The current guardian of this Remembrance Page is GySgt Denise Kincaid (Gunny Dee).
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HERE
Recovering from heart attack 3Jul07 (5x bypass). One step at a time - one day at a time, as well as two or three breaths at a time. Recoup/Rehab is a long and very slow process. I am now on the second year of rehab- oh how slow this is, and some days quite hard. If you smoke---QUIT! We can't blame "Agent Orange" on everything. Take and be responsible for your own actions!
New Stuff: 17Oct08 Another heart problem - Congestive Heart Failure. Emergency 911 and four (4) days in hospital. Excess liquids removed, change of/addional medications. Sent home to recover. No driving, no pulmonary rehab until further notice. Bland foods, no salt, and reduce liquid intake. Oh Woe is Me- Will this ever end?????
Other Comments:
Life is beautiful and great. Don't waste it! Maximize each and every day! Live today as though there is no tomorrow! THERE MIGHT NOT BE A "TOMORROW!"
New-new stuff - 30Mar09 - Pulmonary Rehabilitation three (3) days - Monday, Wednesday and Friday per week, Dr. appointments/follow ups on Tue and Thurs. Full weeks of medical appointments. On oxygen 24/7/365 with prognosis of "no cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis" due to smoking, nasty stuff in the air, and the kicker, Agent Orange in Vietnam - 1966-1967. But hell, tomorrow the sun will come up, my backyard birds will sing to me, my wife will still be by my side - and it too shall be a great day! I love it!!!! ************** New newer stuff--June 2009 As if I don't have enough physical problems, I have just been diagnosed as a Diabetic #2 - so the insulin shots and Glucose monitoring, plus doing a lot of reading and research on this subject. So I will loosen up my haversack shoulder straps for this new extra load, and continue to march - one breath, one step and one day at a time. Each day is a challenge, but with the grace of God, the help and support of my wonderful wife and family - this too shall pass. Each day is still beautiful! *************** 20 Sept 2009 Newest of new stuff; Seems my various systems are needing a lot of help, as implants and medications are coming on scene more often to keep this old antique body breathing and stumbling around. Just had a Pacemaker & Fibulator combination implanted - seems this worn heart needs help to stay in sync, and not to "flutter" - makes my Dr.s nervous. However, each day is a bonus, and more beautiful than the last, and I look forward to each new day - who knows, miracles still happen, and although my Drs. say "no way," I have faith, and believe that God makes the call. Life is still precious and beautiful. ******************* 28Nov09- New "old stuff!" Another 911 Help call- More of the same- congestive heart failure along with a major blood infection. In hospital eight (8) days. Many test and scans in an attempt to locate source- all test and culture smears negative. The virus is identified, but its source is not known. More test next week. In the meantime, recovering at home to get strength back and get back to Rehab. Its been too long. Each day is a big "Plus" and I thank God for it and look forward to the next day. Life is good and very, very precious. ***********************
The primary mission of the 3d Marine Division is to execute amphibious assault operations and other such operations as may be directed. The Division is supported by Marine aviation, and force service support units and is prepared to be employed, as an integral part of a Marine Expeditionary Force in amphibious operations.
The Division is divided into the Third Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Bay, HI, the Twelfth Marine Regiment located at Camp Hansen, and the Fourth Marine Regiment at Camp Schwab. In addition, we are further broken down into a Headquarters Battalion on Camp Courtney, and a Force Recon Battalion located at Camp Schwab. The Division includes elements forward deployed under the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), reporting aboard for six month rotational training cycles.
The 3d Marine Division officially activated 16 September 1942 at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. It was built around the 9th Marines, commanded by Colonel Lemuel C. SHEPHERD, Jr. who later became the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Major General Charles D. BARRETT was the first Commanding General of the Division. By August 1943 the Division was stationed on Guadalcanal where special training and rehearsals for the Bougainville operation were intensified. On 1 November 1943 the Division landed at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville. For approximately two months, the Division participated in the fight against stiff and heavy enemy resistance. On 16 January 1944, with the transfer of command in the area to the Army's XIV Corps, the last elements of the Division returned to Guadalcanal.
