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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
Sgt Dale I. Nicholson US Marine Corps (1963-1969)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
Following high school graduation in 1961 most of my friends joined the US Marines; however, I decided to continue my education by enrolling at the new Broward County Junior College. After a couple of semesters of medial performance, I decided to beat the inevitable draft into the Army, and  follow my friends into the armed forces. I took the entrance exam (AFQT) and passed, but decided to wait a while longer before enlisting. The Marines had always been my preferred branch of service, and like most teenagers, I was attracted to the image of being part of the military's "Elite" branch.
During the fall of 1962 another good friend of mine came home for the fall semester break from the Univ. of Florida. The Cuban Missile Crisis had been front page news and South Florida was now filled with US Army personnel carrying Nike Missiles on portable launch pads. All of this activity kind of got the American Spirit stimulated in both of us.
We both wanted to be ready for any potential conflict. Thus, we both decided to make a visit to the local Marine recruiter to discuss enlisting options in the Marines. Within a couple of hours S/Sgt. Bateman (Ft. Lauderdale, FL Recruiting Office) had signed both I and my friend, Jim Hairston, into the US Marine Corps. What had began the day as an informational visit to the recruiting office ended with an unexpected four year commitment to the US Marine Corps.
Our AFQT scores were very high, and the recruiter informed us that we would both be assigned to AAA training schools. We selected the 30 day delayed enlistment program and took off on a fun filled vacation to New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
As most young men at that time, there were no thoughts about what one wanted to do as a career. The beauty of military service was that it provided you with an opportunity to discover the career options that were available.
My father was a radio engineer for the Federal Communications  Commission, so he was elated when I graduated from boot camp with orders to the Naval Communications Training Center at Corry Field in Pensacola, FL. There were four of us in my RTR platoon that received orders for assignmet to this training facility, my enlistment buddy, James D. Hairston (Ft. Lauderdale), Roger M. Anderson (Hollywood), Brian J. Mahoney (Miami) and myself.
I too was excited about the assignment to this AAA school, but probably not for the same reasons as my father. I knew that it would be great training and useful on one's resume when job hunting began in the civilian world; however, as most young Marines at 19 years of age, my focus on life was one day at a time.
I remember that after our leave following ITR all 4 of us reported into Corry Field on 05July63, and once we received our interim, Cryptographic Top Secret Clearance, we began our 22 weeks of radio intelligence training with Company K, Marine Support Battalion, Naval Security Group, NSA.
The work was extremely difficult, first learning the morse code, and then learning how to copy morse transmissions up to about 35 to 40 words a minute. I still have my graduation diploma with a 92.13 GPA. However, I never had any thoughts about making communications or the Marine Corps my career.
Upon graduation I received orders to 2nd Radio Battalion at Camp Geiger, NC. There were several exotic duty stations for this MOS, Turkey, Japan, Hawaii, to name a few, but I ended up at Geiger. I guess that was better than Adak, Alaska.
When the scope of this job began to sink in, meaning sitting behind an RC292 receiver all shift while copying morse code transmissions, I knew that there was a real job mismatch. I requested transfer to a line support unit at mainside, Camp Lejeune and was immediately assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic. I really wanted assignment to the 2nd ANGLICO Battalion, out at Court House Bay, but it didn't happen.
Peace time Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune during 64-65 was boring to say the least. My ambition in joining the Corps was to be in a line company while fighting the enemies of the United States, not PM'ing radio equipment and conducting radio checks.
 After one & a half years with 8th Engineers, I was finally given orders to the 1st MP Battalion via the staging battalion at Camp Pendleton, CA. I reported in sometime in early February 1966 only to learn that my orders had been canceled and that all troops were to be reassigned to the newly formed 5th Marine Division. After a brief assignment with MCB Communications I was sent to 5th MarDiv HQ located out at Las Pulgas (The Fleas) Canyon. I was assigned to the 5th Amphibian Tractor Battalion located at Camp Del Mar with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. I was very pleased with the assignment, as it was already known that we would be heading for combat service in Vietnam.
Eventually I was assigned as the radio operator for 1st Platoon, A Company, working the radio nets for 2nd Lt William J. DiBello. We first landed in Vietnam as 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, Special Landing Force, and eventually rotated as 2nd Platoon, B Company, 1st AmTrac Battalion. In early October our unit moved from DaNang up to the mouth of the Cua Viet River, a few clicks northwest of Dong Ha. Shortly after making Sergeant, the B Company Commander, Captain Legge, appointed me to the responsibilities of Radio Chief at the main Cua Viet base camp, later named Camp Kistler. This lasted only a short while as I was accepted back into college and qualified for the "early release for college enrollment" program, in accordance with MCO 1900.1E, MCO 1900.2E, and MARCORPERSMAN, par 13261.1a. Vietnam was now rapidly disappearing in my rear view mirror, as I caught a C130 out of DaNang Air Base on the night of 18Dec66 for return to CONUS, release from active duty on 23Dec66, home for Christmas and college classes beginning on 05Jan67.
After release from active duty, college, some time with the Marine Corps Reserve and 4th ANGLICO (Miami, FL), a job with the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department and some general fumbling around while still trying to figure out my destin. I found a job with Southern Bell Telephone Co. in Miami, FL, as a residential telephone installer. The short career story is a 31 year career in communications, with my final assignment in AT&T's Government Markets at 2020 K Street, Washington, DC, while consulting with the Department of Defense on top secret projects, like "Trojan", where we designed the communications and information management networks for the battle fields of the future. SWEET!!
So what began as a lark, ended up being the launch pad for a great, successful and interesting career in communications information technology and advanced high speed networking.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
The three ships of our BLT, USS Thompston (LSD-28), USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2), and the USS Vancouver (LPD-2) finally arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines on 28 July 1966. This was our last port before entering the South China Sea for combat service. All US Marines & Corpsmen aboard these three  ships wasted no time in visiting the tourist sites in Olongapo.
