Sgt. Grit,
While checking out the latest issue of your fine newsletter, I clicked on the link to your blog. There I found a link to the 3/11 (Vietnam) blog. One of the photos there was posted on the original 3/11 web site (which was later discontinued, with material transferred to a newer location). Of special interest to me is the photo of one of "Hotel" Battery's guns. It interests me because on the original web site, I posted a photo that I took of one of "India" Battery's guns, which was occupying the same firing position. And my photo was taken from almost the same perspective, but earlier–in December '66.
Shortly after I took that photo, I was sent from "India" Battery's "posit" (later occupied by "Hotel") in the Chu Lai TAOR, up north to the Dai Loc TAOR south of Da Nang to FO for "Lima" 3/7. On 26 January 1967, when Lima Company went down south to Duc Pho, to be "first in" on Operation Desoto, "India" Battery joined us there and provided fire support. When the operation ended about two months later, both 3/7 and I-3/11 went back up to the Dai Loc TAOR.
I've attached my photo of one of I-3-11's guns in the above-mentioned gun position, and one of the "junior officers' hootch".
Regarding the 3/11 web site and blog, I want to publicly thank Ms. Mary Ann Reitano (who, when I first heard from her in 2005, was a school teacher, as I am) for helping to get the men of 3/11 (Vietnam) together to form an organization. Although I have not yet been able to attend reunions of that organization, I want to recognize Mary Ann for her efforts. One of her relatives, Cpl Gregory Harris, a member of 3/11, was captured 12Jun66 in the Quang Ngai area, and has been MIA ever since.
Semper Fi, Mary Ann! (In case you're a subscriber.)
Tom Downey
Once a captain, USMCR; always a Marine