Boettcher, Jim, Cpl

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
Being a 'Baby-Boomer' and a product of the 'Greatest Generation', I grew up hanging around DAV and VFW Posts a lot. Listening to all the old guys talking about how they won the war, I guess I developed some kind of interest in what they were talking about. I was

Boot camp photo.

fascinated by the displays of memorabilia on display in these places and, as I got a little older, I'd check out books on the military and WWII and try to see what they were talking about. My decision to join the Corps was a spur of the moment, knee-jerk reaction to a home/family situation. I was expelled from High School for failing (to busy pursuing my future wife to study). A crowded apartment and stuck in a go-nowhere job, after work one day I stopped by the recruiter and said, "Here I am." The Corps was not my first choice, but I knew where the recruiting office was and I was desperate to get out. Regrets? No! Boot camp photo. Notice the look of sheer terror in my eyes.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Don't know if I'd call it a career path. I enlisted (Plt. 350, Lima Co, MCRD San Diego), trained (Kilo Co, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Reg.), went to radio school (Camp Pendleton) and then I shuffled off to Nam. Came home, got stationed at Pendleton, served with 3rd and 5th Anti-Tank Battalions, Mike Battery 4th Bn/12th Marines, had two surgeries on a damaged left wrist (Nam related), spent seven months on a medical hold, medically discharged and booted out the gate. Not much of a career path. I DID ask to stay in but I was already slated for the medical. Photo from ITR, Camp Pendleton, '67. K-6 Company, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Everyone who went to Viet Nam participated at some level in combat ops. I was in country one week, arrived in Oct., '67, when I was put on guard duty. My unit, 5th Communications Bn, was on the beach, about midway between Marble Mountain and China Beach, east of DaNang.

Photo in 'Nam, fixing a bunker.

While walking the perimeter by the ocean one night, suddenly bright lights came on, barely 60 yards out. It was a Navy patrol boat intercepting a Vietnamese sampan that was way, WAY to near the shore. Almost immediately, there was an explosion in the sampan and individuals jumped from both ends and tried to swim away. Weapons on both ends of the patrol boat opened up. One was a .50cal, the other had to be a 20mm, because, in the light, there were great spouts of red water flying up. I watched all that, lasted less than3 or 4 minutes, then it was dark and the boat left. I took a deep breath and said to myself, "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas any more." The TET Offensive was a barrel of laughs, as was was the so-called 'Mini-Tet' a few months later and then another sizable offensive a few months after that. As they say, "Long periods of great boredom punctuated by occasional burst of stark terror." Thought the world was coming to an end when TET started. Those little guys really had their act together.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Well, having only served less than five years, my only duty stations were Viet Nam and Camp Pendleton. Although Nam had its allure, Pendleton would have to be my choice. I grew up in St. Louis, MO and hated it. Couldn't get out fast enough. In winter I'd sing 'Beach

M-109 Paladin, 155mm self-propelled

Boys' songs and wish I was in California. Guess I got my wish. The Corps introduced me to the desert. 4/12 (a 155mm self propelled unit) went to 29 Palms annually to practice firing maximum charges. I tried to get out of it, but when I got there (the desert), it was love at first sight. I was awed by the vastness and geography. I was impressed with Pendleton too. The size and variety of terrain made it, at least to me, a very special place. I stayed in Southern CA after I got out until I retired from the Oceanside School District in 2005. Ironically, by that time I was ready to get out of there. It just got to be TOOOOO chaotic for me. The picture below in an M-109 Paladin, 155mm self-propelled, like the ones we had in Mike Battery, 4/12.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Well, the obvious things that stand out would probably be war related. I'll try to name a few. Other than being shot at and having people trying to kill for the first time, there are some things. I mean, the TET Offensive, mentioned before, was quite an event. I often

Left to right, Jimmy Holland (TX), Dave Blair (AL), and me

make light of it and tell people things like, "yeah, that was pretty cool," or "Yep, a good time was had by all." In reality, it scarred the CRAP out of a lot of us. To this day, I'm jumpy, extremely alert when outside after dark and reluctant to wander to far. The most profound thing, though, involved a wounded black Marine. I was raised in a family who, while probably not flat out racists, used profanity and the 'N' word to excess when talking about blacks. To my father, they were sub-human and, "Hell, they don't even BLEED the same color." Well, when off duty and in the rear, a few of us would go to the Naval Support Activity Hospital near Marble Mountain. Visit the PX, get a burger, whatever. Occasionally, we'd run out and help with the Medivac choppers when they came in. They always seemed to need help. On one such occasion, we helped a badly wounded black Marine and I couldn't help but notice, his blood WAS red and his bones were white, just like mine. At that point, I wondered how many OTHER things my parents were wrong about.The picture is a few months after TET while TAD to the MAW Comm. Center.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

