Best Friends
Sergeant 'Mac' Hamlet, My Platoon Sgt (5th degree black belt).
Best Moment
'Ongoing Chigger Contest', between myself and Sergeant Mac, I always managed to count/incur the most chiggers after an overnight bivouac in the field.
The day, sometime during the spring of 1979, I met some gorgeous redhead, named Sandy (soon to be my wife), at a private entertainment club named 'AJ's' in Jacksonville, NC. Sergeant Mac predicted to me that I would eventually marry this woman. He was right!!!
Worst Moment
The day Sergeant Mac (emotionally distressed) informed me of his father's death.
Recall having the duty of visiting marines, associated with 'E' Co., 2/6, at the Camp Lejeune brig. These individuals were either awaiting pending court-martial action or were serving out sentences in conjunction with desertion charges. Felt rather sad when listening to the individual stories trying to explain the reasons for abandoning their military unit.
Chain of Command
Lt.Col. Kalm Battalion Commander
Other Memories
Recall the mountainous training received by 'E'Co., 2/6, at Pisgah National Park in Western NC. Also, remember the amphibious training received for our infantry unit at the Naval Training Center located in Little Creek, VA. Not to mention, the daily warfare/infantry training received in the field at the numerous ranges located within Camp Lejeune, NC.
Best Friends
2nd Lieutenant Treadway 2nd Lieutenant Fred (Smitty) Smithberg 2nd Lieutenant Chuck Simpson 2nd Lieutenant Larry Simms 2nd Lieutenant Fred Sanford 2nd Lieutenant Dan Sweeney
Instructors
Captain Spencer, SPC/training officer assigned to BC(Basic Class)-78
Other Memories
Weekend liberty from "The Basic School", which included at least one night in downtown DC, making rounds at the popular entertainment spots/bars. This did not include hanging out with the hookers on 14th street, ha, ha. Although there were some curious fellow marines who did, not to mention any names.
Best Moment
I have very fond memories of negotiating the obstacle course every morning, especially during the PLC SR course (countless times, more than I would like to imagine). Really loved and remember that British Sergeant Major from the Royal Marines (whatever his name was?)who I thought was in charge of the physical fitness program and had came up with a specific program to be used as part of our physical training regimen during my PLC SR course. This guy could've been no taller than 5'5" and courted an immaculate physical torso which included legs slightly larger than the size of a small stick (purely, 100%, all muscle).
Other Memories
I remember having to attend marine officer training at Quantico, VA for three different and suceeding summers, each period encompassing six weeks of training (Platoon Leaders Class, Jr/Sr), encompassing my college career from 1/1974 until 6/1977. During my PLC Sr training in the summer of 1976, I acquired a stress fracture on my left ankle and was sent home early. Resumed and completed my officer training for the PLC Sr course on 08/1977. Following this training, I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on August 27, 1977.
Best Friends
Major Ciuba, Major Bowden, Captain Smith, 1st Lt (Mac) McConaghey,Gunnery Sergeant Winston, S/Sgt Chamberlain, S/Sgt Ramsey, Sgt Frank J Degott, Sgt Berny Reece, Sgt Will Dionne, Sgt Norm Foote, ,Sgt Terry Walls, Sgt Jeffrey Gray, Sgt Trulock, Corporal Keith 'Ski' Krakowski, L/Cpl Mathis, L/Cpl Darryl Ford, PFC Lee, PFC Lewis Horton, L/Cpl Roderick, L/Cpl Robert 'Mac' McMurray, 'Wayne', and the Barracks Gy/Sgt (name I do not recall)and any other personnel I worked with while at Marine Barracks, NAS Brunswick, Me(both officer and enlisted), enjoyed serving with all of them.
Best Moment
Janice Wallace, Sebasco Estates, Me
Dolores, Navy Wave stationed at Brunswick
Other Memories
Recall duties performed as a marine attached to Marine Barracks at NAS Brunswick, Me, which included serving in Marine details for local funerals honoring prior Marines, escorting Marines who had incurred AWOL charges to the military brig in Portsmouth, NH, working at the main gate and back gate to ensure acess to the base of only military members, their dependents and guests (this got to be a very cold job, especially, during winter) and providing security on a 24/7 basis, for the two ammo sites located at NAS Brunswick used to arm naval anti-sub warfare planes known as P-3's (another very cold assignment that would ocassionally involve walking in 1-2 ft. of snow or more while checking the entire perimeter of the ammo site during the winter months). PS: if you did this aforementioned particular task, you didn't need to worry about falling asleep on the job.
