History of the Ripcord Association
101st Airborne Division — Firebase Ripcord — Vietnam 1970

History of the
Ripcord Association

From a small newsletter in 1983 to a nationwide organization of over 700 members — the story of how Ripcord veterans found each other
Chip Collins
Chip Collins
B Company, 2/506
Founder

Chip Collins

Founder — B Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry

The Ripcord Association and its newsletter were the brainchild of Chip Collins of B Company, 2/506. After returning from Vietnam and restarting his life back in "The World," Chip found a need to talk to others who had served in the Ripcord area of operations in 1970.

Gradually, Chip began making contact with men he had served with. By 1983 he was producing a small, irregularly published newsletter in which Ripcord veterans shared their experiences during the Ripcord siege. The newsletter grew in size and distribution as more men heard about it and reached out.

By July 1985, Chip Collins was publishing the newsletter on an almost monthly basis. Bill Heath of A Company, 2/506 stepped in to assist with publishing from 1985 through 1988. Through the newsletter, Chip connected with John Mihalko of E Company, 2/506 Recon — and together they felt there was a story that needed to be told.

The First Reunion — Whippany, New Jersey — 1986

After an attempt to hold a reunion at Fort Campbell fell through, John Mihalko, Chip Collins, Chuck Hawkins, and Frank Marshall organized the first official Ripcord Association Reunion with the help of VFW Post 5351 in Whippany, New Jersey.

Thirteen veterans from the Ripcord battle attended, along with wives and girlfriends: Ray Blackman, Fred Behrens, Rick Blythe, Dick Cable, Chip Collins, Jim Fairhall, Chuck Hawkins, Bill Heath, Frank Marshall, John Mihalko, John Sherba, Tom Sheppard, and George Westervelt.

From that modest beginning, what would become an annual gathering of brothers was born.

First Ripcord Reunion 1986
First Ripcord Reunion — Whippany, NJ — 1986
1983
First Newsletter
729
Active Members
40+
Years of Reunions
A look back
Association Timeline
1983
Chip Collins begins publishing a small, irregular newsletter for Ripcord veterans. Bill Heath joins as publisher in 1985.
1986
First official Ripcord Association Reunion held at VFW Post 5351 in Whippany, New Jersey. Thirteen veterans attend. Organized by John Mihalko, Chip Collins, Chuck Hawkins, and Frank Marshall.
1987
Second reunion held at the Westpark Hotel in Rosslyn, Virginia. General Berry and General Harrison attend. The highlight is an emotional visit to The Wall — the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
1989
Ray "Blackie" Blackman assumes duties as newsletter editor. Chuck Hawkins later takes over as editor and publisher.
1994
Frank Marshall assumes duties as newsletter publisher. John Mihalko and Ray Blackman serve as Contributing Editors.
1995
Reunions resume after a gap, with a gathering in Golden, Colorado organized by John Mihalko. This marks the beginning of annual reunions that continue to this day.
1996–2003
Annual reunions held across the country: Fredericksburg, VA (1996) with a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Mobile, AL (1997); Atlantic City, NJ (1998); Savannah, GA (1999); Shreveport, LA (2000); Carlisle, PA (2001); Colorado Springs, CO (2002); Charleston, SC (2003). The "Ripcordettes" — wives of Ripcord veterans — hold their first meeting in Colorado.
2000
Keith Nolan publishes The Siege of Firebase Ripcord, the first major book about the battle, drawing on the shared memories of Association members. The Ripcord Association website launches at www.ripcordassociation.com, created and managed by Frank Marshall.
2003
Frank Marshall takes over as newsletter editor. Lee Widjeskog takes over running the reunions. The Ripcordettes and Bob and Redd Judd help make the reunions run smoothly for years to come.
2004–2010
Annual reunions continue: Des Moines, IA (2004); Indianapolis, IN (2005); Charleston, SC (2006); Springfield, MO (2007); Laughlin, NV (2008); Myrtle Beach, SC (2009); Fort Worth, TX (2010).
2010
The Ripcord Association launches a Facebook group, monitored and updated by Anthony Critchlow of HHC 2/506. The group grows to over 1,100 followers.
2013
John Daily produces Ghosts of Ripcord, a documentary featuring interviews with Ripcord veterans, which premieres in Philadelphia.
2015
The Ripcord Association becomes incorporated as a 501(c) organization. Elections are held: Peter Meloro as President, Frank Marshall as Vice President, Lee Widjeskog as Secretary/Treasurer, Bill Boles and Jim McCoy as Trustees.
2020–2021
The 50th Anniversary Reunion is cancelled both years due to COVID-19. Lee Widjeskog takes over as newsletter editor with Frank Marshall managing publishing and membership.
2022–2023
Reunions held in Springfield, Missouri. Following the passing of Lee Widjeskog, Bill Heath becomes editor of The Ripcord Report. Bill Boles assumes the Presidency and Peter Meloro takes over as Secretary/Treasurer.
2024–Present
Reunions move permanently to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Association has 729 active members, with 590 receiving the newsletter by email and 133 by postal mail. In December 2025 the website was hacked and repaired by Frank Marshall. In March 2026, with the assistance of Claude AI, the website is rebuilt and expanded.

"However, the best part of the association is remembering friends you made during the tumultuous times of FSB Ripcord and the new ones you discover at the reunions."

— From the Ripcord Association History
Ripcord Association — For Survivors, Family, and Friends of The Battle of Firebase Ripcord
101st Airborne Division · Vietnam · March 12 – July 23, 1970

www.ripcordassociation.com