I went through Parris Island, S.C. Marine boot camp and graduated in November 1961. Fired very well on the Rifle Range as Expert. Called to the Weapons Training Office and was asked to come back to P.I. as my first duty station. As a Rifle Marksman Instructor MOS 8531 as a Rifle Coach. I bunked in a cubicle with a David Russell, we became very good friends during the two and half years as Rifle Coaches on the Ranges. Russ his nickname decided to change duty stations and picked Morroco Naval base at a Marine Barracks. I eventually got a transfer to Yokouska, Japan home of the Navy’s Sixth Fleet. Later transferred to Okinawa at Camp Courtney which was home of the 3rd. Marine Division Headquarters. In the meantime Russ had be stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. in a combat unit. I got discharged in San Diego, Calif. in June 1965 and headed home to York, Pa. Russ reinlisted for four more years. His unit/company was deployed to Vietnam and ended up at Khe Sanh. We exchanged letters and pictures of cars, girls, and bases. ON March 12, 1968 he was KIA at Khe Sanh during the Tet Offensive by mortar/shelling fire. I went to his church viewing in Jacksonville, N.C. and met his wife, mother and 8 month old daughter. The next day we traveled to Washington, D.C. for his funeral at Arlington Cemetery. I visited his grave site a few times. His wife remarried another Marine and they were transferred to a base in California. I lost track of her and his daughter Sabrina. And after 50 years of searching on the internet left a message on a Vietnam Wall website. One day when I came home from work at I checked my emails and one was his daughter Sabrina. I contacted her right away and we finally got together for a reunion. I lived in York, Pa. and she actually lived in Greenbelt, Md. 90 miles from me. What a joyus miracle that happened.
I gave her all the letters, pictures, everything Russ I did together to her. What a experience in life !! She read his letters and one that really affected her when she read it was what he said to me in a letter: ” Joe you should see my beautiful daughter Sabrina whom I love dearly “. And this filled her heart with joy. We have met many times and discussed all the history of Russ and my friendship… I have been down to the WALL many times and I spend my visitation at Panel 43E Row 69 his name is that last one on that panel…… Leave no man behind. Semper Fi.
RIP David Russell – “…and when he got to heaven, to St. Peter he did tell, ‘Another Marine reporting, Sir. I’ve spent my time in hell!'” – Unknown. More healing has been done at The Wall then any other place on the face of the earth. I’ve had veterans of other wars tell me how fortunate we are to have a place to mourn and remember our brethren who made the ultimate sacrifice. It must have been an indescribable feeling to have rediscovered Sabrina and give her the letters and pictures. I’ll look for David’s name next time I visit The Wall. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
Thanks for the emotional words of wisdom. Respect is a uncommon word not heard as much as it should be said ! Russ is on Panel 43E. Row 69 the last name on that panel. This Psnrl is dedicated to all the KIA names at Khe Sanh.
A truly good, uplifting read Joe. Thanks. So glad you made the connection with Sabrina; good for both of you.
Thanks a very emotional meeting and story of my friend Russ.
Semper Fi, I was at Cal Lu fire base, about 3/4 miles from Khe sahn at that time. Was not a good place to spend your vacation.
God bless you sir.
This is for Joe Darinsig. I know this is a long shot but I also graduated in Nov. of 1961. So just in case we were in the same platoon down there, my senior platoon Sgt. was SSGT. Kendig, Ill never forget him screaming at us as we were getting off the bus, MY NAME IS SSGT KENDIG AND YOU’LL NEVER FORGET MY NAME. Well obviously I didn’t. If you hear about this Joe, and we were in the same platoon, Id love to hear from you. Thanks Sgt. Grit. I love these letters.
I was in Platoon 155. Lived in old white wooden barracks. Graduated in November 4, 1961. I have my Platoon yearbook and your name is not listed in it.
If that don’t put a tear to your eye you are not human.
What a great story, very glad you were able to make contact with your friends daughter. While attending a reunion at Camp Lejeune, a few years ago I met a young Marine standing with a group of his friends. I told him to look around him at his fellow Marine’s. I said to him that they are and always will be the best friends he will ever have in his life.
I know the men I served with are, we are as close today, as we were forty years ago. They truly are my brothers ! Semper Fi.
Former Sgt. William T. Minor 2111 2/8