Viet Nam, 1970
I was assigned to MASS-3 towards the end of 1970, specifically at FSB Birmingham. We were a small detachment (13 men) operating a radar system in support of the US Army 101st Airborne. On Dec 22, we received a radio message that I was to pack my seabag and prepare for transport to our squadron headquarters in DaNang. A CH-46 was already enroute to pick me up. I reported to the 1st Sgt when I got back, and asked what I was there for. He told me not to get too comfortable, as I was scheduled on the next C-130 departing for Okinawa.
Our flight was uneventful and we were taken to the transit facility at Camp Hague after arriving at OKI. There was an all-hands muster at 0900 the next morning for those of us who were in a transit status. The Sgt in charge read off a list of names who were to remain, while everybody else was dismissed. Mine was one of the names called. Those of us who remained behind were told to return at 1000, at which time we would be taken to an airport for further transport. I was very concerned because I had only one set of cammies, and could not travel in that uniform. A clerk in the admin section was very uncooperative, even downright rude.
I asked to speak to the Admin Officer in charge. A few minutes later, I was explaining my situation to a WO. He considered my case, then ordered the clerk to prepare the necessary documents to get me an emergency issue of one set of Alpha’s, and to expedite the process and ensure that all sizes were correct. Time was ticking away, and I was very anxious. By this time, I had only 1-1/2 hours until formation (the last one out until sometime in January.
I took all my paperwork to Supply, where the troops there were very timely and helpful. With all of my new uniform bundled in my arms, I proceded to the base Laundry/Tailor Shop. The ladies assured me that all would be OK. After that stop, all I had left to accomplish was preparing my new shoes. They were to standard issue leather ones that needed to be spit-shined. I found an old papa-san in the barracks who assured me that he could do the job.
By this time, it was about 1000 – 1015, and I was sweating bullets. I returned to the tailor’s, where my new uniform was finished, but it was perfect in all respects. Tailoring, rank insignia, ribbons and badges, all perfect. Even new skivvies. All I needed were my shoes. Back in the barracks with my new uniform, I found that papa-san was nearly finished with my shoes. They glowed with perfection. I could not have done as well.
I started changing into my greens. I rushed out the door to where the Sgt. was calling our names. I had my orders in my mouth, my seabag over one shoulder, and was hurridly putting on my blouse as I fell into formation. All eight of us going home were present and accounted for.
We boarded a Marine Corps bus for the ride to the airport. We assumed that we would go to either Kadena AFB, or to MCAS Futema, where we would board a nother C-130 for the next leg of our journey. We were very surprised when we arrived at Naha International Airpork. We offloaded, and were escorted to a NW Orient Airlines boarding gate. We were told that we be be flying back to CONUS in a NW Orient DC-8. While we were waiting (we had about an hour to wait), I learned that we would fly to Honolulu, then on to San Francisco. It was up to us to arrange for transport on our own. I quickly went to the NW Orient ticket counter, where I booked a First Class seat from San Fran to Seattle, WA.
We landed sometime at night. I didn’t know what time it was, just that it was dark. I got a taxi to drive me to my in-law’s home, where I though most of my family would be. The taxi delivered me at 2230, where I paid him $100. It was 2230, Dec. 24, Christmas eve. Nobody knew I was coming home to my wife and son, and a new daughter.
Merry Christmas!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I had good friend that was with the 501st Infantry of the 101st Airmoble that operated out of Birmingham on 69 during operations in the Ah-Shau . He would have been happy to here it mentioned on ” The Grit” we lost him about a year ago due to Agent Orange related illness. In Memory Of My Friend J.J 1947-2019 Harry 1371 SEMPER FI!
