Posted by James R. Chase on November 19, 2010:

I was the executive officer of the 11th Armored Cav's Second Howitzer Battery (HOW-2) when then 1st Lieutenant Louis Sustersic reported for duty as AXO (fire direction officer) in 1967. Lou was a great guy. We shared a strange, round, 2-man tent when we were not in base camp (Black Horse) - we played chess, arm wrestled, smoked cigars, talked a lot about everything, and became friends. You couldn't help but like Lou - he was that kind of guy. He was also his mother's son. The two of us were young and idealistic, and we both loved the Army (him more so than I). Lou took over the mechanized 155 firing battery (including "Mange" the dog that went with the XO's job) when I returned stateside. Until yesterday, I was not aware that Lou had been killed in action in November of 1969. Lou was a fine, decent, and honorable person. He was a very good soldier, with tremendous potential. It made me both sad and angry to learn that his innocent life was cut so short, without even having the opportunity to marry and have children. I feel honored to have had the privilege to serve with him. Capitan Louis Sustersic was an unusually good American. May his soul rest in peace. He will not be forgotten. J. R. Chase - Falls Church, VA - 11-18-2010

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