Joe Barney Jenkinson. Colonel Joe Barney Jenkinson, a distinguished military leader, devoted husband, and loving father, passed away on July 16, 2024 at the age of 80. Barney was born on March 21, 1944, in Granite, Oklahoma, to Joseph Neal and Reba Ware Jenkinson. He spent his childhood in Magum, Oklahoma, where he developed a passion for sports, particularly excelling in baseball and basketball. Upon graduating from Centralvue High School in 1962, Barney pursued higher education with a basketball scholarship to P.A.M.C. in Goodwill, Oklahoma. He also showcased his athletic talents on the baseball field during his college years. He also participated in the ROTC program during college. He graduated in 1966. In 1965, Barney married Carol Yearout, beginning a partnership that spanned nearly three decades and blessed them with two children, Jeff and Jack. Barney’s dedication to his country led him to join the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1966. Throughout his illustrious 26-year military career, Joe served as both an Armor and Aviation officer, flying the AH-1 (Cobra) and AH-64 (Apache) helicopters. He proudly served in the Vietnam War as a Cobra pilot with the 11th ACR Air Cavalry Troop from 1 October 1969 to 31 October 1970. He also proudly served in Desert Storm, with the highlight of his career being the Commander of the 1/6 Cavalry Squadron. In 1997, Joe found love again and married Melanie Pattillo Slater, embarking on a new chapter of happiness and companionship. After retiring from the military, Barney transitioned into a successful second career at Lear Siegler, where he served as Vice President of Aviation Logistics until December 2009. Barney’s life was enriched by his love for Belton Lake, where he enjoyed fishing, and his passion for golf. Barney’s loving nature, integrity, and unwavering dedication to his family and country left an indelible mark on all who knew him. Joe Barney Jenkinson is survived by his devoted wife Melanie; his children Jeff Jenkinson, Jenny Slagle and Jordan Slater; grandchildren Drew, Colton, Cody, Cadence, and Maya Jenkinson; and a host of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his beloved son Jack Jenkinson, his brother Thomas, and his parents Joseph and Reba Jenkinson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Blackhorse Association in memoriam of Joe Barney Jenkinson at www.blackhorse.org. Rest in peace, Colonel Joe Barney Jenkinson. Your legacy of service, love, and dedication will forever inspire us all. |
Nicola “Nick” Spezzacatena, 81, of Palm Coast, Florida and Hoboken, New Jersey, passed away surrounded by his family on July 17, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Maureen. He leaves behind his son, Nicola Spezzacatena; his son and daughter-in-law Keith and Nancy Mezzina and beloved granddaughter Kayla Mezzina; his daughter and late son- in-law Jodi D’Amore (Mezzina) and Kenneth D’Amore and beloved grandson Damien D’Amore; his beloved sister and brother-in-law Olympia and Richard Basso and nephew Richard Basso Jr.; and his brother, Joseph Spezzacatena. Nick served in the Vietnam War with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Nick was also a life-long member of the Hoboken MC and will be greatly missed by his brothers. He worked as a crane mechanic for over 30 years at Global Container in Bayonne, NJ. Nick loved riding his motorcycle as well as spending time with family and friends. He cherished his grandchildren dearly. He will truly be missed by his beloved friends and family. Interment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, NJ. |
Robert W. “Skelly” Skellinger. Bob was born to Willard and Winnifred Skellinger on February 2, 1947 in Neptune, New Jersey. Bob would graduate from Manasquan High School, Manasquan, New Jersey in 1965, after which he would enlist into the United States Army, July 1, 1965. He served his country honorably for 21 years, 7 months, and 1 day. During his tenure in the Army, Bob attained the rank of MSG/1SG E-8 on December 30, 1982; and he attended a 4-week NCO Academy in 1972, a 4-week Reconnaissance School, and a 12-week Master Gunner Course in 1975. During Skelly’s illustrious career he served 4 tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam Defense, Vietnam Counteroffensive I, II, IV, and VII, TET Counteroffensive, Vietnam Winter-Spring Consolidation I and II, and the DA Sanctuary Counteroffensive Campaigns. He earned the Republic Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm and w/Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/” V” Device, Army Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar (6), and an Expert Pistol .45 Qualification Badge. He also received a German Army Silver Weapons Qualification Badge. SSG/SFC Skellinger served with honor in G Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR at Daily Barracks, Bad Kissingen, West Germany from August 1974 to August 1977. After retirement in 1982 while at Fort Irwin and the National Training Center serving as 1SG in OPFOR, he began his service to the Army as a civilian government contractor employee beginning with Dynalectron (DynCorp) and would be continuously employed until his heath sidelined him. He truly enjoyed this time at the NTC, especially the issuing and turning in of equipment, and processing of the training unit’s equipment because at that time he was able to mingle with his people: the Soldiers. His hobbies included gold mining, metal detecting, visiting old ghost towns/sites in the Mojave Desert, scuba diving, and enjoying a good poker game. He was an avid weapons collector as well. Robert W. Skellinger was found deceased in his home when a friend called police because he would not answer his phone or the knocks on his door for a ride to an appointment. We have all lost a profound Army veteran and remarkable man. He is sorely missed by family and friends alike. REST IN PEACE BOB, “Skelly,” “Top,” or however he was addressed by you. “UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ON THE TURF OF FIDDLER’S GREEN, WHERE ALL GOOD TROOPER GO.” The article below was written by Major M.W. McGehee U.S. Army (Ret.) in “The Eaglehorse News.” Master Gunner: SSG “Skelly” of the Blackhorse
By Major M.W. McGehee, U.S. Army (Ret.) He was a charmer to young frauleins and an entertainer to subordinates, peers and superiors with his hair-raising (if not illegal) tales of service in Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Skelly had a dark side that didn’t seem to scare off those of equal or greater rank that he worked with because he was so competent and fun to be around. I remember that gold SS ring he proudly wore, a gift from a relative who was a member of that elite and sinister force. The stories that he told of his uncle Max were something out of the movies. Skelly would take leave of the squadron occasionally for an extended weekend in the Munich area to visit Uncle Max, a former Colonel in the Waffen SS, who had commanded a tank regiment on the Eastern front. This probably influenced Skelly to become an armored cavalry trooper and made it possible for me to know and serve with this fine soldier in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), the Blackhorse. Skelly told us about how his uncle was a well to do gentleman now with a big black Mercedes driven by the Colonel’s former tank driver. He brought Skelly back from Munich one weekend and must have scared Skelly half to death with how he drove that big car as if he was still in the seat of his Tiger tank. To make matters worse, the one-time tank driver had glasses as thick as coke bottle bottoms. We heard too how the old commander still had his dress uniform, complete with SS Dagger, in his study and mounted in a glass display case. You might say we were “a law unto ourselves.” Our squadron belonged to V Corps. We were stationed out of sector’, south of the Corps living area, down amongst the VII Corps troops in Bad Kissingen. Our post, Daly Barracks, was named for a lieutenant that received the DSC in WWII. Our squadron, the 2nd Squadron of the 11th ACR, was very independent and somewhat isolated. Our primary peacetime mission was 24-7-365 surveillance of the German-German border and because of that we each spent 90-120 days annually on border duty at Camp Wollbach/Camp Lee. Skelly loved to lead the two-jeep patrol, what we called the U.S. Patrol, along the border trace. Like me, he also enjoyed the combined US-German patrols where we were invited, as German speakers, to ride along with various police, customs, and German Border Guards units. I had recently changed jobs in the summer of 1976. I had the great luck to be a Cavalry Platoon Leader in F Troop, lead a composite group of volunteers through French Commando School Number 4 in Breisach, West Germany, and was Squadron Border Officer until shortly after the new commander arrived. Now I was Skelly’s Troop Executive Officer, the second in command, in G Troop. I can’t mention Skelly without telling about how he preferred to carry an M3A1 (a.k.a. Grease Gun) submachine gun on patrol. He was the only one that we allowed to carry loaded magazines since we privately knew he was right to do so and he probably would do it anyway. I allowed him to carry my replica MP 40 Schmeisser Machine Pistol (MP) on patrol once, just to see if we could get a reaction from the East German Border Guards. Skelly was a real character, good with his troopers and respected by all that served with him. Later in the fall of 1976, as troop Master Gunner, he fired as our Top Gun at annual gunnery, putting round after round of 152 mm on target. I wonder if he ever moved to Munich and whatever happened to that gold SS ring? |
