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Note From the Editor
Greetings. This month's Dispatches features the story of an iconic image that we've come to know from the Vietnam Memorial Wall. We also have a fascinating story of Medal of Honor recipient Lloyd L. Burke, along with the history of an elite unit of flyers in World War I, the Lafayette Escadrille.
We hope you enjoy them.
Please let me know your comments regarding your Dispatches - things you like and things you like less. Also, please contact me with any stories or articles you would like considered for publishing. I can be reached at Mike.Christy@togetherweserved.com.
All information for Bulletin Board Posts and Reunion Announcements please send to Admin@togetherweserved.com
Lt Col Mike Christy U.S. Army (Ret)
CONTENTS
1/ The Man at the Wall
2/ View Your Entry in Our Roll of Honor!
3/ Profile in Courage: Lloyd L. Burke
4/ Preserve Your Old Photos: Let Us Help for Free!
5/ Military Myth & Legends: The Lafayette Escadrille
6/ Do You Still Have Your Boot Camp/Basic Training Photo?
7/ Battlefield Chronicles: The Battle of Monte Cassino
8/ Have A Military Reunion Coming Soon?
9/ ICE Tried to Deport This U.S. Citizen and Marine Veteran
10/ New Together We Served Military Store
11/ TWS Bulletin Board
12/ TWS Person Locator Service
13/ First U.S. Combat Troops Arrive in Vietnam
14/ Book Review: Black Ops Vietnam
The Man at the Wall
He became an icon, even though relatively few people knew who he was.
He had wanted no part of being prominent but accepted it with grace and a sense of duty because it allowed him to be part of something far greater and more iconic than any individual could be.
His face can be found in hundreds of thousands of places across America - on walls, desks, and shelves and in kitchen cabinets, clothes closets, and drawers.
Even if they never met him and didn't know his name, it's likely that millions of men and women loved him because of what he represented.
He represented them, and the pain, loss and survivor's guilt they felt for those who didn't come home with them, some of whom they had grown to love and think of as family, a bond that cannot be understood by those who haven't been a part of something like it.
Williams was portrayed as "The Man at The Wall" in the "Reflections" print, head bowed, and eyes closed in grief, with a hand pressed against a few of the more than 58,000 names that are etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The names are those of American servicemen and women who died in Vietnam or later succumbed to wounds they received there.
"The Man at The Wall" cannot see that another hand is pressing against his and that the shades of several soldiers and nurses are looking back at him. (Eight women, all of them, nurses, are among America's Vietnam War dead).
Williams was one of the first to join the Vietnam Veterans of America and played a part in creating Cumberland Chapter 172 of the VVA when it was formed in 1984.
"Jim was a great patriot, serving his country with honor and pride," Chapter President Bob Cook said.
Cook said Williams was instrumental in the chapter's success through the part he played in "Reflections," which appears on several hundred thousand prints, plaques, T-shirts, sweatshirts and coffee mugs that Chapter 172 has sold.
"Jim posed for Lee Teter-who painted the original 'Reflections'-as being a businessman visiting the Vietnam Memorial Wall," said Cook. "And one can infer what is going through this man's mind and heart while honoring those names on The Wall.
"Jim would sign the print for anyone who asked him, knowing that proceeds of this print would benefit Chapter 172," he said.
Williams had been a chapter officer and member of the board of directors and color guard and vice president of the Maryland State VVA Council.
"He will be sadly missed," said Cook.
Chip Sours, a Chapter 172 member who was described in Williams' obituary as "a faithful friend, who was like a son," said Williams never talked about how he came to be "The Man at The Wall."
"Jim was a very humble person," said Sours. "He never brought it up in the 20 years I knew him, and that's the way he wanted it."
Sours said Williams hadn't believed he deserved to be in the print because he had never been in combat. He accepted the role because of what "Reflections" represented and because it would help Chapter 172.
When asked for an autograph, he signed. After enough people asked him for his card, he had them printed to give out.
"Every Vietnam veteran in this country should feel the way I feel about Jim because of what he did for them with that print," Sours said.
"The guy loved everybody and was dedicated to the chapter and the organization and what it stood for," he said.
The VVA was founded in 1979 with the motto, "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."
Rather than being greeted with "Welcome Home," many returning Vietnam veterans found that they were despised by many other Americans - some of whom went to airports to curse at them and throw refuse at them. Some veterans' service posts wanted nothing to do with them, but others welcomed them.
All that has changed, and the VVA advocates for all veterans. They are grateful for the fact that they now are appreciated but remember all too well that few people advocated for them when they needed it.
Williams was active in several veterans' organizations and volunteered at the Cumberland VA Outpatient Clinic.
"Jim wanted things to be right for everybody," Sours said. "He had no enemies and treated everybody right, and everybody loved him.
"He pretty much adopted me and told me I was like the son he never had. We went to numerous national VVA conferences together.
"Jim had a very lovely family, and he hung in there until the last daughter got there to be with him at his home, after traveling for several hours, before he died," Sours said.
Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Williams died Dec. 19, 2018, at his home in Corriganville at age 84. He continued to serve his country long after retiring from his 20 years in uniform.
Williams is survived by his widow, Laura, and four daughters, three stepsons, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
View Your Entry in Our Roll of Honor!
As a fitting tribute to our Members of Together We Served, your service to our country is now honored in our Roll of Honor, the most powerful online display of Living, Fallen and Deceased Veterans existing today. Our 1.8 million Veteran Members, who served from WWII to present day, now have a dedicated entry displaying a brief service summary of their service and their photo in uniform if posted.
You can find your Roll of Honor entry easily - click on the graphic below and select your service branch. Then enter your Last Name in the search window at top right and scroll down. Please check your entry for accuracy and Log in to TWS to update any information on your Profile Page, such as your Last Unit, and add your service photo for completeness if you haven't already done so.
If you have any questions regarding your entry in our Roll of Honor, please don't hesitate to contact us at Admin@togetherweserved.com or contact our Live Help Desk at the bottom left of your TWS website.
Profile in Courage: Lloyd L. Burke
Lloyd Leslie Burke was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War where he received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 28, 1951.
In 1943, Burke was eighteen years old when he dropped out of Henderson State College now Henderson State University in Arkansas. He joined the United States Army and served two years during World War II with combat engineers in Italy. After being discharged, he joined the ROTC when he returned to Henderson State College, where the ROTC program today is nicknamed "Burke's Raiders." There he became a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity.
In 1950, he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. After accepting his commission, he was dispatched to Korea five months later. He became the commanding officer of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment. When Chinese forces crossed the Yalu River, he managed to lead his platoon to safety and out of range from the Chinese troops. As a result of his action, he was awarded the Silver Star, which was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross and two Purple Hearts.
In October 1951, he turned his company over to another Captain and was preparing to leave Korean. In his pocket was a plane ticket and an eagerness to see his wife and infant son. But two miles away, his former company was in trouble as it was preparing to cross the Yokkpk-chon River. The company was hindered by a large and well-entrenched Chinese force entrenched on Hill 200. For the next two days, the battle raged as the 2nd Battalion's attacks were constantly repelled.
At first, Burke kept up with the reports. Eventually, he could no longer tolerate what was going on and decided to enter the front lines. As he himself stated, "I couldn't see leaving my guys up there without trying to do something."