My War Room

Yes, the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. But it's not worth describing. Since my unit, 5th Comm Bn, had a policy of NOT allowing Purple Hearts to be awarded, except for cases of fatal or near fatal wounds, you'll be hard pressed to find any of us who have one. There was a standing policy, sick bay was ordered to NOT record wounds due to hostile activity in our medical records. Made it kinda hard to get treatment for things later, because 'it didn't happen.' Our Commanding Officer thought it made HIM look bad if they reported wounds. The picture is a SMALL part of what I call my "War Room" in the basement.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Probably the Combat Action Ribbon and Expert Rifle Medal. The CAR I guess verifies that you were actually involved when shots were fired in anger were man enough to stand your ground. As for the Expert badge. All these years later, I'm STILL a crack shot. A few years ago

Learned to Expert in Nam.

my youngest brother bought an AK-47, the standard issue weapon of the North Vietnamese Army. We went out behind the barn to crank off a couple rounds. He set up some cinder block targets about 80 yards out. He and my son took their shots and did okay (at least they didn't miss). My brother is a hunter after all. From the offhand position, I put one round dead center of my brick. The second round went through the same hole, just nicking the hole at about 3 o'clock. They looked at me and asked, "How the hell did you do that?" I said, "Proper sight alignment, proper breath control and a D.I. SCREAMING in your ear." The picture is graduation day from MCRD. Plt 350, Co. L, 3rd RTB. Yes, that's a Marksman Badge, but that's where I learned to shoot. Learned to Expert in Nam.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

Larry Kernoudle/Jimmy Holland best friends

That was a long time ago. Very few people really stand out. It was a different Corps back then. One who DOES stand out would be my friend Tommy Lochiavo. We went to Comm. School together and became very tight. He was the best friend I had in the world for about eight months. He was killed by an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) while in a radio jeep in Quang Tri on May 31, 1968. When we got to Nam and they started giving our units, if I had been one person in line closer to him, I would have gone with him instead of where I went. We probably would have gone together. I have a memorial to him in my basement, that I affectionately call 'The War Room'. The picture is back at 5th Comm. Bn, near China Beach. Larry Kernoudle and Jimmy Holland were two of the best friends I had there.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Oh my, there were so many. We were in the bunkers one night waiting for an attack (that didn't come), and we were hearing weird noises near the wire. Our Lt. called the listening post to see what they had to say. "All clear hear. We don't hear anything." The

Jim/helmet. L-R, Stephenowski, Childers and Steve Blum.

noise continued, not constant but sporadic. Popping and hissing sounds. The listening post still reports not hearing anything. Eventually, the Lt. crawls up to the LP to see for himself. He gets there and whispers to the two guys in there to be alert, something is out there. As he starts to crawl back, he hears it again. He turns around and goes back, just in time to watch these two idiots popping the tops on soda cans and eating potato chips. The Lt went ballistic and everyone within a mile knew where he was. Fortunately, we were in a 'semi-secure' area.

On guard duty one night in Nam, I was standing at the gate to our compound between trips by the wire. My buddy, Jim Hodge, had the gate that night. It's about midnight or so and a jeep approaches. I assume the position while Jim goes out to check them out. It's a major and his driver. Jim, in his best German accent, approaches the major and says, "Zhow me your paepers." "What?" "Zhoe me your PAEPERS!!!!" I'm wondering if I'll be able to visit him in the brig. The major gives him his ID. Again with the accent, "Your paepers are not in order. Ghit out off za jeep. Get into ze truck. We half vays of making you TALK!" The major says, "Who the hell are you and how the hell long have you been here?" Jim then says, "I'm zorry herr mayor, your paepers are in order. You may pass and Guten Aben." Last I heard, Jim was a private investigator in Tennessee. In the picture, Jim is the one in the helmet. Left to right, the others are Stephenowski, Childers and Steve Blum.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Like I said before, I was medically discharged in Oct., '71 and decided to stay in CA. For awhile I felt that maybe that wasn't the right choice. I was out of work for 26 months. I was a Vietnam Vet in Southern California, NOT a great bastion of patriotism

