Chuck Gebhardt CPA

Advice to Pilots

Admin — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:50:28 +0000

My advice to all future and seasoned pilots: “I don’t care how good you think you are, there needs to be 100% focus on take-offs and landings.” If not, you may learn the hard way… This is an article that illustrates my near death experience.

What I Learned About Flying – Use Right Rudder When Taking Off

By Charles W. Gebhardt

A pilot’s first solo is always a memorable event. Mine was nearly deadly. I made mistakes that put me into a serious situation. Although low on experience, perhaps my education and training allowed me to escape without a scratch.

After a tour of duty in Viet Nam, I had orders to Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California. I was a Lieutenant (j.g.) in the Navy assigned as Disbursing Officer (finance). Aviation has always interested me. Not being a Navy trained pilot, I sought out a flying club, the Navy Lemoore Aero Club. They had two new Cessna 150 Commuters, a Cessna 182 Skylane, and a Navy T-34. They were also in financial trouble. Somehow I was elected Treasurer before I joined, and my flying lessons began. My goal was to turn them around financially and get a private pilot license.

My wife and I lived on base housing. Our neighbor was Lieutenant Gary Ross and family. He was an instructor for the A-4 Skyhawk and would be my instructor in the Cessna 150. I remember him being very well organized. He would prepare detailed lesson plans and would expose me to experiences beyond normal training. My training included spins in the Cessna 150 and even time in the A-4 Skyhawk. He would give me every opportunity to scare myself, imprinting lasting impressions on my mind. Like most training, we went through a myriad of stalls. After doing so many, one day I hurried up the process, pulling the nose up abruptly. Imagine my surprise as my instructor anticipated the aircraft being whipped into a stall on its nose. One thing he told me too often was “Right Rudder on Take-off.” That seemed to be a mental block at times. Soon that would become very automatic.

On Sunday, February 20, 1972 it was time to solo. I would fly Cessna 1421Q. Ordinarily we would go to a local FBO, but since it was late Sunday Afternoon, we received permission to use Lemoore’s runway. They have parallel runways, each being 13,500 feet long. I was to do three landings on runway 32R with Lieutenant Ross observing from the ground.

I made a smooth take-off and went around for a very nice landing. I was about to make a series of bad mistakes. First, I fire-walled the power (why? I had 13,500 feet of runway) and the aircraft veered into a left 45 degree angle to the runway. I found myself heading right for the meatball (ILS), which, I recalled, was about five feet high. Thoughts raced through my head very rapidly. I could pull power and hit the right brake or I could hurdle the meatball. I also knew it was a cool day, I had only half of my fuel, and I was minus my 200 pound flight instructor (I weighed 175).

I was taught to rotate at 55 MPH, the main wheels would break the runway at about 65 and I would climb out at 70. I was indicating 40 MPH (not knots) and elected to hurdle the meatball. I didn’t have time to rotate, so I pulled the yoke to my chest and leapt over the meatball. Not wanting to stall straight into the ground, I pushed the yoke over hard and came within inches of the infield grass, picked up airspeed, and got underway. On my climb out I was checking my rudder. It worked just fine. I thought I was standing on it when taking-off. Because I lacked experience in an emergency, I was probably steering with my hands instead of my feet.

I called the tower on my downwind and asked for another touch and go. I thought they would tell me to come down and stay down. However, they granted me another touch-and-go and I handled it beautifully.

I made my final landing and taxied up to Lieutenant Ross. He had a terrified look on his face. He said, “Why didn’t you land after that first touch-and-go. I thought I was going to see my first student going up in flames.” I told him that I was just sticking to the plan that called for three landings. He was not happy with me, but still took a piece of my shirt as the customary first solo ceremony.

I was not cleared to solo that day. On another day we flew to Hanford, a local FBO, for touch-and-go practice. He let me solo again, because he never had to say “RIGHT RUDDER.”

I eventually got my private pilot license and checked out in everything at the Aero Club. Also, the club was now in good financial condition. Having reached both goals, I left the Navy in July, 1972, and began a career as a CPA. I can look back on my first solo with humor, but believe me, no one sitting in the right seat has ever had to tell me to use my right rudder on take-off.

