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SGT Thomas H. Alston

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SGT Thomas H. Alston Veteran

Birth
New York, USA
Death
7 Oct 1983 (aged 34)
New York, USA
Burial
Calverton, Suffolk County, New York, USA Add to Map
Plot
10, 0, 6308
Memorial ID
View Source
Sources:

Recon Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division

Many thanks to GLENN for the photograph of the headstone for Thomas.

Served with:
GEN Fred Keith Mahaffey Battalion Commander, Command and Control
Jon Jay Coddington
Marvin J Covington
Martin Rudy Duran Jr
Wesley Earl Fowler
William David Gouger Jr
Leo Mons
Ronald S. Muhlbaier
David Judson Needhan
Edgar Sanchez
Willie Allen Stallings, CO, Co E, 2nd Bn, 60th Inf

2/60th Website http://recon2-60.4t.com/

Recon Platoon
Members of the 1968-1969 version of this platoon were for the most part handpicked by then Platoon Sergeant SFC Mark Brockway and then Battalion Commander LTC Fred Keith Mahaffey who envisioned this platoon as a "super infantry platoon". The platoon initiated contact with the enemy and when the enemy responded, they then were engaged by this platoon while Command and Control above (Mahaffey) delivered a devastating airmobile insertion of combat troops, artillery fire, air cavalry UH-1 helicopter gunships and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. The use of this unit was unique and highly effective and it was a elite and highly decorated platoon. The execution of this order of battle was so precise that the result was over 90 percent of the 2d Battalion 60th Infantry engagements were over within 10 to 30 minutes as a result of the speed of the operation and the aggressive attitude of the troops. This platoon did not wear steel pots or flak jackets. They wore soft hats, in most cases camaflouge berets, and normally would be carrying 25-30 magazines of 5.56mm ammo per man, frag grenades, smoke grenades, concussion grenades, hand flares, star cluster flares, atleast two 40mm grenade launchers, M60 machine gun, Light Anti-Tank Weapon(LAW), CS gas grenades and at least three radios. Sometimes they had room to carry food. For the most part they traveled light and fast. Upon arrival of support troops, the Recon Platoon continued to engage the enemy and apply pressure as the piling on took place, providing precise coordinates for the attack helicopters, helicopter gunships and artillery fire. Doing so, they were able to avoid considerable losses due to "friendly fire".

LTC Mahaffey later became one of the youngest 4 Star Generals in the modern history of the US Army.

Awards
Awarded
Army Commendation Medal w/V device

Military Information: SGT, US ARMY
Sources:

Recon Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division

Many thanks to GLENN for the photograph of the headstone for Thomas.

Served with:
GEN Fred Keith Mahaffey Battalion Commander, Command and Control
Jon Jay Coddington
Marvin J Covington
Martin Rudy Duran Jr
Wesley Earl Fowler
William David Gouger Jr
Leo Mons
Ronald S. Muhlbaier
David Judson Needhan
Edgar Sanchez
Willie Allen Stallings, CO, Co E, 2nd Bn, 60th Inf

2/60th Website http://recon2-60.4t.com/

Recon Platoon
Members of the 1968-1969 version of this platoon were for the most part handpicked by then Platoon Sergeant SFC Mark Brockway and then Battalion Commander LTC Fred Keith Mahaffey who envisioned this platoon as a "super infantry platoon". The platoon initiated contact with the enemy and when the enemy responded, they then were engaged by this platoon while Command and Control above (Mahaffey) delivered a devastating airmobile insertion of combat troops, artillery fire, air cavalry UH-1 helicopter gunships and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. The use of this unit was unique and highly effective and it was a elite and highly decorated platoon. The execution of this order of battle was so precise that the result was over 90 percent of the 2d Battalion 60th Infantry engagements were over within 10 to 30 minutes as a result of the speed of the operation and the aggressive attitude of the troops. This platoon did not wear steel pots or flak jackets. They wore soft hats, in most cases camaflouge berets, and normally would be carrying 25-30 magazines of 5.56mm ammo per man, frag grenades, smoke grenades, concussion grenades, hand flares, star cluster flares, atleast two 40mm grenade launchers, M60 machine gun, Light Anti-Tank Weapon(LAW), CS gas grenades and at least three radios. Sometimes they had room to carry food. For the most part they traveled light and fast. Upon arrival of support troops, the Recon Platoon continued to engage the enemy and apply pressure as the piling on took place, providing precise coordinates for the attack helicopters, helicopter gunships and artillery fire. Doing so, they were able to avoid considerable losses due to "friendly fire".

LTC Mahaffey later became one of the youngest 4 Star Generals in the modern history of the US Army.

Awards
Awarded
Army Commendation Medal w/V device

Military Information: SGT, US ARMY

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