McLaughlin, Bill, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
First and foremost, I felt an obligation to serve. Not necessarily for "Mom and Apple Pie", but because I wanted to do my part to share the risks and the burden with my generation in the Vietnam war. The underlying self serving motive was that I wanted to be a Cop. It was common knowledge that the Marine Corps was good preparation for police service, which helped influence my decision to join.

Police officers are "Brothers in Blue" with bonds similar to what we experience among "All Who Wear the Green". Marines risk their lives for their Country and for each other. That's a given that we all come to understand, to expect, and to hold dear. Cops are the same way. It is especially comforting to know that when you have to take down armed suspects or do all the other dangerous things Cops routinely do, another Marine, who now just happens to be wearing a different uniform, has got your back.

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?
I started trying to join the Marines after the NVA Tet offensive of 1968 when there had been so many Marine causalities. The Corps needed replacements pretty bad, and had even initiated a draft. I was required to go before an Officer's board in San Francisco because I was married at the time. It turned into a lengthy process. Two weeks after I was sworn into the Marine Corps I received my draft notice. For the Army. I never planned to make the Marines a career for a number of reasons, among them the hardship on families. My heart goes out to those who also serve by waiting. For their sacrifices, we owe them more than we will ever be able to repay.

When I enlisted, I expected to be a WesPac replacement to an infantry unit. But I kept getting diverted to other assignments. Upon graduation from Scout Sniper School, I ended up at Marine Barracks duty at Mare Island Nuclear Submarine launch facility, and as a Brig chaser to Treasure Island Naval Prison, instead of Vietnam.

I was finally able to finagle my way out of garrison duty, and once I got to Nam, I was sent to an 81 mortar unit on LZ Baldy instead of a rifle company. I alternated between the gun pits and the sniper tower where I assisted as a 81's FO. My transfer to 7th Marines Scout Snipers came through the day that the unit was ordered to stand down for stateside redeployment. Eventually I made it to a line company in the bush, and wouldn't have traded places with anyone. Until rotation. Which came as a unit draw down, so we didn't have to leave anyone behind. That was a good thing.

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?
SRB Entry: "Three multi-battalion operations, numerous battalion and company operations and over 150 combat patrols and ambushes". They were all significant. Every hot as hell, ass freezing one of them. Every day patrol, recon patrol, observation post, listening post, night ambush; every close call, near miss, friendly fire-arty and air mishap, accidental discharge, mine explosion, and fire fight. To me, they were all highly significant because of just being able to wake up, pleasantly surprised to be among the living, and having survived one more day. Thank you Lord!

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Nothing, in my experience, could ever take precedence over the bonding and brotherhood of a Marine squad under combat conditions. But as a Grunt, I will certainly admit that I have fond memories of time spent, while being able to, "Swing with the Wing!" I never realized how good a Marine duty station could be, with regards to chow and living conditions, until I was sent to MACS El Toro upon my return from Vietnam. I was assigned to teach Marine Corps History and Military Courtesy and Discipline, then transferred to Mainside Camp Pendleton where I graduated from the Project Transition California POST certified Police Academy.

I later mustered out at El Toro, and drove through the main gate as a civilian with a feeling of proud accomplishment and reward for my Marine Corps Service. I had shaken hands with the Company 1st Sgt. and said goodbye, then added, that I certainly wasn't disappointed with the time I had spent in the Marine Corps. He smiled, and was kind enough to say that the Marine Corps wasn't disappointed either. Although elated at future possibilities, I also felt a sense of sadness and loss, for having to "leave behind" the great Marines, with whom I had served. But in my heart I knew, that those Marines would be there with me always, just as we, "the few, the proud", would always be Marines.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
You could ask me that question every single day, and I could probably give you a different answer every time, depending upon the day of the week or the month of the year. There are so many hilarious incidents, that stand out. Also, the sad and tragic events that tend to stand out as unforgettable dates on the calendar. Then there are the catalysts of sights, sounds, and smells that each evoke a different memory, sometimes distinct and other times eerily faint, like a fading dream. But above all others, three memories stand out in vivid detail and I have relived them countless times over the years.

UFO INCIDENT: The first, as strange as it may seem, was a UFO incident which occurred at Camp Pendleton, near Camp Horno, while undergoing training in Scout Sniper school, the last week of March, 1970. We were on the night firing range preparing to fam-fire the M-16 with Starlite scope. Three saucer craft appeared from behind a small mountain peak and hovered down range, about a mile distance, over an artillery impact area. There were about 23 Marines present that night and we all saw the same thing very clearly through the night vision optics. There were multicolored lights emanating from portholes in the turret of each craft, which revolved counter clockwise. The craft remained in the area for several minutes, then shot off into space, at a high rate of speed, one at a time, like comets, with a long fire tail as they hit the atmosphere. When asked if the Lt. planned to, "call it in", he replied, "You f'---ing think I'm crazy?" I would like to get the incident on record now, in order to preserve the narrative in the event that I reconnect with any Marines who were there that night.