When he was at the base of Hill 200, he was shocked to witness his company's strength reduced to thirty-five traumatized survivors. He described the condition of his company clearly: "These men were completely beat. They lay huddled in foxholes, unable to move. They all had the thousand-yard stare of men who'd seen too much fighting, too much death." Burke dragged up a 57 mm recoilless rifle and shot three rounds at the closest enemy bunker. The bunker itself was a wooden-fronted structure covering a cave, which was dug into the overall hillside. The Chinese that were still alive crawled out of their trenches and attacked the American troops by hurling grenades. Burke aimed his M1 rifle at the trench line and shot at every Chinese soldier that rose to throw a grenade. Unfortunately, the Chinese were still throwing grenades. After having used an eight-round clip, Burke decided to take more drastic measures. As he recalled, "I considered myself a pretty fair shot, but this was getting ridiculous. I had to do something."
After laying down his rifle, he took a grenade and ran approximately thirty yards to the Chinese trench line. He avoided enemy fire by hurling himself at the base of a dirt berm that was two feet high. When the Chinese momentarily stopped firing, Burke jumped into one of the trenches with a pistol in one hand and a grenade in the other. He shot five or six Chinese soldiers in the forehead. He also fired at two Chinese soldiers from further down the trench. Afterward, he threw his grenade in their direction, jumped out of the trench, and placed himself against the dirt berm. The Chinese were aware of his location and began throwing grenades at his position. Most of the grenades thrown rolled down the hill and harmlessly exploded. Some of the grenades, however, did explode near his position. Burke himself managed to catch three grenades and tossed them back at the Chinese. At the same time, troops from Burke's company threw grenades with some of them exploding near him.
Burke abandoned the dirt berm by crawling off to the side, where he found cover in a gully. The gully itself ended further up Hill 200 at a Korean burial mound. After having edged his way up the hill, Burke peeked over the top of the burial mound. He saw the main Chinese trench, which was approximately 100 yards (100 m) away. The trench was covered in enfilade, was curved around the hill and contained many Chinese troops. Surprisingly, the Chinese were relaxing, with some of them talking, sitting, and laughing, while others were throwing grenades and firing mortars. Burke went down the gully to Company G's position and told Sergeant Arthur Foster, the senior NCO, "Get them ready to attack when I give you the signal!" Burke then dragged the last functioning Browning model 1919 machine gun and three cans of ammunition back up the hill. On top of the burial mound, he mounted the machine gun, set the screw to free traverse, and prepared his 250-round ammunition box. He began firing at the nearest part of the Chinese trench where the mortars were located. After Burke shot at all the Chinese mortar squads, then fired upon a machine gun emplacement. Burke then fired up and down the trench at Chinese soldiers too shocked to react. Eventually, the Chinese fled down the trench in a panic. Burke continued to fire until his Browning jammed. While he attempted to clear his weapon, an enemy soldier started throwing grenades at him. He not only ignored this, but he also ignored the grenade fragments that tore open the back of his hand. Eventually, he was able to clear his weapon and kill the Chinese grenadier.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Foster led a small group to Burke's location and was told by him to provide extra firepower. Burke and the others were convinced that they were under siege from a full-sized force instead of a few adamant skirmishers. As the Chinese retreated, Burke wrapped his field jacket around the Browning's hot barrel sleeve and tore the 31-pound weapon off its tripod. He then wrapped the ammunition belt around his body, walked towards the trench, and fired upon retreating units. Sergeant Foster and his men followed him. When Burke ran out of Browning ammunition, he used his .45 automatic and grenades in order to clear out bunkers. At Hill 200, Burke managed to kill over 100 men, decimate two mortar emplacements, and three machine-gun nests. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony on April 11, 1952
Burke also served during the Vietnam War until a helicopter he was flying in was shot down. This forced him to return to the United States and undergo hospitalization for a long period of time.
Overall, he spent thirty-five years in the U.S. Armed Forces, served as the Army's liaison officer to the United States Congress, and retired with the rank of full colonel in 1978.
He died on June 1, 1999, at the age of 74 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Preserve Your Old Photos: Let Us Help for Free!
Do you have old photos from your service days stashed away in a drawer or in a shoe box in your attic? Old photos fade with time and if they are not scanned and preserved digitally, they risk eventually being lost forever.
This is where TWS can help. We have just invested in a high quality Fujitsu book and photo scanner that can scan any size of photo or yearbook. As a service to our members, we would like to offer you a free photo scanning service for your most significant photos from your service which we will then return to you, in original condition, along with a CD containing your photo files.
In addition, we can upload your photos for you to your Photo Album on your TWS Service Profile which will also appear in your Shadow box and available to you to access or download at any time.
Military Myths & Legends: The Lafayette Escadrille
The Lafayette Escadrille was a U.S. unit constituted in 1916 under French command, made up of volunteers who came forward to fight for France during World War I. The escadrille of the Aeronautique Militaire was composed largely of American volunteer pilots flying fighters. It was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolutionary War.
Dr. Edmund L. Gros, a founder of the American Hospital of Paris and organizer of the American Ambulance Field Service, and Norman Prince, a Harvard-educated lawyer, and an American expatriate already flying for France led the attempts to persuade the French government of the value of a volunteer American air unit fighting for France. The aim was to have their efforts recognized by the American public and thus, it was hoped, the resulting publicity would arouse interest in abandoning neutrality and joining the fight.
Authorized by the French Air Department on March 21, 1916, the Escadrille de Chasse Nieuport 124 (Escadrille Americaine) was deployed on April 20 in Luxeuil-Les-Bains, France, near Switzerland's border.
Despite the unit weak notorious status in the United States, the Escadrille proved useful for the French and Americans, taking into consideration that before the First World War, aircraft were not considered combat units. Initially, there were seven Americans pilots: Victor E. Chapman, Elliot C. Cowdin, Weston (Bert) Hall, James R. McConnell, Norman Prince, Kiffin Rockwell, and William Thaw. The full roster included 38 pilots.
The unit's aircraft, mechanics, and uniforms were French, as was the commander, Capt. Georges Thenault. Five French pilots were also on the roster, serving at various times in command positions. Raoul Lufbery, a French-born American citizen, became the squadron's first, and ultimately their highest scoring flying ace with 16 confirmed victories before the pilots of the squadron was inducted into the U.S. Air Service.
Two unofficial members of the Escadrille Americaine, the lion cubs named Whiskey and Soda, provided countless moments of relief from battle stress to fliers.
A German objection filed with the U.S. government, over the actions of a supposed neutral nation, led to the name change to Lafayette Escadrille in December 1916, as the original name implied that the U.S. was allied to France rather than neutral.
American members of the Lafayette Escadrille transferred into the United States Army Air Service on February 18, 1918, as the 103d Aero Squadron. The French personnel formed the Escadrille SPA.124 Jeanne d'Arc.
Not all American pilots, however, were in Lafayette Escadrille; over 200 American fliers fought for France as part of the Lafayette Flying Corps. On April 3, 1918, eleven American pilots from the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force were assigned to Escadrille, an air defense squadron stationed near Paris. American flyers served with this French unit until July 18, 1918, and it is sometimes referred to as the Second Escadrille Americaine.
The Escadrille ceased to exist on February 18, 1918. Later, only to resurface as the Escadron de Chasse 2/4 La Fayette which retook the unit designation of "La Fayette," this time however in the French Air Force.
