Eaglin, Russ, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
While attending Purdue University, the military draft was working its way towards me. I decided that I would choose which branch of service I would enlist in before the draft decided for me. I sought out advice from several of my mentors. One of my High School mentors was a former Marine, John Koontz, my football and wrestling coach. When I asked the Coach his simple response was, "Just don't go in the Marines, YOU AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH!" Well the Coach knew exactly what I would do and that is prove him wrong. Upon graduation from Boot Camp, I knocked 3 times HARD on the Coach's front door. He opened the door to see a Marine in Dress Blues and a stripe already on his sleeve. He was very proud that I had proved him wrong. Coach, you have impacted my entire life. THANKS COACH!!

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Training from Basic Electronics, Radar Fundamentals and Ground Radar Repair Technician took me to Vietnam where I was assigned to 2/26 BLT H&S Comm Platoon as the Tech Chief. I was trained on the AN/PPS-6 Anti-Personnel Ground Radar which was used on a trial basis in 1968-69 in Vietnam.

The PPS-6 was very successful in perimeter security and for special operations. The success of tracking the enemy targets and the resulting target elimination was communicated back to HQMC.

After Vietnam I was sent to MCB Quantico to the MC Development Command to develop the next generation of Anti-Personnel Radar.

That great background was instrumental in landing me a good civil service job with Naval Avionics Facility in Indianapolis.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Participated in multiple combat operations with 2/26 BLT. The most significant to me was at a fire base called Liberty Bridge on March 19, 1969. Three of us from the BLT were manning a radio relay between the Battalion and the ships.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I have good memories of several duty stations. I love San Diego, MCRD, LaJolla, Pacific Beach, etc. had some really good times out there. My time in Vietnam had some great memories and has produced me some life long Brothers. But I suppose the best was Quantico. Stationed at Quantico, VA with the MC Development Center working on next generation anti-personnel radar (AN/PPS-9). I was stationed with my best friend Dave Kooker, my Brother Walter Harden and his wife Roberta and I also met my first wife Gail. Occasionally I would run up to Washington, D.C. to visit with Scott Caldwell at 8th & I.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The good memories far out weigh the bad.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I suppose the Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy Achievement with "V" are important to me. Both indicate that I did what I set out to do and that was make a difference in the war and do it the best I could.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
While in Ground Radar School in 1967 I met David L. Kooker. David and I hit it off from the start. We made it through the Ground Radar Tech School and were sent to Vietnam. Throughout our tour in Nam, he and I were able to stay in touch. After Nam were were both sent to Quantico MCB to work on and develop the next generation of ground anti-personnel radar. He got married and I was in his wedding and am honored to be the God Father to his son John. David and I were the closest of brothers without being related as two Marines could be. That is until October of 2005 when I buried him at Arlington National Cemetery. Now there is a perpetual hole in my life. David's profile is here on TWS.

In addition to David, my Brothers from 2/26 Comm Platoon continue to impact my life. Having lost touch with them for years, we have started finding each other and getting together at the 3rd Marine Division Reunions. Again brothers without being related. Skip Rankin, Ralph Ellis, Dwight Saylor, Scott Caldwell, Tom Hanley, Jerry Baird, Ken Root, WD Nix, Jason Kaye, John "Willie" Williams and many more in 2/26 Comm have made a positive impact on my life.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
There were many many fun times. You will have to read the two chapters I wrote in "One Hundred Sea Stories" by Donald F. Myers to hear about a couple of the good ones.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After leaving the Marine Corps I began working at Naval Avionics Facility in Indianapolis as an Electronic Technician. Over time I worked my way up to Program Manager for Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center. Upon the BRAC of Naval Air Warfare Center in Indianapolis, I retired and worked a few different jobs. Ultimately working my way serving fellow veterans to where I am today.

Currently I am the Veteran Service Officer in the Office of the Mayor in Indianapolis. My duties have me serving veterans to assist them with their benefits but also Veteran Affairs in the City.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
The 3rd Marine Division Association has facilitated my reunions with my Brothers from 2/26 Comm Plt.

The Marine Corps League has provided me the opportunity to continue to serve my country through community service.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
My Marine Corps training has impacted my entire adult life. It has made me a productive member of society. The electronic background and the leadership skills provided me by the Corps have take me a long way.

During my time in the Corps I learned about Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Coming home from Vietnam the political climate in this country was not fair to those of us who served. That experience along with my combat experience has given me a devotion to not allow that kind of thing to happen again..At least not on my watch! Maybe that is why I work so hard now to support our troops and to make sure they are welcomed home. Maybe that is why I work hard to assist veterans in need.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Take advantage of all you have available to you in schooling and leadership. For your life after, make sure that you document every injury and illness you have. It will make filing a disability claim with the VA much easier.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
TWS has helped me find some of my Brothers from 2/26 and provided us all with the opportunity to continue to connect with other Marines we served with.

DB 6/16/2016