Category: Vietnam

Leaving Vietnam

Our squadron, HMM-165, left Ky Ha in increments up to Danang for the flight to Okinawa. This was in Sept. 1967. We assembled around the little terminal waiting for our civilian plane to pick us up for the 'Grand Flight." It was late. And it was getting later and later, like about midnight. Then we really started to get anxious, as that was around the traditional time that Danang Airbase would have the rocket attacks. We had had our fill of many attacks during our tour and just wanted to get out of there in the worst way. We had been lying around on the concrete, and then as the time passed we started to get up and walk around getting even more anxious as the time passed 0100.   Then about 0130 our 'freedom bird" arrived. The plane unloaded the new arrivals, from all the services; they were dressed in Class A uniform and looked kind of funny, but clean. We were in jungle utilities, somewhat dirty and needing a shave. They couldn't get off that aircraft fast enough to suit us. They walked down the ramp wide eyed and excited about arriving in Vietnam. We started to crowd around the boarding ramp, must have looked a little like an uncontrolled mob. We just knew that even with being close enough to almost touch our "chariot to heaven" that the VC was going to ruin everything by a damn rocket attack.   But it didn't happen. Thank God! We climbed aboard the plane and shortly we lifted off and were on the first leg home. Some cheered but I mostly remember an enormous feeling of relief…that it was over. We processed at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, for only a couple of days. I don't remember going ashore at all. There was a 24-hour "O" club bar next to the BOQ's and that’s where we went to unwind.   We flew by Air Force transport directly to MCAS El Toro where our families waited. I remember how quiet it was on the aircraft as we started our descent into El Toro after the long flight. The seemingly endless approach finally ended with the thump of the wheels on the runway, and then the cheers started! Lots of excited talk, babbling really, as we tried to look out the tiny windows for a glimpse of our families as the aircraft taxied to the small base terminal.   My wife Bente was there, looking as beautiful as she did when I saw her the last time, 13 months before. In those days people still dressed up for special occasions. One small thing I will never forget. There were lots of happy families milling around chattering and hugging, and as Bente and I were leaving, through the crowd I saw the wife of one of our Marines that had been KIA. I don't know why she was there, but I can only imagine the loneliness and pain she must have felt at that moment.   Captain Thomas Mix USMC Retired

OPERATION STARLITE August 18th 1965 Chu Lai Vietnam USMC

In the year 1965 my father then SSGT Jack Marino Jr. was an Amtractor Crewman, he volunteered for Vietnam, twice, having served in WW2 During the battle for Okinawa, Japan he was with the 6th MAR DIV., and agin during Korea, His first tour in Vietanam was 1965, he was SSGT with 1st Amtrator Bn 3/3 and landed in Da Nang, His mission was to re-supply a Rifle Co, India Co. this was on the Van Toung Penisula, India Co, was in bad need of ammo and other supplies, the US Marines were the first US Forces to engage in a Battle with NVA and Viet Cong gurella Fighter's, It was the 1st VC Regiment, a well seasoned battle hardened outfit, these VC fighters had already seen battle with the french during the the early 1950's, that day the Re-supply column was Column 21 , later dubbed "Lost Column 21" the 2nd LT Robert F. Cochran was the the the Plt  leader, from my fathers account of what happened that morning. The Amtractor Coulmn loaded with supplies headed out to locate and supply India Co. this Column I'm told consisted of several Amtracs, and it was escorted by two FLame-Tank's  M-48 Tanks I believe them to be, as the column went inland the column was halted, and the belief was that they had somehow went too far in, and my father and the 24 year old 2nd LT. Robert F. Cochran werte outside the Amtracs looking over a map of the area, my father expressed his opinion that they had either went too far, and need to turn the column around, which wasn't an easy task, after this discussion, it was agreed they were lost, and from what my father told me, about the time they were going to mount and continue, all "Hell Broke loose" Mortar were dropping everywhere the red dirt drom explosions hindered my fathers eye sight and the the Heavy Weapons and small arms fire began, it was apparent they had found them selves surrounded and Ambushed by the 1st VC Regiment, the battle lasted from 11am until about 11am the next morning, during the battle LT Cochran lost his life ontop of an Amtrac, his bodied riddled by the VC, all Amtracs were demobilized from the rocket fire and direct hit's only one flame tank was partially able to use it's Flame throwing ability, my fathers Amtrac was the only one still partially functionable, it was outfitted with only the Browning Belt fed .30 Cal Machine Gun mounted on a turrit an operational from inside the Trac, my father said the heat was 130 inside atleast, they were poring water over their heads, they had plenty of water and ammo, he said one Marine was loading clips these Marines were firing from atop and through the hatches with their M-14's, one Marine named read more

