Category: Southern Route mid-month newletter

Southern Route Spotlight

Allow me to introduce Dustin “Leatherneck” Taylor

Dustin is the Southern Route Lead Chaplain. Dustin’s responsibilities reach well beyond what one might think falls under the heading of Chaplain. The Chaplain Corps consists of about 30 individuals. They are there for the spiritual and emotional support of all our riders but also engage in a wide variety of responsibilities, ALL in support of our riders. Dustin maintains responsibility for each of the Chase Vehicles. The Chase Vehicles follow the pack and are there for any rider experiencing mechanical issues during the day.   Chaplains on motorcycles are alerted to riders on the shoulder of the road, and they assist the rider in loading their bike on the trailer. Transport is then provided to the next possible service location. If you’ve ever experienced a breakdown on the road, you understand why this is such an important service, provided through the support of Mission M25. His responsibilities don’t end there. Consider the Hydration Trailer providing drinks and snacks at each stop. The trailer is manned by members of his team and they work extremely hard to support our riders with all the donated supplies. Consider all the hard work our Chaplain Corps provides along the Run and give them a “Thank You” whenever you see them.

On a personal note, Dustin presents a large, perhaps even intimidating persona to those who have never met him. I can assure you his disarming smile and open heart make him the perfect person to lead this incredible group of Run For The Wall participant/supporters. Take a moment to say hello to Dustin, or any of his Chaplain Corps. They are always there for us.

Here are a few words from Dustin about Run For The Wall;

“My name is Dustin Taylor, road name “Leatherneck.” My FNG year was 2015. After a friend recommended it as a bucket-list item, I planned to do it just once, but after the first couple of days on the road, I was completely hooked. The following year, my faith led me to join Mission M25—a non-denominational Christian organization that has supported Run For The Wall for over 20 years—and serve with the Chaplain Corps. The mission and the deep camaraderie we build year after year are what keep me coming back.
As Senior Chaplain, I assemble and lead a dedicated support team. Our Missing Man Chaplains support those riding Missing Man, while our Platoon Chaplains offer moral and spiritual encouragement to all riders. The Chase Team handles broken-down bikes, assists with illnesses, and manages accidents, while the Hydration Team distributes snacks, drinks, and cooling ties at fuel stops ahead of the pack. What I love most about the Run is twofold: reconnecting with the friends and family I’ve made since 2015 while accomplishing this great mission, and participating in the outreach to families to assure them their loved ones are never forgotten—a connection that has personally changed my life.”

Captain Joseph Samuel Pirruccello, USAF

MIA 09/16/1966 – Laos

A graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Captain Joseph S. Pirruccello was a Spad pilot in Vietnam.  On December 8, 1968, he was sent out on a mission near Muong Song in Sam Nuea Province, Laos.  During the flight, his A-1E aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed.  No parachutes were seen and no beeper signals were received. It was not believed at the time that Pirruccello survived.  He was listed as killed, body not recovered (KIA/BNR), but there was ample evidence that the enemy could give more information about his fate.

Throughout the rest of the war, families of the men missing in Laos were assured that “every effort” was being made to find them and return them home.  Unlike POWs in Vietnam, men whom the Pathet Lao held captive were not allowed to write letters home.  They were closely guarded and only a handful were known to the U.S. by name.

Ironically, Sam Nuea Province, where Pirruccello’s aircraft went down was the location of a huge cave complex where many Americans were known to be held, out of sight from aircraft searching overhead.  The caves were huge, and extensive. There was reportedly even a bakery exclusively for Americans to relieve them of a constant rice diet.

When the war ended, and 591 Americans were released from Hanoi in 1973, military officials were dismayed that hundreds of known or suspected to be held prisoner were not released.  There were nearly 600 Americans lost in Laos, only nine Americans held by the Lao were released at the end of the war.  The nine had been transferred to Hanoi for return to the U.S.  Laos did not independently release any POWs.

DPAA has Captain Pirruccello’s case listed as “Active Pursuit.” He is remembered on Panel 37W Line 67 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

Never Forget

Respectfully,–
Dave “Double D” Davies
2027 RFTW SR 
Assistant Route Coordinator

Southern Route Spotlight

Johnnie “Bravo 6” Huddleston

For many who participate in Run For The Wall, they take a few weeks in May to recognize, honor, and support our Veterans. There are those who have chosen to volunteer their time and energy, and that commitment goes largely unnoticed by the majority of our riders. Allow me to introduce you to one of those volunteers, one of the key people who keeps the Southern Route organized.

Johnnie “Bravo 6” Huddleston is our Platoon Coordinator. He is responsible for placing all our riders in an appropriate platoon once they register. He also works closely with the Route Coordinator to put all Platoon Leadership in place and helps each of the Team Leads fill their approved vacancies. Johnnie’s work begins as soon as the first Volunteer Request forms are submitted…yes, he’s been on the job since June. Johnnie also works tirelessly through the 10 days of travel to ensure that new participants are added to the appropriate platoons. His responsibilities also include helping to resolve any issues that may arise within the platoons while we are traveling.

Here is a little background from Johnnie in his own words:                                               

I did not retire from any civilian job, but I completed 36 years in the military and retired from there. During those 36 years, I was involved in a lot! I helped train thousands of soldiers who went off to war. Some of these soldiers I commanded. I helped equip them and their units. Then I served as the Battalion S-1 for the Medical Battalion that these wounded soldiers returned to at Ft. Benning, GA. I helped save a soldier who needed open-heart surgery by transferring her to my unit to ensure she would be eligible for the procedure. She called me from TX after her surgery to thank me. This is why I do the things I do!

My commander, who was an MP, suggested I consider the Military Police school, and I did. He works at the VA in Tuscaloosa, AL, and looks forward to the RFTW stopping there every year. I am still close to the soldiers I commanded. Some have died, and I am in touch with their families. I do this for them! During my FNG year, Bugs was the RC and Java Joe was my PL. Their leadership was so impressive to me, which is another reason I keep doing this! I learned about RFTW in 2018 while I was doing a PGR funeral. A lady named Vickie Meyer, who was on the Ambassador team, told me about RFTW. She answered all my questions. I linked up in Meridian, MS, and I’ve been recruiting for RFTW ever since.

Bravo 6 – Thank you for your hard work behind the scenes.

The history of Run For The Wall is founded on the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans. It is with that in mind that I want to ensure that our riders never forget their legacy. Each month I will be highlighting an MIA service member from Southeast Asia during the month they went missing. Please let me introduce you to;                   

James Cristof Becker, USA

MIA – 08/15/1970 – Laos

1st Lt James Christof Becker, from Texas, was a member of the US Army 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 16th Aviation Group, 23rd Infantry Division, and served as a helicopter pilot.

On August 15, 1970, a UH-1H Iroquois with a crew of four, including 1st Lt. Becker as the pilot, took off on a mission to extract a reconnaissance team in Laos. Because of the difficult terrain near the planned extraction zone, the five-member reconnaissance team climbed onto a rescue ladder lowered from the helicopter. As the aircraft rose, it was hit by enemy small arms fire and crashed. The five team members were knocked off the ladder as the helicopter descended through the trees; their fate remains unknown. Of the four crew members aboard the Iroquois, the aircraft commander and crew chief survived, returned to the extraction zone, and were rescued. Because of the location and the presence of hostile forces in the area, no attempt could be made to return for the other two crew members.

1st Lt Becker was last seen by one of the surviving crew members, upright in his seat; however, he appeared to have suffered a head wound in the crash. The two survivors could not take him with them when they left the crash site

1st Lt James Christof Becker is remembered on Panel 08W Line 113 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Dave “Double D” Davies