IED FAILURE
A night ambush IED incident in Vietnam, where my Corpsman and I were crossing a jungle trail and while standing next to me, he hit a tripwire stretched across the trail. The tripwire came unraveled from the grenade pin, (a small fish hook), and the device barely failed to detonate. The hammer was cocked back, hanging by a thread. The IED was a metal container full of C-4, packed with shrapnel, placed head high ten feet away on a dirt bank next to the trail. That was very spooky and still gives me shivers to think about it.

ENEMY SOLDIERS WALKED PAST ME ON A TRAIL WHILE SETTING IN ON A NIGHT AMBUSH.
It was early evening, but already dark. I was lying down beside a grassy trail, positioning a claymore mine, when a squad of VC soldiers, with cone hats, black pajamas and carrying AK-47 rifles, walked silently past me.

I was between my squad and the enemy, looking up at each soldier as they walked by me at 5 second intervals. I could see them plainly against the starry night sky but they couldn't see me since I was lying in high grass against a dark background. I had my rifle in one hand and a frag in the other. I was expecting all hell to break loose at any second, but to my surprise, there was no noise from either side, just the pounding of my heart. If I had triggered the ambush right then, I would have been caught in a cross fire, and my squad had an M-60 aimed right where I was lying on the ground. After the 3rd VC had passed, and I knew that they were evenly spaced out, I crawled the 30-40 meters back, alerted the squad and opened fire with the M-79 at the most probable location of the enemy position. From there, it went from bad to worse.

The VC were already out of the kill zone and didn't return fire. Unfortunately, a 4 man marine CAP unit was sandbagging their ambush a short distance away. One of my M-79 rounds landed right in the middle of their position. I heard, "We're taking incoming mortars", over the net and instantly knew it had been my blooper round. So did the Captain who was listening to the situation unfold. Fortunately, my squad was exactly where we were supposed to be. When the Skipper arrived at daybreak the next morning, we marched the 150 meters to the CAP unit and found them all asleep with no one on watch. The Captain went from marine to marine kicking them in the butt, yelling at the top of his lungs. I was greatly relieved that it was only sore butts instead of dead marines.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
The Company Commander was kind enough to put me in for an award based upon a couple of combat actions he happened to be on hand to witness. The Colonel approved it, but of course, it got stepped on; knocked down, and reduced, not at Regiment, but at FMF Division level, (we know this is the tradition of the Marine awards process). Frankly, I was amazed to have received any award at all but I was especially grateful to be able to accept the honor on behalf of the squad I was privileged to serve with during my tour. They performed superbly. If you talk to anyone who has been in a combat environment awhile, it is not unusual to find that many valorous actions occur when there is no ranking leadership present to witness them. In Vietnam, Marines performed valiantly in combat at great personal risk and the only reward he might get was a, "Thanks Marine!", from his peers and possibly a shared bottle of hot Tiger Piss, (Vietnamese beer). That is the highest award that I am aware of, and the greatest that I have personally received.

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?
The Crossed Rifles of the expert rifleman's badge initially meant the most to me and is still significant in many ways, particularly when looking back on life events as a series of links in a chain. Because I had learned to shoot at a young age and was raised in the gun culture of the South West, shooting had become a passion and preoccupation long before I entered the Marine Corps. Because I qualified as Rifle Expert, I was given the opportunity to undergo the intensive and specialized training that Scout Sniper School provided. Because I shot a maximum "possible", score in Sniper School, I received a meritorious promotion to L/Cpl, with less than 5 months in the Marine Corps.

Because I had more time in grade than my squad leader when I got to Viet Nam I was made Squad Leader.

Because of being placed in the squad leader position, the additional training I had received in Sniper School allowed me to function effectively in a combat environment. Because of being able to function effectively in a combat environment I was given increased responsibility and rank, thereby gaining additional experience and so on it went, repeating itself. I attribute the initial Scout Sniper school training that I received in land navigation, map and compass, and supporting arms use, (Arty FO and close air support), as being instrumental to my survival in combat, and possibly in the saving of other lives as well. Lifesaving events. Like links in a chain.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Lt JF Wrigley Jr., a Mustang, was our CO when I went through Sniper School at MCB Camp Pendleton in March of 1970. He was a very professional, experienced and combat decorated former Staff Sergeant, who highly stressed the importance of being proficient in the use of map and compass, in order to call in supporting arms and medivacs. I attribute my initial success and survival in combat directly to his instruction and leadership.