During the existence of the Escadrille, 224 Americans served in the unit. Of those, fifty-one died in combat, an additional eleven died in non-combat. Fifteen became prisoners of war. A total of eleven pilots became aces.
The first major action seen by the squadron was May 13, 1916, at the Battle of Verdun and five days later, Kiffin Rockwell recorded the unit's first aerial victory. On June 23, the Escadrille suffered its first fatality when Victor Chapman was shot down over Douaumont.
The unit was posted to the front until September 1916, when the unit was moved back to Luxeuil-Les-Bains in 7 Army area. On September 23, Rockwell was killed when his Nieuport was downed by the gunner in a German Albatross observation plane and in October, Norman Prince was shot down during the air battle. The squadron, flying Nieuport and later, Spad scouts, suffered heavy losses, but it received replacements until a total of 38 American pilots eventually served with the squadron.
So many Americans volunteered to fly for France that they were eventually farmed out to other French squadrons. As a group, the Americans who flew in WWI for France's air service, the "Aeronautique Militaire," are collectively known as the Lafayette Flying Corps. Altogether, 265 American volunteers served in the Corps.
On February 8, 1918, the squadron was disbanded and 12 of its American members inducted into the U.S. Air Service as members of the 103rd Aero Squadron. For a brief period, it retained its French aircraft and mechanics. Most of its veteran members were set to work training newly arrived American pilots. The 103rd was credited with a further 45 kills before the Armistice went into effect on November 11. The French Escadrille SPA.124, also known as the Jeanne d'Arc Escadrille, continued Lafayette Escadrille's traditions in the Service Aeronautique.
In the mid-1920s, France recruited some 16 former American fliers (9 Officers and 7 Warrant Officers) with World War I combat experience for service in the French Army of Africa, aiming to forestall American public and diplomatic support for the Rif tribes rebelling against Spanish and French colonial rule.
Charles Sweeny, the organizer of the RAF Eagle Squadrons, proposed to reconstitute the Lafayette Escadrille. However, Paul Ayres Rockwell, a brother of fallen Escadrille Americaine's pilot Kiffin Rockwell, wrote that "the attempt to call the unit the Lafayette Escadrille had been abandoned almost before we left Paris, as there was not one former pilot of the famous World War squadron in our group."
The pilots were inducted into the French Foreign Legion in July 1925, where they formed the Escadrille de la Guarde Cherifienne in the Sultan's Guard Escadrille of the French Air Force.
Public protests in the United States led to the Cherifienne Escadrille dissolution in 1925.
Nine pilots died in the Lafayette Escadrille while others perished after leaving the unit. More sustained non-fatal injuries. The planes flown were flimsy, and not as safe as those of later years. Engines and other parts failed and machine-guns often jammed when they were needed. One man asked to be moved back to his infantry unit, where "he could be safe." The first pilot to be killed in action was Victor Chapman. Edmond Genet became the first American casualty of World War I, following the U.S. entry into the war. Other Americans had died prior to the U.S. declaration of war, but since Genet had been active in the Escadrille since before the U.S. entry into the war, his death only a few days after the U.S. declaration of war made him the first official U.S. casualty.
After the Great War, the membership in the Escadrille Lafayette was claimed by over 4,000 people, "including a dozen well-known Hollywood personalities and several high government officials."
Also, from the beginning there was a great deal of confusion between American pilots who were members of the Lafayette Escadrille, a designated all-American aviation squadron of the French Service Aeronautique, and the Lafayette Flying Corps, an unofficial paper organization highlighting in its roster published during the war the names of approximately 231 American volunteer aviators who flew with more than 90 French operational escadrilles.
To the French civilians, the pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille were extra special. They were successful, adventurous, dashing, and most were handsome! Further, these pilots - home country wasn't officially involved in the war during the main years of the squadron's activity-so there was added selfless, patriotic feeling.
Several of the Escadrille pilots received citations, awards, and medals for their actions and service. The French welcomed the volunteers and, later, remembered their service by dedicated a large memorial in Paris to the squadron.
Do You Still Have Your Boot Camp/Basic Training Photo?
Together We Served has a growing archive of more than 10,000 Boot Camp/ Basic Training Graduation Photos which we now display on your Military Service Page and Shadow Box. We also have a growing collection of Yearbooks which we will be making available on the site shortly.
We are still searching for Boot Camp/ Basic Training Photos and Yearbooks. So if you have yours available, please contact us at Admin@togetherweserved.com or call us on (888) 398-3262.
Either you can send us a scanned file of your photo or you can send it to us for scanning. We will add this for you to the Recruit/ Officer Training section of your Military Service Page.
All photos and yearbooks will be returned to you in original condition along with a CD containing your scanned photo.
Battlefield Chronicles: The Battle of Monte Cassino
In January 1944, one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Italian Campaign of WWII began at Monte Cassino. Monte Cassino was an ancient Benedictine abbey that towered over the city of Cassino. Sometimes referred to as the Battle of Rome, the Battle of Monte Cassino consisted of a series of four assaults by Allied forces against the defensive German Gustav Line. Before German troops retreated, the conflict claimed the lives of 55,000 Allied soldiers and destroyed the cultural treasure of Monte Cassino.
Allied forces landed in the Italian peninsula in September 1943. The Apennine Mountains divided the peninsula and Allied troops split and advanced on both sides. They took control of Naples and continued the push towards Rome.
Monte Cassino was the gateway to Rome. It towered above the city and provided unobstructed views. German troops occupied lookouts on the hillside but agreed to stay out of the abbey because of its historical importance. The precious manuscripts and antiquities housed in the abbey had been removed to Vatican City for safekeeping (although some works of art were stolen by German troops and transported north).
The first phase of the operation began on January 17th with an Allied attack on German positions. Thomas E. McCall, a farm boy from Indiana, found himself in the crosshairs of the battle. On January 22, 1944, during heavy fighting, he was accidentally struck by friendly fire. After all his men had been killed or wounded, he single-handedly destroyed two enemy machine gun positions and charged a third before being captured.
Presumed dead, McCall was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on April 17, 1945.
However, unknown to his unit was McCall was alive but wounded. He became a German POW and spent the next 18 months in makeshift hospitals. "They didn't even have an aspirin to give you," he said. "There were no pain-killing drugs for either the Germans or us. The surgeon had a handful of tools and two or three other guys would hold you down while he operated on you."
McCall was eventually liberated and earned the distinction of being one of the few posthumous Medal of Honor recipients that lived to tell about it.
After all his men had been killed or wounded, he single-handedly destroyed two enemy machine gun positions and charged a third before being captured. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, on April 17, 1945.
McCall also served and was wounded in the Korean War, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant.
McCall died at age 49 and was buried in Spring Vale Cemetery, Lafayette, Indiana. He drowned while rescuing his 8-year-old son, Thomas.
By early February, Allies reached a hill just below the abbey. Some reports suggested Germany might be using the abbey as an artillery observation point, resulting in a controversial decision to destroy the abbey. On February 15th, 1,150 tons of bombs rained down on the abbey reducing it to rubble. German forces quickly took up position in the ruins, utilizing its vantage point to prevent Allies from advancing.
A third offensive began in March with heavy attacks in the town of Cassino, but tenacious German forces held their position. The fourth and final assault, known as Operation Diadem, began on May 11th and included attacks from US troops with help from British, French, and Polish Allies.
On May 18th, Polish forces captured Monte Cassino. Soon after, on June 4, 1944, Allied forces liberated Rome.
