the Washington area since 1969, except for three years in the early 1970s when he was a legal services lawyer for Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Bangor, Maine. When his health permitted, he raced sailboats with the Severn Sailing Association and raced bicycles with local groups. He also studied drawing, pastels, watercolor and oil painting with local teachers and at workshops in Montana. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Margot Smiley Humphrey of Chevy Chase; a daughter, Katherine Robb Humphrey of Chevy Chase; two sisters; and a stepsister.

Posted by: john999 Feb 17 2008, 03:42 PM

That is a real loss. Alex was a very smart guy. I really trusted what he had to say about vet matters. I hope the knew crop of vet lawyers can do as well as he did and be as smart. There have been so few lawyers who seemed to really know vet law and who wanted to practice.

Posted by: JR Reihs Feb 17 2008, 06:20 PM

This is indeed a great loss for Veterans. He will be remembered here for his help to the many.

Posted by: Wings Feb 17 2008, 06:27 PM

What a great loss to the veteran community! Alex was a smart man, penetrating mind, good historian, heart and soul was keen to combat veteran's issues: heard the call of his brother's at arms. He will be missed. Thank you and Goodbye! Hand Salute Alex Humphrey!

Posted by: Pete53 Feb 17 2008, 09:01 PM

Alex Humpfrey was a special internet friend and he and I used to email each other. You could count on anything he had to say and for many years he was active on this Board. He and Bill Smith were two of the best. Both dedicated lawyers helping Veterans with their claims and meanwhile our friend Larry Evans is close to death. This really hurts me. His loss will be felt by many. Thanks for letting us know I will light a candle and say a prayer for his soul.

Posted by: Berta Feb 18 2008, 04:40 AM

Such sad news. Alex (and Pete here) and Bill Smith former BVA attorney were some of the very first vets my husband and I "talked" to in the old electronic vets community in the late 1980s or early 90s. I have been concerned as I did not receive email replies from Alex around Christmas-and I had no idea he could be this ill-

We were very fortunate to have him at hadit from time to time- and he certainly helped thousands of veterans-this is awful news-Nothing Alex did for VVA and veterans was in vain.He gave us advocates a legacy to follow- he always did his best to help anyone he could. I hope he rests in Peace.

Posted by: LarryJ Feb 18 2008, 07:18 AM

Alex helped me with my appeal. He actually called me first and offered his assistance even though, at that time, I was not a member of the VVA. He persisted, and won my appeal. We spent so much time on the 'phone over that 3 year period that we became much more than a client/lawyer relationship. He'd even call, out of the blue, and ask how I was doing, then, as I noted by his speaking ability that HE was getting worse, I'd call him. I told him "thank you", when I received my award letter from the RO granting me service connection, due to Alex's work on my behalf. I'll never forget what he said. He told me that I didn't need to thank him....that any vet would have done the same thing, and he said it very sincerely, very humbly. We just observed the passing of a very great heart, a very humble, kind man. I loved ya, Alex, like the Brother you truly were. May he be free of pain and suffering....... Thank YOU, Alex.

Posted by: texvet Feb 18 2008, 08:08 AM

From the time I found the old VA forum years ago until the present time, I would search first for any comments that Alex had made to our FAMBLY members! One piece of advice I found to be of significant value was one he gave constantly, I took it to heart. ALEX, I TOOK THE MONEY AND RAN!!! May GOD bless you and hold you in HIS arms!

REGARDS, JON

Posted by: donews Feb 18 2008, 08:37 AM

I did not know Alex personally, but I have read of him. It is always of great loss when someone with the attributes such as he had is taken from us. I will remember what he meant to so many people.

Posted by: Jazona Feb 18 2008, 09:30 AM

A very sad loss to all Veterans. The man had a heart the size of Texas. May he rest in peace. jaz

Posted by: allan Feb 18 2008, 11:55 AM

Alex shared his wisdom for years on hadit, helping many veterans receive their benefits. What a loss for all of us. My condolences to the family. Allan

Posted by: Hoppy Feb 19 2008, 12:41 AM

Another sad surprise involving a hadit hero. In the late 1990's I was learning about my claim and the VA. My only real source of information was here on hadit. I would post details about my medical evidence and how the VA was responding. There was one wayward poster here on hadit who we have not heard from in about a decade who for some reason would invent faults with my claim and even referred to it as loser. The wayward poster presented him self as some kind of expert. It turned not a debate between me and this wayward poster. Rather, Alex would call BS on the wayward poster and provide me with the logic and most importantly the moral support to keep pursuing what turned out to be an 8.5 year battle with the VA.

