Best Friends ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
As an enlisted Marine with a 1300 MOS, I reported to the 9th Engineer Battalion where I was assigned to the Heavy Equipment Platoon. 1stLt. Bob Shoff, USMC (U. S. Naval Academy Class of 1964) was my Platoon Commander. Lt. Shoff saw that I had attended a year of college and reached out to help guide me into considering the Marine Corps as a career. After some articles appeared in both the Navy Times and the Marine Corps Times describing the requirements for enlisted Navy and Marine Corps personnel to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), Lt. Shoff suggested that I apply to NAPS. His act of encouragement, support and interest helped lead me down the path to receiving a Secretary of the Navy Appointment to the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1971) in fulfillment of my childhood dream. I graduated from the Naval Academy on 9 June 1971.
Available Book: The 9th Engineer Battalion, First Marine Division, in Vietnam - 35 Personal Accounts
By Jean Shellenbarger
Available Book:In Honor and Memory: Installations and Facilities of the Vietnam War
By MSgt Ray Bows, USA (Retired)
Bows and Company: http//www.bowsmilitarybooks.com , 722 pp.
Available Book:On Valor's Side – A Marine’s Own Story of Parris Island and Guadalcanal
By T. Grady Gallant (Author)
Doubleday, 1st Edition (1963), 364 pp.
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Ken Van Gilson
John Wilson
Woody Miller
Dave Morrison
Best Moment After completing the beginning of winter at Camp Geiger / Camp Stone Bay with the 1st Infantry Training Regiment (ITR) in the woods of Camp Lejeune, I made a short Christmas stop in Atlanta to visit with my friends and family on my way to my first “real” duty station. On 26 December 1965 I reported to Delta Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, FMF at Camp Pendleton, MCB California. After a few days I was assigned to the heavy equipment platoon and my Platoon Commander was Lt. Bob Shoff who was a 1964 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, although I did not learn this fact until later. (It is amazing how God works in our lives day by day, but we just do not have that “big picture” view that He has as we go “along life’s narrow way.”) The 9th Engineer Battalion had been re-activated on 1 November 1965 and when I checked-in there were not many Marines in the Barracks, as can be seen by my Company Liberty Card Number of 92. I moved in on the 2nd deck and shared a cubicle with Ken Van Gilson, John Wilson and Woody Miller. However, many of the Marines who had already reported aboard were seasoned Combat Engineers who had been transferred from other Marine Corps Engineer Battalions. But several like me were new 1300s and would require on-the-job training (OJT). Thirteen Marines from who were also in the 180 Series at Parris Island and my ITR Class were given orders to the 9th Engineer Battalion with a basic 1300 MOS. The 9th Engineer Battalion was in the process of filling out its organizational needs as it made plans to deploy to Vietnam. While I was assigned a 1300 MOS out of ITR, I was not sure whether I would be trained as a 1345 (Heavy Equipment Operator) or a 1371 (Construction Engineer) when I joined the 9th Engineer Battalion. Soon after I reported for duty and had been assigned to the Heavy Equipment Platoon, our Platoon Commander started giving each member of his new Platoon the once over. He finally got down to the "W's" and talked to me about among other things my time at the University of Georgia, and why I had not applied for the Marine Corps’ Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) - although I had been in Air Force ROTC program, it was not until I talked with the Marine Recruiter that I heard about the PLC program. He inquired about my interest in possibly staying in the Marine Corps. He brought up the possibility of completing a PLC / NROTC program. Lt. Shoff helped me understand the commitment involved and directed me to certain resources to seek additional information (unfortunately there was no internet in 1966). After doing research in the Camp Pendleton Base Library and reviewing several packets of information that I requested, I settled on the NROTC program at Holy Cross. However, after an inquiry to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in February 1966 I found out that because I was on active duty I did not qualify for any of the NROTC scholarship programs until my enlistment contract had been completed. Then in early 1966 the United States Naval Academy had a "recruiting" article published in the Navy Times titled "Navy Hunting for Annapolis Plebes". This article indicated that the Navy saw a shortfall in officers. Next the Marine Corps Times had an article titled "HQMC Lists Prep School Requirements" which stated that the Navy was seeking active duty enlisted Navy and Marine Corps personnel for the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) as a path to the United states Naval Academy via a Secretary of the Navy Appointment. I assume this increased publicity was due to both the Navy and Marine Corps' anticipated personnel needs because of the Vietnam War as the U.S. expanded its involvement. I know for a fact that God’s timing is perfect, especially with His sending me to the Naval Academy: 1) the maximum age for NAPS was 20…in December 1966 I would turn 20; and 2) for NAPS you needed at least 24 months remaining on your enlistment as of 31 August 1966…I was still in the first year of a 3-year enlistment until 16 September 1966. Lt. Shoff helped guide me through the NAPS application process and wrote an appropriate letter of recommendation. My NAPS paperwork was submitted prior to our Battalion’s Vietnam deployment.