Criteria The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. ... The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time. MoreHide
Comments
awarded after three years of service as an enlisted marine
Best Friends
Sergeant (Sarge) Bob Skinner, Corpsman Otis 'Doc' Phelps, Sergeant (Mac) McNamara, 'Professor', 'Gramps', Corporal John Mages (Mr. Love)
Best Moment
My pathetic, but eventual sucessful goal of crossing the river near hill 55 in a basket boat ( small, round, basket-weaved boat, appr. 5 ft in diameter). Trying to stay afloat without turning over, was a tremendous chore in that small boat. Needed to do it, because there were times when I needed to get across the river on the other side. The local vietnamese made it look so easy when they utilized those basket boats. I beg to differ.
Recall time when I was temporarily attached to an ARVN company conducting a op near hill 55. Thru the use of my prc-25 radio, I was able to help provide coordination during the op between the arvn's and other marine units in the area. Vividly recall the evening meal shared with the arvn co and his staff, the co asked if I was interested in eating some snakes floating in a adjacent pot filled with water. I politely declined due to the fact the mere thought of eating some of those slimy snakes made my stomach churn. Happily settled for my c-rats.
Recall honoring the ocassional request made by a villager to throw an M-26 frag (grenade) into the nearby river for the purpose of killing some fish and eating them for dinner. Happy to oblige!
Worst Moment
Remember one night in 'Nam', when I was prepping the perimeter area outside our CUPP unit bivouac site located next to a vietnamese village close to Hill 55, with HE (high explosive) rounds from a M-79 grenade launcher. This was being done at night to secure/destroy suspected enemy locations. While doing this, I accidentally fired [or merely misjudged the distance] a M-79 grenade round into a Vietnamese hut, which was part of the nearby village. At the time of the strike, a Vietnamese family was sleeping inside, which included a father, mother and some small children. A emergency medevac chopper was called in to evacuate the family who were by all accounts seriously injured/possibly dead. I never heard any more info about the condition of the family after that night. Recall the screams and cries coming from the family immediately after the tragic incident occured. The image haunts me up until this day. Evidently, my particular action that night was able to irk the area viet cong. As a result, on the following night after this tragic incident, our CUPP unit received a significant amount of small arms fire from at least several Viet Cong who took up positions in the adjacent village. Vividly remember the next morning, there were several communist flags (describe flag as containing a star in the center which was completely engulfed in a red-colored background). Made a nice souvenir for a few fellow marines who were able to snatch them up.
It is my current understanding [02-13-2011]; or based on what I heard from another grunt with the unit at the time, that the other two marines who were injured as a result of this aforementioned frag [grenade] incident, died or succumbed to their injuries at a later date after the fact.
Other Memories
Recall another tragic night in 'Nam' when my CUPP unit was entrenched in another perimeter area near Hill 55. There were three fellow grunts dug in a nearby foxhole close to mine, suddenly, a loud explosion/smoke erupted from that position. At the time, it appeared to be the result of a grenade going off. From what I understand or based on rumors at the time, the discharge of the suspected frag may have been caused by a fellow marine who was known to be left-handed and had the dangerous habit of pulling the pins out of the right side of his M-26 fragmentation grenades and inserting them on the left side of the frag. Apparently, the marine got careless doing this, and unfortunately dropped a grenade with no pin inserted on either side, it (grenade) went off and tragically killed that marine (L/Cpl Vega) and seriously wounded two other marines (last names of Campbell & Stanton). Still recall the moans and groans coming out of the foxhole that night, immediately after the frag went off.
For the longest time, I was lead to believe all three of the aforementioned fellow marines entrenched in the foxhole next to mine were KIA as a result of that accidental grenade detonation. It wasn't until just recently that I contacted the Manpower Management Support Branch of HQMC and was able to verify the circumstances which I previously mentioned regarding that horrible episode.
