Blackhorse E-News — August 2025
Troopers Down
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Jesse Cox. Jesse came to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 1986 as a WO1 fresh out of Flight School as a newly minted Scout Pilot. He later went to OCS and after commissioning, he was assigned to 1/17th Cav, 82nd Airborne Division. He was also assigned to the 10th Mountain and as a ROTC Cadre. |
CW5 Gareth Obannon. Gareth served with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, FRG 1983 through 1986 as a Scout Pilot in D Troop, Regimental Combat Aviation Squadron and later designated N Troop, 4th Squadron, 11th ACR. The 11th ACR was Gareth's first assignment out of flight school, and he cherished his connection to the Regiment his entire life. He was a Pilot in Command, Tri-Border Pilot, and Unit Trainer, with primary duties including patrolling the East/West German Border. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and multiple other awards. For a more detailed obituary, see https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234039431/gareth_alan- o%27bannon#share_email
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James Melton. March 5, 1957 – July 30, 2025. James (Jim) Alvin Melton went to be with the Lord at the age of 68 on July 30, 2025, at 1:48 p.m. at Envive Health Care in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, with his wife Debbie by his side.
James will be laid to rest on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Dayton National Cemetery, 4400 W Third St., Dayton, OH 45428. Family and friends are welcomed to attend.
James was born on March 5, 1957, in Yuma, AZ, to James and Emma (Verrue) Melton, who preceded him in death. James graduated from Yuma Criminals High School in 1975. Upon graduation from high school, James enlisted into the United States Army, where he served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 2nd Platoon of K Troop as a tank commander from 1975 to 1979. After discharge from the Army, James taught conversational English overseas in Japan for the Institute of Asian Evangelism. Later, James went on to obtain his bachelor's degree in computer engineering and welding from LeTourneau University in Longview, TX.
James was previously married to the late Gina (Miller) Young on April 6, 1985, and they had four children together: Gennifer, James, John, and Jamie. On June 14, 2016, James married Deborah “Debbie” (Simpson) Melton, and they shared 9 years together. James’ step-children are Melissa, Shaun, Blake, and Derek.v
James grew up hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ shared by his parents, and he continued sharing the word where he was able, often leaving Bible tracts in public spaces for passersby to find. James greatly enjoyed being around others and helping people. He often volunteered his time with Habitat For Humanity, Celebrate Recovery, and other various groups.
In the beginning of 2020, James was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. With this, there was a rapid decline in James' skills and abilities, but he never lost his smile, his laugh, or his desire to be around people.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for all the prayers and care received during this difficult time.
To aid in ending Alzheimer's, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association in James' name. |
Blackhorse History Corner |
From the Falmouth (KY) Observer, September 8, 1972: |
This letter appeared in the November 24, 1967 edition of the Birmingham (AL) News. |
Nice work if you can get it. From August 1975: |
In the Spring of 1971, most of the Regiment stood down and left Vietnam, leaving 2nd Squadron (minus H Company), Air Cav Troop, a platoon of the 919th Engineer Company, and several support elements to continue fighting the war for another year. This article from the Portland Oregonian from November 2, 1971 describes some of G Troop's experiences during that year. |
In 1976, Donn Starry had just been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed as the Commanding General of U.S. Army V Corps in Germany. His previous assignment was as the CG of the U.S. Army Armor Center and School at Fort Knox. These photos are from an article in his home-state Kansas City (MO) Star newspaper on August 15, 1976. Colonel Starry was the 41st Colonel of the Blackhorse in Vietnam, 1969-1970. |
Captain Barry Hope served as the Commo Officer for 1st Squadron, 11th ACR in Vietnam in 1969-70. He brought with him considerable acting and musical talent. These articles described the “Barry (not Bob) Hope Show” put on for the First Squadron Troopers in 1969. The first article is from the January 1970 edition of the Blackhorse Newspaper in Vietnam, and the second is from the February 26 edition of the Shreveport Times in Hope's home state of Louisiana. |
In 1973, the 11th ACR was back on border patrol in Germany. This photo shows a Blackhorse Trooper and a member of a USO Show troupe that was entertaining US Forces in Germany. |
In early 1972, the 11th Cavalry cased its colors and came home from Vietnam and was deactivated. In mid-1972, after the strong urging of former Regimental Commanders Patton, Starry, and Leach, the Army reactivated the Blackhorse, assuming the V Corps border mission from the 14th ACR in Fulda (1/11), Bad Kissingen (2/11), and Bad Hersfeld (3/11). This newspaper article is from November 1972. |
A Memoir of Service in the Blackhorse in Vietnam |
Blackhorse Association Members,
My memoir, Busting Jungle, is available on Amazon and through Palmetto Publishing.
Thanks for your support.
Dave Goode |
(Please note: This is the only Blackhorse Association event for 2026 and is in lieu of a separate reunion.) |
Purpose: Wreath laying ceremony on February 1, 2026, marking 125 years of the 11th ACR
Dates: January 30 – February 1, 2026
Location:
Westin Hotel Alexandria Old Town 400 Courthouse Square Alexandria, VA 22314
Attendees: BHA members, 11th ACVVC members, 11th ACR leadership, family, friends, and distinguished guests
Location host: Bill Frobe
Registration: Registration will begin in August 2025 at our website: www.blackhorse.org/reunions.