Posted by: Dorothy Kansas Feb 19 2008, 04:33 AM

Alex was a good man who helped others. He has earned his wings and will join our heavenly Father.

Posted by: LLoyd USMC Feb 21 2008, 02:14 PM

Alex was an important contributor to this board in its infancy, his clear and precise recomendations helped many, an he used his own valueable time to do it. He has certainly found a place in many vetrans hearts and I know he will do the same above us. You who keep putting out the correct information are a tribute to him.

LLoyd USMC

Posted by: Wings Feb 20 2008, 11:05 AM

x

x

x

Alex Humphrey

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (RVN) (Green Beret)

<alex humphrey@mail.va.gov>

How did you find the Gia Vuc Tribute Website? Surfing

Where are you from? Washington DC

Did you serve in Vietnam? Yes

Message: I was in [Camp] BA TO, up the Valley, [about] 1964-65, with the first 5th SFGA PCS team. The TDY team there before us said that they used to take the jeep down to Gia Vuc to exchange movies and books; but, by the time we got there, the Valley had been closed down. An interesting fact about Gia Vuc is that, after it was turned over to the ARVN Rangers [1970], it was besieged by PAVN as part of PAVN's invasion of RVN. The Rangers fought to the last man there, some 300 KIA or MIA.

Detachment A-106 (Ba To (New))

The following is a listing of all personnel in our database, assigned to Detachment A-106 (Ba To (New). Bat To was located in Ba To District, Quang Ngai Province. http://www.specialforcesbooks.com/A106.htm

LAST NAME FIRST NAMES FX RNK FROM DATE TO DATE DUTIES REMARKS STAT

DETACHMENT COMMANDERS

MayvilleWilliam C CPT04/05/6506/01/65DET COA5/114

DamewoodJohn H 1LT05/01/6512/09/65DET CO

PattonWilliam D CPT10/19/6510/18/66DET COTo SOG?

GregoryRichard M CPT02/01/6608/10/66DET CO

KotrcJames C CPT04/02/6601/26/67DET CO KIA

GaffneyRichard L CPT05/01/6610/01/66DET CO

GauntnerDonald E CPT06/01/6612/09/65DET CO Y

SimsJohn R CPT06/01/6609/01/66DET CO

BrunetWilliam R CPT09/01/6607/30/67DET CO

SasarakJosephJrCPT01/01/6702/22/67DET CO

HagelbergerRobert L CPT01/21/6703/09/67DET CO

TalleyJohn W CPT03/04/6704/06/67DET CO

SpokesErnest MJrCPT07/18/6703/07/68DET CO

DeGreefLeo H CPT07/31/6709/19/67DET CO

CathcartEdmund H CPT02/04/6801/27/69DET CO

MartinGerald TIIICPT12/15/6812/09/69DET CO

JonesJohn A CPT08/01/6912/26/69DET CO

SpanglerJames FIIICPT12/26/6909/20/70DET CO

DETACHMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

CarrierWilliam SIII2LT04/05/6501/01/66DET XOA5/114YE

PerkinsWilliam M 1LT06/01/66 DET XO& CAPOYE

TolleyElmer W 1LT09/01/6601/01/67DET XO

McCloskeyRobert E 1LT11/02/6607/09/67DET XO& Actg CO?