A Vietnam Hero onThe Last Patrol

Admin — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:30:30 +0000

Joseph G. Bricher

HM2, U.S. Navy

Date of Birth 9/27/45, Cottage Grove, OR

A recap as told to Charles Gebhardt, Vietnam Veteran and Lieutenant U.S. Navy Joe Bricher joined the U.S. Navy on 6 April, 1967, completing his basic training in San Diego. Because he had two years of college, he received the rank of Seaman, striking as a Corpsman. He completed field medical training at Camp Pendleton. After Camp Pendleton, he was transferred to the Balboa Navy Hospital in San Diego. He stayed there approximately a year, advancing in rank to Petty Officer 3^rd class (HM3, which holds a E-4 pay grade). He then shipped out to Vietnam, serving as a corpsman (medic) for the U.S. Marines. He stayed in Vietnam for a year and a half. While on reconnaissance, he was a medic that fought like a marine. He received a battlefield promotion to HM2 less than a year in country with the First Recon Division, An Hoa (23 miles S.W. of DaNang), having completed 12 patrols. He was transferred to 11^th Motor Battalion for the remainder of his tour. He eventually returned to the United States, where he was honorably discharged on 14 August, 1970. In Vietnam, Corpsman Bricher had 12 patrols as a member of “Team Millbrook.” They were the 3^rd Platoon of the 1st Recon Battalion, 1^st Marine Division. They were one of two recon teams that made up the 3^rd platoon of 1^st Recon. They made contact with the enemy in all but two patrols. The last patrol (12) changed Bricher’s life forever. On the afternoon of 17 June, 1969, six members of First Recon were dropped off near the Laotian Border on patrol in search of the enemy. The members of the team were squad leader, Sgt. Ted Ott, Robert “Rock” Castle, Johnnie “Radio” Carter, Chuck Martin, Dennis Murphy, and HM3 Joe “Doc” Bricher, They spent the night and on the morning of 18 June, 1969, the group of six went to work on patrol, at 07:30, spreading out 50 yards apart from each other. 15 minutes into the patrol, rear security, PFC Dennis Murphy, working rear security, fired three shots as enemy troops walked right up to him. He killed at least one. The remaining team moved to his position and formed a 360 degree defense position and waited. More action followed. Johnnie “Radio” Carter fired and wounded another member of the opposing force. He screamed from the pain of his wounds. He was captured and it was determined that he was wounded in the left elbow and left calf. Doc Bricher applied battle dressings, otherwise he would have bled to death. He then shot him with morphine; he was out like a light. Team leader, Ted Ott, then called on the radio, to report the action, take the prisoner and call for an extraction helicopter. That was not to be. Another enemy soldier came in sight, drawing a bead on Bricher. Carter fired and hit him. He dropped his AK-47, and was retreating. He made an awful racket, cussing and spitting, and called out to his comrades. That is the first time Carter saved Bricher’s life on this patrol. The battle had begun. It appeared as though there was a platoon size force of N.V.A. running left to right, deep enough in cover so they could not be seen. They moved in front of Ott and Carter and let loose with a full magazine of rounds. The fight was on with bullets flying. Bricher was firing as well and got two enemy soldiers. The N.V.A. were working their away around the group. Someone threw a grenade, going over Bricher’s right shoulder. Bricher could see it turning in the air, sparks sputtering from the fuse. Johnnie “Radio” Carter was sitting up and fielded the grenade on one bounce and threw it out and watching it explode 20 – 30 yards out while rolling left and firing over Bricher’s head stemming an N.V.A. charge. That maneuver by Carter probably saved the lives of the patrol. You hear about those who dive on a grenade to save their buddies and receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Had he done that, the whole patrol would have all been dead, because they could not stop the charge. Sgt Ott, decided to tighten the circle. The whole patrol was blazing away. Ott was hit in the abdomen. With that wound, Doc Bricher knew he could not last long without surgery, but further examination indicated it to be a flesh wound entering and exiting the front part of the abdomen. Bricher tended to his wounds and told him not to drink water because it would aggravate his condition A hail of bullets were going in Rock’s position. One bullet entered where his mustache would start on the right side and came out the front, making a clean hole without even taking out any teeth. Another burst of AK-47 fire ricocheted off the secondary radio he was carrying. He was drawing too much attention, so Bricher hollered for him to stay down and play dead. Bricher eventually got to him, applied a battle dressing and put pressure on his facial wound to stop the bleeding. Chuck Martin was taking a lot of fire with a machine gunner zeroing in on him, striking the dirt a foot from his face. As Martin grabbed Rock’s radio for cover, the firing stopped. Either the gunner was out of ammo or his gun jammed. Perhaps Martin’s guardian angel was acting, because normally he would be history. The firing continued, focusing on Dennis Murphy. He was getting some hot fire and asked Sgt. Ott if he could move back. Those were his last words as he took several rounds. Sgt. Ott and Doc Bricher called out to him with no response. Bricher’s normal reaction was to go to his aid, but Ott held him back. That action probably saved Bricher’s life. Later they pulled him close to him and saw that he was killed instantly by a head shot. A hole the size of a 50 cent piece in the back of the head disclosed where the bullet exited. Murphy held his ground and did not panic as he bravely performed his duties. At the young age of 18, he was dead and had the respect of being a top Marine. There they were with one KIA and two WIA. The most panicky fear that Bricher had ever experienced attacked him. That kind of fear sometimes makes a man scream obscenities, jump up, and charge the enemy and go down with a blaze of gunfire. It was a horrible feeling, but he had the presence of mind to pray to God. He said, “Lord, if you let me come through this, I promise to live for Jesus.” A moment passed and then he heard a voice very clearly say, “Okay, but you don’t deserve it.” The irony of the situation hit him and he sat back on his pack and grinned, almost busting out laughing. Just then an “ocean wave” of peace rolled over and through him, blocking out the panicky fear. What a wonderful change and contrast. But how ironic that a man can pray to