Cost of registration (meals, events, coin, etc.) is $175. |
Hotel Reservation: Room reservations are open now and can be made through the hotel by calling 800-235-2427 and asking for the Blackhorse Association Reunion rate. We will also add the below link to our reservation webpage on the reunion website. Reservation cut-off is December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve). The room block is from January 30 – February 3, 2026. The Westin Alexandria Old Town’s rate is $169 ($196 with taxes) per night. Hotel reservation website is available here: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1748967842523&key=GRP&phoenix=true
Parking: While our recommendation is to fly to Reagan National or Dulles and catch the metro or other ground transportation to the hotel, for those choosing to drive on their own, parking at the Westin hotel is $40 per night.
Sunday Buffet selections: Salad, Flank steak, Grilled salmon, Apricot roasted pork loin, and dessert.
Schedule: The tentative schedule of events is shown below. Of note, there is time to conduct a DC tour on your own, which can be done using the Metro Blue Line to the Pentagon (metro map: https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/index.cfm), Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown, Metro Center, and the DC Mall (Museums, Capitol, Memorials, etc.). Also, the Red Route Bus tour has a DC bus tour with on and off capability starting from Union Station every day at 9:30 a.m. and buses departing every 30 minutes. (Bus tour info: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/washington-dc/red-route-washington-dc)
Transportation:
We need preferences from the attendees to help us plan transportation from the hotel to Arlington Cemetery: |
Message from Blake Leitch
Our New Veteran Services Advocate |
Blackhorse Family,
It’s an honor to be asked to serve on the board as your Veteran Services Advocate. This role isn’t just a title to me—it’s a mission.v I proudly served in the Blackhorse from 2001 to 2006, including a combat deployment to Iraq. After coming home, I found myself stuck in the same frustrating VA system so many of us have had to deal with. That experience lit a fire in me to help other veterans avoid the confusion and dead ends I ran into.
Since then, I’ve spent my career fighting for vets—first as a Veteran Service Officer for the State of Illinois, then as a Field Agent with the federal VA, and now as part of a national law firm that specializes in VA disability appeals. I currently serve as a Veterans Outreach Specialist for Parmele Disability Advocates, where we help veterans who have been denied or underrated finally get the compensation they’ve earned.
As part of the Blackhorse Association, my mission is simple: make sure no Blackhorse veteran is left behind when it comes to VA benefits.
Whether you’re filing a claim, appealing a decision, or just not sure where to start—I'm here. No red tape. No runaround. Just honest, experienced guidance from someone who’s been in the fight, both in uniform and in the claims process.
If you're a Blackhorse veteran or family member and you’ve got a VA-related question— big or small—reach out to me anytime. I mean that. This community matters to me, and I’m here to serve however I can. I can be contacted at leitch...@gmail.com.
Allons,
Blake Leitch
Veteran Services Advocate, Blackhorse Association
Veterans Outreach Specialist, Parmele Disability Advocates
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Updated Blackhorse Board Members
(Approved at the July Reunion)
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The Blackhorse Regiment: A Legacy in Song
By Bill Mahon |
(Note to Bill: If you have a recording of this, please send it to band...@aol.com for the
next E-News.) |
Verse 1:
From the birth of their banner in days of yore,
To the Philippine shores where their valor roared,
The Blackhorse Regiment forged its name,
In the crucible of conflict, they claimed their fame.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Verse 2:
Chasing Villa through Me ico’s dust,
Their relentless pursuit, a mission just,
With grit and resolve, they pressed the fight,
In the darkest of hours, they were the light.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Verse 3:
Through World War’s fury, they stormed ashore,
In Europe’s fields, they battled more,
From France to Germany, breaking the line,
Their courage and skill, forever enshrined.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Verse 4:
In Vietnam’s jungles, through rain and strife,
The 11th Cavalry risked life for life,
Cambodia’s borders, they boldly crossed,
For freedom’s cause, no matter the cost.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Verse 5:
Cold War sentinels on ermany’s plains,
Guarding the Fulda with vigilance strained,
Their watchful eyes, a shield of might,
Deterring foes in the dead of night.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Verse 6:
Desert Storm’s sands saw their return,
In mechanized fury, their engines burned,
The ulf’s fierce battles, they faced once more,
A testament to their warrior lore.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Verse 7:
Now at Irwin’s desolate, sun-baked land,
Training the troops, a seasoned hand,
The Opposing Force, they lead the way,
For the soldiers of tomorrow, they pave the day.
Chorus:
Allons! they cry, et’s go with pride,
In every endeavor, their hearts allied,
The Blackhorse Regiment stands ever tall,
A legacy of honor, inspiring all.
Outro:
So here’s to the brave of the Blackhorse lore,
Who’ve written history with deeds of yore,
From jungles green to deserts wide,
Their spirit endures, a nation’s pride.
Allons! |
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