On-the-job training began in earnest shortly after the beginning of 1966. The new combat Engineers like me whether to be 1345s or 1371s, had a lot to learn and to learn it rapidly. This was my first introduction to the Marine Corps Institute (MCI), and its correspondence course of study. I was enrolled in the “Engineer Equipment Operators” course. It covered a variety of subjects such as types of equipment, maintenance procedures, nomenclature, usage and preventive maintenance for several pieces of equipment. There were several of us taking this MCI course that we had to complete if we wanted to be promoted to Private First Class (PFC) and to obtain appropriate operator’s licenses for the equipment we were assigned. I was promoted to Private First Class on 1 March 1966. While I had completed the designated MCI course as required I did not receive my completion Certificate until October 1966. We spent several months working in the field with our equipment and “practicing” what we would be doing in Vietnam. Most of the Corporals and Sergeants in the Heavy Equipment platoon were more than helpful and understanding when dealing with the “new” heavy equipment operators. Ken and I were assigned to the tractor section and John and Woody were trained on the road grader. Two Marines of note who were very helpful were Sgt. Monte Tate and Cpl. Blackelk. However, like all humans there were some who felt superior because they had already travelled that road, and they let you know it. Between our classes, the training, and keeping in contact with home, I also had to stand guard down at the heavy equipment ramp and maintenance area. Even though we were in California it was cold, dark and lonely at night, but you always had to be on the alert for intruders or the Officer of the Day (the OD was generally a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant). This was putting the “General Orders” we learned in Boot Camp into practice. The primary equipment I worked with was the Scoop Loader/Forklift, TD-15 with a bucket and a TD-24. Before we loaded our equipment in San Diego, I was beginning to become familiar with the Bay City crane.
While we were preparing our equipment and gear to be loaded onboard ships in San Diego for transport to Vietnam, I read a book called “On Valor's Side – A Marine’s Own Story of Parris Island and Guadalcanal” by T. Grady Gallant. Because my parents were not excited about me dropping out of the University of Georgia and enlisting in the Marine Corps, I found the beginning of this book to be similar to my own story. I wrote my parents as we were ready to board the USS Ogden and suggested that they read it so they would better understand my motivation. They never responded that they read it, but they did start to write now and then with me while I was in Vietnam. I recommend this book to anyone who went through Parris Island. Of course, it represents a timeframe before WWII, but between WWII and Vietnam, Parris Island’s Boot Camp Mission had not been modified very much: “We Make Marines”.
We all worked hard preparing our equipment for transport overseas. Everything had to be inventoried, stenciled and registered for combat loading aboard ships in San Diego. Associated support and maintenance equipment for each piece had to be prepared. Then we moved all our equipment to its loading location for one of the several ships that moved the 9th Engineer Battalion to Vietnam. Next, we packed our personal gear – what we would take ashore when we landed in Vietnam and a sea bag that would be shipped to Okinawa for storage and waiting for us when we rotated out of country. Finally, we had a field day to clean the barracks before we departed for San Diego. Delta Company shipped out from San Diego on-board the USS Ogden LPD-5 on 27 April 1966 for our trip to Vietnam. The well deck of the USS Ogden looked like a motor transport parking lot. Besides various duties such as mess duty, fire watch and training sessions, it was a relative pleasant trip across the Pacific. Although, I enjoyed my rack in the barracks at Camp Pendleton better than the Navy’s 4 and 5 high stacked sleeping quarters on board ship. During my free time on the USS Ogden I can remember reading Battle Cry by Leon Uris. Unlike some other ships, the USS Ogden did not stop at Okinawa. We made one stop on our passage across the Pacific and that was at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii before landing at the Marine Base at Chu Lai. Little did I know that 6 years later I would be stationed in Hawaii at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station with Delta Company, 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, First Marine Brigade.