Our first combat assault landing as Battalion Landing Team, 1/26 (Rein) was on 16 August 1966 on beaches of The Vung Tau Peninsula, 60 miles southeast of Saigon. This operation, code named "Deckhouse III", was part of a combined operation, code named "Toledo", and was in conjunction with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and Australian units. The Marines of 1/26 would move ashore in both waterborne and airborne modes against the enemy opposition, a vertical envelopment, in Marine Corps tactical terms. The enemy forces targeted were the Headquarters VC 5th Division, 274 and 275 Main-Force Regiments.
Our primary mission in this operation was to be the amphibious assault wave, delivering Charlie Company, 1/26 onto the beaches and then inland to act as a blocking force.
The evening before, 2nd Lt. DiBello briefed our AmTrac platoon on the early morning landing scheduled for the following day. As he outlined our mission, he pulled no punches. He said that once we hit the beach, and if the landing was unopposed, we were to reload Charlie Company and form into a single column. We were then to proceed north to a thin pass that would take us inland to the target area of the coastal lowland jungle and swamps. He described this passage as being just narrow enough for our vehicles, and it would most likely be mined. He further described high ground on both sides of the trail, and that we could expect an enemy ambush with automatic weapons; therefore we should not open the cargo hatches on top of the vehicles. He stated that if the enemy was expecting us, we should anticipate heavy casualties during this inland assault. The briefing did not leave any of the platoon feeling warm & fuzzy, so the night was a restless one as we dreamed of the next day's events.
 Light was just beginning to break on the horizon as we drove our LVT-5 vehicles out of the USS Vancouver (LPD-2) well deck. Each vehicle carried a reinforced squad of infantry "grunts" from Charlie Company. You could see the stress written on their faces as they tightly squeezed together onto the benches inside, placed their weapons between their knees, and bowed their heads, awaiting the unknowns of the assault. Some read quietly to themselves from their small bibles and then placed them inside of their helmets.
As our vehicles descended into the waters of the South China Sea the anguished faces of the grunts became even more detailed from their fear of the unknown. They all had concerns that these large, metal, tracked coffins could not float and that they would be trapped forever in this tomb at the bottom of the sea. Anticipation mounted as sea water occasionally leaked into the troop compartment when waves broke across our bow.
2nd Lt. William J. DiBello, age 22, was standing in the forward right hatch while I was standing out of the rear hatch directly behind him. Bill DiBello was as "green" a 2nd Lt as you could find. He was fresh out of Platoon Leaders School at Quantico and the Tracked Vehicles School at Camp Del Mar. We've all heard Marine sayings, such as, "I've got more time on the crapper, than you have in the Corps"? That's the way some thought about the LT. But, there he was, standing tall, showing no fear, and exposing himself to possible enemy fire, as he commanded his platoon. It was fun to watch him work. Made you proud! (Note: Bill DiBello earned 3 Purple Hearts for his service in Vietnam and retired from the US Marine Corps as a Colonel.)
The LT and I both had a panoramic view of the beaches, thus, we could see everything that was taking place. Unlike the poor grunts that were encaged within, with no windows, or the ability to visually see what was awaiting them. Lt. DiBello quickly began to circle the LVT-5 vehicles as each one exited the well deck and into the sea. He then assembled them into a straight line, parallel to the beach, and readied them for the assault. Once the alignment and spacing was obtained the LT gave the radio command to rapidly proceed forward. The LT pointed to the beach, clinched his fist, and rapidly pumped his arm in a double-time hand and arm signal to communicate the final command. The heavy diesel engines then began to whine and belch black smoke as the drivers put the pedals to the metal, drive stick forward. The faces of our cargo now showed even more exaggerated signs of stress and uncertainty.
As the vehicles pushed through a light chop in the South China Sea and towards the beach, the naval guns of the supporting war ships to our rear began to fire their large guns to soften the beachhead. As the naval gunfire screamed over our heads and exploded their ordinance onto the beach our grunts began to proverbially piss their pants. At the same time the beach was also being strafed by machine gun fire and rockets from our supporting, fixed-wing fighter jets. The faces of the Marines of Charlie Company, 1/26, frowned at the sounds of war and it's invisible enemies concealed from their view.
As we approached the beach the naval guns and air support ceased their fire missions. The crew of the LVT-5 landing craft each had a machine gunner with a 30 caliber machine gun mounted in the center turret of the vehicle. As ordered, they began to strafe and recon the wood line by fire. The sound of the gun was deafening inside the LVT as it rapidly spit out hot brass onto the huddled, awaiting grunts. The vehicle began to pitch and roll as we hit the breaking surf of the beach. Sea water now poured into the vehicle and onto the grunts through the open hatches. Tension mounted! The squad leaders now ordered the Marines to lock & load their weapons as landing was imminent. Inside almost every LVT vehicle there occurred an accidental weapons discharge, as some of the infantry Marines fumbled with their M14's while fighting back their fears.
 You could now feel the vehicle's tracks trying to grab at the soft sands of the beach and provide itself with enough traction to pull us from the sea. First, the left track, then the right track would grab at the sand underneath as the LVT-5 vehicles still pitched and rolled in the heavy surf. Some Marines began to puke from their fear and sickness of the rolling surf. Then suddenly, both tracks grabbed a hold of the earth and lurched us from the sea and onto the beach. The driver sounded the horn and the front ramps opened and dropped from each AmTrac, allowing the Marine infantry units to rapidly exit and deploy onto the sandy beach of Binh Tuy Province, Republic of Vietnam.