This is an interesting story, I also flew back commercial airline but flew out of Kadena and landed at Norton AFB east of L.A. I don,t think that transit was at Hague, pretty sure it was Hansen.First I heard of a returning Marine landing in Frisco,all I have met were either El Toro or Norton. Not saying its not true, just saying. All of your gear should have been waiting for you at Hansen in a box like mine, did not look or smell that good but it was there. After a good clean and press it was good to go. I think we were at Hansen for 2 or 3 days before catching the bird back stateside Bill 0331
Had to read this again , you must have been an officer, you sure did get some special treatment, starting with them sending a 46 all the way from Da-nang to ferry you back, WOW. Never heard a Nam vet refer to The States or “The World ” or Home, as CONUS, that is what the current Marines call home. New uniforms tailored pressed spitshined shoes all in an hour! damn brother! Funny you did’t refer to your small detachment as ASRT . This could make a good Hallmark movie for TV . Tried hard not to call you out but I could not help myself. Then again, I could be wrong! Bill 0331 E-2/1 Nov 68- Jan -70
CONUS was a term used when returning to the States from RVN.
Same here on CONUS, but that was aboard a Medevac flight from Danang to Japan to Alaska to the Naval base and hospital in Millington, Memphis Tn.
The first time I heard it called CONUS was when I left Guam on a 141 headed for Dover then to Bethesda ,other than that it was always The World. Paul
Don’t ever remember anyone saying ” Man I can’t wait to catch that Freedom Bird back to CONUS “. It was always “The World” Bill 0331
CONUS was the government term listed on the travel orders., not the term used by the troops when in country.! Bill got it right The World was used by the regulars on the ground. Paul
Bill, I wonder if he was going on R&R and got to go to the States. That’s the only thing I can come up with, with all the irregularites. Murray 1371 ps. He couldn’t have a new baby girl if he had been in the Nam for a full tour without see his wife. Well he could but it wouldn’t be his. 0900 to 1000 is only an hour, where did he get the 1 1/2. Didn’t proof ready. oh well. Just so we are still having fun is all that counts.
Does not sound like an R&R I went straight to Hong Kong from Da-Nang no stop in Oki. for R&R Bill
Every day, 165 military personnel would fly out of either DaNang, Tan Son Nhut, or Cam Ranh Bay DIRECTLY to Hong Kong. Never via Okinawa. I know. I was the R&R USMC Liaison Officer in Hong Kong (run by COMNAVPHIL) in the summer of ’68. 24 on, 24 off, shared duties with an Army Liaison Officer. MANY interesting stories!
And that answers that Gary, straight from the horses mouth. LOL 4
Good post Gary
Hey Murray did you find someone new to play with? I’m jealous. I did not read the complete story at first . Could have been a good story if it were not for the embellishments and errors. I got stuck on the LZ Birmingham part.
Murray, maybe there was a star rising in the East when he got home … And three wise old Staff Sergeants on M422 Mighty Mites handing out gifts like C-rations, cans of ammo and cases of warm Falstaff beer.
what about the word Alpha’s I never heard that term .for clothing unless that is an Army term.
Ahhhh Bill and Murray…two old grumpy turds with nothing better to do than to pick apart a Marine’s story of coming home for Christmas. I’m sure this guy was never as spit shined and squared away as you two were. You two asshats are probably loads of fun at parties.
Semper Fi
Matt, apparently you are not aware that Bill and Murray have final editorial say on all things Marine. If you’ve followed “Sgt. Grit Community” over the years you would be aware of that;
they frequently consult each other on the validity of stories on Sgt. Grit. Comes from decades of service in the Corps. And, that was a purely nasty comment about the man’s daughter not being his, all it takes is one night on R&R.
Thanks Matt
Can’t speak for Murray but, yes I am a Grumpy old turd that likes to read stories on this site but if it does not sound factual I’ll comment with my opinion. You can’t tell me that you don’t find holes in some of the stories. Bill 0331 E-2/1
Real Marines never let The Truth get in the way of a good sea story.
Maybe I’m grumpy because I had to spend 2 Thanksgivings and Christmas’s in Vietnam no one sent a chopper to get me at Christmas 69 I was 2 weeks from my rotation date on Christmas Bill 0331
Returned to CONUS on a chartered flight, scheduled to arrive at LAX, it was fogged in so we landed at Norton. No customs or health officials there to meet plane, so they made us stay on the plane until the officials drove from LA. To make it worse, they allowed smokers to smoke while we were on ground power, you could not see the front of the plane from the rear; as a non-smoker it was miserable.