While still at Camp Pendleton but prior to our departure Lt. Shoff encouraged me to go ahead and apply for the Naval Academy Preparatory School - NAPS program and helped me make arrangement for submitting the application to NAPS. He "took me under his wing" and helped me through the process of completing the application to the NAPS as our Battalion would soon be deploying to Vietnam. Shortly after we landed at Chu Lai, we were all involved in full work-days establishing our control area, setting our perimeter security, and unloading and organizing the supplies and equipment that were being off-loaded from the USS Ogden. The 1371 Construction Engineers were involved with getting the Battalion Command Post and Company Headquarters setup. The Company's equipment and supplies that had been off-loaded at the "water’s edge" at Chu Lai had to be quickly moved and re-organized at the Battalion's new home outside the Chu Lai Base Main Gate and across Route 1 and the railroad tracks. Believe it or not but our equipment was “combat loaded” in San Diego, and it was probably offloaded in proper order when we arrived at Chu Lai. But that was where the order disappeared. I was operating my forklift during this period taking supplies off the trucks and just dropping the supplies where I was told. The key was unloading the flatbed trucks as fast as I possibly could unload them, so they could return for more pallets. It soon became obvious that the Combat Load sequence had been abandoned and replaced by the random selection process when deciding what would be loaded for deliver to the Main Battalion area.
Because we were outside of the Chu Lai Base's wire – across Route 1 and the railroad tracks, we had to basically take care of ourselves and provide our own security. We started by creating a sandy perimeter and digging our foxholes in the sand. We lived in our fox holes for only the first few days. At night while keeping alert, we would watch the green and red tracers around the 7th Marines’ who were protecting our front. We could also see the distant flashes in the mountain area where the B-52 bombers were making a run. I believe I lived in my foxhole for only about 3 or 4 nights before the first canvas started to appear for the troops. Then we were able to move under canvas with dirt and sand floors after our sand berm perimeter was created. We also landed at Chu Lai with the M-14 as our weapon of choice. Within a month they started taking our M-14s away and giving us the “new and improved” weapon: M-16. It obviously had not been tested in a sandy environment, and we soon begged for our M-14s to be returned. After a short time of living in the sand, the 1371 Combat Engineers and Carpenters came to the rescue and started building the frames for the canvas tents. But before I moved to the Outpost (Hill 54 area) south of Tam Ky, I was called to the Company Admin office, and told I needed to take a PSAT test because I had made an application to the NAPS program. I tried to keep that information a secret but taking a timed test in a combat zone company office is not something that stays quiet. The test package was then sent to the NAPS Admissions Committee at the Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD for review. You can imagine the setting - sitting in a hot, noisy tent taking a timed verbal and math test without having studied for it. I knew that was the end of my opportunity to go to NAPS for 1966. And when my tour in Vietnam was over I would not have enough time on my enlistment to apply for NAPS in 1967, so I saw my Naval Academy dream slipping out of my hands again. At this point I started to consider re-enlisting so I could apply for NAPS in1967. However, in late July 1966 while working at the Outpost south of Tam Ky and "playing in the dirt" or riding shotgun for one of our dump trucks, I was surprised to receive a letter notifying me that I had been accepted to NAPS for the school year starting in September 1966. In early August I was ordered back to the Delta Company Headquarters at Chu Lai where orders had been cut for me to report to the Commanding Officer of the Naval Training Center at Bainbridge, MD by 31 August 1966 and then to the Commanding Officer of the Naval Academy Preparatory School. If I accepted these orders (hard to believe a PFC could turn down transfer orders) to NAPS, I would be competing for one of the 85 Secretary of the Navy Appointments to the United States Naval Academy for the Class of 1971 that would be awarded to active duty Navy and Marines Corps enlisted personnel who graduated from NAPS. If I failed to receive one of the Secretary of the Navy Appointments, I would be returned to my regular Marine Corps duties in June 1967. Once again, I can say that God’s plans are initiated in ways far beyond our understanding. My dream of attending the United States Naval Academy moved one step closer with my acceptance to NAPS. I cannot thank Lt. Bob Shoff enough for investing his time in helping one of his Marines to fulfill a childhood dream.
Worst Moment Having learned how to shoot for the first time (other than a BB gun) at Parris Island using an M-14 rifle, I was really upset after we had landed in Vietnam when I had to exchange my M-14 rifle for the “new” M-16. Learning the “This is my Rifle...” in Boot Camp gave me confidence in having my M-14 by my side. I knew how to use it and that I would be protected by it…if I did my part. Also, expecting to be assigned an 0311 MOS (infantry rifleman) after ITR, I was confident I would be a successful rifleman. After the first few days with the M-16, I learned it was not a reliable “partner” that would be there when I needed it. What a piece of trouble the M-16 was. And the sand around Chu Lai area was a real problem for our new M-16 rifles unlike the more durable M-14 rifle. Losing my M-14 was a very bad moment. When I was standing watch on Hill 54 at the Outpost during a 1966 Viet Cong Offensive in July 1966 I was glad to be in a bunker when I had to fire my M-16.