Have A Military Reunion Coming Soon?
TWS has over 1.7 million members who served in a wide range of units, ships, squadrons and duty stations. Get more people to your Reunion by sending your Reunion information to us in the following format and we will post it for free in our Reunion Announcements on Together We Served, in emails that go to our members and in our Newsletters.
Your Reunion Name:
Associated Unit or Association:
Date Starting:
Date Finishing:
Place Where Held:
City:
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ICE Tried to Deport This U.S. Citizen and Marine Veteran
Jilmar Ramos-Gomez served in the Marines and saw combat in Afghanistan. Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., he is a U.S. citizen.
But last month, federal immigration authorities took him into custody to face possible deportation.
Attorneys and immigration advocates in West Michigan are now demanding to know why, and how, that happened.
Ramos-Gomez's mother, Maria Gomez-Velasquez, remembers getting a call from her son on a Friday, telling her he would be released from the Kent County jail. When she went to pick him up, a jail employee told her he had just left, in a van filled with detainees held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Gomez-Velasquez sat a conference table Wednesday at the family attorney's office. In front of her, spread out across the table, were photos and documents of her son's accomplishments. His high school diploma; a photo of him in the Marines' dress blues, white cap, black brim pulled low.
The attorney, Richard Kessler, helped interpret for her.
"You just can't understand what I felt like when I went outside," she said in Spanish, of that day. "I started to cry bitterly. I said, I can't believe this."
She cried. She prayed. And then she called an attorney. She says it took until Monday to get him out.
Ramos-Gomez wasn't at the law office with his mother Wednesday. He hasn't spoken to reporters. His mother says he is currently getting treatment for his mental health issues - including PTSD - which she says he has been coping with since returning home from Afghanistan.
Back in November, he was arrested by Grand Rapids police for trespassing onto the helipad area on the roof of a local hospital. He pleaded guilty to that charge, and a local judge ordered him released.
But instead of releasing him, the Kent County jail turned him over to the custody of ICE. The county did that based on a request from ICE, which claimed Ramos-Gomez was in the country illegally.
Kessler is the one who called ICE to tell the agency it had a citizen, a Marine war veteran, locked up in its jail. He says he suspects Ramos-Gomez had told people all along he was a citizen. The Kent County jail confirms Ramos-Gomez told the staff there he was born in the U.S.
"They seemed shocked when I called and sent these documents, that what he was saying was true," Kessler says of the response from ICE officials.
A spokesperson for ICE did not reply to a request for comment.
The Kent County sheriff's department says it is investigating the incident. But Undersheriff Chuck DeWitt says if there was a mistake, the mistake seems to have been made by ICE.
"What we've done thus far is a review of the documents. And the review of the documents thus far has revealed all the policies and procedures were followed," he says.
Policies were followed because in Kent County the policy is to cooperate with ICE whenever the agency makes a request to hold someone until that person can be transferred to federal custody.
Counties don't have to comply, but Kent County chooses to.
Attorneys, including Miriam Aukerman of the ACLU of Michigan, have been warning for months that something almost exactly like what happened with Ramos-Gomez could happen.
As NPR reported last year, a U.S. citizen named Peter Brown was mistakenly identified as a Jamaican who was here illegally and was flagged for deportation.
"What will it take?" Aukerman asks. "Did we really have to get to the point where a mentally ill combat veteran who served this country ends up locked up in immigration detention because of this policy of colluding with ICE?"
Dewitt says the Kent County sheriff's department has no plans right now to stop cooperating with ICE.
Gomez-Velasquez says she still wants answers for why her son was held for deportation. She says the case has shaken her faith in law enforcement.
"I don't like what they did to my son," she says. "Kent County need to wake up. They need to do their job."
Do their job, she says, and follow the law.
New Together We Served Military Store
By popular request, we are pleased to offer our Members your very own Together We Served Military Store with a whole range of items to peak your interest including custom shirts and caps, jackets, decals, badges, automotive and items for the home.
Now you can also purchase custom Together We Served branded merchandise. Please check out our range of ball caps, polo shirts, T-shirts, jackets and windbreakers HERE.
Our Store is offered in cooperation with Military Best, one of the most trusted suppliers in the United States, who offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on all items purchased. Many items are made in the USA and a proportion of the proceeds from your purchase help support our military's underfunded MWR programs.
We appreciate your feedback at admin@togetherweserved.com your comments regarding what you like, what you like less and if there are any additional items you would like us to stock.
TWS Bulletin Board
If you wish to make a post to our new Bulletin Board - People Sought, Assistance Needed, Jobs Available in Your Company, Reunions Pending, Items for Sale or Wanted, Services Available or Wanted, Product or Service Recommendations, Discounts for Vets, Announcements, Death Notices - email it to us at admin@togetherweserved.com.
Service Reflections Video of the Month
#TributetoaVeteran GySgt David Long, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret), 1986-2000
Behind the Scenes at TogetherWeServed
You may have recently seen our email about our "Personal Assistance" program. TWS has built a team of both Admin and Volunteers that are here to help you record your military history and complete your profile.
We know that most of you are accessing TWS through a phone or tablet and the site can be a little hard to navigate on a mobile device. We're hoping you reach out to us and let us help you in whatever you may be trying to add to your page.
If you would like some assistance with completing your page, you can use the online help at the lower left of any TWS page or email us at admin@togetherweserved.com
By the way, if you are not currently a full member of TWS, you can use promo code TWSLESS50 for half off any TWS membership.
Have a great month!
Diane Short
TWS Chief Admin
Are You a Writer?
As you know, TogetherWeServed is always looking for interesting articles to post to our forums and in this newsletter. Have you written any military related articles you would like to share to a broader audience? Send your submissions to admin@togetherweserved.com and you may see it in an upcoming issue.
Looking for Army and Marine Corps Volunteers Memorial Team
Do you have a passion for making sure that all of our Fallen are not forgotten? This is the team for you. We have Fallen profiles that have either been orphaned or created by someone who has not been online for a very long time and there is nothing in those profiles. TWS is working to make sure that all of our Fallen profiles are as complete as possible.
TWS Brochures Available
Do you have a reunion coming up and would like to spread the word about Together We Served? We now have brochures available that helps explain a little bit about who we are and what we do.
Send your requests to admin@togetherweserved.com. Please include your name and address along with how many brochures you require.
NEW TWS Invite Cards
Did you know we have Together We Served invite cards that you can hand out to any veteran you meet? It even has a place to put your name, service branch and member number so you get credit for the invite.
If you would like some cards, email us your name and address to admin@togetherweserved.com and we will get them in the mail to you.
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VA and Other News Female Marine Officer Graduates from Scout Sniper Unit Leaders Course
A female Marine officer has graduated from the Scout Sniper Unit Leaders Course and is on track to become a future recon or sniper platoon commander.
The female lieutenant graduated from the arduous and physically demanding Infantry Officer Course in summer 2018; only the second woman to accomplish the feat so far.
She is slated as a ground intelligence officer, which generally is considered a track route for future reconnaissance or sniper platoon commanders.
Marine Corps Training and Education Command confirmed to Marine Corps Times that the lieutenant graduated from the Scout Sniper Unit Leaders Course, held at Quantico, Virginia, in July.
It's another sign of progress as women continue to integrate into previously closed combat-related job fields.
The three-week sniper leaders course prepares junior Officers and Non-cCommissioned Officers in the employment of Marine snipers.
