Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
I drew one of two straws to get evacced to the Bob Hope Show at Freedom Hill but since I was the only Corpsman on the hill, the rear echelons said I couldn't go. Straws were drawn again and one of the guys that got to go was Quigley from South Dakota. Later I got a nice letter and autographed photo of Mr. Hope which are both now in the Tennessee State Museum, along with my K-Bar, bush boots, surgical kit, bush cover and medals.
This photo is of HM3 Peter Voelker taken at sunset on Ba Na a 5000 foot peak about 10 miles northwest of Danang in November of 1968. Those of you who remember the "Yellow Brick Road" in Elephant valley might be interested to know that Ba Na was the destination at the end of the road. We were in the 2nd squad of the 3rd platoon of Alpha 1st Recon Bn. The photo was taken by PFC Nick Cary who was not an accomplished photographer but this picture turned out well. Note that I had taped two magazines together which turned out to be a really bad idea as the exposed one always got fouled with dirt and debris.
Sgt Grit,
Three weeks before this picture was taken, I had observed a string of dim lights coming down the slopes of a mountain on the western side of Happy Valley. I had requested a fire mission and it was denied. A week later, a squad of Marines from either 1/7 or 3/7 ambushed an NVA rocket unit on it way toward Da Nang. I guess having sighted the original string of lights, those in the know sent me out with the 37th ARVN Ranger Battalion commanded by Capt. Hoang Pho. Capt. Hoang Pho and the 37th ARVN Ranger Bn.
No. 1: The American, Korean, and Vietnamese flags. The Koreans didn't have an American flag, so made one. We had a general visit the outpost the day after the NVA/VC tried to overrun us, saw the homemade American flag and had a resupply chopper fly in a full size flag immediately. Then chewed Gunner Smith's tail cause I didn't have a shave. Go figure.
These are pictures of the cp for HQ Battery 3/11. Right after the 11 Marines moved from Chu Lai to Danang in 1967. I was a radio/telegraph operator (2533)
Page 1: First is our living quarters. Second is the EM Club. Third is the Comm. Shack, Radio was on the right and techs were on the left with the Commos office.
Taken while Alpha company was operating off of hill 22 in Late 1967 and early 68. We moved to hill 10 in June of 1968.
1. Toughest squad of 1st Platoon
l-r standing Haymaker, ?, Wilson, Jones, ?, me, " Baby" Franks
l-r bent over, Tilly, Benny Lee
l-r kneeling Munday, Lafountain, Towns
This picture was taken of myself, Dane Brown, and Doug "Wildman" Carey, with the 1st Battalion 27th Marines outside of Hue City in February 1968……I was wounded April 17th and Medivaced out of country….. "Wildman" was medivaced out later in July 68…. We just had our first battalion reunion memorial day weekend, 2000 and it was great…..
More pics of liberty bridge and the mighty 106 69-70,1st mar div 5th reg fox co 2nd plt lcpl kenneth sullens
Sgt Grit,
I have enjoyed the Marine stories and since I was only in the Marine Reserves, with little to tell, I asked my father for a story to send your newsletter. He started as a Private and retired as a full Colonel. A more devoted Marine, you'd never meet. T.D.
The sign that greets everyone that enters this compound via the Motor Transport gate. It is me, Mark Haile Young, the sign painter and driver.
Some of my more hazardous duties were teaching the communication guys to drive.