Scouts on our yearly Colorado River trip.

or Vet friendly businesses. I tried everything. You get extra credit (Veteran's Preference) on civil service tests. I actually scored higher on them when I DIDN'T claim it. Ultimately, I ended up taking a job as a school custodian in Oceanside. That was NOT where I thought I'd end up. However, after about six years, I got promoted, went on the day shift and, for the next 25 years, worked closely with the teachers and kids. Like my involvement with Scouting, I feel now that it was a great choice. Not very high on the social scale but, I made decent money, have a good retirement and had a large and favorable impact on a lot of kids (and adults). More importantly, I think, is that I'm still married to my high school sweetheart. I'm positive that that would not be the case had we come back to Missouri.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

Me and my bike at a local community function.

I'm a life member of the Disabled American Veteran's and Viet Nam Veteran's of America. I joined the DAV shortly after my discharge because they helped me with the VA. I'm also a member of the VFW. Unfortunately, because of where I live and my current work schedule, I'm unable to be really involved. The nearest VVA chapter in over 100 miles away. Although it's not a military association, I AM active with the Patriot Guard Riders.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
It wasn't until I became a supervisor at my job that the past started coming back. I got involved with many different charities, PTA, school site councils, etc., etc. I became dedicated to the things I'm passionate about and helped whenever and where ever I was needed. Often I'd be

Me and R. Lee Emery

involved in multiple charities or functions at the same time. Ironically, it wasn't until about 1986 or '87 that I had what might be called a cathartic episode that, well, let me explain. I was helping out with a fund raiser at my daughters Middle School in Vista, CA. I had been there since early in the morning. In the middle of the afternoon I was told that that was it for the day, I could go home and the teachers would secure everything. I insisted on staying but they said I could leave. I got in my car and, well, temporarily blacked out, just for a moment. I came out of it by yelling, "But I'm not DONE yet!!" I visualized all the guys I served with in Nam and they were, well, waving, as if to say good-bye.

After some time, I realized that I had experienced an episode of survivor quilt. My buddies were telling me that I had fulfilled my obligation and that I was free to go on and work for myself. I felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted off my chest and I almost felt at peace with myself for the FIRST time. After that, I got VERY involved in Scouting. I tried to teach my boys self discipline, what it means to be an American, pride in their flag, the sacrifices of those who went before and, mostly, pride in themselves. My other leaders use to get a kick out of watching me when some boy would come in with his shirt tail out. "PUT THAT SHIRT TAIL IN, MARINE. Your momma ain't here." Well, that and other things. Hell, I'm still like that. I guess if I had anything that resembles a legacy to my Troop, it would be the 38 historic flag color guard I left them with. These were flags that our fore-fathers flew in battle from 1773 to the present. The boys were (are) very proud of their public participation with these flags. The picture is of me and R. Lee Emery at the welcome home parade for the 1st MEU in Oceanside, CA, Oct. 23, 2003.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?

Nam Photo, after I got LCpl in '67.

My generation, the 'Nam generation, were bigger, stronger and smarter than the 'Greatest Generation.' Those who make up, not only the Corps, but the other branches as well, now, are bigger, stronger and smarter than we were. Do your JOB. You took an oath to defend your country and so far, it looks you're doing a pretty damn good job. Be the best you can be, do your job and do it well. And, based on personal experience, don't expect any praises and laurels. That way, you'll appreciate them more when they DO come. Semper Fi, ladies and gentlemen. Semper Fi. That means a lot more to me now than it did when I was in.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

I didn't just come in from the rain. That's SWEAT

I've been a member almost since the beginning, number 6400 or so. I'm not on here as much as I should be but I'll try to do better. When I AM on here, I get a kick out of seeing what others are up to, what's going on and I try to contribute as often as possible to the Marine Humor section. I have to say, I think the folks who initially put this site together were visionaries. It has been interesting watching it's evolution. I can't even guess at how many people I've told about this site and they've joined. I also think it's interesting how the founders seem to have shown the way for others. Now all the branches have their own site. Thanks to Admin for all you do. As for this picture. well, it's one my favorites from Nam. NO, I didn't just come in from the rain. That's SWEAT.

*J*