The training includes tactical decision-making, orders development, counterinsurgency operations and familiarization with weapons and optics. The course culminates with a field exercise where the candidates conduct a sniper control center.
The course is not an equivalent to the grueling 79-day basic scout sniper course where Marines earn the 0317-scout sniper job field.
However, the female Marine lieutenant is on track to become the first female 0203 ground intelligence officer.
The ground intel officer field is seen as a pathway to becoming a recon or sniper platoon commander.
Her graduation from the sniper leaders course puts her one step closer to commanding sniper or recon Marines on the battlefield.
Oldest WWII Veteran Buried at Historic Cemetery
Richard Overton, a 112-year-old World War II veteran who lived to be the oldest American man, was laid to rest at the Texas State Cemetery, the final resting place for many notable Texans, including Richards.
The grandson of slaves, Overton volunteered to join the Army in his 30s and served in the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion, an all-African American unit. He deployed to the Pacific Theater from 1942-45 with stops in Guam, Palau, and Iwo Jima.
Overton left the Army in 1945 at the rank of corporal. He went on to work in furniture sales and later in the state treasurer's office when future Texas Gov. Ann Richards headed the agency, according to a Stars and Stripes article.
He will be buried at the Texas State Cemetery, the final resting place for many notable Texans, including Richards.
Before his death on Dec. 27, Overton was believed to be the second oldest living man in the world at 112 years and 280 days old, according to data by the Gerontology Research Group.
Both U.S. senators from Texas introduced a Senate resolution to honor Overton.
In it, the resolution called Overton "an American hero that exemplified strength, sacrifice, and service to the United States of America."
In recent years, the supercentenarian was honored at several ceremonies and sporting events.
He visited the White House multiple times and, in 2013, then-President Barack Obama spoke of him during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
"When World War II ended, Richard headed home to Texas, to a nation bitterly divided by race," Obama said in his speech. "And his service on the battlefield was not always matched by the respect that he deserved at home. But this veteran held his head high."
Earlier that year, Obama said the veteran visited Washington, D.C., for the first time as part of an honor flight. During the trip, he paid his respects at the WWII Memorial.
"As Richard sat in a wheelchair beneath that great marble statue, he wept," Obama said. "The crowd that gathered around him wept, too - to see one of the oldest living veterans of World War II bear witness to a day, to the progress of a nation he thought might never come."
On Jan. 3, 2015, Overton represented the Greatest Generation at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, where he presented the game ball before the annual high school football all-star game.
Then on March 23, 2017, the San Antonio Spurs brought a 110-year-old Overton down to the basketball court during one of its NBA games and gave him a personalized jersey with "110" on it.
In 2017, the City of Austin also officially renamed the street where Overton lived to "Richard Overton Avenue."
While in his 100s, Overton was still known to drive his own car and mow his lawn. In a 2013 interview with CNN, he credited God for living such a long life that included a few vices.
"I drink whiskey in my coffee. Sometimes I drink it straight," he said at the age of 107. "I smoke my cigars; blow the smoke out. I don't swallow it."
First female Marine Graduates from Winter Mountain Leaders Course
The first female Marine graduated Tuesday from the Corps' arduous and physically demanding Winter Mountain Leaders Course.
Sgt. Tara-Lyn Baker, a heavy equipment mechanic, graduated from the nearly six-week school based out of the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California.
The course hones Marines' skills in cold weather survival, skiing, snow mobility, and mountain warfare.
"You learn how to survive, you learn how to deal with the cold," Baker said in a video posted by the Marine Corps.
Baker went on to say she suffered from frostbite and hypothermia.
"We learn how to overcome it," she said about dealing with the austere cold-weather environment of the mountains.
The Corps has been pushing to train the force in extreme cold-weather environments.
The Marines recently doubled the size of their rotations to Norway to nearly 700 Marines in an effort to train more Marines in the harsh cold Arctic environment.
Man Buries the Gather He Never Knew with Military Honors
Having waited 64 years for the reunion, Rex Beach struggled to leave his father's casket when the time came.
"It's hard to let go once you've found what you've been searching for all your life," Beach said following a ceremony at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
Thursday was the culmination of Rex Beach's nearly decade-long quest to find his father, William A. Beach, and return his remains to Ohio for burial.
Rex Beach, 66, of Canton, never knew his father. William Beach left Rex and his mother when Rex was 2 years old. The son has just one snapshot together with his father.
Rex Beach started searching for his father in 2010 with the hope they might reunite.
Using Ancestry.com, Rex Beach gathered information from distant relatives. He learned his father was from Lima, that he served in the Army Air Forces in England during World War II, and that he died at age 80 from cancer in a Dallas, Texas, hospital in 1999. Because no one claimed William Beach's body, Dallas County officials buried him in a pauper's grave.
Knowing his father was a veteran, Rex Beach wanted to bury him with military honors in Ohio. While he spent a year locating his father, it took much longer for Rex to recover his remains.
Last year, the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, helped Rex confirm that his father could have a military burial and Texas officials approved the transfer of William's remains.
Rex also got a $10,000 loan to pay the cost of exhuming his father's remains and flying them to Ohio.
The last chapter of Rex Beach's quest fell into place on January 10, 2019
Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, Texas, exhumed William Beach's body from Southland Memorial Park on Tuesday and placed the remains in a light blue casket. The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders escorted the hearse with their motorcycles to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where the casket was loaded on an airplane and flown to Cleveland.
Rex Beach, Rossi Funeral Home, and the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders met the casket at Hopkins International Airport later that day and brought it to Canton.
"This is a first," said funeral director Robert Forchione. "I don't ever remember having someone pass away and the family's looking for them and they find them and do all these 20 years later."
Thursday was the final step. Rex Beach welcomed a handful of friends to Canton Nazarene, where Pastor Dan Hanson held a brief service, the first anyone had held to remember William Beach.
Pentagon Extends Border Deployment for Active Duty Troops Through September
The Pentagon announced that it is extending the mission of active duty troops to the Mexico border through September, marking almost a year-long domestic deployment of forces there.
The approximately 4,500 active duty and National Guard forces now on the border were first sent there in late October 2018 to meet a request from President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security to secure border entry points from thousands of immigrants traveling north through Mexico to seek asylum in the U.S. Several units have rotated in and out during that time, and have been tasked to lay concertina wire, barriers and help assist border patrol agents at points in Texas, Arizona, and California.
The mission for those troops extending through September will also slightly change to add more surveillance, but some will still be laying wire, DoD said.
"In response to the December 27, 2018 request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan approved Department of Defense assistance to DHS through Sept. 30, 2019," the Pentagon said in a statement. "DoD is transitioning its support at the southwestern border from hardening ports of entry to mobile surveillance and detection, as well as concertina wire emplacement between ports of entry. DoD will continue to provide aviation support."
Air Force Sends B-2 Stealth Bombers to Hawaii for Exercises
Three B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and more than 200 airmen landed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for training in the Pacific.
The nuclear-capable aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, arrived as part of a routine U.S Strategic Command-led Bomber Task Force mission, Air Force officials said.
"This training is crucial to maintaining our regional interoperability," said Lt. Col. Joshua Dorr, 393rd Bomb Squadron director of operations, in a release. "It affords us the opportunity to work with our allies in joint exercises and validates our always-ready global strike capability."
