Category: Vietnam

Major Jack Ruffer

After reading Major Ruffers storey I had to add a tid bit of my own. Major Ruffer and I basically started our careers together, he was in Plt 264 and I was in plt 164 in Aug 1959. I graduated on Nov 17th and went to ITR, after ITR we got leave to go home for Christmas. Jack and I hooked up when we were both assigned to B Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines at Las Pulgas, he was in Weapons Plt and I was in 2nd Plt. We deployed to Okinawa on April 1st (April Fools) in 1960. We became friends (Buddies). After returning from overseas in May 1961 we were assigned to B Co, 1st Bn, 5th Marines at Camp Margarita, 33 Area. We remained close and would go on liberty together. Since his Dad was in the Air Force and was at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino which wasn’t too far from Camp Pen. My Dad and Mon were in Coronado, CA so I would go home when I could. I do not think we had cars at that time since base pay was low. My Dad was career Navy and after 30 years retired in Nov of 61. I had an Uncle who was in the Air Force also At Norton AFB, so we would go to San Berdo after my Dad retired and went back to Annapolis, MD since they owned a house there. Jack meet a girl in San Berdo and one thing led to another. Before you know it they were getting married. The wedding was held in San Berdo he asked me to be his Best Man ( the best man was getting married and I was his witness) see picture. I talked to him about Mexico but he did not go for it ( I was glad he didn’t) Pat was a great catch and an outstanding person. She was good for Jack. We both went back to Camp Pen. Later in 62 we both were transferred to Marine Barracks, he to Alameda and me to San Diego Naval Station at 32nd St. read more

DaNang Ammo Dump

Sgt. Grit,

I just finished reading the story from Carl Baker about his experience on April 27,1969 when the DaNang Ammo Dump exploded and I thought this picture might be of interest.

I was assigned to HQ. Bn. 3rd MAR. DIV. and we had a compound located on Freedom Hill right next to the main PX. The picture, taken the day after the ammo dump exploded, shows me holding my prize possession. I had just pulled the locker out of what was left of the hootch that we had built ourselves just weeks before the dump went up. The pile of rubble in the back round is the main PX on Freedom Hill. Luckily, I had stored the tape deck in the locker before we were evacuated and it survived the blast. read more

Washington DC 2009

I served eight years FMF….I did three tours in Vietnam as a Recon Corpsman but time in combat ended up taking their toll on me…seeing to much combat and to much death put me in a private Hell that only other Combat Veterans, could ever nderstand…you learn what the word “Frightened” is all about….you learn how to walk away from your brothers when they are laying there dead in a shelter half, waiting for the Chopper to come in and take them home. To survive, you know that you have to shut down all feelings and just do your job. A lot of veterans coming out of combat have already lost their ability to “restart” their emotions and live a normal life. They will carry the memories of combat for their entire life. The civilian Dr’s have attached many names to our demons…from “survivor guilt” to the catch all “PTSD”. But they will never truly know what we are feeling. read more

75mm Pack Howitzer at Quantico, USMC Museum

In 1968, members of “India” Company, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines captured two 75mm Pack Howitzers on Dong Ha Mountain. Although it took the Marines two days to reach the location of the Guns, the Marines of India 3/3 did accomplish their mission despite constant small arms and mortar fire by the entrenched NVA. Once the location of the Guns were discovered, to the astonishment of all, the Marines also discovered that the Guns were American made and bore American stamped marking’s on many of it’s parts to include a “General Electric” marking on the breach. These Guns had pounded and harassed the Marines as well as US Army Artillery Batteries on Camp Carroll for months and despite tons of every known ordinance imaginable, the Guns could never be silenced until the brave Marines of “India” 3/3 put a permanent silence to them, once and for all. Today only one Gun still exists, the second Gun is believed to be buried at Camp Carroll thanks in part to Marines who rather see it buried than fall into the hands of the US Army Artillery Battery at Camp Carroll…So the legend goes. If you are ever at the USMC Museum in Quantico, please stop and see the display and you will understand why these Guns were so prized by the North Vietnamese and hated by Marines. read more

Cpl Pat Padilla RVN 1969 read more

ASP 1 – April 27th, 1969

Sgt Grit,

I’m sending pictures that were taken from Hill 34 while the ammo dump was exploding. I had sent some of these before but I can’t remember which ones, so I’ll send all of them. Semper Fi, Jim Herbst Sgt 7th Comm Bn – Co. A 1st ATs’, 1st Tank Bn ( 3 Fingers C.O.P.) & 5th Comm Bn – Sept 68 to April 70 read more

The Old Corps

Who (or what) is ?The Old Corps?? There is no doubt that each and every one of us who have served has heard or used the phrase ?The Old Corps? at one time or another. No matter when they served or how long they served, there is always someone referring to ?The Old Corps.? For example, WWII veterans might refer to themselves as ?The Old Corps? when talking to veterans who served after them. Vietnam War veterans, like myself, may refer to ourselves as ?Old Corps? when talking to veterans of more recent times of service. Veterans who served in any given era almost always refer to themselves as ?Old Corps? when in conversation with veterans who served in a later era. The Corps is always changing. read more

Southeast Asia Huts

Sgt. Grit

Did you know the hooch’s we had in Viet Nam have a name? Recently while wandering around on the net, I discovered they are called “SEA huts”, which stands for “Southeast Asia huts”. They are also referred to as “hard backs”. I’m enclosing two pictures. One is of read more

DaNang Pics

Sgt,

I thought I sent these in a couple of weeks ago, but maybe not, or maybe you couldn’t read them, or elected not to publish. whatever the reason I am sending again, some might remember or enjoy I got to Danang in July 1970. I labeled the pics 40 years ago, so I hope I was accurate back then.
Mag 11 main gate to air field
Mag 11 PX in housing area
shrapnel holes in the hangar wall
enjoy the memories of been there done that read more