The day it rained trees.
The 3rd.Platoon of Golf Co. 2/5 was placed on Hill 34 (a pile of dirt next to the road) for road security. The
story about the 81-M Mortar Team that got their guns turned around in the wrong
direction during a fire mission and blew away a village was being pass around.
The Platoon Lt. ask me about my MOS of 0341 and if I could call in a fire
mission. It had been two years since my training at Camp Geiger but I stated
that I felt pretty sure of my skills (I mean—I am a Marine after all!). Well,
there was a 81-M team at our position and the Lt. challenged me to order a fire
mission on a ridge line that he spotted. I found the position on the map, give
them to the mortar team and order one H.E.round for adjustment. I didn’t have to
adjust anything. The round hit dead center on the spot the Lt. was looking at (I mean— it’s a sad dog that won’t wag his own tail) .
And then showed him that I knew how to move the rounds right-left, up-down, and
“walk them in”. The Lt. informed me that I would be his backup for F.O. if it
became necessary. I wasn’t all that grateful for this opportunity to be a
Forward Observer. I shared this experience for three reasons: 1. This Platoon
Lt. didn’t trust the men in his platoon to know their jobs and do them—there
for my challenge. 2. His radioman was a big kiss-ass (to get rank) and would
tell the Lt. anything on the men in order to look good, whether they were true
or not. 3. The reason the Lt took me a long with him on this walk.
Category: Main
TET 68′
I was not there at the start of TET,I was still home on leave at the time getting ready to fly out for pre-deployment training.I was notified a couple days after that two of my friends from High School were killed on the first day.Both were draftees and in the Army. One was killed at Pleiku and the other some where farther south near Saigon.The reason I bring this up is the fact that my Mom went ballistic on me wanting me to go UA .My Dad just said “See what you have waiting for you!!” He always knew the war in Nam was BS I did’nt If I only knew then what I know now I would have made a different choiceWe were lied to about Vietnam Exposed to Agent Orange, I have two conditions associated to “The Orange” Lung Cancer being one.Quit smoking in 1970 Also diagnosed withPTSD in 1987 had it forever just did’nt know it Oh forgot to mention the cloroacne on my chest,back and groin after returning home in 69′ If I knew then what I Know now I would have never volunteered but, under the same conditions I would do the same thing I am proud of my service in the Marines! I just wish it would have been another place another time E 2/1 4 Mar 68- 22 Mar 69
Often Tested Always Faithful Brothers Forever
First oohrah tat!
A different kind of weapon used by the VC/NVA
Let me start by saying that if I get this information wrong, please feel free to explain what I’m trying to describe . I can assure you my friends, my feelings will not be hurt.
As it was told to me, the VC/NVA would collect the 250 lb. bombs that didn’t go off when they hit. They would tie this bomb on a small tree, pull it back, and place a small explosive charge under the tree. When the smaller explosive went off, it would cause the small tree to spring forward with more tension and consequently forcing the bomb in to the air with some power. We would hear the smaller explosion and the bomb cutting through the air. I’m not sure how to spell the sound it would make but if one was ever thrown at you, you know what I mean when I say “cutting through the air”. The worst of it all, you didn’t know what to do (‘to sh– or get’)! Anything that big doesn’t have to land on top of you to “put your health records in to the red”. The upside to all of this, believe it or not, is that the bomb still had to hit on it’s head in order to detonate. Still, I don’t know too many guys who didn’t need to go to the head after going through something like that.
The day it rained trees
The 3rd.Platoon of Golf Co. 2/5 was placed on Hill 34 for road security. The
story about the 81-M Mortar Team that got their guns turned around in the wrong
direction during a fire mission and blew away a village was being pass around.
The Platoon Lt. ask me about my MOS of 0341 and if I could call in a fire
mission. It had been two years since my training at Camp Geiger but I stated
that I felt pretty sure of my skills (I mean—I am a Marine after all!). Well,
there was a 81-M team at our position and the Lt. challenged me to order a fire
mission on a ridge line that he spotted. I found the position on the map, give
them to the mortar team and order one H.E.round for adjustment. I didn’t have to
adjust anything. The round hit dead center on the spot the Lt. was looking at.