Following the Bougainville operation the Division began training for the next campaign. Verbal instructions received in February 1944 led to planning for an operation against the Japanese on Emirau Island. The projected Emirau operation was subsequently cancelled and instructions were received to initiate planning for an operation against enemy forces at Kavieng, New Ireland. This operation was also called off. A few days later, the Division received word to start training for the amphibious assault against the Japanese on Guam, Marianas.
The Division embarked at Guadalcanal on 2 and 3 June 1944 and sailed for Kwajalein, Marshall Islands enroute to the Marianas. It remained afloat off Saipan from 15 to 28 June 1944 as part of the reserve force for the Saipan operation, then being carried out by the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions in conjunction with the 27th Infantry Division. With the situation on Saipan well controlled the Division returned to its restaging area awaiting the target date for the Guam operation.
On 21 July 1944, as a part of the Southern Troops and Landing Force, the Division landed on western beaches of Guam in the vicinity of Asan Point. After twenty days of savage fighting, the Division troops reached the northern coast of the island. On 10 August 1944 Guam was declared secure. Until its departure for the Iwo Jima campaign in the middle of February 1945, the Division remained on Guam taking part in the mopping up operations.
Initially, the Division remained afloat off Iwo Jima as Expeditionary Troops Reserve. The Division landed on 24 February, and the next morning the 3d Marine Division launched an attack in its zone between the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. The 3d Marine Division faced well-organized and determined enemy resistance. The terrain, ideal for defense, was heavily fortified by pillboxes, caves, and covered artillery emplacements. Progress was slow and casualties heavy during the first few days of fighting. The Division slowly pushed the enemy back and by 3 March had severed the last enemy east-west artery of communication by occupying positions overlooking the sea. The 3d Marine Division secured its zone of action on 11 March and then initiated intensive patrolling and mopping-up operations. On 16 March, units of the 3d Marine Division relieved elements of the 5th Division and delivered the final attack of the Iwo Jima operation - a drive to Kitano Point. Iwo Jima was declared secure on the same day. On 4 April the 3d Marine Division was relieved by Army units.
By mid-April 1945, the Division was back on Guam preparing for the next operation. On 3 August 1945 the Division received initial plans for the "Olympic" operation which called for an amphibious landing of Kyushu about 1 November 1945. The 3d Marine Division, along with the 2nd and 5th Marine Divisions, was assigned to the V Amphibious Corps for the projected operation. Japan's agreement to cease hostilities and subsequent surrender cancelled "Olympic", and the Division remained on Guam until the date of its disbandment on 28 December 1945.
The Division was reactivated on 7 January 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California. Immediately after its activation and still in its organizational state, the Division began intensive combat training, including new tactics and maneuvers based on lessons learned in Korean War. During the remaining part of 1952 elements of the Division participated in numerous exercises and training problems, including vertical envelopment (helicopter landing), air-borne operations and attack, and defense against atomic weapons and missiles.
In August 1953 the Division arrived in Japan to support the 1st Marine Division in the defense of the Far Eastern area. In March 1956 the Division moved to Okinawa and remained there in a readiness posture until 1965.
On 6 May 1965, the 3d Marine Division opened the Marine Compound at the Danang Air Base, Vietnam. The Division operated in Vietnam from this time participating in operations from Danang to Phi Bai to Quang Tri/Dong Ha Combat Base. The Division departed Vietnam in November 1969 and moved to Camp Courtney, Okinawa, where it is presently located.
From 2004 to 2011, elements of the 3d Marine Division participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. From March to May 2011 the Division participated in humanitarian relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi. From 2004 to present the Division remains successful fulfilling its mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and theater security cooperation exercises in the Pacific region. The Division continues to operate in an increasingly challenging and dynamic landscape and will be prepared to fight and win, tonight.
Best Moment The end of my VN tour of duty and returning to CONUS, my family and loved ones. My time in the trenches had ended after thirteen months and two weeks of combat in and through jungle, rice paddies, valleys, mountains,along river banks, in streams and along their banks, Vietnamese villages and open terrain.
Worst Moment Exchanging our M-14 rifles for the "Manny Matel Shoot'n shell" M-16. How we cursed that weapon. It caused me two lives in my platoon due to stoppages. The chain of command accused us of poor maintenance, but later confirmed problems due to ammo primers. Dumb shits-- I told them so!!!!! Any weapon that requires such care and cleaning is not FIT FOR COMBAT! It is still "for shit" and Manny Matel should take it back, and return our M-14s.