Recall the slogan posted at a enlisted club located at a marine base near Marble Mountain, DaNang, S. Vietnam. It read "PRIVATES, PFC'S, LANCE CORPORALS, FIRST TO FIGHT, SECOND TO NONE". AMEN, BROTHER.
Recall one night whereby I stayed overnight at the marine base located by Marble Mountain (cannot recall specific reason for being there, but I was there). I was laying on one cot of many situated insided a wooden hut covered by screen windows. Sleeping inside the hut was an assortment of other marines (enlisted and officers). I was resting on the opposite of the building where possibly one or two officers were located, as far as I can recall. Suddenly, late in the night, it appeared some moron (disgruntled marine), definitely threw a frag (m-26 grenade) near the area where the officers were sleeping. The loud sound and significant vibration produced by the frag was clearly enough to wake me up and other marines residing in those quarters. To say it scared the shit out of everybody there, was an understatement. Fortunately, noone had been physically hurt, just rattled all to hell. Remember thinking, just another day in the 'Nam'.
Remember the time while leading a night patrol composed of several marines and arvn's, which also included being temporarily set up in a ambush position. After several minutes had passed, I had clearly noticed an arvn lighting up a cigarette. Recall being very ticked at the moment. It was a task trying to be as tactful as possible while telling the arvn to put his 'dumb-ass' cigarette out. Can't say it enough, it was just another typical arvn stunt.
Remember several emergency medevacs I called in while operating a prc-25 radioset ( still able to visualize the memory of one medevac involving a fellow black marine who set off a toe popper resulting in the dismemberment of approximately half his foot/poor grunt was in immense pain as attested by his loud crys until eventually being administered morphine by a fellow corpsman on site/this marine had been walking directly in front of me at the time during a routine daytime patrol ). Recall the frequent callsign (CHATTERBOX #4,5,6, whatever) used by the CH-46 chopper pilots during these situations. When requested by the marine pilot to give an emergency medevac briefing, I was always a little nervous and always wondered if I ever gave out the correct grid coordinates (map location), during my briefing. Thank God for the strobe light and multi-colored pop-up smoke used to assist in identifying our position, would've been lost without it.
Recall one particular firefight near the vicinity of hill 55, when my squad/unit encountered rather intense small arms fire from a concealed unit of at least several vc positioned across the river from where my CUPP unit was conducting a daytime patrol. At the time, I served as a grenadier which encompassed being armed with a M-79 grenade launcher and a .45 semi-automatic caliber pistol. During the firefight, I became so absorbed, that I felt like I could not fire HE [high explosive] rounds from my M-79 fast enough. As a result, I ended up pulling out my .45 pistol and starting shooting rounds from that weapon at the enemy. Bottom line, we managed to eventually cause the vc to retreat from their position as a result of our actions.
Remember meeting and shaking hands with television actor Fess Harper at Freedom Hill in DaNang. Harper was the actor portrayed as 'Daniel Boone' on the tv series, 'Daniel Boone', during the sixties.
Recall witnessing one night, a marine CH-46 helicopter being shot down by enemy fire while flying relatively close to the ground, approximately a click (thousand meters) or more from our encamped position. It was learned a rpg round had been fired from a nearby enemy rocket launcher. Another CUPP unit in the area had responded to the incident. Quite an event to witness!
Recall the sporadic but sometimes occasional sounds/views of gunfire/muzzle flashes coming from the nearby but somewhat distant, adjacent mountainous region known as 'Charlie Ridge'.
Remember one time when I had flagged down and hitched a ride with several other people in the back of a six-by driven by a arvn from some location in DaNang. The military truck was being driven on the road which led toward the location of my CUPP unit nearby hill 55. While the truck was doing an estimated forty miles per hour or more, the driver unexpectedly drove off an embankment, causing myself and others in the back of the open six-by to fly at least 20 feet or more in the air into a somewhat, soft or grassy area. Everyone appeared to be okay. I got up, shrugged off the incident, and continued my travel towards my unit location. Thought to myself at the time, just another typical arvn stunt.
Remember the 'bamboo viper', a skinny green- colored snake, approximately one and one-half foot or longer in size, highly venomous/deadly. Recall one or two times when this snake actually crawled through our entrenched perimeter/bivouac site, a great way to clear out some marines/arvn's situated in a perimeter after someone yells, "lookout, there's a snake inside the perimeter, it's a viper".
