4th Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment | The 20th Anniversary of the Web Beacon

27 October 2025

On 27 October 2005, twenty years ago today, I started this 4/12th Infantry web beacon. It's nice to have a big anniversary, although it also makes one pause to wonder where all the time has gone.

After a pretty good start, traffic here declined pretty rapidly in the late 2000s due to the rise of Facebook and similar social media sites. Nevertheless, 4/12 Inf veterans from all eras occasionally visit - thanks to you all for stopping by and leaving your details. 

So I'm keeping the site alive on Blogger.com.

Meanwhile, for those of you who post here, please be sure to include your email address as well. Otherwise there's no way for anyone to get in touch with you. 

OK, we'll drive on. 

WARRIORS!

Didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page. Barring that, check back later to see if it's been added. You might also want to check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

p.s. if you're also a 1/39 Inf vet from 1989 onward, you may want to follow follow the link and leave your details there as well.

SPC John R "Rusty" Graham, Alpha Co 4/12 Infantry, 1993-1996

Today we heard from John "Rusty" Graham, a Bradley Gunner. Unfortunately no email address. Please, gentlemen, add your contact details to these posts, otherwise there's no way to catch you up with your buddies.

Spc John R Graham

Alpha Company 2nd Platoon Bradley Gunner 

Baulmholder, 1993-1996

Operation Joint Endeavor 

p.s. didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page. You might also check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

The 4/12 Inf Web Beacon

One of the original aims of this site was to celebrate the fellows who served with 4/12 Infantry during our Baumholder days, and help each other get in touch. Veterans of the regiment from Viet Nam days are certainly welcome, but should be sure to visit the Redcatcher site, which is the best place for 12th Infantrymen of the 1960s to find their friends.

While this web beacon concept still works after a fashion, technology has moved on since I first posted back in 2005. I rarely update it now [originally 'now' was 2020, but now it's 2023] because it's been overtaken by other social media platforms such as Facebook and Military.com. However, you can still enter your details (including a long-term email address) in the comments section below, or on any of the other posts here at the 4/12 Inf Web Beacon. That will allow search engines like Google to find you, and help you find other vets.

I'll keep all of these entries on the site so long as Blogger.com remains in operation, and will post the occasional item of interest like the dedication ceremony for the 12th Infantry Regiment monument at Fort Benning.

Meanwhile, if you're keen to see if I have details for anyone in particular, you can still contact me directly.

Naturally, I won't pass your details along to spammers or scammers.  And I'm not selling anything myself, either.

If you're still in touch with anyone from those days, I'd be grateful if you would forward them a link to this site, and raise a glass in honor of the times we had in Germany all those many years ago.

Warriors!

p.s. if you were also with 1/39 Inf (M), be sure to visit that web beacon as well.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out the right hand column of this page and see if it's in "Previous Posts".  Or you can use the "Search Blog" function at the top left of this page to search the whole site.

Frequently Asked Questions. . .

. . . plus some Not-So-Frequently Asked Questions


I was with the unit in the early 1990s -- how do I stay in touch with other 8th Infantry Division veterans?

Have a look at the 8th ID Yahoo Group. Post, ask questions, refresh your memory or just lurk – you can get the postings sent to your regular email address, too.


Likewise, how do I get 8th Infantry Division Veterans Association membership information?

Why, at the 8th Infantry Division Association, of course. There is also an alphabetic roster of 8th ID vets you might want to check out.


How can I locate a buddy of mine that I served with in the military?

Click here, and drop me a line with as much of the following information as possible:

*Surname in the unit [just making sure -- believe it or not, some guys have different surnames these days]:

*First Name:

Middle Initial:

Rank:

*1/39 Inf, 4/12 Inf or both?:

*Company:

Platoon:

*Arrived (month/year):

*Departed (month/year):

Home of record

So long as you’re not from the IRS, I’ll post the information on the Web Beacon along with your contact details, if you like.