Lt. Harvey W. Senter was the best Platoon Leader by far during my tour in Vietnam. He was a Recon Hard Charger all the way, highly skilled, motivated, and the epitome of a fine Marine Officer. His superb leadership always inspired confidence among his men. He had us double-timing with full packs, in the sand along a river bank, in the best Gung-Ho Recon tradition, ( AND LIKING IT!) He always led from the front and placed his men first. Lt. Senter, (later Capt. Senter), was compassionate, as well as being firm and fair. When he cut us some slack, the inevitable admonition that followed was, "Don't get used to it!" I benefited greatly from his instructive guidance and benevolent leadership.

Capt. CH Dennis, (Annapolis graduate, 2nd Vietnam tour), was my Company Commander. Although he was a bit of a hard ass, and sometimes shot from the hip, he was a good officer as well, and also led from the front. He was, "by the book", demanding, and did not suffer fools. But in my experience, he knew when it was important to listen to those around him, especially when it concerned operational effectiveness and the welfare of his men. For that I am grateful. I was proud to serve under the leadership of these fine Marine Officers, and would not hesitate to do it all over again.

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?
Comic relief is very important in a war zone. Naturally, among marines you get a lot of dark humor. We laughed at the craziest things sometimes which could have gone either way. I still laugh at this one and thank God it turned out the way it did.

"The Battle of White Rock Ridge"
My squad was attached as road security for a convoy of US Army 175 and 8 inch self propelled howitzers coming out of Da Nang South bound on Route 1. They were headed for LZ Baldy which would normally be a day trip but the road had been heavily mined and the Engineers were talking their time sweeping, digging and blowing shit up. We had flankers out ahead of the Engineers for ambush protection but it was a slow go.

Near sundown, the army convoy pulled off the road and circled the wagons on a small hill, with all the guns pointed outward in a defensive perimeter. The marines set up about 50 meters outside the ring of guns in 2 man positions. The CP consisted of myself and our new Lt. who decided he wanted to carry the M-79 grenade launcher that day.

I told the Lt. that I was concerned about the M-79, which had a broken safety and had to be carried with the breech open, then closed when ready to fire. Otherwise, it had a tendency to go off by itself sometimes. We had the PRC-25 radio placed against a tree and the Lt. had leaned the M-79 against the trunk of the tree next to the radio. He was lying down on one side of the radio and I was lying on the other side, propped up on our elbows monitoring the chit-chat of the doggies setting in. You could tell these guys were a bit nervous and not used to being out of a secure compound. The Lt. turned toward me and in doing so, bumped the radio slightly, with his elbow, which in turn, jostled the M-79 which he had forgotten to break open when he leaned it against the tree. The Blooper fell flat and went off, with the round landing smack in the middle of the Army CP. Somebody yelled, "Incoming! and instantly all hell broke loose. The 8 inch and 175 mm guns opened up in all directions right over our heads.

The Lt. and I were rolling around doubled up in laughter for a few seconds, then he said, "I have to do something, or this may go on all night." He pulled out his map, grabbed the radio mike and called in a fire mission on the enemy mortar position, which was a large white rock high up on Charlie Ridge. The guns quickly zeroed in on the enemy rock and obliterated the target, at which time, the Lt. announced the success of the mission, and called for a cease fire. We were still laughing and shaking our heads about it the next day, but thankful no one had been hurt as a result of the incident. The M-79 was returned to it's normal user and the Lt. arranged for us to get one that had a functional safety. Over the years, I have often wondered how many medals and citations were awarded to the army gun crews for "The Battle of White Rock Ridge". As a result of this faux pas, I would like to personally apologize to the US Army admin and awards personnel for the extra work involved, and just say, uh, Bloops?

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 separating from active duty, I attended local colleges in the Bay area, joined the Marine Corps active reserves and pursued a career in law enforcement. My education through Graduate School, was fully funded by Law Enforcement Education Administration grants based upon my agreement to stay in police work for the required number of years to fulfill my contract.

After several years as a police officer I was injured on duty and elected to transition back to civilian life as a Private Investigator. I spent 30 years as a PI and Corporate Fraud Investigator, Security Consultant and in a related field.

I am currently employed by a National Investigation company as an Insurance Fraud Investigator, based in the South Western U.S.

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?
The Marine Corps redefined and restructured my life from the moment I stood on the yellow footprints at MCRD, as I suspect it did for most Marines.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Unless specifically asked, I would not presume to try and tell anyone what to do under most circumstances, but I am reminded of the sage advice I received as a young man: "When the going gets tough, pray. You can be damn sure the competition will!"

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US MARINES

TWS has proven to be a priceless resource and historical repository by merging and bringing together the past and the present. From a personal perspective, it has helped me to close unfinished chapters in my own life by allowing me to express my gratitude and pay tribute to marines I served with.

DS 6/19/17