Capt Mike Collins
Mustang
1972-1992
I don’t have a NAM Christmas story, (my tour was 1976-1982) but I do have mine own Marine Christmas story.
Stationed at MCAS Beaufort, SC., with VMFA-333 Trip Trey. I was fortunate to be home for each Christmas my first 4 years in the Corps. I had decided to tell my Mom I was NOT going to make it home this coming Christmas due to OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS. She was sad but understood my job to “God, Country and Corps.”
I said put Dad (Korean War Marine) on the phone. “Dad, pick me up at the airport on this date and time, we are going to surprise Mom as I step through the door.”
Well, all worked out. Mom was VERY SURPRISED to see me come walking through the door. SEMPER FI Marines.
Tony Woconish
SSGT. USMC
In November ’69 I was with MASS-2. We left an ASRT team with the 101st when we redeployed to Iwakuni and Futenma. I guess MASS-3 replaced the det at some time later.
Thanks all for this story and your comments. I was at Camp Books and for a short time at an ammo dump from early 1969 to mid ’70. I was home for Christmas ’69 and back in early Jan.70.
I can barely remember certain details other than driving a Pettibone rough terrain forklift and later becoming a mechanic while in Nam. Luckily my good friend Sgt. D.Wallace has lately been filling in my blank spots.
I do remember my final trip home was on a commercial flight with a stop in San Francisco.
Keep the stories coming for I need all the “memory” help I can get.
Sgt. R. Brown
This was a great Christmas story. I read it out loud to my wife and both of us were in tears at the end. It reminded me of the many time which I was forced to report to a specific location or duty station without adequate funds, information, or uniforms as well as having to contend with a self important paper pushing/rear echelon clerk. Thanks for the memory (Bob Hope)!
Ralph and Darlene Pierce,
’66-’74
Christmas 1970 atop Monkey Mountain, RVN. 50 years later my memories are faded and fuzzy like the Polaroids and instamatic photos from those times. My day was as alike and yet different than everyone else in MACS 4 that day. One Marines experience is not the standard for others memory. In the words of that famous philosopher, “lighten up, Francis”!”
Sound like your HOME COMING was better then mine. Oct 21,1970, all the not so friendly people in the airport and along the road from L.A. to MCRD. I traveled in my GREENS all the way home. I only felt comfortable after in was on the airplane and also in Minneapolis. The rest of the trip was good. Great Plains people are a lot more friendly.
Christmas 1962 was in Hong Kong with BLT 2/9 (Delta – 12th Marines) … we arrived aboard the USS Tulare. Somehow, a herd of Marines and sailors ended up at the Union Jack Club, which was a pub operated (I think) by British troops. Rather than start the customary fist fights, we stole a tree from a local park, decorated it with our shooting badges and pogey ropes from AnZac sailors, swilled beer and all sang Christmas carols together.
Best Christmas ever, being far from the US and just a kid who never actually had a ‘real’ Christmas. The Corps was the only home I ever had …
Christmas 1970 in Vietnam I was a sergeant with 2nd platoon I Co 3/5 on hill 270. I remember thinking at the time this was a hell of a place to be on Christmas Day.
Semper Fi
CWO-5 Noble Callaway
Great story, but it’s hard to believe it went that smoothly, are you sure about the schedule? LOL
I read many stories on many different blogs,also have had coffee with some Marine and Army Vets once a week ,not lately though, This is just my opinion, so don’t chew me out Matt, but I personally like the writers that keep it simple the best. No need to enhance them with other BS. There are people that try to repeat other peoples stories and really end up screwing up. WE are all Marines here no need for all the Military jargon the only ones that might be impressed are the civilians 1st/Sgt Wade 54-79
Right on Top, Did you know John R. Massaro? He was one of my company 1stSgt. in Nam, he was in a little before you and got out the same year as you. He kept advancing in rank all the way to the Highest. Murray 1371
Hard to say, met so many over the years, all of the names, hard for me to remember all the names. I did not make E-8 until 73′. I’ll be 85 years old next month, I think so, have to check my ID.