After we were getting “settled” into our Battalion’s area but while we were still using a field kitchen environment, I had a “wake-up moment”. While standing in the chow line one evening waiting to dip my mess gear (a sterilizing process) into a trash can of boiling water for cleaning, the Marine in front of me dipped his mess gear with the same shoulder that held his M-14 rifle – not a good move. It goes without saying, he did not want to drop his rifle, so he quickly jerked his mess gear out of the boiling water to raise his shoulder and save his rifle. Unfortunately for me I was standing behind him and his canteen cup was full of boiling water. When the water flew in my direction my chest became covered with boiling water from his canteen cup. When I pulled my T-shirt away from my body layers of my skin came with it. To say the least it was not a pretty site. One of our Corpsman was close by heard my scream, and he took control. Thank God for Navy Corpsmen (except when they have that “needle shot gun” in their hand). He cleaned my abdomen and removed the remaining dead skin that had been scalded. He then applied a salve and wrapped me up. I had to explain what happened to folks who walked into our tent and saw me bandaged. I stayed on light duty for 3 days or so. A short time after my recovery I was sent to our Outpost (Hill 54 area) south of Tam Ky. It was a blessing that by the time of my accident the 1371 Construction and Carpenters Engineers had built the frames and decks for our tents. If we had still been in the sand and had sandy floors in our tent or worse yet were still in foxholes, it would not have been pleasant for me.
Other than snipers during 1966 and a VC offensive while on bunker duty, my scariest moment was when we were out working on a culvert on Route 1 north of Hill 54. We had completed our work and were “packing” up to return to the Outpost for the night. I was operating a Bay City crane at the time and had backed it onto a flatbed. It had been tied down, and I had dropped the bucket on the flatbed. After dropping the bucket, I started to lower the boom. Then it happened. Because the berm of the road was new, the weight of both the flatbed truck cab and the Bay City crane were too much, and one side of the cab and the flatbed started to collapse the new shoulder. With that the Bay City started shifting and the counter-weight did the rest since the crane had been secured to the flatbed. As the crane started to move with the flatbed into the ditch, the counter-weight swung towards the ditch tilting the flatbed and the Bay City crane causing the boom to come back towards the cab pushing through the boom stops. Fortunately, I was able to jump out of the cab just before everything slide into the ditch. After the initial shock, and an evaluation of the damage, it was determined by the senior Officer to be a strategic situation. The infantry was called in to protect our position as dark approached. The wrecker equipment was ordered to our location to help retrieve both the flatbed and the Bay City crane. It was a good target for the enemy if the VC had been close by. We had the place lit by search lights as trucks and welders worked to recover the equipment. It was a lesson learned, and I am sure was not repeated. I thank God that I was not killed or injured in this accident.
Chain of Command Battalion Commander - Lt.Col. Crispen, USMC D Company Commander - Captain C. Williams, USMC D Company XO - 1st Lt. P. Trede, USMC Platoon Commander - 1st Lieutenant Bob Shoff, USMC (USNA Class of 1964)
Other Memories Except for a family trip in 1958 to Texas to take my brother who was going to college in Dallas and to visit my uncle who was in the Air Force at the time and stationed in Austin, TX, Texas was the furthest west I had ever been until I reported aboard at Camp Pendleton, CA and for sure California was the greatest distance away from my family I had ever been. Therefore, I was determined to make the most of my time in Southern California. While work and training consumed most of our time as we prepared to go to Vietnam, going on liberty was also a high priority. Besides a quick trip to Oceanside, CA outside Camp Pendleton now and then to relax, I also made trips to: a) San Diego to visit the San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park; b) Los Angeles to go to Disneyland; and c) a trip to La Jolla to visit the home of Ken Van Gilson’s “local” girlfriend for a party. I would not return to Camp Pendleton until I was a 1st Lieutenant and assigned to go to the Maintenance Management Class at Schools Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton in April 1973.
