Category: Vietnam

After An Extract

Hi Dave, thought you might like to see the attached pictures of Bob, taken in or near DaNang sometime in 1971.

The first one was taken after an extract from a SOG mission and the second (in uniform) in front of our billet at Camp Fay, DaNang. These forty-year-old pictures are a little worse for wear – but then so am I. Notice the old summer service 'charley' uniforms – they don't even use them anymore. I have to thank you – and Sgt. Grit – for letting me reminisce once again over old friends and adventures, guts and glory, from long ago. read more

105 amtracks

Sirs,   I have just read your latest newsletter with one of the captions about the amtrack with a 105 mm. mounted on top. While waiting our turn to use a trail in Vietnam back in 1966, I took pictures of amtracks leaving the trail from my tank that have 150's mounted on them. Just thought I would pass these two pictures along if written about in future newsletters.   Bob Haller, B.Co,  1st Plt,  Third tanks – 65 – 66

Amtracs

Sgt Grit,

Great to see the Sgt Walker's photo of the AmTrac near Cua Viet. To supplement his I have attached a couple of photos of amtracs with the 105 Howitzer, which were part of the 1st Armored Amphibian Company, 11th Mar/1st Mar Div.  One tractor is set up along the perimeter of our base camp just southwest of Danang. (On the other side of the mountain in the background is Freedom Hill.) We also had a platoon near the Cua Viet, another in Hoi An, and a couple of tractors on Hill 47. read more

Stone Bay 1967 ITR

To answer the question about X,Y, and Z companies hidden in the woods at Stone Bay: Yes it did happen.I was there in Aug. of '67 in X company (Xray) for what I would consider by todays standards pretty heavy duty training. By the way we were issued M-1's because the Corps did not have enough 14's to go around.  Most of our gear was WW2 or Korea vintage, it worked, things like aluminum canteens, etc. There were very few officers around, a staff sergeant ran the company with the help of a groundpounder, very tough experienced Sergeant by the name of Sgt. Sinkfield. Taught us well. Sleep was at a premium, because as we were told, they needed bodies in Vietnam ASAP. The troop handlers and instructors at the time were pretty much fresh back from RVN, taught us well, no BS, pushed us hard, they probably saved a lot of guys lives because of who they were and what they had been through.  Semper Fi.  Russell, J.B. Cpl. read more

amtracs

Sgt. Grit,   Couple weeks ago someone said they had seen the Amtracs in a museum in San Diego and didn't know if the Amtrac with the 105 howitzer, ever been used in combat? Well let me tell him it has, they had 5 of them set up at Cua Viet and the men that used them were good, they hit what the set their sight on, I tried to see if I had any pictures of them but I don't, [sorry]. But I did come across an old Sea Tiger newspaper dated May 3 1968 that I keep. here is a picture that was in it, feel free to print it, maybe someone will see themself.

Sgt. Larry Walker

Nam 1967-70
 

Da Nang Pic’s

Just read the post by Choo Choo with pictures of MAG-11.  Thanks for bringing back old memories of when I was with the seat shop in VMFA-542 during 68-69.  The hangar that displays the VMO-2 sign with all the holes was VMFA-542's home just prior.  The holes bring back the eeire feelings I had back then. Thank you for the photos.  Everything is the way I remember it. read more

Looking for Marines, Dec. 68-69 An Hoa, Motor Pool

Hello everyone,

I am searching for information for my father, Dale Brown.  He served in An Hoa, South Vietnam in the Motor Pool during Dec. 68-69.  I have a few pictures that I need to scan in and post, but for now, I will list some names of fellow Marines who served along beside him.  At the time he served in Vietnam, he was a lance corporal. The names I have are LCPL R.L. Morgan Jr., PFC D.M. Sykes, PFC E.G. Wilson, LCPL G. L. Kula, and LCPL H.L. Weldsoff (? not sure about spelling). If anyone recognizes any of these names or has any information, I would love to be able to pass it along to him. My father raised his daughter to value our country and our freedom, and even more so, to be grateful to all that served our country. I would love to be able to give back to him by helping him connect with others who served with him.  My email is rountreemom@yahoo.com, and I welcome any information that you could give me. Thank you and God bless all who have served. read more

Jacksonville, NC

I saw a number of items on life at Camp Lejune/Geiger, and the liberty in Jacksonville. I was glad to see that the Jazzland was still there. But they didn't have girls dancing in cages back then, they mostly sang on stage. That was my favorite hangout. I enjoyed the singing talent, mmmmmmm, maybe not as much as the eye candy. But I DO also remember the late bus back to the base. They had this one old bus that had a raised deck, from the floor, where the seats were. Good thing, as the lower part of the deck was a flowing river of puke that would flow out the door when it stopped at the main gate for inspection. read more

About Cpl Kunkel

Hi Sgt.

Grit, About Cpl.Mike Kunkel write-up on Cort Street in J-Ville. Back when I was with G/2/6 .
I would be out on the town and back in those days no one had a credit card.
The shop keepers would snag a young jar-head in there store and would try and sell you anything and all you had to do was show your green Military ID Card.
Not me!
but a few of my buddies would buy a gold Marine Corp ring from them!
walk next door to a Pawn shop.
Get cash for it and then sell the pawn ticket and get drunk.
I think you know the rest .
In a few weeks when it came time to make the 1st payment.
They were standing tall in front of the old man. read more