David Earl Strange, 82, of Anderson, South Carolina, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at his home. Born August 30, 1941, in Evansville, Indiana, he was the son of the late Thomas Howard Strange and Bessie Mae Taylor Strange. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Thomas Strange, Robert Strange, and Buster Strange. He was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served his country. He was the First Sergeant, Delta Company, 1st Squadron, 11th ACR from 1979 to 1983. He also served the residents of Volusia County as a Deputy Sheriff for thirty-five years. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching heavy weight boxing, motorcycles, and camping. He is survived by his wife, Mary Strange of Anderson, SC; his son, Charles Strange; his daughter, Cindy Simmons; and a brother, Jerry Strange. His final resting place will be at M. J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wreaths Across America. |
Hall of Fame Ceremony for Fallen Trooper |
East Tennessee State University’s Army ROTC Program will conduct a Hall of Fame ceremony on October 3, 2024 in Johnson City, Tennessee. First Lieutenant Daniel Mullins, a former Blackhorse Trooper, will be inducted into its Hall of Fame. Lieutenant Mullins died on August 31, 1967, in Vietnam, while assigned to K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The Blackhorse Association and East Tennessee State University are seeking any of our members who are interested in attending the Hall of Fame ceremony. Your presence will add to the ceremony and its goal to honor Lieutenant Mullins. In addition, if you know any of 1LT Mullins’ family members, that information would be helpful to us. The ceremony will be 2 – 4 p.m. on October 3.; 1:30 p.m. is the requested arrival time. The location is the Carnegie Hotel, 1216 West State Of Franklin Road, Johnson City, TN 37604. If you have any questions or for more information on the ceremony, please contact 1LT Christopher Owens at OWENSC3@mail.etsu.edu or 302-265-5716. To view Lieutenant Mullins’ memorial on the Blackhorse Association’s website, please go to this link: Mullins, Daniel Lee – The Blackhorse Memorial: https://memorial.blackhorse.org/mullins-daniel-lee/ |
Blackhorse History Corner |
From 1957 to 1964, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment served on the West German-Czechoslovak border. The attached photo tells the story of the establishment of the Blackhorse Order of the Silver Spur in 1961. |
In 1912, the 11th Cavalry was stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia (just across the state line from Chattanooga, TN). This article appeared in the April 7, 1912 edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
From 1954 to 1957, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment was stationed at Fort Knox, KY. These four photos document that service. #1: Drum & Bugle Corps — 1955
#2: 3rd Battalion as aggressors in “Operation Follow Me” — 1955
#3: New Army ranks — 1954
#4: Two Blackhorse NCOs and their wives — 1956 |
The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment deployed to Vietnam in September 1966. Barely two months later, the enemy got its first taste of the armored power of the Blackhorse. On 21 November 1966, Lieutenant Neil Keltner led his platoon of C Troop to victory against overwhelming odds during a convoy ambush. This article describes his action leading to the award of the first Distinguished Service Cross to a Blackhorse Trooper in Vietnam. Twenty-Nine other DSCs were awarded during the Regiment’s 5 ½ years at war in Vietnam and Cambodia. |
Blackhorse Scholarship Awardees |
The Blackhorse Association is proud to announce the recipients of our 2024–2025 scholarships. These fourteen highly qualified students are recipients of ten named Blackhorse Association scholarships and four Blackhorse Association scholarships. Congratulations to these students in the upcoming college year! Named Blackhorse Association Scholarships:
Sarah Mahoney — Patton Scholarship
Caroline Nix — CSM Robert McCord Scholarship
Anna Turlington — Cold Steel Scholarship
Liezel LaBounty — James Benefield Scholarship
Charles Kimbrough — BG John Sherman Crow Scholarship
Gabriel Sorensen — OIF Remembrance Scholarship
Madison Moseley — Rondo and Lorraine Jackson Scholarship
Everette Mack — Snodgrass Ironhorse Commanders
Don Blanton III — Workhorse Scholarship Fund
Ethan Owings — BG “Doc” Bahnsen Scholarship Blackhorse Association Scholarships:
Ashlyn Allaire
Margaret Cavanaugh
Natalie Lingow |
From our Friends at Point Alpha |
Report From Recent Visitor to Point Alpha |