There was no greeting of incoming small arms fire pounding at the armor of the AmTracs, or chewing up the sand around our positions. No Marine causalities falling from hostile fire, no incoming mortar rounds or rocket fire screaming onto our positions. All was quite! All Marines had their eyes glued on the tree-line with their weapons at the ready. We all did an intensive eyeball recon for the enemy that we had so much anticipated, took a temporary breath of relief and said a quick prayer for our own ass, and that of our Marine "Brothers". Semper Fi!
This was the first amphibious landing for the 26th Marine Regiment (Rein) since they landed on Iwo Jima, February 19, 1945. So, the network news reporters and their cameramen were embedded with our unit for the news coverage. This could have been another historical moment, but no significant enemy contact was encountered during this landing or the corresponding sweep of the plantation territory.
Phase II of the Deckhouse III/Toledo Operation produced a second combat landing, with our AmTrac platoon once again carrying the Charlie Company Marines of 1/26. This landing occurred just a few days later on August 22nd, and on the beach a few clicks north, near Ham Tan. The overall results of the phase II operation (22Aug66 - 29Aug66) were satisfactory, locating and destroying a VC base camp and bunker complex, plus, tons of rice are captured along with ammunition and other supplies.
Three Charlie Company Marines were killed on August 28th and they are the first combat deaths for 1/26 Marines in Vietnam. One additional Marine died from malaria that he contracted during this phase of the operation.
 Marine & Navy forces of BLT 1/26 now returned to Subic Bay, Philippines for 10 days to resupply and squeeze in some R&R. As we spent our days at "The Sand Ramp" PM'ing our LVT's and other equipment, the Marines of 3/4 attacked the elaborate fortifications being constructed by NVA's 324B Division along a ridge near the razorback. Hills 400 and 484 are the Marines objectives in the battle for Mutter Ridge. This was the beginning of Operation HASTINGS and the operations and battles that we would soon become engaged.
Here is an overview, as posted as a note from the Virtual Wall:
"During the summer of 1966 the North Vietnamese Army's 324B Division had infiltrated south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with the clear intention of setting up a major presence in northern Quang Tri Province. The NVA 341st Division was positioned within and north of the DMZ and prepared to support the 324B Division and/or exploit opportunities arising from the 324B's operations.
CG 3rd MAF, the senior US commander in northern South Vietnam, initiated Operation HASTINGS, aimed at discouraging the 324B Division and forcing it back into the DMZ (at the time, US forces could not enter into the DMZ - it was an NVA sanctuary). Heavy fighting continued through July 1966, particularly around the "Rockpile" between Khe Sanh and Camp Carroll. HASTINGS ended, and a series of recon-in-force operations - termed Operation PRAIRIE - began on 03 August 1966.
Operation DECKHOUSE IV was conducted by the 7th Fleet's Special Landing Force Bravo (Battalion Landing Team 1/26) as an adjunct to Operation PRAIRIE. BLT 1/26's area of operation was about 8 miles northeast of Dong Ha, and began with an amphibious landing and a heliborne landing some six miles inland west of Highway 1. HMM-363 would have the duties for these helicopter landings.
At about 1330 15 Sept 1966 a recon team made contact with an NVA company. That contact was the first in what became ten days of heavy fighting for BLT 1/26's Marines and sailors. Although DECKHOUSE IV officially ended on the 18th, BLT 1/26 stayed in support of PRAIRIE until the 25th. The operation claimed at least 200 NVA killed at a cost of 37 Marines and sailors killed in action and another 167 wounded."
Operation DECKHOUSE IV began for me in the early morning hours of 15 Sept 1966 as the USS Vancouver (LPD-2) emptied her cargo of Amphibian Tractors from 1st Platoon, Company A, 5th AmTrac Battalion into the waters of the South China Sea. The LVT-5's were loaded with Marines from Alpha Company, 1/26 as we steered toward Beach BLUE (2 miles south of the DMZ) at 0730H (H-hour), followed by Wave 2 which was composed of Shore Party Platoon, Beachmaster Unit and a Recon Party - Battery A, 13th Marines.
As with our two previous amphibious assaults this was again uneventful with no enemy contact made during the landing. We reloaded Company A and attacked to the southeast where the first objective was secured at 0910H. We now returned to the USS Vancouver and loaded Company C, 1/26 for a second landing onto Beach BLUE. This commenced at 1110H and the assault was completed at 1230H.
The D-day's operation had Company D helilifted to LZ SPARROW, Company B helilifted to LZ WREN, and Battery A, 13th Marines to LZ EAGLE. The Anti-Tank Platoon was now moved up the Cua Viet River by LCM's to Dong Ha, where they would move across country to link up at LZ EAGLE. At 1750H of D-day Beach BLUE was closed. The Beachmaster and Shore Party returned to the USS Thomaston (LSD-28) and all AmTracs of the 1st Platoon returned to the USS Vancouver (LPD-2). We all rested well that night in our shipboard bunks while our Marine brothers of BLT 1/26 hunkered down ashore in their fighting holes.
Now, my memory is a little "fuzzy" about the next couple of days as they seem to differ from the Combat After Action Report (CAAR), which shows no notations of the LVT platoon until D+3, 18 September 1966...a two day gap that would lead one to believe that we sat aboard ship during that time. What I remember is that the LVT platoon, and it's vehicles, remained ashore in a make-shift CP, on the south bank at the mouth of the Cua Viet River. During that time I recall that we participated in sweeps on the north bank of the Cua Viet River up to Hill 31, near the DMZ.
