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Travel to family in CONUS From Hawaii & To Reuions, WW2, Korea & Vietnam
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Vietnam Air Force Pilot Wings
My GySgt Rank came 3 months before I retired when the new E-8 E-9 ranks took full effect. I had a one year letter in to CMC for retirement & could not be promoted. I had been a MSGt E-7 since 1957, served as Personnel Sgt Major, Line Chief, Maintenence Chief, S-4 logistics Chief, S-3 Ops Chief. Had recived USAF/VNAF pilot wings on contract(after retirement USMC) at USAF Advisory Group-Vietnam 1964-1968). Also had Vietnamese award not shown on the available items.Served as Senior CH53 Rep for 14 Years on Okinawa Japan with MAG-36 (1973-1987). During those years was deployed to Korea each year for"Team Spirit Exercise". Also support of units in Cubi Pt PI. Was on the LPH Okinawa for Opertaion "Frequent Winds" Apr 1975 Evacuation of Saigon. Was deployed to Diego Garcia than to Oman in support of prepartion for rescue of prisoners in Iran Late Nov 1979 .Prisoners were released when Regan was elected as President WW II to Viet Nam
Korean War/Third Korean Winter (1952-53)/Battle of the Outposts (Vegas - Reno - Carson)
From Month/Year
March / 1953
To Month/Year
March / 1953
Description The Battle for Outpost Vegas was a battle during the Korean War between the armed forces of the United States and China from March 26–28, 1953, four months before the end of the Korean War. Vegas was one of three outposts called the Nevada Cities north of the Main Line of Resistance (MLR), the United Nations defensive line which stretched roughly around the latitude 38th Parallel. Vegas, and the outposts it supported, Reno and Carson, were manned by elements of the 1st Marine Division. On March 26, 1953 the Chinese army launched an attack on the Nevada Cities, including Vegas, in an attempt to better the position of China and North Korea in the Panmunjon peace talks which were occurring at the time, and to gain more territory for North Korea when its borders would be solidified. The battle raged for five days until Chinese forces halted their advance after partially obtaining their objective through capturing one outpost north of the MLR on March 28. The battle for outpost Vegas and the surrounding outposts are considered the bloodiest fighting to date in western Korea during the Korean War. It is estimated that there were over 1,000 American casualties and twice that number of Chinese during the battle of outpost Vegas. The battle is also known for the involvement of Sergeant Reckless, a horse in a USMC recoilless rifle platoon who transported ammunition and the wounded during the U.S. defense of outpost Vegas.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
March / 1953
To Month/Year
March / 1953
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember VMO-6 Too many names to remember at the age of 80 years. Some come back when something revives the memory.
Memories Cold winter evacuation of wounded Marines from the MLR. Our unit was at a dirt strip A-9 at Tongarii. Forward det at MLR in a bunker for day & night evacuations. First was Bell HTL-1 helicopters like in the MASH TV series. That was not accurate since we evacuated to the hospital ships offshore with the most seriously wounded while the others went to MASH by ground ambulance. We later had the HO5S-1 enclosed helicopters.R&R each 3 months to Atami Japan was the best memory & than finally reassignment to a Rescue Det at Atsugi Japan March 1954.We had two H19 helicopters for rescue work. Flew with one comissioned O pilot and one of us NCO's as Copilot.Our last flight was to the Embassy in Tokoyo myself as copilot. Another NCO begged me to give him the flighjt since he had not seen Tokoyo.I gave him the flight & it crashed by the bay on the flight to the Embassy killing all aboard. As I remember there were about 11 Marines all getting flight time for there flight pay. We were grounded for about 2 months & determined that the rear support of the Main Gear box failed and the main blades chopped off the tail cone. As I recall the Officer was a Capt Lantz a reserve Officer that had just recieved word he was accepted in the regular Marine Corps. (Photo of one of our H19 Helicopters) Have a brick in the VMO-6 Monument at the new Marine Musuem along with a brick there also.For Capt Ed McMmahon, Msgt Wood & GySgt Moore.