How do I find out about the unit history?

I haven't even begun to pull together my notes, but if you drop me a line I’ll share what I’ve got. It isn’t much . . . then again, it’s better than nothing.


How do I get copies of military records and request medals?

Requests can be made by veterans or their next of kin and should be made on a government form that is called the Standard Form 180. It provides information about the service history of the veteran and the specifics of the request being made. The form must be submitted to the appropriate Military Records Center.

Assistance in obtaining records or medals can be provided by Veterans Service Organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, DAV, VVA, etc. and local and state veterans agencies.

For an on-line Standard Form 180 or for answers to other questions, go to the federal government's Military Personal Records frequently asked questions page.


Am I still welcome to post my details if I served with one of the sister battalions in the regiment?

Sure, why not. Depending on circumstances, I may just point you to one of the other associations if that’s likely to get you a better result, but shoot me an email and we'll see.

12th Infantry Regiment Monument - Dedication Ceremony, May 31st 2017

Hello, folks

It's been quite some time since I've posted here, but I've just had some exciting news from Dennis Witt that you'll be interested in hearing. Please have a quick look at his message below, hit the link he sent and do your best to get to the 12th Infantry Regiment monument dedication ceremony on May 31st 2017 at Fort Benning. I've sent my regrets, since I'll be in Australia, but I'm sure others will be able to make it on the day.

Warriors!

Here's the word from Dennis Witt:

----------

My name is Dennis Witt.  I served in Charlie Company, 1/12th, 4th infantry Division in Vietnam in 66-67.

Over the last 6 - 8 months I have been part of a project to create a monument to the 12th Infantry Regiment on the Walk of Honor at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, GA. 

In January, we reached our goal of $78,000 to build the monument.  The physical monument is being created at this time. 

The reason for this email to you is, hopefully, to enlist your aid in contacting and informing former members of the 4/12th Infantry Battalion that this project is underway and to let you and them, know that there will be a dedication ceremony for the monument on May 31st, 2017.  We would love to have members of the 4/12th represented at this dedication.  I took the liberty of posting a comment on your web site concerning the monument and ceremony. 

If you can help with this request to spread the word, we'd appreciate it very much.  Information about the monument and dedication ceremony can be found at  http://redwarriors.us/NEWS.htm

Thank you in advance for your help.

Dennis Witt
C/1/12, 66-67

SP4 Roger Stevens, Bravo Co 4/12 Infantry, 1988-1991

Roger Stevens reached out to us today. If you're in touch with Collins, Sasko, Wilson or Haines, please drop a note in the comments. 

I was in 1/39th and then 4/12 3 squad 2nd platoon bravo co from 1988 to end of 1991 when army let me go to my next post in ft Knox I was a spec 4 wish I could find my friends cpl Collins,spec 4 sasko or spec 4 Wilson,or cpl Haines.this is Roger Stevens from north Carolina

A reminder, gentlemen, please include an email address in your posts. I have no way of pulling an address from an anonymous comment. Your buddies may be able to track you down based on nothing but your name, but they may not either.

p.s. didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page. You might also check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

SPC Derek Quackenbush, Delta Co 4/12 Infantry, 1994-1997

News today from Derek Quackenbush, who is a longstanding friend of the 4/12 Inf Web Beacon. 

SPC Derek Quackenbush 

D Co 4/12 INF 

1994-1997 

p.s. didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page. You might also check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

Chris Hartman, HHC (Mortar Platoon) 4/12 Infantry, 1989-1991

Hello, folks

Today we heard from a fellow vet, Chris Hartman, but unfortunately he's left no contact email. Which is a shame, because I was in the Mortar Platoon ('87-'88) and we'd surely have worked with a few of the same people.

Chris Hartman 

HHC 4-12 

4.2 platoon 1989-91 

4th Bn, 12th Inf

p.s. didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page. You might also check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

Armistice Day 2011

Lest we forget.

Army Birthday 2011

Warriors!