Category: Vietnam
Death of a Marine
Death of a Marine
my husband died suddenly of a massive heart attack Sunday. he was Marine Force Recon and did 3 tours in Vietnam. he did a lot of other things that were classified but suffice to say he qualifies as a hero like all Marines do.
he was larger in life and in death, he has become a legend to me. this photo, though you cannot see the writing on his shirt, is one from i got him from Sgt. Grit. it says “University of Vietnam.” i just wanted to post this so other Marines will keep Carl and his family in their prayers. he is now standing alongside his mates in Heaven guarding the gates.
DaNang ammo dump
DaNang ammo dump
Re: SSgt D.J Huntsinger’s letter about the DaNang ammo dump.
The ammo dump explosion on April 27, 1969, killed only one Marine (one too many) but did cause an estimated 120 mil loss to the US. As CO, Alpha Co, 3d MP Bn, FLC, I was in the front row for that day. The explosion, caused by the Vietnamese burning out one of the roadside garbage dumps, caused damage to the USAF bomb dump, the Navy POL dump, and some damage to the USMC fuel farm. Of course, 3d MPs, being right next door to Ammunition Supply Point #1 (ammo dump) suffered greatly. We did evacuate the brig prisoners and the Vietcong POWs, and suffered the loss of one Marine scout dog.
LEATHERNECK ran a story, together with my corrections, many years ago.
Ed Craft, LtCol USMCR (Ret.) Plt 187, San Diego, 1505691
Dong Ha Ammo Dump
Dong Ha Ammo Dump
The Dong Ha ammo dump story that you had on your Feb 26th newsletter prompted me to send you these images taken mostly from the 3rd Tank Battalion maintenance ramp on June 20, 1968. It was an amazing pyrotechnics display of the magnitude that I’ll never experience again. Many years later I read a very interesting story that was published in the official history, “The US Marine Corps in Vietnam – 1968” printed by the History and Museums Division, HQ US Marine Corps. On Page 360 they write that the North Vietnamese, fearing that the rumors of a US invasion into their country was about to take place, fired a massive artillery bombardment into the huge Dong Ha Combat Base striking the ammunition dump that was located at the far southern edge of the base. This left the 3rd Mar Div “desperately short” of artillery ammunition and the planned invasion was delayed.
1st AntiTankBn 1967
1st AntiTankBn 1967
Sgt Grit
The ONTOS in your video brought to mind my time with 1stATBn from July 67 to Dec 67. Our CP was a few miles outside Danang and our letter companies were in support of various infantry units in 1stMarDiv. The Battalion was disbanded in Dec 67 with most ONTOS being attached to 1st Tank Bn and sent North to the DMZ. I am including a few pix which may be of interest to other readers.
175mm Guns at Camp Carroll
175mm Guns at Camp Carroll
In August 1967 I arrived in-country and eventually ended up with “India” Co. 3/3 at a place called “Payable”. Just a little hole in the ground along route #9 and one of the last stops before The Rock Pile, Razorback, LZ Stud (Later Named Vandergrift) and Khe Sahn. Just want to confirm with Paul Martell….Yeah they were really loud and it took all we sometimes had to keep our shaky little hoochs up after some of the outgoing barrages but, thank god for those big boys. One other note, we are the ones “India” 3/3 who saved those same Army Arty guys at Camp Carroll from getting pounded everyday from NVA Arty coming out of Dong Ha mountain. Took us a couple of days to get to the dug in Gun Positions but, we eventually ran the NVA off the mountain and captured the 75mm Howitzers. Funny thing…They turned out to be American Made!
Pic from Vietnam
1965 to 66 3D Engineer BN
David Teutsch
David Teutsch
After graduating from Parris Island ( Platoon 3012, 29 October 1968) plus a bus ride we arrived at Camp Geiger and were assigned V4 company. Upon our arrival the Troop Handlers informed us no Poggi bait was allowed in the barracks. I had a box of brownies in the very bottom of my sea bag and had no way to retrieve them. That evening I asked the Marine next to me if he wanted to meet in the head after lights out and discard of the contraband. He readily agreed and we proceeded to destroy all the evidence. Approximately 0400 we returned to the head and held our own sick call as the evidence went down the toilet. From that day on our friendship grew until he was the brother I never had. His name was, David Teutsch, from Newton Falls, Ohio.
A.S.P. 1 follow-up
A.S.P. 1 follow-up
Dear Sgt Grit,
Had read your last 2 issues with the ASP 1 stories and figured I would add my 2 cents. I was stationed on Hill 34 with Hq Co – 7th Comm when the dump blew up. It was the d*mndest show I ever saw and went on for two days and nites. We were in the bunkers and manning the trench lines 24 hrs a day for about 5 days if I remember right. Everyone was warned NOT to waste ammo because what we had on hand was all there was if we got hit by Charlie.