Best Friends
I arrived in VIetnam, landing at Da Nang airbase May 66. Was assigned to Bravo Co. 1/1/1 in Phu Bi and attached to the 3rd Marine Division. We quickly relocated just north of Hoi An on the sand dunes where I spent the rest of my time in Vietnam. With Bravo Co. we ran patrols during the day and ambushes at night, over and over again. We always received sniper fire but could not see the enemy. Bobby traps took out a few of the members of my squad but I guess I was lucky.
After 2 months I was assigned to the H&S S-2 Battalion Scouts where I spent 6 months running special night patrols/ambushes/etc. We also protected the S-3 group on special operations. Next I was assigned to the S-2 Intelligence where I received intel reports for numerous sources and plotted on a map the enemy contacts and movement. I typed up intel reports for the S-3 Command and the company commanders in the field. I went on most all larger operations to interagate and process prisoners.
Robert (Bobby) Ross was sent to take my place so I could rotate home. I was training him and the Lt. and I decided he was ready for his first operation and went in my place. He was shot by the VC and died overnight in the Da Nang hospital. Next Ken Takanaga (Japanese) and W.D. Ehrhart were sent as replacements next. I trained Ken and Bill so I could rotate home.
After rotating home I was assigned to special services at El Toro Airbase and worked in the weight room until I was discharged.
Best Moment
I really don't know of any best moments other than surviving mortar attacks and enemy fire in Vietnam.
Worst Moment
One of the worst moments was while driving the S-2 Mighty Mite Jeep in Hoi An a young kid, about 8 years old, started to throw a grenade into the jeep and I had to shoot him. The grenade went off and injured several civilians near the kid.
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
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 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
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 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 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
Jan 25 - Feb 7; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines search and destroy operation in the Quảng Nam Province.
Description Apr 5 – 10; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines search and destroy operation including a sweep of the Barrier Island which was bounded by the Cua DaApr 5 – 10; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines search and destroy operation including a sweep of the Barrier Island which was bounded by the Cua Dai/Son Thu Bon rivers to the north and the Truong Giang to the west in the Quảng Nam and Quảng Trị Provinces.... More
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 During June 1966, three Marine infantry regiments (eight battalions) were based in areas surrounding Da Nang, located roughly, in the center of the I Corps Tactical Zone. Major General Wood B. Kyle coDuring June 1966, three Marine infantry regiments (eight battalions) were based in areas surrounding Da Nang, located roughly, in the center of the I Corps Tactical Zone. Major General Wood B. Kyle commanded the Third Marine Division.
The First Marine Regiment, commanded by Colonel Bryan B. Mitchell, arrived at Da Nang from Chu Lai and was assigned to the eastern flank.
The 3d Marines, under the command of Col Harold A. Hayes, was placed west of the Yen River, south of Da Nang.
The 9th Marines, fresh from Golden Fleece operations (protecting locally grown rice) and County Fairs (pacification operations), was commanded by Col Edwin H. Simmons.
The regiment's area of operation covered 257 square miles and consisted of 27 villages, 150 hamlets and more than 88,000 civilians. Included in this zone of responsibility was the An Hoa industrial complex.
As the 9th Marines patrolled, contact with the enemy increased. Intense but short encounters were common. The Viet Cong would "hit and git."
The three regiments would join in Operation Liberty, which began on June 7, 1966.
The Viet Cong had grown daring. They were part of the R-20 battalion. During late May, Lieutenant Colonel William F. Doehler's 1st Bn, 9th Marines made contact with the enemy near the Yen River. Companies A and C (1/9), accompanied by M-48 tanks and supported by air and artillery, responded.
During the daylong battle, 53 enemy were killed, probably more. However, bodies had "disappeared," and a body count could not be made. Doehler lost a dozen Marines killed, and another 31 were wounded.
Col Simmons realized that his regiment's significant contacts with the enemy were all initiated by the VC. They picked the time and place to battle the Marines. During May, the 9th Marines killed 270 while suffering 75 dead and 328 wounded. More than half of the Marine casualties were caused by enemy mines and booby traps.
