Courtesy of Don Snedeker

Blackhorse Soldier Improvisation

In 1916, there was no such thing as the Internet. The U.S. Postal Service was the only means of telling Mom and Dad you were still alive. On horseback in the middle of the arid Mexican desert, sometimes a Blackhorse Trooper had to improvise.

**********

Lawrence Nolte graduated from Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) in 1927 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Cavalry Reserve. He did several tours of duty with the 11th Cavalry Regiment, then stationed at the Presidio of Monterey, California. In the Depression-era Army, the Regiment had but two Squadrons, each with just two Troops. Each Troop had only two officers. As the junior officer (and a non-Regular Army officer as well) in his Troop, he inevitably got, in his words “all the details that everyone else wanted to avoid. ” That included stable call. The excerpt below is from a letter Colonel (US Cavalry, Retired) Nolte wrote to the Regimental Historian in 1988, describing an incident from one of his summer rotations with the Blackhorse.

On May 17, 1972, the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment furled its colors in Germany, replaced by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Colonel Egbert Clark holds the distinction of being both a Colonel of the Suivez Moi and of the Blackhorse Regiments.

**********

Al Brumby was the Support Platoon Leader in HHT, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR in Vietnam.

Read the full story here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7297737/2026/05/22/al-bumbry-memorial-day-orioles-blue-jays-sliders/?source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.klA.ELRv.Uo_iwjNyX76e

Nicholas “Nick” John Birkle, 77, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026. He was born in Oshkosh on December 6, 1948, to Wilbert and Caroline (Wagner) Birkle. He attended St. Clemens Catholic Grade School and graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1967.

After attending a semester at UW-Oshkosh, he enlisted in the Army where he was trained to pilot Cobra helicopters. He was assigned to the Eleventh Armored Cavalry Regiment and spent a year overseas in Vietnam as a Cobra pilot.

Shortly after being discharged, Nick married Mary Lutzke on July 21, 1973. They moved to Madison where Nick attended barber school at Madison Area Technical College. After living in Wisconsin Rapids and receiving his Master Barber license, they moved to Saint Nazianz where he opened a barber shop, HeadWest.

Nick was an active member of the community and served as a Village Trustee and Lions Club member for many years. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 477.

Together they raised two daughters, Rebecca and Vanessa. It was quite the adventure.

Nick enjoyed cooking and baking and would make large meals for the extended family. He also was an avid reader. He wanted to express his appreciation for his many customers who also became friends during the 45 years that Nick operated HeadWest Barber Shop.

Nick is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Rebecca (Timothy) Keller and Vanessa Birkle; granddaughters Hazel and Luella Keller, Vivian (Birkle) Hanson; brother Timothy (Joanne) Birkle; sisters-in-law Linda Birkle, Emmy Lou Birkle, Diane (Paul) Krush, Renee (Mike) Gnadt; brother-in-law Wayne Lutzke; as well as many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Caroline Birkle; brothers Michael, Patrick, Thomas, Daniel and William; in-laws Melvin and Georgene Lutzke; sister-in-law Yvonne Lutzke; and brother-in-law Steven Lutzke.

The family would like to thank the caregivers of Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for all their help. A gathering in remembrance will be announced at a later date.

**********

Arren Michael “Mickey” King, age 76 and a resident of Franklinton, Louisiana, went to his Heavenly home early Sunday morning, April 19, 2026. He was born June 2, 1949, in Yukon, Missouri, in the home of his paternal grandparents. He was a 1967 graduate of Central Lafourche High School in Mathews, Louisiana. In September 1970, Mickey was drafted by the United States Army. After completing basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he was sent to school to learn flight dispatcher (helicopters) procedures. Following completion of his specialized training, Mickey began deployment to the Vietnam Conflict. He was a proud member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, serving as a radio dispatcher of helicopters and other duties as needed. He returned to the USA in April 1974. Following his military service, Mickey completed a two-year drilling fluids course at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. This was the beginning of his lifelong career in oil field work, rising all the way through the ranks from roughneck to drilling fluids engineer before retiring in 2015. Mickey adored his family and, through the years, nothing brought him greater joy than watching his children and grandchildren play the sports they loved.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Warren Mack King and Patrick Michael King; parents Charles Mack King and Nancy Isabel Miller King; father-in-law and mother-in-law John Alfred Edwards and Ruby Lee Sullivan Edwards; brothers-in-law John “Butch” Edwards and Gregory “Rusty” Edwards; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth “Bruce” and Violonia Edwards; special nephew Jack Todd Edwards; and other family members.

To plant trees in Mickey’s memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Do you have items of interest that are related to the Blackhorse? Please send them to Clint Ancker, Director of Communications, at banditsix@aol.com.