Worst Moment
Being on a ammo ship going up the Long Tram, Long Tau Rivers going to Saigon and othere ports in many places the rivers were only 1 to 1/2 clicks wide,Wheel House had to be sand baged, crew on watch had to be in flak jeckits and helmets,grenade screens on port holes,no one on deck, off watch crew had to sleep in passage ways, Engineers only ones below deck standing watch.SS.Baton Rouge Victory lost all 8 man engine room watch from mine placed on hull. (1966 to 1968/1970 to 1975) 9 trips, 4 ammo ships, 2 JP4 Tankers, 3 Gen cargo ships with no flack jackit no helmet no bunker to jump into knowing that the local VC units had heavy machine guns 12mm, 57mm recoilless rifles,RPG'S.AVRN troops would bring cases of grenades on board to drop over the side to keep the VC swimmers from putting limpet mines on the hull, when we were at the dock or at anchor,when unloading cargo all Vietnamese workes had to be strip down so no bombs could be placed,and none could leave till unloading was done.33 ships were attacked,but I must say we were payed real well for it.
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
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 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
Description
For bening under small arms and incoming at LZ Stud, Roclpile, LZ.Vandegrift, Camp Romanelli. DMZ
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 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
Best Moment
Standing in ranks with WWII Korea War Paratroopers,some haveing 5 stars on there jump wings and 3 stars on there CIB'S all of them were E 7s E 8s E 9s some of them were in the 507 PIR 17th Airborne Div with my Dad when they made the Rhine jump,that's how I got to be the 1st Sgt driver. At this time the 101st was a real Airborne Outfit, no leg units in it at all.
Worst Moment
2 Maywests
Other Memories
Made 35 jumps from C 119, C 123s, C 124s, C 130s,Aircarft,night and equipment drops
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). 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
Other Memories
My Dad and I went through jump school, he got his jump wings in England 1944 (ground school was jumping off the tail gates of moveing 2 1/2 ton trucks) he brok his left ankle on his 2nd jump, T-5 Parachuthes then made 2 more on it, next day he could not get his boot on, 1st Sgt told him you made 2 jumps like that ! you are good to go for us so(he walked with a left limp for the rest of his life) After going through the Battle of the Bulge with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment 17th Airborne Division, Gen Pattons 3rd Army .He made his 5th jump witch was a combat jump and his qualifieing jump into Germany.Operation Varsity March 24 1945(the Rhine jump) day light, 800 feet no reserve chute, got heavy grond AAA fire lost 50 C-47s,C-46s ,11 Gliders, more then any other combat jump in WW II 1.111 KIAs 1.625 WIAs when he got his basic parachutist wings they had a combat star on them, he was the only man in the 507th PIR to get his wings on a combat jump. I got mine in Fort Benning Ga In 1965, When I went to the 101st Airborne Div I served with Sgt Majors and 1st Sgt that made that jump,
Criteria The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Natio... The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Nations or friendly foreign nations MoreHide
Comments
DMZ Korea, 1St Cavalry Division, Came under small arms 3 times, US Army would not award CIB'S (Can't have to many wars going on at once) so this is what we got.
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for thirty consecutive or for six... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for thirty consecutive or for sixty non-consecutive days, or who meet the following criteria: Be engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of elibility; Is wounded or injured in the line of duty and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility; While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, or within the area of eligibility in direct support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement; Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered for the award as long as the basic time criteria are met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the non-consecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period. The Area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the continuous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land and water areas. MoreHide
Comments
For Service on DMZ with 1st Cava Div,1964-1965. A .Co. 8th Combat Engineers. On OP's LP'S and patrols,all locked and loaded,Clearing old minefields November to March Temps would drop to -10 below.
Getting Chief Engeers Licens
Being on a ammo ship going up the Long Tram, Long Tau Rivers going to Saigon and othere ports in many places the rivers were only 1 to 1/2 clicks wide,Wheel House had to be sand baged, crew on watch had to be in flak jeckits and helmets,grenade screens on port holes,no one on deck, off watch crew had to sleep in passage ways, Engineers only ones below deck standing watch.SS.Baton Rouge Victory lost all 8 man engine room watch from mine placed on hull. (1966 to 1968/1970 to 1975) 9 trips, 4 ammo ships, 2 JP4 Tankers, 3 Gen cargo ships with no flack jackit no helmet no
bunker to jump into knowing that the local VC units had heavy machine guns 12mm, 57mm recoilless rifles,RPG'S.AVRN troops would bring cases of grenades on board to drop over the side to keep the VC swimmers from putting limpet mines on the hull, when we were at the dock or at anchor,when unloading cargo all Vietnamese workes had to be strip down so no bombs could be placed,and none could leave till unloading was done.33 ships were attacked,but I must say we were payed real well for it.