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Current Service Status
USMC Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Sergeant
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Current/Last Primary MOS
2575-Special Comms. Operator
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Current/Last MOSGroup
Communications
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Previously Held MOS
0300-Basic Infantryman
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Primary Unit
1970-1970, 2575, MCRD (Cadre) San Diego, CA
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Service Years
1966 - 1970
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Other Languages
Vietnamese
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| Official/Unofficial USMC Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Golden Dragon Certificate
Water Survival Basic (WSB)
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2004, Marine Corps Association and Foundation (MCA&F)
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2004, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 135 (Life Member) (Lackawanna, New York)
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2006, 1st Marine Division Association, New York State West Chapter (Member At Large) (New York)
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2008, Marine Corps Together We Served
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2009, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 898, Col. John B. Weber Post (Buffalo, New York)
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2015, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 77 (Member) (Tonawanda, New York)
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2015, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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What are you doing now:
Enjoying my family and camping in the summer.
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Other Comments:
Since early 1980's, I started having problems with Agent Orange related illnesses.
My issues are:
Diabetes II - Insulin Dependent
Isclemic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) - triple bypass in 2004 - had a Heart Attack and Stent put in March 2015.
Diabetic Neuropathy - feet, legs and hands
Interstitial Lung Disease (Pulmonary Fibrosis) - single lung transplant 2009 (gives me more time)
Small Vessel Disease of Interior Brain - secondary cause due to diabetes.
A-Fib - I take Plavix and Warfarin for blood thinning.
Bladder Cancer - currently undergoing chemotheraphy.
Stage III Kidney Disease - side effect of all the medicines I'm on due to lung transplant.
Stroke & Loss of half my eyesight - was having a angiogram and suffered a stroke resulting in losing half my right eyesight and the right periphral in my left eye.
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1966-1966, 0300, MCRD (Cadre) Parris Island, SC
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1966-1966, 0300, Camp Gieger, MCB Camp Lejeune, NC
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1967-1967, Co K Pensacola, FL, Marine Support Bn (MarSptBn)
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1967-1969, 2575, Co F Bremerhaven, Germany, Marine Support Bn (MarSptBn)
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1969-1969, 2575, 2nd Replacement Co, Staging Bn
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1969-1970, 2575, 2nd SSCT, 1st Marine Division
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1969-1970, 2575, 1st Radio Bn
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1969-1970, 2575, 7th Marines
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1970-1970, 2575, 2nd SSCT, 1st Marine Division
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1970-1970, 2575, MCRD (Cadre) San Diego, CA
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Reflections on Sgt Straw's
US Marine Corps Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
1. My dad was in the Navy (South Pacific) in WW II and then he was in the Marines during Korea.
2. My next door neighbor went in the Marines.
3. I wanted to join what I believe to be the best military force.
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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?
No one ever spoke to be about shipping over and when I came back from Vietnam, the put me in Separations Company at MCRD San Diego. was then separated June 25th 1970.
On my DD214 is states "undecided about reenlisting". Don't know how that came about, like I said, no one spoke to me about staying in.
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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?
 | | Military Ops |
Supported numerous operations of the 7th Marine Regiment while assigned with 1st RadBn attached to S2
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Co F MarSuptBn, Bremerhaven Germany. I got to tour Europe.
Re-enforcement Company, Camp Pendleton, CA. Hard training before going to Vietnam. Was glad when it was over, but it prepared me well.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Seeing Death and Destruction in Vietnam.
Visiting and touring sights in Europe.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Receiving the Vietnamese Cross of Gallentry.
Receiving Appreciation Certificates working the German/American Folk Festival when in Germany
Graduating from Boot Camp, ITR and NCTC School.
All my promotions.
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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?
My Vietnam Service and Campaign Ribbons and also my Good Conduct Ribbon.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
SSgt JJ Jones my Senior DI @ PI.
SGT Starr one of my Junior DIs @ PI.
Capts Brown and Newman when I was stationed in Germany.
Lt Strote when I was stationed 2nd SSCT in Vietnam.
SSgt Fagan when I was stationed with 1st RadBn, attached to 7th Marines in Vietnam.
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LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Capt Neiman @ Co F, MarSuptBn attached to NavSecGrp, Bremerhaven, Gy
The Capt was a very personable gentleman. He always tried to help out when you needed it, whether it was just being friendly or counseling. His wife was very kind also.
SSGT Fagan when assigned to 1st RadBn attached to S2, 7th MarReg @ LZ Baldy (Hill 63) in Vietnam.
The SSGT was one of the guys and he got the most out of his men. His leadership style helped me greatly in my civilian life as my career grew.
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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?
Standing in a circle several of us Marines where watching a fight and when the combatants got to close, I got smacked in the mouth. Definitely not funny then, but today I shake my head for standing there and then I laugh at the silliness of it all.
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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?
I went to college and got into the IT field.
When I first got out I wanted to be a LA Police Officer, but my dad talked me out of it.
Then I wanted to join the Executive Protective Service with the Secret Service, but again my dad talked me out of it.
My dad didn't want me to go away again. Kinda good I didn't, my dad died 6 yrs later.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I'm a LIFE Member of:
- 1st Marine Division Association
- Marine Corps Association and Foundation
- DAV
- VFW
- VVA
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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?
Gave me discipline and built my character.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Listen to your NCOs. They won't steer you wrong. The young Lts try hard, but don't have the experience as the NCOs, especially the Senior NCOs.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 | | TWS and the US Marine Corps |
I met new friends and connected with old. It's also nice to read the memories that some of my brothers and sisters wrote. *
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