his God for relief and safety, and get help when they came in shooting and probably had 20 bodies down and around the perimeter. If the enemy could see him grinning, they would have thought he had gone crazy. Maybe they were right, but he had the assurance from the Almighty that things were going to work out in his team’s favor. Those are definitely bold thoughts in a grim situation. Yet in the process he gained composure, confidence, and good demeanor. There was more enemy movement off to the right. Bricher, who had the best throwing arm in the patrol (although Carter proved to be the best shortstop), took a grenade, got up on his knees, let the spoon fly, waited two seconds, and threw the grenade and it exploded shortly before it would hit the ground. He liked to handle grenades in that fashion. The shrapnel effect was deadly. He believed that the grenade got everyone in the area. He threw a second grenade in the same manner in another active area with the same effect. All the time Sgt. Ott told him to stay down to keep from being shot by a sniper. The patrol had to wait it out for support and eventual extraction from the area. An extraction helicopter approached, but had to be waved off because of heavy gunfire. Air support came from the Navy attack aircraft. They knew they had to act fast considering the situation at hand. They were in a triple canopy jungle and hard to see. However their first run was on target. Sgt Ott, although wounded, called in the position in relation to the first drop. They were instructed to lay flat on the ground with mouths open to relieve the pressure on the ear drums. With the drop of 250 pound bombs, the ground would shake and raise them a foot off the ground. Another helicopter approached but had to be waved off as well. Two more bomb and strafing runs were to follow with very effective results. The rescue helicopters knew they had to act fast. The patrol was hurting. As they came in, Bricher threw several smoke grenades to pinpoint the position. Enemy guns were shooting and the Marine patrol was answering. In the meantime a constant machine gun fire from the enemy was disrupting the rescue efforts. Bricher armed himself with more grenades from the KIA, Murphy, and let fly in his usual manner. It was difficult for the rescue helicopters to get into position. They had to shoot the tops out of trees with a 50 caliber machine gun. On their third try at pickup, they were able to drop the harnesses successfully for hook –up. The big enemy gun started up again. Bricher threw another grenade and silenced the gun. That gun was intended to knock out the extraction helicopter. The patrol hooked up to harnesses about 125 feet long. Bricher hooked up Murphy (KIA), the wounded prisoner, and a wounded Rock Castle. He made sure all were hooked up before giving the go ahead. In the meantime a big gun, thought to be a Russian 1.12 mm, opened fire. While still hooked up, Bricher took a phosphorous grenade from Murphy’s body and threw it in the direction of the gun, again silencing the activity. As they lifted off, the helicopter and the able personnel hanging from harnesses fired into ground movement. The helicopter raced out, pulling the personnel at tree top level as the enemy were taking pot shots at the hanging personnel as they sped towards An Hoa. They arrived safely. The dead and wounded were tended to and the prisoner was placed in confinement. It was a day this patrol was under constant attack for 8 ½ hours. The patrol acted heroically, the navy attack planes were outstanding, and the helicopters did their job despite the severe risks imposed by the enemy. Recognition and interviews by Stars and Stripes newspaper were made. Further research indicated that Sgt. Ott and PFC. Murphy received the Silver Star. Bricher was given the choice of the Silver Star or a promotion to HM2. He chose the latter. He does not know if the others received any awards. Research to the best of my ability indicated they did not. Joe Bricher and I were friends in college. I saw HM2 Bricher in Vietnam (I was a Navy Supply Officer in DaNang). All the above happened before I saw him. He seemed to be his old self although he did not talk about his experiences. As the years passed, I saw the profound effects the experience had on him psychologically, and he now has Agent Orange induced Parkinson’s disease. This has left him severely disabled. At a recent visit to him at his home in Green Valley, AZ, he told me all about his Vietnam experiences. He is labeled as a Veteran suffering from PTSD, and a severe case of Parkinson’s. HM2 Bricher performed gallantry in the field of battle, fighting the enemy and caring for his patrol. My goal is to see him get the Silver Star. Sgt. Ted Ott and PFC Dennis Murphy (KIA) received Silver Stars. Others in that patrol should also be recognized. Each one played a major role in the combat, fighting the enemy and caring for each other. It is incredible that someone would field a grenade on one bounce and throw it back at the enemy, and still focus on stemming an attack. Johnnie (Radio) Carter did just that. I have found no indication that he received any award. He deserves something better than the Silver Star. Many medals were awarded in Vietnam, some justified, and some not justified. Many others go unrecognized. Our Vietnam Veterans went through a lot serving their country. Heroic actions should be recognized. Please help me in accomplishing this goal. Respectfully submitted, Charles W. Gebhardt, LT, SC, USNR In country Vietnam April 1970 – April 1971 Subsequent information: After a long fight Joe Bricher passed away on 2 June, 2012. Parts of his body will be donated for Parkinson’s research and the remainder cremated. His funeral service is pending and he will be buried with full military honors at Sierra Vista National Cemetery, located southeast of Tucson. I have been honored to be asked to conduct the eulogy. The date of the service has not been established. Joe Bricher is a wonderful and courageous man, very loving and spiritual. He would do anything for his fellow man, even lay down his life. He will be memorialized in a movie dedicated to himself and other members of Team Millbrook. Filming should begin in the near future. There is no Silver Star yet. I have located the commanding officer (retired Colonel Roger Simmons, USMC), and patrol leader Ted Ott. Ted is still stressed from the nightmares of that day in battle and watching a 19 year old man be killed. He won’t help me because he cannot deal with it. I need two more eyewitnesses and Simmons can sign off and make a recommendation to higher authority. I am hoping the publicity of the movie will assist in the finding. Chuck Gebhardt