Background on the 9th Engineer Battalion: The 9th Engineer Battalion, FMF was re-activated on 1 November 1965 at Camp Pendleton and was under the operational control of the Commanding General Force Troops, located at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms. I reported to Delta Company on 26 December 1965. On 2 May 1966, elements of the 9th Engineer Battalion began deploying to the Republic of Vietnam. But on 27 April 1966 Delta Company boarded the USS Ogden LPD-5 at San Diego, CA and arrived at Chu Lai about 23 May 1966. By 17 June 1966 the rest of the Battalion arrived at Chu Lai – the 3 letter Companies: B, C, D, Headquarters, Service, and Bridge. Alpha Company was transferred to Da Nang after it arrived in country. We were part of the Third Amphibious Force (III MAF) which occupied I Corps (the 5 northern provinces of the Republic of Vietnam). After getting settled and constructing the main Battalion Headquarters at Chu Lai, the Battalion took on the responsibility for the repair and mine sweeps of many of the major roads and bridges, for camp construction, for building ferries and reconstructing many villages north of Chu Lai moving towards Tam Ky and Da Nang.
A group of Engineers was assigned to an Outpost near Hill 54 south of Tam Ky. Ken Van Gilson and I took turns loading dump trucks and riding shotgun on dump trucks during their delivery to the construction site. We shared and maintained a TD-15. Like most pieces of equipment Ken and I gave serious discussion to what name should be assigned to our TD-15. Ken wanted to name the TD-15 after his girlfriend Wendy. I on the other hand, suggested Penelope from Homer’s Odyssey. (Mrs. Sousa who was my high school Latin teacher would be proud.) Penelope was loyal to her husband Odysseus while he was away during the Trojan War. But after some problems that Ken had with his girlfriend, Penelope won out as the name of our TD-15. We periodically had maintenance problems with the TD-15 that caused us to move over to the TD-24 to move some dirt around, but Penelope did remain loyal – most of the time. Ken happened to be around with one of our tractors while I was riding shotgun and got involved in burying a dead VC for the infantry.
During one period when our equipment was dead-lined, I worked back at the Delta Company Headquarters as a dispatcher. Also, during the beginning of July, I added my name to the list to go to Bangkok, Thailand for R & R. I did not know when R & R would be scheduled but I had heard Bangkok was a great place to go.
After receiving my orders for NAPS, I returned to the Delta Company area in the Main Battalion Compound for processing and to pack my personal gear. I checked in my Company equipment along with my rifle. On 18 August I was officially detached from the 9th Engineer Battalion and driven to the Chu Lai Marine Air Base airstrip where I caught a C-130 to Da Nang. I remained in Da Nang for 3 days to have my papers processed for transportation to Okinawa. While in Da Nang the airbase came under fire only one of those nights and that made for an interesting “fireworks show”. We were told to stay where we were located so we would not get shot by friendly fire. We then caught a Flying Tiger airplane to Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa. Our next stop was our barracks at the Camp Hansen Marine Corps Base so we could retrieve our sea bags from storage. Next, it would be flying from Okinawa and the west coast. From California I planned to travel home via commercial air before going to Maryland and reporting to NAPS.
After arriving at Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa we were transferred to Camp Hansen for processing. My uncle who was an Air Force Colonel was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base with his family. They lived in base housing. After we were settled in our barracks, and I knew that we would be on Okinawa for at least 3 days gathering our gear and processing our paperwork, I got in touch with my uncle to say hi. They asked me over for dinner and to spend the night. I mentioned that as a Marine PFC I could not do that. It can be said that the Air Force does not operate like the Marine Corps. My uncle asked me to call him back in about 45 minutes which I did. When I called back, he told me to get ready to be picked up. He also told me the Sergeant in charge had been notified to check me out for Liberty. It was not long before I had an Air Force car pick me up at the barracks. I then went to stay the night at my uncle's house at Kadena Air Force Base, visit with the family and have my first home cooked meal since December 1965. When I returned to the Marine barracks at Camp Hansen the next morning I reported in to the Sergeant in charge and quickly found out what it meant to be "a PFC and low man on the totem pole", but it was worth it. We got our sea bags out of storage, verified our orders and cleaned up our khaki uniforms for a ride on another plane to the west coast. Although we did not have civilian clothes we were told to buy some as soon as possible and to not wear our uniforms in public. We were also told to expect harassment from the vocal anti-war demonstrators when we were in our uniforms or if we looked like we were in the military – who else had a buzz haircut in 1966 except military personnel. But I was heading to California and then to Atlanta before reporting to the Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, MD and the Naval Academy Preparatory School, and nothing could dampen my enthusiasm. There was nothing that could destroy my feelings for this trip and my expectations of reporting to NAPS.