And then showed him that I knew how to move the rounds right-left, up-down, and
“walk them in”. The Lt. informed me that I would be his backup for F.O. if it
became necessary. I wasn’t all that grateful for this opportunity to be a
Forward Observer. I shared this experience for three reasons: 1. This Platoon
Lt. didn’t trust the men in his platoon to know their jobs and do them—there
for my challenge. 2. His radioman was a big kiss-ass (to get rank) and would
tell the Lt. anything on the men in order to look good, whether they were true
or not. 3. The reason the Lt took me a long with him on this walk.
Grenadier E4
I was with Hotel 2/5 and we did the same mine sweep as mentioned. It was very dangerous duty. It was a 10 mile sweep. We were ordered how to do it by headquarters and we obeyed orders as a well trained Marine would do. It did not include eating the food for the Marines at the base camp. However well intentioned, this issue is against military orders. It was a selfish thing to do and other Marines weren’t taken care of like brothers. I cannot call you brother after this incident! “Obey orders and do your duty as told and nothing else.”
Sr Vice Commandant Marine Corps League Detachment 270 Hamilton County OH
10 November 2017 the Marines of Detachment 270 celebrated the 243rd Birthday of the Marine Corps at Montgomery Inn in Montgomery OH. We had an absolute wonderful event. The Emerald Society Fire and Police Pipe and Drum Corps opened our ceremonies with a 15 minute concert of patriotic songs concluding with the “Marine Corps Hymn”. Then followed by the traditional Birthday Ball Ceremonies. Our Keynote speaker was Marine Corps Lt Col Amy McGrath, the first woman to fly an F 18 in combat. She flew 89 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her presentation was excellent and inspired everyone in the room. After reiterating some of the difficulties she had early in her career path someone from the cheap seats asked how did she overcome all these obstacles. She replied, “I had my shit together” and the crowd went wild giving her the first of several standing ovations! The evening concluded with dancing and music supplied by Marine D J “Big Daddy Walker”. Most fun I had in years and I can not express my thanks enough to Lt Col McGrath.
MARINE OF THE WEEK.
MARINE OF THE WEEK // “And in a second all my training took over…”
Corporal Cecil D. Burkes
Avionics technician, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, MCAS Miramar and 3rd MAW
Operation Enduring Freedom
Sept. 14, 2012
Award: Bronze Star w/ Combat “V”
Leadership
Leadership:
When we predict a leader on the basis of glib refinement, civic prowess or academics these indicators often fail. Why is this?
All parts and no engine.
More than a half-century ago Captain John Metas USMC was different – gruff, pitiless and full of thunder. His eyes pierced pretence, not critical of fault, but impatient with too-gradual ferocity.
We Marines in Bravo Company considered ourselves unlucky subjects of his abrasive scrutiny and unreasonable expectations. He was our curse and talisman – he forged our minds into an instrument of his near-demonic obsession. We sensed there was a reason this stern, passionate WWII Combat-Commissioned- veteran of Carlson’s Raiders and Saipan filled our hot, dusty days with endless effort, demand and harsh epithet.
At first we complained. But older Marines and Sergeants just smiled and nodded knowingly. Attitudes changed. We coalesced. We began to ride the fiery wind, to revel in our new Brotherhood. He was one of us after all. Understanding began – a bond among warriors of mythic strength that no one could put into words. We could not; we would not. An alloy stronger than its metals, Leader and Led became the same.
The Marine Corps made a thief out me
Well maybe not a thief. Allow me to tell my story and you can figure out if my behavior was justified or not. VietNam 1970, my Golf Co. 2/5 was on road security on Highway 1 from Liberty Bridge to our base in An Hoa. My platoon (3rd.) was placed on Hill 34 along this dirt road. We would assist with a mine sweep from An Hoa to the bridge and from time to time go all the way to Division area. And then, provide convoy security back to Hill 34; which was the last Outpost (OP) before you reached our “rear area”. The convoy always carried re-supplies for An Hoa (which included food items!). I’m guessing a few of you are seeing the situation or temptation.