The before mentioned entry in the Combat After Action Report of 18Sept66 reads that "At 0845H the LVT Platoon, less vehicles, was helilifted to LZ EAGLE." "The Tank Platoon, with vehicles, was embarked aboard LCM-8's for movement to Dong Ha." I can certainly remember that. The chopper ride into LZ EAGLE reinforced why I liked riding on LVT's and was not billeted as a Huey door gunner. As a personal note....open air heights is not one of my strengths. This assignment was the first of a trend that would later be defined as an "AMGRUNT", serving as a basic Marine rifleman in the perimeter defenses.
After about two days of "hawking" the wood line for NVA gooks, Lt. DiBello called the troops together to announce that HQ had requested that two LVT's be immediately disembarked from  the USS Vancouver to Beach BLUE for embarkation aboard LCM-8's in route up the Cua Viet River to Dong Ha. The two LVT's were to travel in companion with a platoon from Alpha Company, 1/26, and link up with Charlie Company, 3rd Tank Battalion at Dong Ha. We would be OpCon to 3rd Tanks with our mission being to quickly move north from Dong Ha to an area just northwest of Con Thien to provide supporting arms for Delta Company, 1/26, who had been engaged for several days in constant, and extremely heavy fighting against the enemy NVA. We were designated to carry ammunition, supplies, and fuel for the flame tanks. Lt. DiBello selected the senior Section Leader, Sgt. Smith, and two of his LVT crews to fill this assignment. He also sent Staff Sergeant Lawrence (Sukushi), the senior maintenance engineer, Sgt. Mantle, our Platoon Corpsman, Doc Adams, and me, the radio operator. At 1200H the BLT transferred OpCon to the Third MAF. This officially terminated Operation DECKHOUSE IV, and initiated Operation PRAIRIE for BLT 1/26.
The two LVT crews, and the before mentioned platoon personnel, were chopper'ed back to the USS Vancouver to ready their LVT vehicles for embarkation. The next morning, and per the Combat After Action Report, (D+7, 22Sept66) documented that "at 0945H, LVT's arrived at Dong Ha after moving up river from the USS Vancouver (LPD-2)". After an uneventful trip up the river, I remember that when our LCM's reached the ramp at the base of the Dong Ha bridge, a Captain (Paul F. Lessard) from Charlie Company, 3rd Tanks greeted us and assisted in the debarkation of the vehicles. From there he led us a mile, or two, to the Tank farm located on the north side of the Dong Ha Airbase.
After loading supplies and Alpha Company Marines, the CAAR stated that "A column of four tanks from Company C, 3rd Tank Battalion, two LVT's and a platoon from Company A departed Dong Ha at 1230H to link up with Company C".
Morale was good, and attitudes were positive as we aligned into an armored column, traveling northbound up Highway #1 and then westbound at the bridge along highway #9 to another northbound turn towards the Village of Cam Lo. The LVT crew chiefs had both bought large water buffalo horns while in Subic Bay, which they had attached to the center machine gun turrets on each of the LVT's. They looked great and added a little of that Macho Marine testosterone to everyone's attitude. Although everyone looked to be calm and in control, we all knew that as we got to the north side of Cam Lo we would be entering into a "FREE KILL" zone with enemy contact being imminent. I'm not exactly sure as to how everyone else defined that terminology. "FREE KILL", but I certainly knew how I defined it, if it moves, shoot it!
As the armored column moved north along a narrow, hilly trail, surrounded with thick brush and called Route #561, the radio nets confirmed that there was an ass kicking contest going on somewhere around the Village of An Dinh. Platoon's from Companies C & D were engaged with the NVA in scattered small arms fire action and calling in supporting artillery fire and air support. Our sense of urgency rose to a higher level as we listened to their radio calls. Then, just as the column was coming down a slight rise and into a shallow valley, at 1402H there was a loud explosion at the front of the column. One of the tanks had detonated a large mine at YD 136676. All of the rifle company Marines quickly deployed and secured the perimeter as the Tank Commander assessed the damages. At the sound of the explosion I ran forward to see what had happened. It appeared that the mine had detonated just below the driver's position, ripping a hole in the belly of the vehicle. It did not look as though the tank's track had initiated the detonation, because the track appeared to be intact. This led observers to believe that this mine had been detonated electronically from someone in the hills above.
The column continued forward towards its objective with an increased sense of urgency. Then, approximately an hour later, one of our LVT's threw a track on the port side. The "tractor rats" (I say that with great respect & affection) all huddled around the track and planned their repair strategy. Now, I am not an MOS 1833, but I do remember that they had to "short track" the vehicle in order to make it operational. So, while the "tractor rats" banged away on the track, and a fire team from A Company stayed behind and secured the perimeter, I perched atop of the wounded LVT and manned the 30 caliber machine gun.
 While the LVT was being repaired I observed two uniformed personnel, carrying AK47's, crouching in the brush approximately 20 meters to our starboard side. When they noticed that they had been detected, they fired a burst of fire in our direction and simultaneously I cut loose with a long burst from the 30 caliber. I raked the area where they were seen, but I don't believe that I hit them. The "tractor rats" were all huddled in refuge underneath the LVT, and pissed off at the surprise of gunfire. They quickly finished their repairs and we wasted no time in mounting out to catch up with our unit.
After we caught up with the column, we joined the CP of the rifle companies and secured the area for the evening at YD 109697. At approximately 1950H the perimeter was probed, shots fired, but contact was broken off and the NVA fled. There was no further contact during the night.
Per the CAAR (D+9, 24Sept66), 0700H orders were received to withdraw and return to our respective ships. Companies B and D were helilifted to the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2). The elements of the C Company, 3rd Tanks (Rein), 1st Platoon, A Company, 5th Tank Bn and supporting LVT's from BLT 1/26, with elements of Company C, 1/26 took the slow road (Route #561) back through Cam Lo, to Dong Ha. We formed an armored column of 9 tanks and 2 LVT's for the return trip back to Dong Ha. It was a bright sunny day and the trip back had thus far been uneventful. I remember that I looked to the south and could see the Village of Cam Lo and knew that we were approaching the end of the "Free Kill" zone and therefore, at the end of Indian Territory. I took off my flak jacket and shirt, laid down my M14 atop some sandbags, and began covering my upper body with baby oil. Typical Florida boy, I was working on my tan.
