Company officers and senior NCO's of E Co 51ST INF (LRS)
PRUDEN COMPETITION PHOTOS: GERMANY
Company officers and senior NCO's of E Co 51ST INF (LRS)
Darmstadt Germany with E 51st Rangers LRS The heritage and tradition of the U. S. Army Rangers (Long Range
Patrol) is alive and well in an elite group of young men know
as Company E 51st Infantry. Our plane was met by a young 1st Lieutenant
by the name of David Painter and his beautiful and charming wife
Cory. The nick name of L.T. quickly attached and he proceeded
to take charge of our transportation and housing requirements.
Lt. Painter is 1st platoon leader and we had two of his people
as our constant escorts and drivers. L.T. insured that we had
everything we needed to make our visit one of the most memorable
events in our lives. Tom & Sharon Robison
Upon arriving at the company area just outside of Darmstadt, and
just down the road from our hotel, I couldn't help but get a nostalgic
twinge when I saw the Co. E 51st Infantry Long Range Patrol blue
and white scroll above the door of company headquarters. Captain
John Scott Nelson who enthusiastically welcomed us to Germany
met us. We were told that we would be going to the field with
the men of his command for the various events, which make up the
Pruden Competition. We sat in on a briefing session with the other
company officers and senior NCOs. An equipment check came next
and each item carried by these soldiers was displayed with an
explanation of how each piece functioned. The sophistication and
complexity of several pieces of equipment, especially their various
radios and encryption devises was remarkable. My mouth began to
water when I saw the night vision scopes each man carried. The
jungle would have been ours for the asking if we had any of these
devises on our teams.
We spent a great deal of time talking and interacting with the
men of Echo Company. We ate in their mess hall and enjoyed their
youthful enthusiasm. They treated us like royalty. We accompanied
them to the Odenwald Forest for night navigation exercises. All
members of our party including the ladies, feasted on MRE's. They
tasted better then LURP rations as far as I was concerned. But
the individual packets were too heavy to be taken to the field
with out stripping them of unneeded items. Danny, Frank and I
had an opportunity to sit down with these guys and we told how
LRRP missions were pulled in the Nam. Several came up to us later
and said how much they admired what we did in Nam and how they
wanted to follow in our foot steps.
A full dress military ball aboard a ship that sailed up the Rhine
topped off the week. Ranger units from the past, including those
from Nam, and present were honored and toasted. Danny and Larry
Pruden made sure that Bob Pruden was the focal point of the celebration.
Danny did a great job in showing the human and funny side of Bob
and Larry told what it was like growing up with his brother.
I can honestly say that I have never been treated better then
we were by Captain Nelson and the officers and men of his command.
If any members of the Association have an opportunity of going
to Germany to meet these fine young men, I would highly recommend
that they do so.
We can rest comfortably knowing that the dedication, enthusiasm,
heritage and traditions of the U.S. Army Rangers (Long Range Patrol)
are in good hands.
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Album best viewed at 800 x 600 display
Photos page 1-8 courtesy of Frank Svensson
Photos page 9 courtesy of Sandy Pruden