John C. "Doc" Bahnsen Jr. (November 8, 1934 – February 21, 2024) was a United States Army brigadier general and decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.
Early years John Charles Bahnsen Jr. was born to John C. Bahnsen and Evelyn Williams in Albany, Georgia.Waycross Journal-Herald, Bahnsen Rites Held at Rochelle, March 10, 1973Peter L. Walter, Black Horse Regiment in Vietnam, 1966-1972, 1997, page 661940 United States Federal Census, entry for John C. Bahnsen, Sr. Family, accessed July 12, 2013 on November 8, 1934.U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1, entry for John C. Bahnsen, Jr., accessed July 12, 2013 His nickname, "Doc", stems from his grandfather, Dr. Peter F. Bahnsen,Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Fort Benning: 'American Warrior' to Visit; Retired Army Brig. Gen. John Charles "Doc" Bahnsen Pens Life Story, August 14, 2007 who immigrated with his parents to the United States from Denmark. In 1890, Peter became Georgia's first state veterinarian and operated a state-of-the-art dairy farm in Americus, Georgia.Youngstown Vindicator, The Tick: An Important Factor in High Cost of Living, December 3, 1912Atlanta Constitution, , July 4, 1928
The family moved to Rochelle, Georgia, in 1941, where John Charles Bahnsen's father worked as the federal soil conservationist for Wilcox County.U.S. Department of Agriculture, Directory of Organization and Field Activities of the Department of Agriculture, 1947, page 139Georgia Forestry Department, Georgia Forestry magazine, Volumes 5-13, 1952 Bahnsen attended Rochelle's public schools until tenth grade. Later, he went to live with his grandfather and aunt in Americus, Georgia,Michael J. Ross, Americus Times-Recorder, , January 31, 2007 because the high school curriculum in Americus offered more math and science courses than Rochelle's. After 18 months in Americus, he gained admission to Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama.Marion Military Institute, The Gig Line , Summer 2008, page 5 Bahnsen was then appointed to the United States Military Academy by United States Senator Walter F. George, a close political acquaintance of his grandfather Bahnsen.Telephone interview with John C. "Doc" Bahnsen, Jr. Wess Roberts. August 2, 2000.Waycross Journal-Herald, John Bahnsen, Jr. Appointed to West Point, August 27, 1951
West Point
Bahnsen began his studies at West Point in 1952. He won his numerals as a pole vaulter on the plebe track and field team. He also participated on intramural teams, including wrestling, lacrosse, swimming, football, and soccer.United States Military Academy, Annual Yearbook, 1956, page 198
As a cadet, Bahnsen met George S. Patton IV and Hank Emerson, who were then assigned to West Point as tactical officers, and they became his mentors. Bahnsen was a mediocre student, but excelled in military science and physical education courses On June 5, 1956, he graduated with a commission as an Infantry Second Lieutenant, ranking 406th out of 480 in his class.American Warrior. John C. "Doc" Bahnsen, Jr., with Wess Roberts. Citadel Press, 2007.
Early career After graduation from the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, Lieutenant Bahnsen attended Airborne School.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Fitzgerald, prior to attending Fixed Wing Flight School at Camp Gary, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama. They had four children: Jon Christian, Bradley Duncan, Leeanne, and James Fitzgerald.
Bahnsen's first troop assignment was in West Germany as an aviator in Artillery Flight, 3rd Aviation Company, 3rd Infantry Division.West Point Association of Graduates, Assembly magazine , Summer, 1958, page 86 While there he transferred to the Armor branch, which led to command of B Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment. He excelled in command, qualifying all 17 of his company's tank crews on their first run at the Tank Crew Qualification Course in Grafenwöhr, for which he received the Army Commendation Medal.
Bahnsen next attended the Rotary Wing Aviator Course at Fort Wolters, Texas, followed by the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky.U.S. Army Adjutant General, U. S. Army Register, Volume 1, 1964, page 20 He remained at the Armor School as an instructor of armored cavalry and air cavalry tactics before being assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to attend the Command and General Staff College.West Point Association of Graduates, Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy, 1989, page 606West Point Association of Graduates, Assembly magazine , Fall, 1962, page 55
Vietnam, first tour
On October 4, 1965, Bahnsen reported for duty with the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion then stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, contiguous to Saigon, and was assigned to command the 118th Aviation Company's (Thunderbirds) gunship platoon (Bandits) at Bien Hoa Air Base. Among the highlights of this assignment was a mission to support Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing for Operation Double Eagle, working out of Kỳ Hà south of Da Nang, for which he was awarded his first of five Silver Stars.
Bahnsen's brother Peter (USMA, 1958) was in Vietnam at the same time, carrying out a variety of operations for the Special Forces. Peter reportedly rode with Doc on at least one helicopter assault mission.Telephone interview with Peter Bahnsen. Wess Roberts, October 8, 2002.
Soon after returning from Operation Double Eagle, Bahnsen became operations officer for the 118th Aviation Company. Shortly afterwards, he was assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Group at Long Binh and promoted to major.
While at the 12th Aviation Group Bahnsen created a "Top Gun" competition to improve helicopter weapons marksmanship by offering prizes and bragging rights for the best scores.