Here's another snake story, sometime, later in the night, after enduring a firefight previously mentioned, I was fixing to lay down on my camouflage blanket situated opposite my foxhole. To my surprise, I noticed a snake, at least several feet in length, laying there. It scared the shit out of me as I yelled something, not to forget the reaction of the snake, which decided to slowly clear out. Bottom line, someone else had witnessed the snake and recognized it as a 'king snake' (non-deadly). This incident definitely got my startled attention.
Recall another night with my CUPP unit, when a marine decided to walk outside the specific perimeter area where a few arvn's were setup in a defensive mode. This marine, while attempting to take a tactical shit without telling anybody (by the way, BIG MISTAKE!), accidentally tripped an illumination flare. The nearby arvn's responded to the setting off of this flare with a barrage of small arms fire. It was only until they (arvn's) and others (marines) were able to identify the screams of 'stop', 'no', coming from this distressed marine, did the shooting cease. Bottom line, this marine wound up getting shot in the ass and was immediately medevaced out by chopper. The injury was non-life threatening and the marine in question, sucessfully recovered from his wound. Moral of this story, don't attempt to take a shit at night without notifying counterparts within the immediate perimeter, unless you wanna take the risk of being shot in the ass. Sad to say, but you don't qualify for a purple heart if you sustain any injury from friendly fire.
Recall the occasional time when myself in addition to another marine would visit a specific hut in a nearby vietnamese village close to our CUPP unit location, where it was common knowledge that the resident mama son would cook up a sizeable bowl of noodle soup in exchange for a box of c-rats. Loved the noodle soup, it sure beat the hell out of tasting and drinking a swig of rice wine.
Remember one nite when I was prepping the area outside our defensive perimeter with the good ol' M-79 grenade launcher for possible VC attempting to attack our position. Somehow I was able to place a HE [high explosive] round into the midst of 3 VC, resulting in their deaths. The following morning, local villagers took it upon themselves to attach these VC to some type of board/plywood (approximately 8 feet by 10 feet)for all the local vietnamese villagers to witness.
Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders that unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
Criteria
The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description Accordingly, III MAF on 7 April issued orders for the attack, codenamed Operation Scott Orchard. Under the plan, a provisional composite battery of 105mm and 155mm howitzers from the 1st Battalion, 1Accordingly, III MAF on 7 April issued orders for the attack, codenamed Operation Scott Orchard. Under the plan, a provisional composite battery of 105mm and 155mm howitzers from the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines was to reopen FSB Dagger, used the previous autumn for Operation Catawba Falls. Then the 1st Marines, employing a reinforced infantry battalion, was to make a helicopter assault on the hills west of Dagger, where the POW camp was supposed to be located.
The infantry were to search the area and, if they found an enemy prison compound, try to free the inmates. Ill MAF alerted Company A, 1st Medical Battalion to receive and care for diseased, dehydrated, and debilitated former prisoners and ordered that the attacking infantry be equipped with bolt cutters. Advance information about the operation was to be closely restricted and aerial reconnaissance of Dagger
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Memories View comments/photos listed under 'Assignments'; specifically, 'E' Co., 2/1, CUPP (Combined Unit PacView comments/photos listed under 'Assignments'; specifically, 'E' Co., 2/1, CUPP (Combined Unit Pacification Program).... More
Best Friends
My grunt fire team leader in the bush whom I referred to as "OLD MAN". Also remember, PFC Mace, as another member in our fireteam.
Best Moment
Listening to the sound of the M-60 being fired in combat. Uttering the cry of "GET SOME".
Getting drunk after an op in the bush at the enlisted club located at LZ Baldy. Can't remember how many beers I had.
Worst Moment
Responding to the often heard command of "GUNS UP" while deployed in the back of an infantry column with the assignment of assisant gunner/ammo humper for the M-60 machine gunner. What happened, the front of the column was being shot at/detained by several enemy soldiers or more often, a enemy sniper. Myself, loaded with two or more cannisters of M-60 rounds and the machine gunner would run up to the front of the column while everyone else was taking cover in the prone position. At the same time, shots were being fired by the enemy at our column. What eventually ended up being done, the machine gunner and I were directed to set up a position and fire back at the suspected enemy location.