This will be the beginning of my long-delayed path to the United States Naval Academy. I truly believe that God knew that in 1964 when I graduated from Grady High School in Atlanta, I was not ready for the Naval Academy – physically, mentally or emotionally. I had a lot to learn and much growing-up to do in 1964. The Marine Corps offered me the opportunity to fill those gaps and weaknesses in my life. In addition, having the two articles about NAPS that appeared in the Navy Times and the Marine Corps Times while I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, plus having a Platoon Commander who had graduated from the Naval Academy are two God events that shaped my future. With both the encouragement and help from Lt. Bob Shoff, I applied to the NAPS program and was accepted while I was in Vietnam. As individual events: a) attending UGA; b) joining the Marine Corps and going through Parris Island; c) having Lt. Shoff as a Platoon Commander; d) the publication of the two NAPS articles; e) graduating from NAPS and obtaining a Secretary of the Navy Appointment to the United States Naval Academy; and f) graduating from the Naval Academy, they are insignificant by themselves, but when put together they represent God’s answer to my prayers and the path that He would lead me down.
It is amazing the difference between when I returned from Vietnam in (1966) and now (2018). Even though many people do not like the recent wars the United States has been involved in fighting, most are very respectful of those currently in uniform and those that have been in uniform. For many, many years after I returned from Vietnam and was discharged, the public was very quiet about seeing my Marine Corps or Navy t-shirts and/or baseball hats. However, starting after the 9/11 attacks and the first Gulf War, I often have had someone say to me "thank you for your service". It is a warm inner feeling to feel appreciated regardless of the politics. Most people today understand that we were doing our job. And it has also provided me the motivation to thank Policemen, Firemen and EMTs as well as other military personnel for their service. Of course, the big joke for my wife is when a polite teenager, after thanking me for my service, asked me if I had fought in the Korean War. I know I look old...but really. More recently, on Father’s Day 2017 my wife and I went out to nice restaurant for dinner to celebrate. When it came time for the check, the waiter told us that a gentleman and his wife had paid our bill. They had our waiter tell me “thanks for serving”. We found the couple with their two children to thank them for their generosity. Once again, they just said “thank you for serving”. It is an event to always remember and to "pass it on".
While at the Reunion for the 9th Engineer Battalion in February 2017 that was held in St. Augustine, FL., I learned that one of the Marines from my Platoon at Parris Island, Ron Kissinger from Broadalbin, New York, was killed in Vietnam in October 1968. When we left ITR Ron had orders for a Motor Transport MOS (3500), and I was assigned a Combat Engineer MOS (1300). It is interesting that when I was in Vietnam I was a member of the 9th Engineer Battalion, and when Ron Kissinger arrived he became the driver for the 11th Engineer Battalion's Sgt. Major. He was killed by a land mine that destroyed his jeep while he was driving fellow Marines to a civic action event. The 11th Engineer Battalion Camp was name “Camp Kissinger” in honor of LCPL Ron Kissinger. We also had personal time to visit various locations in old St. Augustine. The Reunion activities included a day and a night tour of St. Augustine. During our last night we had a banquet where we honored those members of the 9th Engineer battalion that have passed.
In February 2018, I attended the reunion for the 9th Engineer Battalion that was held in San Diego, CA. Ann and I traveled to San Diego, CA before the Reunion to play “tourist” and visit various sites around San Diego. We saw both the Zoo and the Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. We spent time in Old Town as well as the Seaport Village. The most interesting extra-curricular activity was our visit to Coronado Island and the Del Coronado Hotel. Following the Reunion, we visited both the Nixon Presidential Libraries and Museum in Yorba Linda, CA and the Reagan Library and Museum at Simi Valley, CA. At the Reagan Library we also saw the visiting “Genghis Khan” exhibition.
Besides the brotherhood and the telling of stories those attending the Reunion: a) visited Camp Pendleton where we were hosted by the 7th Engineer Battalion – EOD, Bridge Platoon and Combat Engineers; b) attended a Graduation ceremony at MCRD San Diego (Platoons: 3269-3275); and c) visited the USS Midway Museum. During our last night of the Reunion we had a banquet where we honored those members of the 9th Engineer Battalion that have passed. Herb Shaw who organized the Reunion requested that I speak and tell “My Story” as the guest speaker. I was asked to give a 20 minutes talk. My focus was about telling “your story” for your children and grandchildren so they would have a legacy of their Marine as well as saying “Thank You” to those who have been important in your life and others like the Police, EMTs, Firemen and of course other members of the armed forces.
