Category: Vietnam
My New Tattoo
My New Tattoo
Sgt Grit,
I served in the Marines from 1/10/69 to 15/11/71 and was in country in Vietnam in April 8, 1970. I was attached to guns squad with Echo 2/7 and was known as Rat. My name is Gus Guillen and live in Winston, Oregon since 1972. On September 26, 1970 Echo Co was patrolling above Dodge City I believe in the Que Son mountains when I stepped on a booby trap and lost both legs below the knees. I am looking for Melton M. Johnson from Baltimore and others from Echo, Fox, Golf, and Hotel Companies in 1970. I have attached a picture of myself and Melton at FSB Baldy. I need to let him and all of Echo Co. that I made it home and am still alive and proud of being a Marine. I need to show them my new tattoo.
3/11 1967
The West Coast Wall is for all who served during the Conflict.
The West Coast Wall is for all who served during the Conflict.
Sgt. Grit
This wall is for all Veterans who served during the Vietnam Conflict not only the Fallen. It also honors the Veterans who supported the troops in Nam from other overseas and stateside locations. This is an entirely a different approach. Check out the flyer. Semper Fi———–Sgt.Michael James Smith USMC (Ret.)
Air Support and the Rockpile
Air Support and the Rockpile
Sgt Grit, It is incomprehensible to me how any Marine could not understand the importance of the Air Wing, be it fixed wing or Helicopters. The attached photo is a typical resupply run to the hand full of us who have the privilege of being called B.O.T.?s (Been On Top) The Rockpile was manned by small 3-4 man Marine teams from Recon, Forward Observers and Radio Communications units. While the Rockpile was the most photographed piece of real estate in Vietnam, there are very few of us who were B.O.T.?s, and without the Air Wing we could not have survived up there. Getting a CH-34 up there was a feat in itself in good weather, but these crews were there when we needed them, and put their lives and aircraft at risk every time they set one wheel down on our LZ. To us, they were our lifeline and our hero?s, and we are here today because of their efforts to support us. Anyone who questions their role in any operation, must have sat behind a desk for the whole war.
Trip to the Vietnam Memorial Wall
Trip to the Vietnam Memorial Wall
Sgt. Grit,
After 40 years I finally got the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall along with other Memorials. I along with members and thier families of Marine Corps League, Table Rock Detachment #1197 from Morganton, NC went on a trip to Quantico, VA and to Washington, DC in the summer of 2007. It was quite an experience. Initially I had some emotional moments but then I felt a calming peace come over me. It is hard for me to put the feeling into words. One of my pictures that I took of the wall came out, as I’m sure many others have experienced, with a reflection of me as if I were in the wall with my fellow “Band of Brothers”. I felt as if I were among fellow warriors at a place somewhere in history. So many years have passed yet every moment of those years are captured forever in my mind. Every Vietnam Veteran should try at least once to visit the Vietnam Memorials. I am sorry that I waited so long. I have attached a few “then and now” photographs.
Mike 3/4
3rd Motors, 3rd Marines Vietnam
3rd Motors, 3rd Marines Vietnam
L/CPL Jerry Burden, Alpha Company, 3rd Motors, 3rd Marines Vietnam 1966 -1968. 1st photo L/CPL Jerry Burden on 50 cal – ambushed during mine swiping operation south of Phu Bia, 2nd photo L/CPL Jerry Burden during operation to relocation of Vietnamese at the DMZ, 3rd photo L/CPL Jerry Burden and un-known Marine going on patrol outside of 3rd motors, 3rd tanks and 3rd am tracks Battalion area in Da Nang late 1966 just before Christmas. Area was over run a few days later. Hope you can use these.
The Vandergrift Ice Run- April 1969
The Vandergrift Ice Run- April 1969
The following article is a true story, the names have not been changed to protect the innocent. We were all innocent.
In my Vietnam experience, there was no scarcer commodity ‘in country’ than ice. Staff Sergeant Harold Riensche (Navy Cross Recipient and Maintenance Chief, B Co., 3rd Tanks, 1968/1969) and I agreed that when and if we returned to the ‘world’, we would get together, buy a block of ice, get two lawn chairs, set the ice block on the sidewalk, sit there and just slowly watch it melt, while savoring several ice cold brews.