Col Simmons rearranged the enemy's schedule. His Marines would perform more search and clear operations, including cordons and searches of every hamlet in the zone.
As the Marines began Operation Liberty, LtCol Van D. "Ding Dong" Bell Jr. (1/1) and his command group climbed aboard three Ontos. South of the Marble Mountain Air Facility, Bell's vehicle ran out of gas. The area was definitely "unfriendly," and soon enemy rounds were impacting into the zone temporarily occupied by LtCol Bell's command section.
Bell ordered reinforcements from his Co B, supported by amtracs and tanks. The armored vehicles roared and rolled to the rescue, and 11 VC bodies and a number of weapons were later found.
As Operation Liberty progressed, the enemy remained concealed, using sniper fire and mines against the advancing and probing Marines. Captain Carl Reckewell's F/2/9 patrolled unknowingly into a large enemy minefield near the La Tho River. Two Marines were killed; 21 were wounded.
As those casualties were being evacuated, another four or five explosions occurred. The adjacent elephant grass caught fire, but there were no other casualties there. The "Fox" Co Marines were withdrawn from the minefield, and Marine artillery pounded the vacated area. Numerous secondary explosions were heard and observed.
Operation Liberty was not one of the "big" operations, but it did clear the area south of Da Nang of organized enemy resistance, and two weeks later, Marine engineers celebrated the opening of "Liberty Road" which wandered south from Da Nang to the industrial complex of An Hoa.... More
Description Jul 7 – Aug 3; 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 1st Battalion, 1sJul 7 – Aug 3; 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines and ARVN operation against the NVA 324B Division in the Cam Lo area near the DMZ.
This was in support of Operation Nathan Hale of the 1st Cavalry Division and 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division vicinity of Dong Tre and Tuy Hòa, Phú Yên Province.... More
Description Operation Hastings was an American military operation in the Vietnam War. The operation was a qualified success in that it pushed the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces back across the Demilitarized ZOperation Hastings was an American military operation in the Vietnam War. The operation was a qualified success in that it pushed the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces back across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). As the NVA clearly did not feel constrained by the "demilitarized" nature of the DMZ, US military leadership ordered a steady build-up of U.S. Marines near the DMZ from 1966 to 1968.... More
I arrived in VIetnam, landing at Da Nang airbase May 66. Was assigned to Bravo Co. 1/1/1 in Phu Bi and attached to the 3rd Marine Division. We quickly relocated just north of Hoi An on the sand dunes where I spent the rest of my time in Vietnam. With Bravo Co. we ran patrols during the day and ambushes at night, over and over again. We always received sniper fire but could not see the enemy. Bobby traps took out a few of the members of my squad but I guess I was lucky.
After 2 months I was assigned to the H&S S-2 Battalion Scouts where I spent 6 months running special night patrols/ambushes/etc. We also protected the S-3 group on special operations. Next I was assigned to the S-2 Intelligence where I received intel reports for numerous sources and plotted on a map the enemy contacts and movement. I typed up intel reports for the S-3 Command and the company commanders in the field. I went on most all larger operations to interagate and process prisoners.
Robert (Bobby) Ross was sent to take my place so I could rotate home. I was training him and the Lt. and I decided he was ready for his first operation and went in my place. He was shot by the VC and died overnight in the Da Nang hospital. Next Ken Takanaga (Japanese) and W.D. Ehrhart were sent as replacements next. I trained Ken and Bill so I could rotate home.
After rotating home I was assigned to special services at El Toro Airbase and worked in the weight room until I was discharged.
I really don't know of any best moments other than surviving mortar attacks and enemy fire in Vietnam.
One of the worst moments was while driving the S-2 Mighty Mite Jeep in Hoi An a young kid, about 8 years old, started to throw a grenade into the jeep and I had to shoot him. The grenade went off and injured several civilians near the kid.
CO=Bell