As I began to lay back atop of the LVT and grab a few rays, I was looking up at a small piper cub spotter plane that usually escorted armored columns while on patrol. It was as if the next few moments were in slow motion as I observed the pilot open his window and drop something that was immediately determined to be a red smoke grenade. This signal denotes bad guys in the bush, ambush! Just at that moment all hell broke loose, AT Rockets exploded, 57mm recoil-less rifle fire, RPG-2's, and automatic weapons fire. I'm not sure, but I think that we took a  couple of 82mm Mortar rounds as well. All I know is that a close explosion sent me from the top of the LVT to the hard ground below, with a small brush stump stuck up my butt. Very painful! As I recovered from the fall a second explosion knocked me back against the LVT. It was total confusion. My M14 was topside and nowhere near me. Amid all of the small arms fire and rocket explosions, I quickly climbed atop the LVT and retrieved my rifle, focused on the starboard side where the hostile fire was coming from, and opened fire into the brush. Sporadic firing was taking place up and down the column as all Marines countered the NVA ambush. In what seemed like only minutes, two Marine Corps Phantom Jets came screaming down out of the sky with their wing cannons blazing. I watched tentatively as both F-4B's dropped a napalm bomb onto the NVA position. Now this is what I call "close air support". Those napalm bombs looked to be no more than 30 meters above our heads as they literally floated down end-over-end and onto the enemy. What a beautiful explosion they made.
The CAAR for that day later stated that "while in route to Dong Ha, at 1500H, the column was hit from the rear by AT rockets and automatic weapons at YD 135633. The tanks and infantry deployed and returned fire and an airstrike was delivered. The action resulted in 7 KIA (confirmed) and 20 KIA (probable). The column proceeded on to Dong Ha." I have no formal reports of U.S. Marine infantry causalities from this particular action, but I do know that there were wounded, including myself (minor wounds of AT Rocket shrapnel in both legs) and at least two KIA's, one of which was a sandy haired, Marine PFC that had caught a round directly in the center of his forehead. I helped retrieve and carry him into the LVT for transport back to Dong Ha. Another KIA was with the Tank Platoon, and I believe that he was the driver. I had walked back a couple of vehicles, towards the rear of the column, and saw him being pulled up and out of the Tank. His head was basically gone from the jaw up. You could just see his lower teeth. Tanks also reported an additional 5-WIA's. It now began a light rain as some choppers arrived to take out the more seriously wounded.
The remainder of the trip was uneventful. We spent the night at the Dong Ha Airbase. At first light we began our trip down the Cua Viet River for a LVT ride back out to the well deck of the USS Vancouver (LPD-2). It wasn't until we had arrived back at the ship that I realized that I had minor leg wounds.
The CAAR (D+10, 25Sept66) documents that "The operation terminated at 251500H September 1966."
6. Results
a. Enemy
(1) The following is the assessment of NVA and VC personnel casualties inflicted by Battalion Landing Team 1-26:
(a) KIA (BODY COUNT) 254
(b) KIA (PROBABLE) 313
(c) WIA (CONFIRMED) 14
(d) NVA Captives 1
(e) VCS 13
(f) VCC 3
b. Friendly
(1) Casualties sustained by Battalion Landing Team 1-26 are summarized below:
(a) KIA - 34
1 Gunshot - 20
2 Shrapnel - 6
(b) Died of Wounds - 2
1 Gunshot - 2
(c) WIA - 167
1 Gunshot - 66
2 Shrapnel - 101
(d) Non-Battle Casualties - 75
1 Malaria - 10
2 Heat - 19
3 Sprains - 17
4 Miscellaneous - 29
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
I certainly have a large number of events that I can select from, mostly bad memories, like an automobile wreck while stationed at Pensacola, FL and the loss of my spleen, or an automobile wreck the day of our return from Spain and Operation Steel Pike, that resulted in massive head  trauma and a coma.
The best memory is that of 5th Amphibian Tractor Battalion, from its original forming at Camp Del Mar, California, lock-on training, training operations like Silver Point I, the final training exercise in Mindoro Philippines, embarkation, to the combat operations in Vietnam, until our rotation as 2nd platoon, B Company, 1st AmTrac Bn.
I think the primary reason is that as a commnications MOS, I was always assigned to H&S Company, Communications Platoon. Although the Marines that I served with were tight, there was never the true sense of unity and brotherhood that I felt with the 5th Tracs.
As a radio operator, you are generally assigned out to operational platoons that carry out the primary operational mandate of your unit; i.e., Combat Engineers, Tanks, Infantry units, etc. This happens during both unit training exercises and combat assignments. You could be with 1st platoon one day, and 4th platoon, the next. There was never the cohesiveness that I finally experienced with 5th Tracs. We trained together, served together and fought together.
From May 1966 until our rotation to 1st AmTracs on 26Sept66 I was finally part of a unit. The bonds formed during this period will always be important to me.
WERE ANY OF THE MEDALS OR AWARDS YOU RECEIVED FOR VALOR? IF YES, COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WAS EARNED?
 None! However, I can still hear Lt. DiBello telling me throughout our operations that if we got into a firefight, he would "bronze" me for any heroic actions. He had made sure that my M14 had been modified for fully automatic before we left the States. He wanted to make sure that we had enough fire power if we got into any tight squeezes.