Charline CD

Admin — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:52:40 +0000

Musical Selections

Charline Johansson Gebhardt

On October 18, 1968, I made eye contact with an “Angel with Golden Hair.” We danced and talked for a few hours during the evening. I learned that she was an elementary music teacher, her name was Charline Johansson, and I must see her again. She was humble about her talents and in took me a long time to discover that she had a “Golden Voice,” a beautiful coloratura soprano. She had been a childhood phenomenon and arguably the best college vocalist in Oregon two years straight. Many urged her to go to New York to pursue opera, but she was a practical person who chose music education as a career and used her vocal ability semi-professionally or to the joy of others. During her years she has touched the lives of countless children and has brought pleasure to others through her singing.

It has been my privilege to have been married to Charline for nearly 38 years. We have raised two daughters, who were each outstanding in vocal, piano, and violin. Our oldest, Kimberly, plays concert quality on the violin and our youngest, Tamara, the same level on the piano. Tamara has also sung professionally.

I have urged Charline to put together musical selections in a CD. With the help of David Lee Bassett, we transformed recordings from 30 plus years ago. He also helped us in recording current selections. Many of the current recordings will include our two daughters. The CD starts out with the selection “Spring” and ends with “Beautiful Savior” “Spring was recorded more than 30 years ago, whereas the latter is a very recent recording. “Beautiful Savior” is perhaps Charline’s favorite, as it gives her fond memories of every concert finale at Lewis & Clark College under the direction of the late L. Stanley Glarum. In that selection, Charline sings one verse in Swedish, her father’s first language and is accompanied by both daughters. We are thrilled to share this music with you..

All proceeds from this CD will go to our daughter, Tamara’s, foundation, “Lick the Tick.” She contracted a chronic case of Lyme disease. Through family support, a variety of doctors, and her own determination, she fought her way from the deathbed and expects full recovery. Her foundation’s objective is to assist others in conquering that illness.

Charles Gebhardt

01 Beautiful Savior Härlig Är Jorden (Swedish)

The last selection (#13 )of Charline’s CD, accompanied by our two daughters

If you wish to purchase, please contact me at gebhardtcpa@comcast.net

Protecting Small Businesses From Check Fraud

Admin — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 23:25:48 +0000

An article written by me in CPA Practice Advisor. To read the article click here.

Chuck Chimes In

Admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:09:24 +0000

Welcome to my new site and let me introduce you to its updates and new features. If you look to the right of this page you’ll see “Follow Me” which will direct you towards my new twitter account where you’ll find quick blurbs and articles that I find interesting and share worthy. More noticeably is that there’s a new section, Voice of Chuck, where I’ll chime in and apprise you of important tax info, how to keep a low overhead and…I might even share the secret behind my tennis backhand.

So, if you have any questions or if you’d like me to address a specific topic please feel free to leave a comment below!

Welcome

Admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:25:13 +0000

Welcome to the website of Charles W. Gebhardt, Certified Public Accountant and Certified Cash Manager.

Charles offers services in accounting systems, business start-ups and turnarounds, part-time Chief Financial Officer Assistance, estate administration, and tax preparation. He specializes in Corporate Treasury Management.

Whether a small business or a large corporation, your money is important to you. Improvements in financial and administration, treasury management, banking, inventory management, and insurance practices can lead to a substantial difference to the bottom line.

I have been in the present capacity since 1995, and have made a difference with companies in their success, prevention of failure, and bank liaison. For individuals, I am regarded as a caring and understanding confidante while assisting with financial issues

Please call me if you have any questions!