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Travel to family in CONUS From Hawaii & To Reuions, WW2, Korea & Vietnam
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Vietnam Air Force Pilot Wings
My GySgt Rank came 3 months before I retired when the new E-8 E-9 ranks took full effect. I had a one year letter in to CMC for retirement & could not be promoted. I had been a MSGt E-7 since 1957, served as Personnel Sgt Major, Line Chief, Maintenence Chief, S-4 logistics Chief, S-3 Ops Chief. Had recived USAF/VNAF pilot wings on contract(after retirement USMC) at USAF Advisory Group-Vietnam 1964-1968). Also had Vietnamese award not shown on the available items.Served as Senior CH53 Rep for 14 Years on Okinawa Japan with MAG-36 (1973-1987). During those years was deployed to Korea each year for"Team Spirit Exercise". Also support of units in Cubi Pt PI. Was on the LPH Okinawa for Opertaion "Frequent Winds" Apr 1975 Evacuation of Saigon. Was deployed to Diego Garcia than to Oman in support of prepartion for rescue of prisoners in Iran Late Nov 1979 .Prisoners were released when Regan was elected as President WW II to Viet Nam
Forty Six years ago I found myself in a situation that was like no other in my life As posted before I rotated 2 weeks at each VNAF unit, Danang, Nhatrang, Saigon & Binh Thuy. My Girl friend at Saigon wanted me to be there for the TET celebration. I arranged my schedule to be there late Jan 1968 . We celebrated all day with good food & the fireworks and retired to bed near Midnight. Suddenly there was some heavy explosions which certainly didnt fit the fireworks celebratioin. During the early morning I noted in the alley below the Apt window fire fight & tracers. We were on the 3rd floor of an old French apartment Building. I turned on the radio to the Armed Forces station & heard the announcement that the city was under attack. They advised all to remain in there quarters until further notice.I was sure that was good advice. I went up onto the roof of the apt & saw a VC flag flying over the Budda church up the block. (Street Ky Dong ) I realized we were surrounded by the VC I also realized that I was there with my Girl Friend & our 2 year old daughter. We would all be killed if the VC entered the houses & the Apt. I had been in 2 other Wars where I was in situtations but that was certainly diffrent when surrounded by fellow Marines I had my Sweedisk K sub machine gun there which I carried on flights in the VNAF H34 s . I sat down facing the door with that weapon determined to take anything down that entered or tried to enter the door. It was amost 2 days in that situation when the area was declared cleared. I had nourished myself with nips from a beef Eatters Gin bottle that I had. I learned than that 4 RMK men in the Apt had decided to get in their jeep & go to Tan Sahn Nhut AB & were shot down outside the apt. This episode was diffrent than anything I ever expierenced during my 51 year journey.My wife that was the girl friend than , dont think it really registered with her how near the danger was. She had spent her previous years in all kinds of warfare starting back at Bien Dinh Phu when her brother was fighting the French & the years up to that date. A memory never forgotten Semper Fidelis PM