The Purple Heart was earned for wounds received on 24Sept66 from AT rocket shrapnel while on operation Prairie in Quang Tri Province. Our armored column, a section of LVT-5's from 1st Platoon, A Company, 5th AmTrac Battalion, Tanks from Charlie Company, 3rd Tank Battalion, and a platoon from Alpha Company, 1/26, were returning back to Dong Ha, and traveling southbound along route 561, after some heavy fighting while in assistance of D Company, 1/26, near the village of An Dinh, just northwest of Con Thien. We were nearing the Village of Cam Lo (grid coordinates YD135633) when attacked by ambush at approximately 3:00 PM.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
All of the medals, ribbons, etc., are equally important to me. As previously stated, I received no medals for heroic acts of gallantry, or commendations for exceptional performance.
If there would be anything that might stand out, then if would probably be my rifle qualifications that were both expert 231 & 233.  I was never sent to the rifle range in 1965 (Dominican Republic), or 1966 (Vietnam), for qualification.
The boot camp qualification of 231 earned the Leatherneck Award Medal and led to my selection to shoot on the Force Troops Team durind the Eastern Division Matches held in 1964 at Camp LeJeune.
It was quite gratifying to qualify as expert during boot camp, for one primary reason. Our platoon range instructor, Cpl. Conklin, constantly rode my ass about sleeping in class, so when we were in the range house, during our instruction, he had me perched atop the GI can in a squatting position, with my arms folded under my arm pits, as he would refer to me as "Pvt. Shitbird".
Needless to say sitting in the range house during the hot spring days on Parris Island was not one of my strong points.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 Probably, like the majority of Marines, I believe that the person, or persons, that had the greatest impact on my Marine Corps service, would be the recruit platoon Drill Instructors of Platoon 211, RTR, Parris Island, SC. Specifically, the Senior Drill Instructor, Sgt. O.P. Kindschy, and then the other two Junior Drill Instructors.... Sgt. R.L. Costantine and Sgt. F.P. Navarro. All dedicated and great Marines!
I cannot think of a more difficult job than that of the drill instructor. To take a geographically, culturally & racially diverse collection of young men and mold them into U.S. Marines must have been as rewarding, as it was challenging for them and the others of their profession.
I salute these three Marines and all who have worn the symbol of their profession, the drill instructor's "smokey" cover.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
Without any intention of doing so, I followed my Marine Corps training in communications into the civilian job market.
I needed a job, and Southern Bell Telephone Co. (SBT), and AT&T were both in a hiring frenzy in South Florida during the late 60's. I took all of the entrance test  at SBT and passed with flying colors. I first interviewed at the AT&T office in Ft. Lauderdale that handled overseas telephone and ship-to-shore relay service. This was the best job match, as I knew all of the radio antennas they were using and most of their equipment. I was interviewed by a retired Marine Master Sgt. that was the manager of the switching office. He had also served in Vietnam with the 8th Comm. Bn., so we swapped a few war stories. It was the longest interview of my life.....over four hours.
He called me a couple of days later and offered me a job, but SBT had also called the same day, and offered me a job as an Installer-Repairman in North Miami....which I knew nothing about. I weighed the benefits of both positions and selected the SBT offer because I decided that working outdoors, without over-the-shoulder management, would be a better fit.
SBT was a wholly owned operating company of AT&T. They gave me two years wage credit for my military service, they had a great benefit and health care plan, good employee training, and a college tuition plan, so....I jumped at the opportunity and began my employment in October 1967.
I spent two years as an Installer-Repairman until I found a job that I thought would be an even better match. It was still with SBT, and titled, Communications Advisor. It was still a non-management position, but doing outside business equipment sales to customers in the greater Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood/Pompano Beach area. I was sent to Atlanta, GA for six weeks of intensive sales and equipment training, and the beginning of a new adventure.
After two plus successful years in sales I was promoted to Sales Manager in the Ft. Lauderdale office in 1972. I held this position until January 1976 when I became the Account Mgr. for the government market segment in all of Broward County. I was promoted in 1977 when they added Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, & Indian River Counties to my portfolio.
In 1978 I took a lateral transfer to the Atlanta company headquarters to become the Market Mgr. for State & Local Government over the four states under SBT. I remained in this position throughout the initial changes in the Bell System, as the company went through the federal court ordered divestiture (break-up) process. After the shake-up, I was transfered, in December 1982, to AT&T Information Systems (Customer Premise Equipment) in Atlanta, and in October 1983 I transfered to AT&T Communications (Network); where at the end of 1984 I was selected to the distinguished Network Leaders Council and also the Leaders Board. Only the top 1% of AT&T sales & marketing personnel are selected.
The next 11 years saw my career stabilize in Atlanta, while mostly handling various strategic & tactical marketing, and product & pricing initiatives for the state & local governments over a 14 state regional market area. Although I was still located in Atlanta, my positions were all a part of AT&T's corporate business marketing staff, headquartered out of Bridgewater, or Bedminster, New Jersey.
My next major career move came in 1994 with an offer from AT&T Government Markets - New Business Development, located in Silver Springs, MD. This position was the District Manager of State, Local & Tribal Governments throughout the U.S. and the six U.S. Territories. Our offices relocated to downtown Washington, DC in late 1995 and I finished my 31 year career with another promotion in April 1997 as Director: Market Sensing & Planning, for the Federal, Civil Government, and Military market segments. I retired on 30Jun98.
After retirement I opened a business consulting company that specialized in business planning, market plan development, sales channel effectiveness, business function analysis, and organizational change. As some filler jobs, I handled Request For Proposals for small businesses that were seeking to upgrade and integrate their information management & network systems.
I am now fully retired.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
When I first came home from Vietnam I joined several local chapters of veterans organizations, VFW, American Legion, DAV and the Marine Corps League. My reasons were not primarily patriotic, but more for self preservation.
