Our B-2/501st COMMANDING OFFICERS

 

 

The Commanding Officer (CO), a captain, is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law. In this respect, commanding officers have significant responsibilities, duties and powers.

Usually there are more officers than command positions available, and time spent in command is generally a key aspect of promotion, so the role of commanding officer is highly valued, and in theory only goes to the best officers. The commanding officer is often assisted by an Executive Officer (XO) or second-in-command, who handles personnel and day-to-day matters and a senior enlisted advisor. Larger units may also have staff officers of various responsibilities.

Commanding officers were generally in their 20’s and served 6 month commands during the Vietnam War.

Below is a list of the commanding officers who served with the B-2/501st Infantry (101st ABN Div). If you were one of our CO’s and you don’t see your name listed or you know of a B-2/501st CO not listed here, please contact the webmaster. Please also contact the webmaster  with your remembrances or interesting facts of these men.

 

Cpt Jimmie H Nickels

Our 1st CO in Dec 67 to sometime in 68, Cpt Nickels first served in RVN in 1965-66 with C-1/8th Cav (ABN) as ILT (XO). Cpt Nickels retired as Major. He passed away 25 Feb 2001.

 

 

Cpt Myron Rice

 

 

Cpt James Hallums

Came to B Co after serving as A Co 2-501 XO and HHC 2-501 Company Commander. Cpt Hallums was in command of B Co Sep – Dec 1968. After 31 of years of service in the Infantry, Cpt Hallums retired as a Colonel in 1997. This is a photo of General Melvin Zais, 101st Division Commander, talking to Cpt Hallums and B Co soldiers prior to an operation.

 

 

Lt Pierce T Graney

 

 

 Cpt Kurt Walter Franzinger, Jr

L-R: Cpt
Franzinger, Ed Wick his RTO (69) and Dan Albrecht (69-70)
Photo courtesy of Ed Wick

Photo was taken shortly before Cpt Franzinger was KIA on 12 Jun 1969.

 

 Cpt Larry Jackson

Served first VN tour with 1st Bn -327 INF, 1st Brigade (1967-68). Second tour with B/2-501 (Jun 69-Nov 69) and completed tour Jun 70 with 2d Bde HQ. Cpt Jackson retired in 1992 as a Colonel.

 

 

Cpt Richard P Dexter

Photo courtesy of Bob Worrall (69-70)

CO with B Co Nov 1969 until mid Mar 1970

 

 

Cpt Robert Stanton

CO with B Co Mar to Jul 1970

 

 

Cpt Frank Bass

CO with B Co Jul to Sep 1970

 

 

Cpt-Joseph-E-Suazo

CO with B Co Sep 70 to Dec 70

 

 

 Cpt Andrew J O’Brien

CO with B Co Dec 70 to Feb 71

 

 

Cpt-Carl-Lagle

CO with B Co from Feb 1971 to Apr 1971

 

 

The idea of this page was suggested by Arlyn “BJ” Bjerke (70-71)