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.
I then went to Drill Instructors school in July of 1964. After graduation I was assigned to my 1st Recruit Plt, 164 the same number Platoon I was in as a recruit. I finally made Sgt with a cutting score of 165 in Jan of 1966(spent 4 yrs as a Cpl). In 1966 I became a WSI and transferred to the Special Instructors section as a Drownproofing instructor at the MCRD pool. In 1967 I was so water logged I was assigned to teach Code of Conduct, some History and UCMJ. In Oct 1967 I received orders to Vietnam. Arrived in DaNang in late Nov in time for Thanksgiving and my first in-country birthday #27. I was assigned to Hq Co 2nd Bn 5th Marines in An Hoa, about 25 miles So West of DaNang. The beginning of Jan 68 the Bn moved to Phu Bai. Well we had not been there long when the TET offensive began. I ended up being a replacement assigned to Capt Christmas Hotel Co for about 30 days and went into Hue City. Getting back to Major Ruffer, we had seen each other on the Drill field. He had been selected to the Meritorious NCO program. The next time we ran into each other was in Phu Bai or DaNang, he was a Capt and been awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart in Operation Medina. (The Book is called The Lions of Medina by Doyle D. Glass) I recommed it to all.
We kept running into each other over the years. Jack retired as a Major, I got out when I got back from Nam and went on LAPD. My Dad and some LAPD officers who were Marine Reservist talked me into joining the Reserves which I did. Jack and I reconnected through Together We Served, all of our stuff is on their web and FaceBook.
I have written enough. Picture of me attached.
Semper Fi Sgt Grit and keep up the Great Work.
Norman W. Honadle
CWO-5 Retired
Las Vegas, NV