Donald Price
I am proud to say I served under Col. Short while I was in Vietnam, 1st Aviation Brigade, HHC HQ, AVDAC (Aviation Data Analysis Center). From what I recall, Major Short arrived at AVDAC shortly after I did early in 1972, and he quickly was promoted to Full Bird. Col. Short was a terrific leader, a good man and an example to those that served with him. We were under a great deal of pressure to get daily reports (classified) to MACV, especially while Kissinger was still in negotiations. My hours were long, but I never complained, neither did the Colonel, nor anyone else. He made it tolerable by instituting physical activities for us by having spirited daily volleyball games, in the middle of our 12-20 hour days. He started having DEROS parties for us - and I'll never forget the poker games as well as the huge cookouts with shrimp and lobster. Without his wisdom starting these events for his men - the hours and pressure would have been intolerable. Even when I had my orders cancelled to to leave Vietnam and declared 'Mission Essential' so I had to stay, I never thought once about it, because Col. Short said he needed me to stay. Now as to how Col. Short arranged for the fresh shrimp and lobster - don't ask - he just knew
how to take care of us. To Col. Robert E. Short's family - please know he was loved and respected by all that served with him. I still remember his last words to me: "Remember, only fools jump out of perfectly good airplanes, Good Luck!"