Combat Tracker Team Photo



	This photo of Roger Thomas Lagodzinski - 557th IPCT - 101st Abn. Div. was sent by Tom Sweetnam of L Co. Rangers - RVN 70/71. Roger was on a Mission with an L Co. Ranger Team. He stepped on a booby trap - was medivaced out. In the Phu Bai Evac, the doctors thought that they had stabilized him and didn't realize that an artery was bleeding internally. He subsequently died. He had left a note at base asking if anything happened, for his friend, George Divens (557th) to escort his body home.

	Tom Sweetnam said that the L Company Rangers had always wondered why this Dog Tracker was with them that day. There were several Tracker Teams attached to the Rangers. What the Rangers didn't know - nor did most of the Infantry line commanders - is that Tracker had been specifically trained to follow the enemy wherever they were trying to hide. In going through the old reports from 1968 on, it was tragically evident that potential of Tracker was unknown to most of the infantry. There were some special exceptions - but, most of the time, our Teams were set up for recon or "point" missions - not for the reestablishment of contact with the enemy. When some of you read this, I'd like to know your thoughts.... Anyway - a BIG Thanks to Tom Sweetnam and the L Co. Rangers!

	This photo comes from Tommy Ray Wilson who served with the 63rd IPCT in '71-'72 as a mine dog handler. It was taken in front of unit's sign at Da Nang. Tommy handled Saber/Sabre (M478). He was Saber's forth and last handler before he was turned over to the Vietnamese.

	This is also from Tommy Ray. He says pictured are "Saber, myself and my shotgun". The photo "is from Stars and Stripes, '71-'72 period when I was at Da Nang returning from a mission". Tommy also says that "I lost a good friend who was also a dog handler. His name was Santiago Escobar and he died in 1972 when we were in Bien Hoa. I am sending my information as a tribute to Saber and Santiago". Thank you Tom.