My name is Thomas Anthony Garza from Houston, Texas, and I recently had the pleasure to visit O.P. Alpha border museums on August 13, 2024 outside Fulda, Germany. I found it to be presented in a very classy and inviting setting for the visitors. The amount of interest in our history was very high to my surprise. Upon my arrival I saw a bus filled with high school aged students from different countries with a translators present among other guests; all had the same fascination in the struggle that existed along these divided ideologies. I proudly wore my Blackhorse attire, and when visitors took notice, they wanted to talk with me and even asked for pictures with me. They made me feel so special and proud for the sacrifices we were prepared to make as a Blackhorse solider. I also was interviewed by Johannes Schneider (Research Assistant) and a cohort for over an hour in the House on the Border Museum, and it was clear they take the history and my first-person experience very seriously! I was treated in such a manner I have never experienced and hard to put into words the gratitude and honor I felt when I spoke with their team. The whole experience was held with high regard for the sacrifices the Blackhorse soldiers were prepared to administer. I want to point out that the Blackhorse Association monetary support is well invested in our rich history and should continue, if not increased. I hope to see a reunion or a gathering of us Blackhorse soldiers at the border in the future. I know other members would love to see how commendable our efforts were. Allons, Thomas Anthony Garza
Blackhorse 1974-1975 |
Point India also has a website. |
This is a follow up to a short piece that appeared in the March 2023 E-News. |
Backdrop On April 2, 1980, U.S. Army Lieutenant J.R. Mott Jr. lost a presentation saber while enroute from Germany to the United States. 43 years later, he received a phone call that the saber had been found. This is the story of how an Air Force Sergeant found the saber and, for 43 years, tried to return it to its owner. Lt J.R. Mott Jr.’s story It was 2 April 1980. I was returning to the United States from Germany after a three- year assignment with the Army’s 11th Armored Calvary Regiment (ACR). I was with the 1st Squadron, 11th ACR, patrolling the East-West German border in Fulda. We were the “Blackhorse” Regiment and Fulda was the hot spot in Europe between the NATO and USSR forces. The night before I left Germany, my squadron held a Farewell Ceremony and presented me an engraved cavalry saber. Unfortunately, my household goods had already been shipped, so I had to carry it with my carry-on baggage to the airport. I was flying on a military aircraft out of Rhein-Main Air Base, Frankfurt, which was the main American terminal in West Germany. When I got to my aircraft, a crew member approached me to say I had to surrender my “weapon”. Since I wanted to get on the plane and fly home, I didn’t fuss. The flight to the states took around 8 hours and landed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. Once on the ground, I disembarked then stood by the aircraft waiting for the crew member to show up with the saber. Soon, there was no crew and no saber. I went to the terminal, no saber there either. I contacted the Air Force Wing Headquarters to no avail. At that point, I assumed the saber was lost or stolen. Sergeant Ledogar’s story In 1980, Sergeant Mike Ledogar, U.S. Air Force, was assigned to Ramp Services at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. His team’s mission was to download incoming military aircraft, many with cargo coming from our forces in Germany. It was the height of the Cold War in Europe and air traffic to and from Germany was heavy. On 2 April, Mike’s team was sent to download cargo from a C141 Star lifter. It was his last week of service with the Air Force before his enlistment was up. Normally when an aircraft parks on the ramp, fleet services goes to the aircraft first, then ramp services enter to download any cargo, or special handling services. Unless there is sensitive cargo on board, the download is put on a task list for Ramp Services. While Mike’s crew was downloading the aircraft, he noticed a Saber hidden behind what are the drop-down troop seats. After the download was complete, he took the Saber that was engraved with the name “Lieutenant John R Mott Jr. and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR)”. He rushed to the passenger (PAX) terminal hoping to locate its rightful owner. According to Mike, The PAX Terminal Manager told him all passengers were gone. According to Mike, the manager told him “if I wanted to, I could leave the Saber at the lost and found services in the terminal.” He chose not to do this but instead chose to locate the Lieutenant himself. Because this was a time before computers and the Internet, he tried to locate the Lieutenant by telephone directory, to no avail. I came home with the Saber and