There was a time or two during my initial first days in the bush whereby I became so exhausted during a movement/hump that I literally had to squat down in relief during the occasional times we encountered sniper fire while deployed in a column formation.
Other Memories
Definitely recall, the time or two, at least, while advancing with my unit during a 'op' (operation) from one position to another in a column formation, walking past/observing the dead body of an enemy soldier killed by small arms fire from my unit as a result of a hostile encounter/incident.
Recalling the large bugs/insects you had to put up with while sitting in an ambush position or set up in a perimeter defense. The bugs were given names such as B-52's and B-29 bombers.
Putting up with and living in the rain (specifically, monsoon season),conducting patrols, enduring humps/movements in all kinds of terrain and last, but not least, handling the immense heat.
The ocassional times when I ran out of water. Recall carrying two to three canteens. Being out of water resulted in me drinking out of streams, creeks or just waiting until the re-supply chopper came (about every three days) with ammo, c-rats, water and whatever else.
Can't help but remember the time I contracted the shits (dysentery) while in the bush, couldn't get my draws down fast enough.
Sometime, during a movement by my company at night (believed to be in the Que Sons), we were pinned down by somewhat intense sniper fire, ultimately received the word to dig in, which resulted in the unearthing of somewhat shallow/long foxholes while in the prone position, never mind the fact everybody was attempting to avoid hostile fire at the same time. What an ordeal!
During a unit movement, we were well south of Marble Mountain along the coastline adjacent to the South China Sea, I was walking point and encountered a stump on the trail, which I avoided by clearly walking over it without touching. The marine directly behind me was alert enough to notice something alarming/dangerous about that particular object. It was checked out and turned out to be some type of explosive device camouflaged as a booby trap. Blown in place. WHEW!
Walking on a rice paddy dike (wherever) during some kind of patrol and falling off into the rice paddy. Got myself and my M-16 completely wet. Pain in the ass!
Recall the wonderful duty of having to burn some shitters from a outhouse at firebase LZ Baldy. What a joy!
Being told to get a haircut immediately after I got off an op in the bush at LZ Baldy. Give me a break!
Remember the time when my company inadvertently came upon a NVA base camp secluded somewhere in the Que Sons. My unit had surprised several of the nva who were encamped at that site. The ensuing firefight eventually resulted in the abandoning of the base camp by the resident nva. At the time, I had been intrigued by the innovative/rather crude construction of a pipeline ( looked like bamboo chutes ), apparently linked to a nearby water source and resulting in a steady/flowing stream of water at the base camp from the pipe.
Remember several marines succumbing to heat exhaustion during movements/marches thru some difficult terrain (hills, slopes etc..)in the hottest periods of the day.
Best Moment
Upon first arriving at Camp Lejeune/Montford Point for our infantry training, specifically recall an ITR instructor who required all Marines who identified themselves as being raised in North Carolina to get down on the ground in the prone position & kiss this NC earth [seeing how they [NC natives] loved it so much here]. Obviously, it was readily apparent this instructor always had some kind of bias for marines from North Carolina.
Best Moment
My Senior Drill Instructor's (SDI) nickname for me in Platoon 207 was "SWEET PEA". Every now and then, I have to wonder how in the world he came up with that name.
At the DI's request, remember the entire platoon singing all the verses of the marine corps hymn every night prior to taps. We also were prompted to recall the infamous marine hero 'Chesty Puller' by saying "GOOD NIGHT CHESTY PULLER, WHEREVER YOU ARE".
Recall the daily command cited by the drill instructor prior to entering the mess hall "FAT BODIES TO THE REAR, SKINNY BODIES TO THE FRONT". The fat bodies were restricted on what foods they could eat versus the skinny bodies who could eat whatever they wanted. For my part, I was a skinny body. Upon entering boot camp, I weighed 125 pounds. After graduating, I weighed 155 pounds, a whopping gain of 30 pounds. I won't mention what I weigh now, suffice it to say, I would be ecstatic if I was even close to my boot camp graduation weight.