Last year, B-2 Spirit bombers conducted their first-ever rotation to Hickam and executed missions with their F-22 Raptor stealth fighter counterparts, giving pilots a sense of how the two aircraft would pair in a high-threat environment.
The latest deployment marks only the second time B-2s have deployed to Hawaii, as the Spirit often deploys instead to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam when training with Pacific allies and partners.
Additionally, airmen supporting the operations also practiced hot-pit refueling - or keeping aircraft engines running on the flight line while the plane takes on fuel - and loading inert BDU-50 bombs in the B-2's bomb bay, the Air Force said.
A B-2 also flew to the Pacific in 2017 to demonstrate the nation's commitment to partners and allies while North Korea conducted missile tests.
Its presence at the time marked a return for the B-2 - capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons - to the theater since a trio of the bombers wrapped up training exercises earlier in the year with the Australian Air Force.
Navy Honors Its First Female Jet Pilot With Historic All-Female Flyover Funeral
The Navy conducted its first-ever, all-female flyover on Feb. 2, 2019, in honor of the life and legacy of retired Navy Capt. Rosemary Bryant Mariner, the service's first female jet pilot.
Rosemary passed away at the age of 65 on Jan. 24, following a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. The Navy's tribute, referred to as the "missing man formation," will take place during her funeral service in Maynardville, Tennessee, according to Naval Forces Atlantic.
The flyover, which will include female aviators from squadrons based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, will feature four F/A-18E/F "Super Hornets" flying in formation before one jet leaves the group and climbs vertically into the sky.
The largest-ever formation - 21 aircraft - was used in December for the funeral of President George H. W. Bush, also a Naval aviator.
In 1973, Rosemary Mariner, then Rosemary Conatser, was one of eight women selected to fly military aircraft and received her "wings" from the Navy the following year, becoming became the service's first female jet pilot.
It would be one of many firsts for the young aviator.
In 1982, she became one of the first females to serve aboard a U.S. Navy warship, the USS Lexington, where she also qualified as a surface warfare officer. Then, eight years later, she became the first woman to command a military aviation squadron.
Mariner went on to attend the National War College to earn a master's in national security strategy. Her last assignment in the Navy would be at that same college serving as the chairman of the Joint Chief's Chair in Military Strategy.
She retired from the Navy in 1997 as a captain. According to Naval Air Forces Atlantic, she had logged 17 aircraft carrier landings and completed over 3,500 flight hours in 15 different aircraft.
Veteran Resources Grants for Home Modification: 16 Resources for Homeowners with Disabilities
Every year, more Americans living with disabilities are able to call themselves homeowners. Thanks to support and legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), having a home to call one's own is now an achievable dream for more people than ever before. For many individuals, purchasing a home is only half the battle, since the nature of someone's disability can impact many areas of life - including the way he or she accesses, maneuvers through, and enjoys activities at home.
That's where the option of home modification comes into play. Whether you love the house you're currently in or have plans to build a home that's more accommodating to your disability, there are many different home modifications you can choose to implement. If you have stairs in your household but depend on the use of a wheelchair, a beneficial modification might be a chairlift. If a family member is blind, it might be useful to install grab bars in the shower. Or if you have a child with a mental disability, you may be able to better protect him or her from illness or injury by installing locks on cabinet doors that hold harmful chemical cleaners.
While renters have the responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations to tenants with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act, many homeowners with disabilities can't afford these expenses out-of-pocket. But did you know that there are many different national programs whose mission it is to provide you with a safe, comfortable home by donating grants to those in need? Furthermore, most states also have local programs for easing the financial burden of installing home modifications or even building a new home that meets the needs of all of its occupants.
This guide is designed to provide information on many of the available grants to improve your quality of life at home. You will find grants that are intended for all kinds of recipients, whether your disability is one you were born with or the result of a previous medical condition. You will find information on national and state-specific programs, as well as suggestions on what modifications may be the most rewarding for you.
Remember, there's a reason it's called "Home Sweet Home," and that's because it should be a place you look forward to settling into.
Grants for Disability Accommodation in the Home
If you have concerns regarding the affordability of home modifications, you will be relieved to know that there are many ways to receive financial assistance to cover part or even all of your expenses. There are many organizations at national and state levels dedicated to providing financial support to citizens living with disabilities.
In order to be awarded grant money, you will need to demonstrate how you will use the funds, and why you should receive these benefits over other grant contenders. Different organizations will have different requests on what to include in your personal application. Typically with disability-related grants, you will be asked to fill out a form rather than develop a proposal on your own. Most grantors simply request that you share your unique story, as well as what you hope to accomplish should you receive the grant. Don't be afraid to be personal and honest - these grants were created to make a difference in recipients' lives and wellbeing, so the reasons you feel you are deserving of them are important.
The following resources provide details on many of the grants available to provide you with a safe, comfortable home. Many of them include specific eligibility criteria, so be sure to check the requirements - as well as deadlines - for applying to each of these grant opportunities.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers two different grants, the Specially Adapted Housing Grant and the Special Housing Adaptation Grant. For those who qualify, these can be used for the purchase or construction of a new home, or the modification of a currently-owned dwelling.
The Think Alive Achievement Grant is designed for youths 21 and under to help them accomplish their goals. This can be used for minor home modifications up to $500 in cost that is meant to help children achieve a specific goal. For example, if a child with a disability wants to learn to cook, you may choose to apply for funds that can be used to set up a safer kitchen space so he or she may practice his or her chef skills.
Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps helps many groups of people build new homes or modify existing ones. They pride themselves in working with families who have one or more members living with a disability to repair or modify homes to make them safer and more accessible.
The Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Recipients must be 62 years or older and from low-income households. Funds may be used to modify existing residences or can be used to install new home features that create safer living quarters for residents. State offices of the USDA also offer assistance at local levels, and some have broader eligibility requirements.
The American Red Cross provides financial assistance for eligible active military service members, veterans, and direct members of their families. If you became disabled while on duty, this organization may help you in effectively updating your home to meet your new needs.
The Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) provides financial assistance for qualified soldiers, veterans and their families for a variety of expenses. The goal of this group focuses on helping Army members maintain their independence, which can be aided by necessary home modifications.
The Self-Sufficiency Grant from ModestNeeds.Org seeks to offer support to individuals and families who need assistance, but don't qualify as being "low-income" households. Their goal is to help ensure that families living just above the poverty line don't have to spend their last dollar on necessities like adaptable home repairs.
The Individual Adaptive Equipment Grant from the Travis Roy Foundation is for those whose disability is the result of a spinal cord injury. It is open to all ages, and those who need home modifications such as ramp construction or grab bar placement are encouraged to apply.
The Gary Sinise Foundation's Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (RISE) program was created by the Forrest Gump icon to honor the needs of war survivors who were injured during service to the United States military. The program provides grants for modifying existing living spaces or constructing new Smart Homes that offer freedom for veterans to live comfortably and independently.
The Assisted Living Conversion for Eligible Multi-family Housing Projects (ACLP) is a program established by the US Office of Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is specifically for seniors who need home modifications to accommodate their needs, including those living with disabilities. Funds can also be used for personal assistance, such as an aide that assists with cooking, cleaning or personal care.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has hundreds of local chapters throughout the United States. They offer support at individual and community levels. If you are a member or are interested in becoming one, you can contact your local chapter to find out what kind of assistance you may be eligible to receive for your home modifications.