OrensteinLeo R 1LT11/27/6602/14/67DET XO& CAPOYE

LockhartHarry FJr1LT03/07/6702/27/68DET XO

CarcioFrank A 1LT05/19/6712/15/67DET XO

WiseRussell R 1LT10/24/6709/24/68DET XO Y

CrockertJames 1LT04/18/6804/07/69DET XO

BurksDaniel S 1LT10/07/6906/19/70DET XO

CIVIL AFFAIRS/PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS OFFICERS

ChaseJames EJr1LT08/13/6612/04/66CAPO

BeardsleeWalter R 1LT06/12/6701/01/68CAPO

MansfieldWilliam R 2LT11/03/6710/26/68CAPO

ThiewesJohn F 1LT08/25/6808/24/69CAPO

CooperRalph H 1LT10/09/6810/08/69CAPO/XO

BurksDaniel S 2LT06/19/6910/06/69CAPO?

DanielsonLee S 1LT07/14/6906/01/70CAPO

TEAM SERGEANTS

SnyderClifford E MSG05/01/6511/23/65TM SGTA5/114

FoxDouglasSnakeMSG01/01/66 TM SGT Y

TalamineDonald J MSG06/01/66 TM SGT DEC

KerwinJoseph R'Joe'MSG04/01/6708/16/67TM SGTmedevaced

BelloMateo MSG06/01/6709/01/67TM SGT

TalamineDonald J MSG09/01/67 TM SGT DEC

CarpenterClifford P SFC01/01/6803/16/68TM SGT

ThomasRichard W MSG01/26/6912/11/69TM SGT

PettyAlfred HJrMSG09/14/6909/14/70TM SGT

INTELLIGENCE

ReifschneiderElmer J SFC04/01/6511/15/65INTEL KIA

O'DanielLloyd G"O.D."SP511/01/6506/01/66INTEL/A YE

TorkaRobert C SSG12/21/6712/20/68INTEL/A

ZickefooseNoble W SFC02/10/6808/01/68INTEL DEC

MillerStafford DJrSSG04/01/6810/01/68INTEL/A Y

SmithDon C SP506/01/68 INTEL

WEAPONS

StaceyGordon E SSG04/05/6504/01/66HVY WPNSA5/114Y

McNultyCharles M SSG01/01/6506/01/65HVY WPNSA5/114

WestGrayson J SFC05/01/6512/16/65HVY WPNS KIA

GivensHosea J SFC01/01/66 WPNS

TwiggsJames C SGT05/22/6602/15/67WPNSNO ORDERS

WoodsPatrick J SFC03/27/6701/01/68HVY WPNS& TM SGT?

UptonJackie E SSG03/01/6707/01/67WPNS

CarpenterClifford P SFC03/17/6703/16/68LT WPNSTO TM SGT

HicksLelon PJrSSG07/08/6701/01/68LT WPNS

LucasWillie J SSG11/11/6711/10/68HVY WPNS

PaiserRobert SFC03/01/6811/01/68LT WPNS

InotCarlos M SSG08/01/6811/01/68LT WPNS Y

McIntyreRonald N SFC04/06/6904/05/70HVY WPNS

RADIO OP

GillilandMichael L SP404/05/65 RAD OPA5/114Y

ClarkHarry P SSG04/05/65 RAD OPA5/114

Humphrey Alexander P IV SP4 11/01/65 04/01/66 RAD OP YE

DaultonMonte J SFC01/01/66 RAD OP

BeckerBrian J SP404/01/6612/01/66RAD OP YE

BlalockNathan W SGT04/01/6708/01/67RAD OP Y

KaufmannJoseph G SGT03/12/6703/11/68RAD OP

BrooksJerry R SGT08/01/6705/08/68RAD OP YE

GebhardGary L SGT09/25/6709/24/68RAD OP

SheetsDean E SFC11/01/6811/01/69RAD OP

McKinneyAlan SP501/01/69 RAD OP

DumayRichard A SGT03/01/6906/01/69RAD OP

KelleyLeslie W SGT10/01/6907/12/70RAD OP YE

DEMO

LawsonBufford SSG04/05/65 DEMOA5/114

QuigleyRichard H SSG04/05/65 DEMOA5/114 Medevaced

CombsChristopher E SP401/01/66 DEMO

TinklerWilliam J SGT08/01/6608/01/67DEMO

BrownDurwood A SP512/17/6712/16/68DEMO

MailhoitHenry LJrSP501/01/6805/23/68DEMO/CAPO

JohnsonAlan D SGT12/15/6810/25/69DEMO

MEDIC

MundhenkWilliam SP404/05/65 MEDICA5/114 fm C5/300?