Worst Moment
That very first night in our wooden barracks (also referred to as 'The Barn'), recall laying in my bunk (one of several in a huge squadbay located on the 2nd floor of this barn) after taps, remember hearing several recruits crying uncontrollably out loud. Don't forget, earlier that day we had been assigned to a platoon, after which we met our amicable Drill Instructors. From the Indoctrination Center all the way to our assigned barracks, we had to go thru what was infamously known as 'the seabag drag'. Loaded with all our issued clothing, we carried these heavy bags (all the while Drill Instructors [DI's] screaming at us the whole way) to our assigned barracks.
Recall the stress fracture to my ankle that I acquired during my fourth or fifth week of training with PLT 207. This resulted in my spending approximately a week, recovering from my injury in the base hospital. When released, I was assigned to PLT 211, which at the time was currently in either their 4th or 5th week of training, I sucessfully completed my boot camp training with this unit.
Being assigned to the 'mess hall', scrubbing pots and pans, for approximately two weeks, prior to training on the rifle range. Dreaded having to wake up prior to the crack of dawn, somewhere around 0300 or 0400, and working until early evening, sometime after dinner service was completed.
Other Memories
Remember boarding a small bus in my hometown during the wee dawn hours, along with several other inductees, which was destined to travel to the armed forces induction center in Newark, NJ. While seated in the bus, several volunteers from some church group were handing out small pocket bibles. It was quite a somber moment, maybe I should've read that as a sign of things that were about to unfold quite rapidly in the forthcoming days.
I fondly remember a quote cited to myself and other aspiring marine enlistees by a marine officer after completing a swearing-in ceremony being held at the induction center for armed forces in Newark, NJ. The quote clearly alluded to the courage being exhibited by marine grunts fighting in the Vietnam war. It read, "YE DO I WALK THROUGH THXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXevalXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH; I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR I AM THE MEANEST MOTHER FUCKER IN THXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXevalXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXLEY". For my part, I eventually learned to live by/adhere to that motto during my entire experience as a marine grunt in 'NAM'.
During slack times, recall standing (the At Ease position) in formation and being urged by our DI's to whip out our so-called 'Red Book' (a notebook listing Marine Corps rules & regs as well as your 11 General Orders) and attempt to memorize or be well versed with all these rules.
Next stop after Camp Lejeune was Staging Batallion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in preparation for deployment to Nam. Remember a specific hill which we struggled to hike up during training which was appropriately nicknamed "Mount Mother Fucker". Thought this hill lived up to it's name during the time I tried to hike up it.
One other specific thing I remember during Staging Batallion at Pendleton, this involved the medical shots received just prior going to Vietnam. Wanna say there were at least four, maybe five corpsman or more holding shot dispensers which were activated/injected by pulling some type of trigger. Almost like going thru a gauntlet whereby you made your way thru a line with corpsman on either side issuing these medical shots to you while you walked by. Quite a memorable experience.
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. (World War II and Korea War service rate one ribbon for each period only) MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Description
Jul 15 – Aug 24; 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines clear and search operation near Song Thu Bon valley, Quảng Nam Province.
Memories View comments/photos listed under 'Assignments'; specifically, 'D' Co., 1/7 and narrative under photView comments/photos listed under 'Assignments'; specifically, 'D' Co., 1/7 and narrative under photo of PI boot camp graduation picture accessible at profile category 'recruit training' noted as boot camp, Parris Island, SC. ... More
Description Aug 31 – May 12 71; 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines and 3rd Battalion 5th Marines search and clear operation in the Quảng Nam Province.
In late August intelligence reports indicAug 31 – May 12 71; 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines and 3rd Battalion 5th Marines search and clear operation in the Quảng Nam Province.
In late August intelligence reports indicated that the Viet Cong Front 4 Headquarters had taken up residence in the eastern Que Son Mountains. In response, regimental commander Col. Robert H. Piehl planned to begin Operation Imperial Lake in this area with an intense aerial and artillery bombardment. Four rifle companies would then be helicoptered into twelve landing zones, establishing a tight cordon around the area suspected of harboring the enemy.