I had left Vietnam in the late evening of 18Dec66, released from active duty on 23Dec66, and  back into a college classroom on 05Jan67. So, after deducting a lost day for crossing the International Date Line, it was basically 16 days before this 23 year old, over-sexed, combat killer was sitting in a classroom of 18 year old freshmen. I won't elaborate, but the transition was a difficult one. Therefore, my initial reason for joining the veterans organizations was simply because the members were the only people who really understood you, and that I could converse with, and feel comfortable with. My memberships were mainly a social foundation.
I initially assisted the individual organizations by participating in funerals, honor guards, veterans parades, fund raising, etc. Eventually, my accomplishments led to me being selected as Chairman of the Broward County Veterans Council which oversaw and coordinated the activities of all local veterans chapters.
In 1969 the Ft. Lauderdale Jaycees recognized me with their Outstanding American Award for Broward County, FL. I traveled to Tampa, FL for the state awards and finished 2nd to Colonel Chaffy James, USAF, who later became the first African American, 4 Star General, in the US Air Force.
I have never received any direct, or indirect benefits from any veterans organization, other than the friendships that were made at the chapter level. I will say that todays veterans organizations have evolved into something far better than what the local chapters represented in the 60's - 80's. They are now more active in assisting veterans upon their return from duty. I am very pleased to read about what they are now doing.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
This is a very broad and far reaching question. The character, personality traits, and core values, that you had upon entering military service were most likely significantly altered the first day you stepped off of the bus at boot camp. Thus, over a four year tour of active duty, you  generally displaced, modified, or developed those character traits and values into a more responsible, accountable, self reliant, dedicated, and self assured individual.
My sense of commitment, tenacity, ability to adapt and overcome obstacles, organizational discipline, decisiveness, a never quit attitude, firmness, and unwavering resolve, are all core values learned while in the U.S. Marine Corps. All, or many of these attributes were polished and refined over time as I grew as a person, but the raw ingredients were mostly instilled in me while serving as an active duty Marine.
Saying that, it must also be said that there are also some negative learned behaviors that were developed during active duty service....a tough attitude & style (forcefulness) that one needs to soften to maximize their leadership effectiveness, and... colorful and descriptive language that should also require modification if one is to be successful in life.
I believe that all Americans should serve in the military service. There is no better place to build a foundation of good character, self discipline, and leadership. I am proud to have served!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
If you are planning on a long-term military career, or moving back into the private, civilian sector, my advice is the same. Education, education, and more education!!!!
My wife sells business furniture to military bases, and I have had the privilege of accompanying her on several business trips to Camp LeJeune  over these last few years. During those trips I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Harris, a former Marine Master Sergeant, and now employed by the General Services Administration. At the time of our visits, Pete was facilitating the implementation of new learning facilities at Camp LeJeune. He took some time to detail the new learning programs available, and the emphasis that was being placed on funding these type of programs and facilities. I was amazed at the new classrooms, technology, and distance learning tools now available to base Marines. A college in your backyard. Sweet!
I wish that these learning facilities were available to me while I was on active duty. I say to all of you now serving our Country, take advantage of on-base learning programs such as these. Concentrate on your education, use your GI Bill once your exit the service, and develop yourself a life-time learning strategy. The world is changing to fast, and one can become stagnant and their core skills & knowledge quickly outdated.
Whatever profession you select, stay on top of your game through on-going education in your field of choice.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
Togetherweserved has presented a great forum for me, and all who served, to build a testimonial profile of their service experiences. I see great potential to locate former Marines that I served with, and rebuild a bond of brotherhood between us.
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TWS VOICES
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follow my friends into the armed forces. I took the entrance exam (AFQT) and passed, but decided to wait a while longer before enlisting. The Marines had always been my preferred branch of service, and like most teenagers, I was attracted to the image of being part of the military's "Elite" branch.
Commission, so he was elated when I graduated from boot camp with orders to the Naval Communications Training Center at Corry Field in Pensacola, FL. There were four of us in my RTR platoon that received orders for assignmet to this training facility, my enlistment buddy, James D. Hairston (Ft. Lauderdale), Roger M. Anderson (Hollywood), Brian J. Mahoney (Miami) and myself.
After one & a half years with 8th Engineers, I was finally given orders to the 1st MP Battalion via the staging battalion at Camp Pendleton, CA. I reported in sometime in early February 1966 only to learn that my orders had been canceled and that all troops were to be reassigned to the newly formed 5th Marine Division. After a brief assignment with MCB Communications I was sent to 5th MarDiv HQ located out at Las Pulgas (The Fleas) Canyon. I was assigned to the 5th Amphibian Tractor Battalion located at Camp Del Mar with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. I was very pleased with the assignment, as it was already known that we would be heading for combat service in Vietnam.
ships wasted no time in visiting the tourist sites in Olongapo.
Light was just beginning to break on the horizon as we drove our LVT-5 vehicles out of the USS Vancouver (LPD-2) well deck. Each vehicle carried a reinforced squad of infantry "grunts" from Charlie Company. You could see the stress written on their faces as they tightly squeezed together onto the benches inside, placed their weapons between their knees, and bowed their heads, awaiting the unknowns of the assault. Some read quietly to themselves from their small bibles and then placed them inside of their helmets.
You could now feel the vehicle's tracks trying to grab at the soft sands of the beach and provide itself with enough traction to pull us from the sea. First, the left track, then the right track would grab at the sand underneath as the LVT-5 vehicles still pitched and rolled in the heavy surf. Some Marines began to puke from their fear and sickness of the rolling surf. Then suddenly, both tracks grabbed a hold of the earth and lurched us from the sea and onto the beach. The driver sounded the horn and the front ramps opened and dropped from each AmTrac, allowing the Marine infantry units to rapidly exit and deploy onto the sandy beach of Binh Tuy Province, Republic of Vietnam.
