Category: Vietnam

3rd Plt, Bravo Co, 1st Tank Bn, 1st Marine Division Reunion

The 1st Marine Division, 1st Tank Battalion, Bravo Company, 3rd Platoon, will gather once again for their reunion, May 14th in ST. Charles, MO. This is the 3rd time the Viet Nam Vets have met as a
group since 1967. The first time they had seen or heard from each other was in 2009. That was the first time any of them knew who was still alive, or where they were all located. Cpl. Ronald Davidson said, "we have lost a few brothers along the way, and still have a few "strays" to locate". read more

A Great Marine

I came across a picture of me taken 1 Sept 1967 at S-2, 2/5, An Hoa SVN. The S-2 tent is in the background and I believe it is MGYSGT Bill Wolf in the doorway. He was the 1st Marines S-2 Chief and we and the 5th Marines were involved in Operation Union. I was assigned to S-2 Hq Co, 1st Marines and worked for Top Wolf. I rotated about 29 Sept 1967 and Top Wolf stayed on for the move to Hue. read more

I Forgot To Thank Her

In reference to Sgt. John Clary's post about the Bob Hope show, here's a picture of Ann-Margret leaving the venue after the show.

As you can see Sarge, I got pretty close to her. A few years ago, I got even closer. She did a show at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino where I was a Security Officer. It was my pleasure to be her escort after the show; taking her through the back hallways to the service elevators and up to her room. Let me assure you that she was just as beautiful and sexy as ever and as nice as can be. My only regret is that I was so busy doing my job; guiding her around hazards and spills and making sure she wasn't accosted, that I forgot to thank her for Da Nang. read more

Vietnamese Side of China Beach

Sgt. Grit,

Here's a couple pictures your Vietnam Vets might like. First picture is Top Barker, he was 1st Sgt. "A" company, 1st Recon. He, I and a LT. used to go to the Vietnamese side of China Beach and eat fabulous sea food cooked by the Viet mom's there (one tried to get us to take her son back to the US)… I don't remember which OP this other picture is, but someone is likely to remember. This picture of Dong Den might make someone home sick. Top Barker returned to the states after a long time away, died shortly after returning and was buried with Honors. read more

Still Wounded

My brother Ernie and I served in Vietnam as Grunts in 1966-67.  Ernie served in the Dong Ha area while I was in the Cam Lo area when we were able to get together.  Both of us were wounded several times but survived.  We also had another brother Bill that served in 1968-69 as a "Man in the Door" out of Marble Mountain. read more

Christmas N. of Quang Tri City

N. of Quang Tri City, 12/67 w/ 1st Eng. attached to 1/1 running the waterpoint/shower unit, watching the Christmas celebratory fireworks from all the OPs along the Z. Didn't realize how close to the Z –  I was until then.

New Years '68: same light show except I "found" a case of pop flares for us engineers to set off at midnight. I had to instruct the new guys how to operate/fire them but, true to form, some guy missed the sandbag, firing the flare in the horiz. pos rather than the vert. So we watched it shoot straight down the company street. We ran back in the tent, and sat around like nothin'. Soon some yelling was heard and an SNCO ran in asking about this flare. He said no one was hurt, but the flare shot between the 1st Sgt and someone else (C.O.?) while they were talking on the street. We just looked at each other and said we didn't know nothin'. read more

Christmas

N. of Quang Tri City, 12/67;

w/ 1st Eng. attached to 1/1 running the waterpoint/shower unit, watching the Christmas celebratory fireworks from all the OPs along the Z. Didn't realize how close to the Z I was until then.

New Years '68: same light show except I "found" a case of pop flares for us engineers to set off at midnight. I had to instruct the new guys how to operate/fire them but, true to form, some guy missed the sandbag, firing the flare in the horiz. pos rather than the vert. So we watch it shoot straight down the company street. We ran back in the tent, and sat around like nothin'. Soon some yelling was heard and an SNCO ran in asking about this flare. He said no one was hurt, but the flare shot between the 1st Sgt and someone else (C.O.?) while they were talking on the street. We just looked at each other and said we didn't know nothin'. read more

PI and Nam

Only 1 person per platoon received dress blues at graduation, and he also got 1 stripe.  Now a days I see where several men per platoon get 1 stripe.  Left PI 8/'64 for Camp Gieger for 6 weeks the 7 days leave and off the Hawaii supposedly 2 year stay with I-3-12.  Only got to stay 5 mos because everything was pulled out and we landed in Nam 8Mar'65.  Never got to see any shows or movies up north in Phu Bai, Hue or Quang Tri.  Made it back to the world after 18 mos. read more