started my life building a new house on my property and starting a family with my wife. The Saber was now a distant memory in my closet. Time went by and it was now into the mid-1990s, I was donating my time to the Killingly Historical Society assisting my father setting up computers for the society. One year, we were setting up a display of military memorabilia for Veterans Day. I brought in the Saber and asked my father to help me find its rightful owner. The Internet on the computers at that time was slow and unreliable, so we were unable to find John R. Mott Jr. At some point in 2015, I was researching the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment on my computer at home. I came to find that the 1/11th was an armored cavalry squadron. I tried to locate the owner, John R Mott Jr. on that site, to no avail. I met a young man recently returned from Afghanistan who was in the active army and asked him to help me find the owner to the Saber. His name was Norbert Barowski He was recently employed at my company, Whitcraft Aerospace LLC, where I worked. Norbert did not have much luck and returned the Saber to me. My son-in-law Nathan Turner, who was on active duty in Iraq, had also worked with me at Whitcraft. I asked him to help me find the rightful owner of the Saber. Nathan is now in the Army National Guard following his active-duty time. My daughter, Stephanie, who was married to Nate, is very computer savvy to say the least. She is my third daughter and was followed by my last child, Michael junior. When Stephanie was young, I always told her she could be whatever she wanted to be and that she was my diamond in the rough. Stephanie is a lot like her father, and she follows through on anything she gets involved in. She has surprised me and impressed me time and time again in the past. It is no surprise to me that she actually tracked down John R Mott Jr. Stephanie’s story Stephanie posted a message on Facebook with pictures of the saber, Lt Mott’s name, and his military unit, the 1/11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. She then sat back and waited. She didn’t have to wait long. LTC Howard Lund (U.S. Army, Ret.) — his story On February 2, 2023, I was reviewing Facebook pages, mostly associated with 11th ACR veterans. There was a post from a new participant, asking if anyone knew a “John Mott” as their family has had his 1/11th ACR saber since 1980 and desired to reunite it with its owner. I contacted Stephanie, who had posted the information on Facebook. She is the daughter of the Air Force veteran who had recovered the saber from a USAF passenger jet back in 1980. I informed her that I am in contact with John Mott and would be glad to pass on her contact information to him. She told me said she tried several means to get his information. She had even contacted the regiment, now stationed at Fort Irwin, California with no luck. Other avenues produced the same results, so she found an 11th ACR Facebook page and posted the message that got results. My next step was to contact “J.R.” (his military nickname). I contacted him by phone and gave all the details. He was shocked. He hadn’t seen the saber for over 40 years. Fortunately, we were best of friends for years in the military, and have kept in touch. By February 6, I was informed the family had made contact with J.R. and shipping coordination had begun. On March 1, the family had sent the saber to its owner. I talked with the Mike Ledogar about how he found the saber in the cargo hold of the aircraft and instead of taking it to Lost and Found, where he knew it could be taken, he kept it. He kept it in great shape, and tried to find Lt. Mott, with no luck for over 40 years. Mike’s Ledogar’s story (continued) It has taken me 43 years to return this Saber to its rightful owner. I couldn’t have done it without Stephanie. I was overjoyed when I heard the news and received a call from Virginia. I feel great that the Saber is now in the hands of its rightful owner. I just wish I could have returned it sooner. Lieutenant Colonel J.R. Mott (U.S. Army, ret.) and his salute to Sergeant Mike Ledogar (USAF, honorably discharged, 1980) I want to thank Mike Ledogar for his devotion to doing a tremendously honorable and caring task. The saber became a symbol to his family of devotion to doing the right thing. He passed this virtue on to his children who continued the quest to find its owner. They made the quest part of his families’ heritage. There is not enough to be said or done in recognizing the integrity of such an individual. This story is my initial attempt at recognizing Mike. There will be much more attention paid by the veterans of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the future. Thank you Sergeant Ledogar. |
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