During this combat tour, Bahnsen had a relationship with Thach Thi Hung, "the Dragon Lady of Bien Hoa." On his departure from Vietnam, she was pregnant. Three months after he left Vietnam, Hung was killed in an automobile accident. Her son, Minh, survived the accident and later made his way to the United States, where he met his father for the first time. Minh later lived with Doc Bahnsen for about a year before returning to his home in California to pursue a career in the film industry.Personal correspondence from John C. "Doc" Bahnsen, Jr. Wess Roberts, December 7, 2001. Minh Bahnsen has since worked on several films as an electrician and grip, including National Treasure and Thor.New York Times, , Minh Bahnsen, accessed July 12, 2013
Pentagon duty In December 1966, Bahnsen reported for duty with the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development. Assigned as a staff officer in the Army Aviation Directorate, his duties involved verifying the readiness of aviation and air cavalry units set to deploy to Vietnam. During this assignment, he enrolled in graduate courses offered by George Washington University.
In April 1968, Bahnsen was part of the Army's response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., spending a day patrolling Washington, D.C. during the post-assassination rioting.
Bahnsen re-established his relationship with Patton while they were both assigned to The Pentagon, and when Patton rotated to Vietnam to take command of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, he arranged to have Bahnsen released from staff duties early in order to take command of the regiment's Air Cavalry Troop.
Vietnam, second tour
Arriving in Vietnam on October 14, 1968, Bahnsen assumed command of a troop composed of UH-1 "slicks" (troop transport helicopters), OH-6 scout helicopters, AH-1 gunships, and an infantry aero rifle platoon (ARPs).
Bahnsen's Air Cav troop saw action daily. As an example, one of its ARPs, Specialist Fourth Class Jim Weller, was involved in 300 enemy contacts during his 13 months in Vietnam. Bahnsen frequently fought from the air in his UH-1 command and control helicopter, and often joined his troops on the ground to lead infantry operations. During this period his reputation for combat leadership and courage under fire grew to near-legendary proportions.Telephone interviews with over 200 former members of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Wess Roberts, 1999-2003.
On January 1, 1969, Bahnsen was piloting his helicopter during combat when a white phosphorus grenade exploded inside the aircraft. Crew member Rodney J. T. Yano was burned, and ammunition inside the aircraft started to detonate. Though he had lost the use of one arm and couldn't see well, he continued to throw burning and exploding munitions off the aircraft, further injuring himself. Yano died as a result, but prevented a crash and additional deaths or injuries to the crew.James W. Williams, A History of Army Aviation: From Its Beginnings to the War on Terror, 2005, page 161Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Information on Helicopter UH-1C 66-00528, July 8, 2001 He received the Medal of Honor, and Bahnsen was active in other efforts to recognize Yano, including a tank range at Fort Knox, a hangar at Fort Rucker, and a vehicle washing facility at Fort Benning.WRBL-TV, Two New Facilities to be Dedicated on Fort Benning , March 22, 2012Tillman Barrett, Above & Beyond, 2002, page 261
In January 1969 Bahnsen was involved in an action which included landing under fire to mark a landing zone, firing on the enemy with his rifle while he directed artillery fire from his low-flying command and control helicopter, evacuating his crew members after they were wounded, and leading a subsequent infantry ground attack. He received the Distinguished Service Cross.Legion of Valor, Distinguished Service Cross citation, John C. Bahnsen, Jr., accessed July 12, 2013
During his command he began a relationship with Phyllis "Fif" Shaughnessy, a civilian employee of the International Recreation Association under contract with the U.S. State Department. Bahnsen and his wife Pat were divorced at the end of his tour, and he and Fif were married.West Point Association of Graduates, Assembly magazine, Volumes 28-29, 1969, page 95
Patton was succeeded by Colonel Jimmie Leach, a battle-hardened veteran of World War II and Korea, who assigned Bahnsen to command the regiment's 1st Squadron, which included a headquarters troop with aviation section, three armored cavalry troops, a tank company, a howitzer battery, and an attached platoon of combat engineers. Squadrons are normally commanded by lieutenant colonels, and Bahnsen was the only major to command a squadron in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during the Vietnam War.Fred L. Borch III, Medals for Soldiers and Airmen: Awards and Decorations of the United States Army and Air Force, 2013, pages 39-40Christopher Helman, Forbes magazine, , September 30, 2009
Under Bahnsen's command, 1st Squadron was engaged in enemy contacts over a broad area of the III Corps Tactical Zone, the military region between Saigon and the Central Highlands, particularly the Iron Triangle, the K4 Woods, the Fishhook, and the Michelin Rubber Plantation. Elements of the squadron were often under the operational control of units in the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and 18th Division.
Bahnsen ended his second tour in Vietnam on September 8, 1969. On September 6, 1st Squadron had a major enemy contact in the Michelin Plantation, for which Bahnsen received his fifth Silver Star.Military Times, Hall of Heroes, Silver Star Citation, John C. Bahnsen, Jr., September 6, 1969
Bahnsen disagreed with the Nixon Administration's efforts to seek a negotiated peace agreement with the North Vietnamese. Bahnsen long argued that the U.S., South Vietnam and other allies were winning the war and would have achieved a military victory had the "fog of politics" not obscured the tactical success.
Post-Vietnam career