BrockJoseph J SSG04/05/65 MEDICA5/114

PeacockDouglas A SGT01/30/6701/29/68MEDIC

JohnsonMontgomery B SP408/27/6704/01/68MEDIC

RuebRalph H SFC12/07/6711/29/68MEDIC

GlynnEdward LIIISP501/01/68 MEDICC-3?

KagawaVictor Y SGT09/21/6809/20/69MEDIC

TRAINING CENTER

MaroneyTimothy P CPT03/01/7008/01/70DET COTRNG CTR

BraggPercell SFC07/01/6907/01/70TRNG NCOTRNG CTRD

EdquidLodivino M 1LT11/13/6906/28/70TRNG OFFTRNG CTR

GritzbaughWilliam E 1LT02/01/7005/01/70CTR XOTRNG CTR

NakaharaRonald T MSG03/01/7007/19/70TM SGTTRNG CTRY

ASSIGNMENTS UNKNOWN

HarrisJames L SSG02/15/6806/01/68 YE

A Note from The Virtual Wall: According to OpOrd 4 dated 13 Dec 1965, the mission was a joint USMC/Special Forces effort which involved 11 Marines from the 1st Force Recon Co, 1 Army Special Forces sergeant, 68 indigenous troops from the Ba To Special Forces camp (Det A-106, 5th SF Grp), Two CIDG companies at Camp An Thai as a reaction force. The force was to be inserted into an area near Hill 508 in Quang Tin Province, establish a base camp, and conduct patrols in an effort to locate a regimental HQ of the 325th NVA Division. The forces departed at 0530, 14 Dec 1965, the base camp was established atop a hill at BC640329, and three recon teams began their work in the area. The teams spotted a number of armed enemy troops and located several staging and supply camps but avoided any engagements with the enemy. By 1730, 16 Dec, the recon teams had returned to the patrol base and the force began preparations to return to Ba To at 0600, 17 Dec. At about 1900 two mortar rounds landed on the north side of the hill - but that was only the beginning of a vicious mortar attack accompanied by a ground assault by 150-200 VC and NVA troops. The friendly force was unable to establish a coherent defensive perimeter and lacked sufficient manpower to both defend the portions of the hill still held and counter-attack the areas captured by the VC/NVA. When it became apparent that the hilltop could not be held, the allied force broke into small groups and withdrew into the surrounding jungle with the intent of evading back to Ba To. The withdrawing troops dribbled into the Ba To Special Forces Camp throughout 17 and 18 Dec. By the 19th there were 25 men still missing - 4 Marines, 1 Special Forces sergeant, and 20 CIDG troops. At first light on 21 Dec a force of 7 Marines, 4 Army Special Forces troops, 3 Australians, and 120 indigenous troops departed Ba To in search of the MIAs. The recovery effort was not opposed and 14 bodies were located - 4 Americans and 10 South Vietnamese. Thirteen bodies were extracted by helicopter at 1330 - but somehow the body of Army SFC Grayson West was left behind. He was recovered by a second mission on 22 Dec 1965.

In the meantime, one Marine and a number of South Vietnamese MIAs had made their way back to Ba To. Four Americans had been killed in the operation:

2nd Platoon, 1st Force Recon Company

Cpl Raymond S. Joy, Abernathy, TX

LCpl William R. Moore, Richmond, CA (Silver Star)

LCpl Ronald P. Sisson, Hulberton, NY (Silver Star)

Det A-106, 5th Special Forces Group

SFC Grayson J. West, Webster City, IA

The Flash Of The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) http://www.greenberet.net/misc/5th_flash.html

The 5th Special Forces Group was formed in 1961 of assets from the 1st and 7th Special Forces Groups. It was officially inspected by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. He was so impressed that he also officially sanctioned wear of the Green Beret for all Special Forces personnel at that gathering. The beret flash was originally all black. The white outside border was added when JFK was assassinated. The diagonal banner was added when the unit was deployed to Vietnam. These were the colors of the South Vietnamese flag.