Known USMC Rank’s that had insignia past and present

1. Musician Marine Band
2. Trumpeter  
3. Drummer
4. Assistant Cook
5. Trumpeter First Class
6. Drummer First Class
7. Private First Class
8. Mess Corporal or Field Cook
9. Trumpet Corporal
10. Drum Corporal
11. Corporal
12. Mess Sergeant or Chief Cook
13. Trumpet Sergeant
14. Drum Sergeant
15. Sergeant
 16. Platoon Sergeant
17. Staff Sergeant (Mess)
18. Staff Sergeant
19. Technical Sergeant (Mess)
20. Technical Sergeant
21. Drum Major
22. Supply Sergeant
23. Gunnery Sergeant **
24. First Sergeant
25. Master Gunnery Sergeant
26. Paymaster Sergeant
27. Master Technical Sergeant (Mess)
28. Master Technical Sergeant
29. Quartermaster Sergeant
30. Sergeant Major
Rank description – "Private" has no rank insignia read more

23 Marines from Mike 3/7 1st Marines up against a battalion of NVA

Against all odds 23 marines fighting hand to hand and in a fierce firefight with 300 nva, were able to beat them back killing over 100 VC , Marines lost 10. But not before a dear friend of mine lost his life, but he took 4 with him in hand to hand combat. Rest in peace Lester. I wear a tattoo in his memory. Mike Company 3/7 was the most decorated marine company in the Vietnam war. read more

USMC Chow

I entered the Corps on 8 AUG 66, Being a skinny body (127 lbs) I had to eat every meal twice. Upon graduation I weighed 165 lbs, and was in the best shape of my life.

After reading about bad food in your news letter I was reminded of the poor food at my unit in Phu Bai, 3rd motors in march of 1967. I decided that I would rather eat C rations rather than  risk eating there. One of the worst meals was the green liver that you needed a K-bar to cut. One of my fellow marines placed a potato on the 2×4 over the entrance to the mess hall that remained there until it was torn down months latter. I did 2 tours with 3 motors and weighed 127 lbs when I went back to the world. read more

*THE NAM* The Longest & Younges War in US History.

In "The Nam"  We did not Fight & Die for our Country, or for "OLD GOLORY", "HELL NO" ("WE ALL") Fought & Died for ("ANGAFUL NATHON") & to kept each other alive to get back to ("THE WORLD"), For ("13") Gut Wrenchinge mouths, For some much longer, Most of ("US") that came back alive, I know would like to have taken formal President ("Johnson & Nixon") & that Dam Yes Man ("Gen.Westmorlan") & ("LITERLY") thrown All those ("DAM BASTERDS") up against THE ("WHITE HOUSE WALL")! In ("15") year peroid They managed To ("KILL") over ("58,000 Very Young "MEN"). The average Age were only ("19") years young. And to this day we'er still asking ("WHY").  read more

B Co., 3rd Amtrac Bn., 1 st Marine Div.

Saw Jim's post, wanted to let him know we are still out there, even though we are start'n to get a little long in the tooth. Was a 19 year old kid back in 1966, volunteered for the Corp and volunteered for Nam. Chu Lai, DaNang/Marble Mt./ 3/1 in the field. Was a 2142, returned to the states in Aug. 67. My heart belongs to the Marines I left behind ! Semper Fi.. read more