Best Moment
surviving multiple GSWs, infections,and an embolsim
2nd best: learning that I was going on the Disability Retired List for life (at age 24)
Worst Moment
learning that I was not going to the Naval Hospital in Long Beach near my home but to Oakland in Northern California. Why do I have to go there? Because it is the amputee center for west of the Mississippi.
Chain of Command
Technically I was still attached to my Vietnam Battery, but really "TDY" to a hospital bed from 10/67-8/68
Other Memories
You just had to look to your left or right to find someone worse off. Oak Knoll was an amputee center and was had blind, severe head wounds and burned as well.
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. The criteria were announced in a War Department circular dated February 22, 1932, and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or were authorized to wear Wound Chevrons subsequent to April 5, 1917 MoreHide
Comments
fragmentation wound to the left hand from hostile rifle round, 27 October 1967 Thua Tien Province
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. The criteria were announced in a War Department circular dated February 22, 1932, and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or were authorized to wear Wound Chevrons subsequent to April 5, 1917 MoreHide
Comments
Second Purple Heart for gunshot wound shattering the right femur and grenade fragmentation wound to the right forearm , 27 October 1967, Thua Tien Province
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 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 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
Province: Tinh Quang Tri, Quan Hai Lang sector. Units: 4th Marine (HQ), BLT-1/3. Object: BLT moved by truck to a new blocking position west of Route 1 and the railroad20Oct67 to 23Oct67 LIBERTY II
Province: Tinh Quang Tri, Quan Hai Lang sector. Units: 4th Marine (HQ), BLT-1/3. Object: BLT moved by truck to a new blocking position west of Route 1 and the railroad between Hai Lang and Phong Dien. This operation was intended to prevent the Communist from disrupting the South Vietnamese National Assembly elections. BLT activity during the next 3 days involved squad and fire team patrols and encounters with the enemy.
BLT 1/3 was trucked to Camp EVANS to await the next assignment. One of the major logistical considerations during this period was to get the Marines of 1/3 an extra poncho and liner, winter had come to Vietnam.
BLT-1/3 sustained No Kia's and only 3-Wia's, while inflicting 1-VC Kia(confirmed), 1-VC Kia(probable), and capturing 10-VCS/POW's during operation.
20Oct67 Co. B- Night Ambush, contact with unknown number of VC with light MG or BAR, Fire fight, 1-Wia. 20Oct67 Co. C- Booby Trapped Grenade, 1-Wia. 23Oct67 Co. D- Booby Trapped Chicom Grenade, 1-Wia. 26Oct67 to 04Nov67 GRANITE Province: Tinh Thua Thien- Hai Lang forest again. Units: 4th Mar(HQ), BLT-1/3, 1/4, ARVN Object: A dawn helicopter assault into the Hai Lang forest started the operation for BLT 1/3.
The operation was a two battalion sweep into communist Base 114. 1/4 and BLT were under the operational control of the 4th Marines. The enemy consistently harassed the BLT, staying within a few hundred meters, and making night probes with a consistency not normally experienced.
A friendly fire air strike wounded two marines, a "short" 60mm mortar round wounded another, and an artillery round wounded yet another. The operation appeared jinxed. The Base Camp 114, was never located. The BLT returned to Camp Evans.** Cost: SLF-**17 communist KIA. 3 Marines KIA and 17 WIA. 652 arty missions called, 59 F4 sorties.
BLT-1/3 sustained 3-Kia's and 24-Wia's while inflicting 17-NVA /VC Kia's(confirmed) and 28-NVA/VC Kia's(probable) on the enemy during this operation. 27Oct67 BLT-1/3 Recon- Patrol received SAF, 1-Wia. 28Oct67 Co. D- Platoon Ambushed with AWF, 1-Kia and 6-Wia's.
Description
Oct 25 – Nov 6; 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and 1st Battalion, 4th Marines operation in the Thừa Thiên Province.
People You Remember Lt John Dawson and I were the artillery FO team attached to Bravo 1/4 from Golf Battery 3/12 during Lt John Dawson and I were the artillery FO team attached to Bravo 1/4 from Golf Battery 3/12 during Operation Granite . According to Marine Corps AA report (After Action, and which I can send anyone a copy), Granite lasted from 10/26/67-11/6/67 and resulted in 25 KIA in the field, 2 DOA at Phu Bai 3rd Med Bn and 110 WIA, 88 of which were medevac. Fourteen were killed on Friday the 27th, at least one from all four companies, but seven were from Bravo, nine counting Corpsman PO3 Sommes and FO Lt. Dawson attached to Bravo from other units. 31 were WIA. The KIA were
DAVID P BETTS, LCpl, Age 23, Seattle, WA
ROBERT M CARLOZZI, LCpl, Age 20, Wheaton, MD
DOUGLAS F CLEMMONS, Pfc, Age 19, Westville, FL
MICHAEL J FONSECA, Pfc, Age 20, Gardner, KS
WILLIAM R HACKETT JR, LCpl, Age 21, Chicago, IL
ANGUS L HARE, Cpl, Age 18, Sneads, FL
EDDIE L JAMES JR, Cpl, Age 20, Chester, SC
VERNE D JOHNSON III, Pfc, Age 19, Ogden, UT
CURTIS W PAINTER, LCpl, Age 21, Charleston, SC
MERRICK R PIERCE, LCpl, Age 19, Portland, OR
HARRY L SCHLEE, 2ndLt, Age 25, Williamsport, PA
KENNETH C STOMMES, HM3, Age 20, Cold Spring, MN
THOMAS F UHL, Cpl, Age 18, New York, NY
... More
Memories For me, a near death experience on Hill 674. A month in country, two Purple Hearts, = 10 months in OFor me, a near death experience on Hill 674. A month in country, two Purple Hearts, = 10 months in Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland CA, the amputee center for west to the Mississippi.(A near death experience there too). I had taken a round through the right femur that shattered the bone but only nicked the femoral artery. It was an infection which made losing the leg a better than even chance. Another round went through my left hand and a B40 rocket aimed above me left shrapnel in my right forearm. It was 6-8 hours before the heavy fire subsided so that a corpsman could reach me. ... More
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
surviving multiple GSWs, infections,and an embolsim
2nd best: learning that I was going on the Disability Retired List for life (at age 24)
learning that I was not going to the Naval Hospital in Long Beach near my home but to Oakland in Northern California. Why do I have to go there? Because it is the amputee center for west of the Mississippi.
Technically I was still attached to my Vietnam Battery, but really "TDY" to a hospital bed from 10/67-8/68
You just had to look to your left or right to find someone worse off. Oak Knoll was an amputee center and was had blind, severe head wounds and burned as well.