Marine & Navy forces of BLT 1/26 now returned to Subic Bay, Philippines for 10 days to resupply and squeeze in some R&R. As we spent our days at "The Sand Ramp" PM'ing our LVT's and other equipment, the Marines of 3/4 attacked the elaborate fortifications being constructed by NVA's 324B Division along a ridge near the razorback. Hills 400 and 484 are the Marines objectives in the battle for Mutter Ridge. This was the beginning of Operation HASTINGS and the operations and battles that we would soon become engaged.
USS Vancouver (LPD-2) emptied her cargo of Amphibian Tractors from 1st Platoon, Company A, 5th AmTrac Battalion into the waters of the South China Sea. The LVT-5's were loaded with Marines from Alpha Company, 1/26 as we steered toward Beach BLUE (2 miles south of the DMZ) at 0730H (H-hour), followed by Wave 2 which was composed of Shore Party Platoon, Beachmaster Unit and a Recon Party - Battery A, 13th Marines.
the USS Vancouver to Beach BLUE for embarkation aboard LCM-8's in route up the Cua Viet River to Dong Ha. The two LVT's were to travel in companion with a platoon from Alpha Company, 1/26, and link up with Charlie Company, 3rd Tank Battalion at Dong Ha. We would be OpCon to 3rd Tanks with our mission being to quickly move north from Dong Ha to an area just northwest of Con Thien to provide supporting arms for Delta Company, 1/26, who had been engaged for several days in constant, and extremely heavy fighting against the enemy NVA. We were designated to carry ammunition, supplies, and fuel for the flame tanks. Lt. DiBello selected the senior Section Leader, Sgt. Smith, and two of his LVT crews to fill this assignment. He also sent Staff Sergeant Lawrence (Sukushi), the senior maintenance engineer, Sgt. Mantle, our Platoon Corpsman, Doc Adams, and me, the radio operator. At 1200H the BLT transferred OpCon to the Third MAF. This officially terminated Operation DECKHOUSE IV, and initiated Operation PRAIRIE for BLT 1/26.
While the LVT was being repaired I observed two uniformed personnel, carrying AK47's, crouching in the brush approximately 20 meters to our starboard side. When they noticed that they had been detected, they fired a burst of fire in our direction and simultaneously I cut loose with a long burst from the 30 caliber. I raked the area where they were seen, but I don't believe that I hit them. The "tractor rats" were all huddled in refuge underneath the LVT, and pissed off at the surprise of gunfire. They quickly finished their repairs and we wasted no time in mounting out to catch up with our unit.
couple of 82mm Mortar rounds as well. All I know is that a close explosion sent me from the top of the LVT to the hard ground below, with a small brush stump stuck up my butt. Very painful! As I recovered from the fall a second explosion knocked me back against the LVT. It was total confusion. My M14 was topside and nowhere near me. Amid all of the small arms fire and rocket explosions, I quickly climbed atop the LVT and retrieved my rifle, focused on the starboard side where the hostile fire was coming from, and opened fire into the brush. Sporadic firing was taking place up and down the column as all Marines countered the NVA ambush. In what seemed like only minutes, two Marine Corps Phantom Jets came screaming down out of the sky with their wing cannons blazing. I watched tentatively as both F-4B's dropped a napalm bomb onto the NVA position. Now this is what I call "close air support". Those napalm bombs looked to be no more than 30 meters above our heads as they literally floated down end-over-end and onto the enemy. What a beautiful explosion they made.
trauma and a coma.
None! However, I can still hear Lt. DiBello telling me throughout our operations that if we got into a firefight, he would "bronze" me for any heroic actions. He had made sure that my M14 had been modified for fully automatic before we left the States. He wanted to make sure that we had enough fire power if we got into any tight squeezes.
I was never sent to the rifle range in 1965 (Dominican Republic), or 1966 (Vietnam), for qualification.
Probably, like the majority of Marines, I believe that the person, or persons, that had the greatest impact on my Marine Corps service, would be the recruit platoon Drill Instructors of Platoon 211, RTR, Parris Island, SC. Specifically, the Senior Drill Instructor, Sgt. O.P. Kindschy, and then the other two Junior Drill Instructors.... Sgt. R.L. Costantine and Sgt. F.P. Navarro. All dedicated and great Marines!
at SBT and passed with flying colors. I first interviewed at the AT&T office in Ft. Lauderdale that handled overseas telephone and ship-to-shore relay service. This was the best job match, as I knew all of the radio antennas they were using and most of their equipment. I was interviewed by a retired Marine Master Sgt. that was the manager of the switching office. He had also served in Vietnam with the 8th Comm. Bn., so we swapped a few war stories. It was the longest interview of my life.....over four hours.
back into a college classroom on 05Jan67. So, after deducting a lost day for crossing the International Date Line, it was basically 16 days before this 23 year old, over-sexed, combat killer was sitting in a classroom of 18 year old freshmen. I won't elaborate, but the transition was a difficult one. Therefore, my initial reason for joining the veterans organizations was simply because the members were the only people who really understood you, and that I could converse with, and feel comfortable with. My memberships were mainly a social foundation.
generally displaced, modified, or developed those character traits and values into a more responsible, accountable, self reliant, dedicated, and self assured individual.
over these last few years. During those trips I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Harris, a former Marine Master Sergeant, and now employed by the General Services Administration. At the time of our visits, Pete was facilitating the implementation of new learning facilities at Camp LeJeune. He took some time to detail the new learning programs available, and the emphasis that was being placed on funding these type of programs and facilities. I was amazed at the new classrooms, technology, and distance learning tools now available to base Marines. A college in your backyard. Sweet!
