I'm retired after thirty years as a police officer with the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police Department at Cleveland, Ohio. I started as a Patrolman at Buffalo, New York, was promoted to Lieutenant in charge of the Lorain, Ohio field office, and since 1992 as officer in charge of field operations for the Cleveland Division Headquarters Office at Cleveland, Ohio. After leaving the police department in 1999, I served for two years as an Agent/Investigator with the railroad casualty claims department. Now, I ride my bike, walk on the treadmill daily and golf as often as possible. I am married (48 years) and have one son.
Other Comments:
I'm a life member of VFW Post 9871 and served as Chaplain in 2003-2004. I'm a member of the Color Guard and a Cootie. I'm also a member of Chapter 249 Vietnam Veterans Of America. In 1977, I served one year with Marine Corps Reserve, Co. "I" at Buffalo, New York and then untill 1982 with the 107th Fighter Group, New York Air National Guard Security Police, Niagara Falls Air Base Niagara Falls, New York.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase II Campaign (1966-67)/Operation Rolling Thunder
From Month/Year
July / 1966
To Month/Year
May / 1967
Description Operation Rolling Thunder was the title of a gradual and sustained US 2nd Air Division (later Seventh Air Force), US Navy, and Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) aerial bombardment campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) from 2 March 1965 until 2 November 1968, during the Vietnam War.
The four objectives of the operation (which evolved over time) were to boost the sagging morale of the Saigon regime in the Republic of Vietnam, to persuade North Vietnam to cease its support for the communist insurgency in South Vietnam without actually taking any ground forces into communist North Vietnam, to destroy North Vietnam's transportation system, industrial base, and air defenses, and to cease the flow of men and materiel into South Vietnam. Attainment of these objectives was made difficult by both the restraints imposed upon the U.S and its allies by Cold War exigencies and by the military aid and assistance received by North Vietnam from its communist allies, the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The operation became the most intense air/ground battle waged during the Cold War period; indeed, it was the most difficult such campaign fought by the U.S. Air Force since the aerial bombardment of Germany during World War II. Supported by communist allies, North Vietnam fielded a potent mixture of sophisticated air-to-air and ground-to-air weapons that created one of the most effective air defenses ever faced by American military aviators.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
July / 1966
To Month/Year
May / 1967
Last Updated: Mar 12, 2023
Personal Memories
People You Remember While with the Marine Detachment aboard USS Enterprise off the coast of Vietnam (Yankee & Dixie Stations) Dec,1965 to June,1967. Manned a .50 cal machine gun and supported "Operation Rolling Thunder" by assembling bombs and missile pods and getting them to the flightdeck for loading aboard A4's, F4'S AND A6's.
Memories While with the Marine Detachment aboard USS Enterprise off the coast of Vietnam (Yankee & Dixie Stations) Dec,1965 to June,1967. Manned a .50 cal machine gun and supported "Operation Rolling Thunder" by assembling bombs and missile pods and getting them to the flightdeck for loading aboard A4's, F4'S AND A6's.