Lions Clubs International provide resources and financial help to those with a hearing impairment or visual disability. Local clubs sponsor many programs that may provide direct assistance to community members. To find out how they may be able to assist in your home adaptation efforts, you can reach out to your city or region's local club.
To date, the American Parkinson Disease Association has funded more than $44 million in patient services for those suffering from disabilities due to the degenerative disease. You can check with your local chapter for grants, or find out what grant organizations they fund in your community that you may qualify for.
The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification provides a state directory for finding a broad range of local resources for home modification financial aid. The organization's website also offers helpful links and articles for those who have questions about building or restructuring an accommodating home.
Additional Helpful Resources
There is ample information available as to what home features will work best for you. There are also many points of contact for learning how to make the most of your budget, whether it will be supplemented or covered by grant funding or not. The following resources offer helpful insight into advantageous home modification options, as well as additional agencies you may wish to contact to help you meet your needs.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers many helpful resources for seniors living with disabilities. This article highlights some practical home modification ideas depending on your individual needs, such as visual impairment or immobility.
The National Association of Home Builders has teamed up with AARP and Home Innovation Research Labs to create the Certified Aging-In-Place (CAPS) program, which gives builders and remodelers special training in meeting the needs of elders who require home modifications. They may also be knowledgeable about available grants in your area.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits, including those for veterans whose disability resulted from service injuries. The SSA also offers information on how to make the most of your benefits if you choose to continue working, so you can use this compensation to pay for necessities like home modifications.
If you have questions about other available means of support or education where you live, you may benefit from reaching out to your state or county's local office. These departments can give you more information on who to contact about grants, other funding, or even support groups.
The fact that you have a disability, whatever its nature, should never make you feel like you are a prisoner in your own home. You should also never be made to feel that you are alone in your quest, as there are many organizations with the sole purpose of making your quality of life a top priority. Whether you own or rent your property, there are many methods of ensuring you feel comfortable and safe in your dwelling.
Looking For
I am looking to talk to a Corpsman in 3/4 Kilo Co 1968-1969.
The reason I'm looking for that Corpsman is that I was wounded twice in one week. Weeks later I was medevac'ed to Da Nang hospital for an infection to my leg and arm. I have my medical records showing I was in the hospital but not for wounds from enemy fire.
At the time of my wounds, the Corpsman was able to remove the metal from my arm and leg.
I have applied for my Purple Heart, that was refused. I had three witnesses to the event but was missing the date and time. Since then, one has died and one other has not responded to my request.
I have the time and date from Marine Corps records that confirm my injuries dates and time. All I need is to locate the Corpsman that took care of me.
Available for Together We Served members only! Together We Served has two hard working marines that devote their time and energy to help our members find long lost friends that are not yet members of our site.
If you have someone you are looking for, please send name, age they would be now and where they were from to us at admin@togetherweserved.com and we'll get them on the case for you.
First U.S. Combat Troops Arrive in Vietnam
by James M. Lindsay
On March 8, 1965, 3,500 Marines of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade arrived in Da Nang to protect the U.S. airbase there from Viet Cong attacks. Despite advance warning, they were about to be deployed, many of the Marines were surprised when their deployment orders came down on Sunday, March 7th. Based at Okinawa at the time, more than a few of them had been, in the words of Philip Caputo, the author of the acclaimed 'A Rumor of War' and one of those 3,500 marines, "enjoying a weekend of I and I - intercourse and intoxication." Less than twenty-four hours later they were in a combat zone.
The arrival at Da Nang was uneventful. One of the planes was slightly damaged by anti-aircraft fire. But none of the Marines were hurt. The 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines had an unusual introduction to Vietnam. As Caputo tells it:
"Their entrance into the war zone had been the stuff of which comic operas are made. Like the marines in World War II newsreels, they had charged up the beach and were met, not by machine guns and shells, but by the mayor of Danang and a crowd of schoolgirls. The mayor made a brief welcoming speech and the girls placed flowered wreaths around the Marines' necks. Garlanded like ancient heroes, they then marched off to seize Hill 327, which turned out to be occupied only by rock apes - gorillas instead of guerrillas, as the joke went - who did not contest the intrusion of their upright and heavily armed cousins."
The arrival of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade provides as good a marker as any for the beginning of the Americanization of the Vietnam War. But it hardly marks the beginning of U.S. military involvement in the country. That had been going on for a decade. The United States took responsibility for training the South Vietnamese army after the Geneva Accords were signed in 1954. An initial 352 U.S. military advisers grew to 3,200 by the end of 1961, 9,000 at the end of 1962, and some 23,000 by early 1965. Along the way, the dividing line between training South Vietnamese soldiers and leading them in battle had eroded. The first military advisers killed in action died in 1959. By the time Lt. Caputo and his comrades landed at Da Nang, more than 400 U.S. servicemen had fallen.
Not all U.S. officials favored the decision to dispatch the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Maxwell Taylor, the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam at the time and a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed grave reservations. He predicted that the demand for more combat troops would become irresistible and the United States would rush headlong into the same trap that had doomed the French. Events proved him right.
The marines who landed in Da Nang amidst garlands and speeches probably didn't realize that the very nature of the war in Vietnam was changing. Caputo recalls a commanding officer telling his men at a pre-departure briefing: "We're going there to provide security and that's all. We're not going in to fight, but to free the ARVNs (South Vietnamese Soldiers) to fight. It's their war."
But it no longer was South Vietnam's war. By the end of 1965, 185,000 U.S. troops were in Vietnam. The number would peak in 1968 at nearly 550,000. More than 2.6 million servicemen and women eventually served in Vietnam. More than 58,000 of them died there. Their names are inscribed on the wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Book Review: Black Ops Vietnam
By Robert Gillespie
During the Vietnam War, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACVSOG) was a highly-classified, U.S. joint-service organization that consisted of personnel from Army Special Forces, the Air Force, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units, and the CIA.
This secret organization was committed to action in Southeast Asia even before the major build-up of U.S. forces in 1965 and fielded a division-sized element of South Vietnamese military personnel, indigenous Montagnards, ethnic Chinese Nungs, and Taiwanese pilots in its varied reconnaissance, naval, air, and agent operations.
MACVSOG was, without doubt, the most unique U.S. unit to participate in the Vietnam War, since its operational mandate authorized its missions to take place "over the fence" in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, where most other American units were forbidden to go. During its nine-year existence, it managed to participate in most of the significant operations and incidents of the conflict.
MACVSOG was there during the Gulf of Tonkin incidents, during air operations over North Vietnam, the Tet Offensive, the secret bombing of and ground incursion into Cambodia, Operation Lam Son 719, the Green Beret murder case, the Easter Invasion, the Phoenix Program, and the Son Tay POW Raid.
The story of this extraordinary unit has never been told in full and comes as a timely blueprint for combined-arms, multi-national unconventional warfare in the post-9/11 age.
Unlike previous works on the subject, Black Ops, Vietnam is a complete chronological history of the unit drawn from declassified documents, memoirs, and previous works on the subject, which tended to focus only on little-known aspects of the unit's operations.
Reader Reviews
I purchased this book as it is the first book, which named any U.S. Marines were involved with MACVSOG. That single piece of information had been a secret since 1964. Publicly, MACVSOG was a unit made up of U.S. Army personnel, mostly Special Forces and various other government agencies, but no Marine Corps units were ever mentioned. We had been informed our presence was classified and would remain so. I was stunned to see our name listed as being involved with the Studies and Observation Group after all these years of anonymity.