In addition to raising, training, and advising the Montangnard Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) and numerous other indigenous units, Special Forces also conducted long range reconnaissance and provided the majority of personnel for the highly classified MACV-SOG. The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) earned seventeen Congressional Medals of Honor in Vietnam, making it the most prominently decorated unit for its size in that conflict. The Green Beret Edson Raff, one of the first Special Forces officers, is credited with introducing the green beret, which was originally unauthorized for wear by the U.S. Army. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy authorized them for use exclusively by the Special Forces. Preparing for an October 12 visit to the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the President sent word to the Center's commander, Brigadier General William P. Yarborough, for all Special Forces soldiers to wear the beret as part of the event. The President felt that since they had a special mission, Special Forces should have something to set them apart from the rest. In 1962, he called the Green Beret "a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom."

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)(RVN)

Special Forces motto: To liberate the oppressed.

From its operational base at Nha Trang, the Group deployed throughout the four military regions of South Vietnam. Its operational detachments established and manned camps at 270 different locations which trained and led indigenous forces of the civilian irregular defense groups (CIDG), as well as regular units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam. Despite being one of the smallest units engaged in the Vietnam conflict, the Group colors fly twenty campaign streamers, and its soldiers are among the most highly decorated in the history of our nation. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded, 8 posthumously. The Group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Vietnam 1966-1968, The Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Vietnam 1968; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam 1964-1969; and Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, 1st Class, Vietnam 1968-1970. Other teams and elements received numerous other unit citations including, Naval Presidential Unit Citation, valorous unit awards and numerous Vietnamese unit awards. http://www.campbell.army.mil/5thsfg.htm

BONJOUR VIETNAM -- Song and Photo Essay

http://www.visualgui.com/motion/BonjourVietnam.html

[GwenW]

I am so sorry to hear about Alex passing away! He was a wonderful, kind and helpful person. It was he and Bill Smith, from the old Prodigy BB days, that helped me fight and win Dave's claims. He was always there to help and offer a kind word. The world has lost another great man!

He will be missed!

Gwen

[Guest Vietnam Tanker]

ALEX, was yet another great asset to HADIT, as well as to any vet with a problem, he tried to help them all out. A truly remarkable man. Missed by all who knew him.

[jessejames]

ALEX, was yet another great asset to HADIT, as well as to any vet with a problem, he tried to help them all out. A truly remarkable man. Missed by all who knew him.

Alex always answered my questions via personal e-mail....I am so sorry to hear of his death. Alex was one who would tell you the truth, sometimes not what you wanted to hear, but in my opinion, this was a Veteran's FRIEND. Didn't know him personally, but I appreciated him and wish comfort for his family.

On a personal note, I met a guy in the Reception Station in 1968 Ft Campbell, he lived approx 50 miles from me, we became friends and went thru Basic at Campbell, ait at ft polk, and on to nam in same platoon in every place. we saw each other at least once a month after coming home, he was found dead in his recliner at home on a sunday afternoon in Jan of this year. He had open heart surgery at the va about 1 1/2 years ago and when i saw him 2 weeks before he died, he was doing great, said he was going back to the va the next week and they were adjusting his medicines because he was doing so good....they still had him on some blood thinners and other heart meds, don't know if va overadjusted meds or what happened...but i miss him every day, he was a true friend. for years he would not go to the va, his family told me he was having problems which i knew was ptsd...i finally got him in the va about 8 years or so ago and he was awarded 70% and TDIU for PTSD, I always thought the years of dealing with PTSD led to the heart problems, but it was is still is hard or me to drive thru the town he lived in on my way to the VA.

[Pete53]

Jesse:

Sorry for the loss of your friend. We have to face it that if you take 100 men who were born in 1943 who will be 65 this year over 1/3rd are not here anymore. Even good medicine and good docs can lose a patient.

I used to ask if my anxiety problems would cause heart troube and they laughed at me. Well I have heart problems now and I can't help but wonder.

Don't take it wrong but if I slipped away in my recliner at home with family I would much prefer it over in a Hospital. Just me I only like to be close to my family and away from people I do not know.

I will also remind you that in life there are not many you can count as a true friend. I have one and he wants to leave Texas and it distresses me.