The bombardment began at midnight on 31 August. For six hours, ten batteries of 3/11 Marines pounded fifty-three target sites with more than fourteen thousand shells in what was one of the largest artillery barrages of the entire Vietnam War. When the artillery fire ceased, two solid hours of air strikes followed. More than sixty-three tons of aerial ordnance fell on suspected enemy camps in the Que Sons. The effectiveness of the massive bombardment was questionable. Colonel Piehi later said that 'one or two enemy bodies. .. .' were found in the target areas.
Nonetheless, at 0900 that day, CH46 and CH-53 helicopters laden with well-equipped 2d Battalion CP Marines and two platoons of 4.2-inch mortar men of Battery W, 3/11, began touching down at LZ Vulture on Hill 845, one of the highest peaks in the central Que Son Mountains. By noon, all four rifle companies of 2/7 had landed at their LZs ringing LZ Vulture. Over the next four days, the grunts scoured the rugged terrain without finding any enemy.
Finally, on 5 September, Company E encountered a platoon of NVA in a jungle-covered ravine southwest of LZ Vulture. Unable to move deeper into the ravine due to the heavy volume of fire coming from enemy soldiers concealed in caves and behind boulders, Company E was joined by the other three companies that night. Over the next four days, the Marines fought the encircled NVA. The steep terrain, numerous boulders, thick foliage, and many caves favored the enemy's elusive tactics. Though the riflemen tried several times to advance along the bottom of the ravine or down its sides, they were turned back each time by strong small arms and automatic weapons fire.
By 9 September, the Marines had suffered three killed and a dozen wounded. Realizing that his infantry could not dislodge the NVA, Lieutenant Colonel Albers pulled back his rifle companies and called for Marine jets. Nine sorties dropped forty tons of high explosives on the enemy. The next day, the Marines reentered the ravine. This time only sporadic sniper fire greeted them. The companies spent the next week searching for any surviving NVA, killing more than a dozen stragglers.
While 2/7 was fighting near LZ Vulture, 3/7 and units of the U.S. Army's Americal Division conducted Operation Nebraska Rapids to reopen Route 534 between LZ Baldy and Hiep Duc. The infantry units patrolled along the road while Marine engineers searched for mines and repaired the roadbed. The clearing operation lasted for five days, then an ARVN truck convoy made an uneventful trip along the road on 9 September.
On 13 September, 3/7 helicoptered into the Que Son Mountains to join Operation Imperial Lake. The Marines worked south of the 2d Battalion, conducting daytime patrols and night ambushes. Though they had little luck in finding the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Albers's 2d Battalion did somewhat better. On 16 September, lead by a VC defector, his Company F uncovered a large underground complex consisting of more than the usual caves. Extending more than seventy feet into the ground, this complex included a large kitchen and a hospital complete with an operating room. What made the find even more unusual was the fact that the complex was on the lower slopes of Hill 845, right below LZ Vulture and Albers's CP.... More
Memories View comments/photos listed under 'Assignments'; specifically, 'E' Co., 2/1, CUPP (Combined Unit PacView comments/photos listed under 'Assignments'; specifically, 'E' Co., 2/1, CUPP (Combined Unit Pacification Program).... More
Sergeant 'Mac' Hamlet, My Platoon Sgt (5th degree black belt).
'Ongoing Chigger Contest', between myself and Sergeant Mac, I always managed to count/incur the most chiggers after an overnight bivouac in the field.
The day, sometime during the spring of 1979, I met some gorgeous redhead, named Sandy (soon to be my wife), at a private entertainment club named 'AJ's' in Jacksonville, NC. Sergeant Mac predicted to me that I would eventually marry this woman. He was right!!!
The day Sergeant Mac (emotionally distressed) informed me of his father's death.
Recall having the duty of visiting marines, associated with 'E' Co., 2/6, at the Camp Lejeune brig. These individuals were either awaiting pending court-martial action or were serving out sentences in conjunction with desertion charges. Felt rather sad when listening to the individual stories trying to explain the reasons for abandoning their military unit.
Lt.Col. Kalm
Battalion Commander
Recall the mountainous training received by 'E'Co., 2/6, at Pisgah National Park in Western NC. Also, remember the amphibious training received for our infantry unit at the Naval Training Center located in Little Creek, VA. Not to mention, the daily warfare/infantry training received in the field at the numerous ranges located within Camp Lejeune, NC.