I have been reading this book slowly and making my own notes, so I have not yet finished the book. For those that served time in Viet Nam, they may find this book interesting...for those involved during their career with SOG, I think they will be fascinated too. Semper Fi.
~Tom W. Cunnigham
I ran on a MACVSOG R.T. in 1970-1971 I know what we did and some of why we were doing it. This book starts at the beginning and goes through the whole war. I am not sure where the author got all his facts but I found it very interesting.
~Oly
This book is a comprehensive account of the Vietnam war "over the fence" activities together with the difficulties created by political interference.
~RcsJupiter
Excellent background and detail on the development of strategy used in Viet Nam that, at the time, was not available to the public.
~ Amazon Customer
I was a member of SOG in 1971-72 and remained through the first months of conversion to SMSAD.
SOG was a highly compartmentalized organization, with need-to-know a watchword. So even though I participated in some of the events author Gillespie recounts I was not aware of the wide range of activities going on simultaneously and knew very little of the history. I found that the actions of which I am personally aware - for example, Navy SEAL Lt. Tomas Norris' brave mission resulting in his Medal of Honor are accurately portrayed.
Although some reviewers have grumbled about logistics, administration, chain of command and other facets of the book, it is important to recognize that even though some SOG activities were harrowing and dangerous, that above all it was a military institution and had to plow through the necessary baggage that all such organizations do.
For solid, comprehensive reading and to provide readers with the background essential to understand fully some of the more mission-focused works on SOG, Black Ops is required reading.
I highly recommend it and it shall occupy a proud place in my MACVSOG library. And should in yours, also.
~ Gordon Cucullu
About the Author
Robert M. Gillespie (just Bob to most people) was born in 1957, the son of a World War II and Korean Conflict veteran and a coal miner's daughter. He grew up on military bases and was surrounded by an extended family of veterans, none of whom were surprised by his unceasing interest in military history and affairs.
After his own extended stint of service, he attended Clemson University and received a BA in education and an MA in history. Completing nine years of teaching at a community college, he decided to turn his hand back to research and writing on American covert operations in Vietnam.
He represented them, and the pain, loss and survivor's guilt they felt for those who didn't come home with them, some of whom they had grown to love and think of as family, a bond that cannot be understood by those who haven't been a part of something like it.
"Every Vietnam veteran in this country should feel the way I feel about Jim because of what he did for them with that print," Sours said. 
In 1950, he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. After accepting his commission, he was dispatched to Korea five months later. He became the commanding officer of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment. When Chinese forces crossed the Yalu River, he managed to lead his platoon to safety and out of range from the Chinese troops. As a result of his action, he was awarded the Silver Star, which was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross and two Purple Hearts.
He began firing at the nearest part of the Chinese trench where the mortars were located. After Burke shot at all the Chinese mortar squads, then fired upon a machine gun emplacement. Burke then fired up and down the trench at Chinese soldiers too shocked to react. Eventually, the Chinese fled down the trench in a panic. Burke continued to fire until his Browning jammed. While he attempted to clear his weapon, an enemy soldier started throwing grenades at him. He not only ignored this, but he also ignored the grenade fragments that tore open the back of his hand. Eventually, he was able to clear his weapon and kill the Chinese grenadier.
This is where TWS can help. We have just invested in a high quality Fujitsu book and photo scanner that can scan any size of photo or yearbook. As a service to our members, we would like to offer you a free photo scanning service for your most significant photos from your service which we will then return to you, in original condition, along with a CD containing your photo files.
Authorized by the French Air Department on March 21, 1916, the Escadrille de Chasse Nieuport 124 (Escadrille Americaine) was deployed on April 20 in Luxeuil-Les-Bains, France, near Switzerland's border. 
Two unofficial members of the Escadrille Americaine, the lion cubs named Whiskey and Soda, provided countless moments of relief from battle stress to fliers.
The Escadrille ceased to exist on February 18, 1918. Later, only to resurface as the Escadron de Chasse 2/4 La Fayette which retook the unit designation of "La Fayette," this time however in the French Air Force.
In the mid-1920s, France recruited some 16 former American fliers (9 Officers and 7 Warrant Officers) with World War I combat experience for service in the French Army of Africa, aiming to forestall American public and diplomatic support for the Rif tribes rebelling against Spanish and French colonial rule.
Other Americans had died prior to the U.S. declaration of war, but since Genet had been active in the Escadrille since before the U.S. entry into the war, his death only a few days after the U.S. declaration of war made him the first official U.S. casualty.
We are still searching for Boot Camp/ Basic Training Photos and Yearbooks. So if you have yours available, please contact us at 
had been removed to Vatican City for safekeeping (although some works of art were stolen by German troops and transported north).
McCall also served and was wounded in the Korean War, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant.
Ramos-Gomez's mother, Maria Gomez-Velasquez, remembers getting a call from her son on a Friday, telling her he would be released from the Kent County jail. When she went to pick him up, a jail employee told her he had just left, in a van filled with detainees held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ramos-Gomez wasn't at the law office with his mother Wednesday. He hasn't spoken to reporters. His mother says he is currently getting treatment for his mental health issues - including PTSD - which she says he has been coping with since returning home from Afghanistan.
"What we've done thus far is a review of the documents. And the review of the documents thus far has revealed all the policies and procedures were followed," he says.
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Female Marine Officer Graduates from Scout Sniper Unit Leaders Course
Oldest WWII Veteran Buried at Historic Cemetery
"As Richard sat in a wheelchair beneath that great marble statue, he wept," Obama said. "The crowd that gathered around him wept, too - to see one of the oldest living veterans of World War II bear witness to a day, to the progress of a nation he thought might never come."
First female Marine Graduates from Winter Mountain Leaders Course
Man Buries the Gather He Never Knew with Military Honors
Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, Texas, exhumed William Beach's body from Southland Memorial Park on Tuesday and placed the remains in a light blue casket. The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders escorted the hearse with their motorcycles to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where the casket was loaded on an airplane and flown to Cleveland.
Pentagon Extends Border Deployment for Active Duty Troops Through September
Air Force Sends B-2 Stealth Bombers to Hawaii for Exercises
Navy Honors Its First Female Jet Pilot With Historic All-Female Flyover Funeral
"Their entrance into the war zone had been the stuff of which comic operas are made. Like the marines in World War II newsreels, they had charged up the beach and were met, not by machine guns and shells, but by the mayor of Danang and a crowd of schoolgirls. The mayor made a brief welcoming speech and the girls placed flowered wreaths around the Marines' necks. Garlanded like ancient heroes, they then marched off to seize Hill 327, which turned out to be occupied only by rock apes - gorillas instead of guerrillas, as the joke went - who did not contest the intrusion of their upright and heavily armed cousins."
Along the way, the dividing line between training South Vietnamese soldiers and leading them in battle had eroded. The first military advisers killed in action died in 1959. By the time Lt. Caputo and his comrades landed at Da Nang, more than 400 U.S. servicemen had fallen.
MACVSOG was, without doubt, the most unique U.S. unit to participate in the Vietnam War, since its operational mandate authorized its missions to take place "over the fence" in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, where most other American units were forbidden to go. During its nine-year existence, it managed to participate in most of the significant operations and incidents of the conflict. 
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