Nick and I were very friendly while at PMC. In 1969 I met Nick at FT Stewart GA. where we were attending fixed wing aviation school. He had graduated from Quatermaster School and was selected for flight school. While at PMC Nick had obtained his private pilots license and was working on his commercial license. Anyway we met and came for Thankingsgiving dinner with Elaine and me. Did not here from him until late 1972. We had both just come off active duty and met at the placement office. He had moved back to Culpmont Pa as I recall. Anyway, we kept in touch for a number of months and he stayed briefly at our home in 1973 after which we again lost touch. Somehow I heard he had gotten a job with an airplane manufucturer selling busness aircraft DC area but I never could confirm it.
Nick served in Vietnam and was the personal pilot for John Paul Vann, a high ranking civilian working for several US agencies in Vietnam. He flew Beechcraft Queen and King Airs. I remember he was thankful for coming back alive as his plane and the pilot that replaced him crashed within days after he left killing all on board.
Rick...thanks for posting. Interesting how we learn more about our classmates after they have passed. I did not know that both you and Nick were Army pilots. I also went through fixed wing flight training at Ft. Stewart but about a year after you and Nick. I had to first serve a tour as a "grunt" with the 3rd Bde of the 82nd in Vietnam before I could go to flight school so I did not start flight school until Feb 1970, after you had departed Ft. Stewart. I ended up flying a bunch of different aircraft through the years including C-12 (King Air), C-45, U10, UH-1, OH-58, AH-1 (Cobra) and UH-60. I recall talking about flying with Nick when we were in school and as I recall his father owned a small plane, a Piper Cherokee I believe. Looking forward to seeing you again, hopefully at both our mini-reunion next year in Gettysburg and well as our class reunion the follwoing year.
It is really nice to hear about these stories. Though I was not real close to Kuzo I did have a friendly awareness and interactions with Nick in classroom, barracks, cadet life and social environments and remember him as a nice person and up standing cadet. I pray that he is in peace with our heavenly father.
Nick is now among the clouds amidst the eagles. Alas, gone forever is our chance to again hear an announcement at the evening meal "Cadets Kuzo and Gallatin report to the commandants office." Nick, Rest In Peace...
Nick was my friend and classmate at PMC and high school. In high school he played football and we were on the wrestling team. Nick was intelligent, athletic, and fun. He enjoyed practical jokes. Our senior year I helped him get rid of the demerit and tour records. Unfortunately, that was not until after I marched my tours! He stayed in my apartment (1972-73?) in Lawrence MA when he was trying to sell Beech aircraft to local businesses. I believe he was living in Texas at the time. Later he worked in sales for Airbus. Then, as happens, over the years we lost touch. Nick was a good guy. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. May he Rest In Peace.
Jim Love
Rest in Peace!
Richard E. Borton
Nick and I were very friendly while at PMC. In 1969 I met Nick at FT Stewart GA. where we were attending fixed wing aviation school. He had graduated from Quatermaster School and was selected for flight school. While at PMC Nick had obtained his private pilots license and was working on his commercial license. Anyway we met and came for Thankingsgiving dinner with Elaine and me. Did not here from him until late 1972. We had both just come off active duty and met at the placement office. He had moved back to Culpmont Pa as I recall. Anyway, we kept in touch for a number of months and he stayed briefly at our home in 1973 after which we again lost touch. Somehow I heard he had gotten a job with an airplane manufucturer selling busness aircraft DC area but I never could confirm it.
Nick served in Vietnam and was the personal pilot for John Paul Vann, a high ranking civilian working for several US agencies in Vietnam. He flew Beechcraft Queen and King Airs. I remember he was thankful for coming back alive as his plane and the pilot that replaced him crashed within days after he left killing all on board.
Kenneth W. Byerly
Great story Rick! Didn't know he was a pilot...interesting. Thanks.
Stephan A. Raho, III
Rick...thanks for posting. Interesting how we learn more about our classmates after they have passed. I did not know that both you and Nick were Army pilots. I also went through fixed wing flight training at Ft. Stewart but about a year after you and Nick. I had to first serve a tour as a "grunt" with the 3rd Bde of the 82nd in Vietnam before I could go to flight school so I did not start flight school until Feb 1970, after you had departed Ft. Stewart. I ended up flying a bunch of different aircraft through the years including C-12 (King Air), C-45, U10, UH-1, OH-58, AH-1 (Cobra) and UH-60. I recall talking about flying with Nick when we were in school and as I recall his father owned a small plane, a Piper Cherokee I believe. Looking forward to seeing you again, hopefully at both our mini-reunion next year in Gettysburg and well as our class reunion the follwoing year.
Steve
Samuel (Bill) Lewis
It is really nice to hear about these stories. Though I was not real close to Kuzo I did have a friendly awareness and interactions with Nick in classroom, barracks, cadet life and social environments and remember him as a nice person and up standing cadet. I pray that he is in peace with our heavenly father.
John Peterson
Nick is now among the clouds amidst the eagles. Alas, gone forever is our chance to again hear an announcement at the evening meal "Cadets Kuzo and Gallatin report to the commandants office." Nick, Rest In Peace...
Richard E. Remash
Nick was my friend and classmate at PMC and high school. In high school he played football and we were on the wrestling team. Nick was intelligent, athletic, and fun. He enjoyed practical jokes. Our senior year I helped him get rid of the demerit and tour records. Unfortunately, that was not until after I marched my tours! He stayed in my apartment (1972-73?) in Lawrence MA when he was trying to sell Beech aircraft to local businesses. I believe he was living in Texas at the time. Later he worked in sales for Airbus. Then, as happens, over the years we lost touch. Nick was a good guy. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. May he Rest In Peace.