Vizinho, Manuel (Manny), CWO3

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.

My Dad

My father was in the Army Air Corps in WWII. His B-17 was shot down over Germany, and he was a POW for a couple of years. His service and patriotism inspired me.

https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/profile/108512

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 enlisted in the Marines in 1968. I was in the Air Wing and served as a Helicopter Electrician. I worked my way up to Gunnery Sergeant and then was subsequently selected and appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer in 1980. I spent the remaining years of my career as a WO/CWO.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I loved all the duty stations I was at, including @ 3 years deployed aboard various ships, mostly LPH's, over 20 years. Got to see a lot of the world: Vietnam, Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. In the Med, I went to Spain, Italy, and France.

The most memorable duty station was probably Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Great duty and my son was born during my tour there.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
So many memories over the years . . .

During the Vietnam War peace negotiations, the mining of Haiphong Harbor was an issue. The North wanted the U.S. to sweep the mines and clear the harbor of all mines (Operation "End Sweep" Task Force 78).

However, they did not want the U.S. to clear the inland waterways but wanted the U.S. to give them the mine-sweeping gear so they could clear their own minds (and I'm sure to get their hands on our technology). One of our HMM-165 uniquely uncomfortable missions was to fly/deliver that mine-sweeping gear to a landing strip east of Hanoi.

What made this uncomfortable, to me anyway, as we did this before the final peace agreement was signed and negotiated and BEFORE the American POWS were released.

We were flying unarmed helicopters to a landing strip in North Vietnam, and in addition to no weapons, we were also told, no cameras. If they found cameras, we would be considered "spies." I remember approaching the LZ and landing and being "greeted" by regular NVA troops. A very eerie feeling.

In the end, it was without incident, but I remember the feeling of uneasiness and tension, and not knowing for sure if we'd end up as pawns in the negotiation game.

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?
Every single one of them -- they all defined my service.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My three Drill Instructors. Need I say more??

Later-on I met Orall Gustafson,..(Gus), CWO2. He was a true inspiration to me. He was the Marine that made me decide I wanted to be a Warrant Officer.

http://marines.togetherweserved.com/bio/Orall.Gustafson.

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.
Too many characters to list from all over the country spanning my twenty-year career.

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?
One of my most embarrassing and/or funny moments took place on 10 November 1973. I was a guest at the Marine Corps League birthday celebration being held at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. It was an upscale event with a lot of actors and dignitaries, including The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Puckett. I felt out of place and was a bit nervous.

While I was in the lobby waiting to enter the ballroom, it was very crowded and noisy. SgtMaj Puckett came over to me and introduced himself. Every Marine knows his chain-of-command and the distinct and unique chevron of The SgtMaj of the Marine Corps (which I was looking at), yet when he introduced himself as SgtMaj. Puckett, my reply was, "SgtMaj who?"

I'm sure Marines reading this will appreciate the moment of my blunder, perhaps some more than others.

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 I retired from the Marines, I went to work at McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). I was a production manager on both the military and commercial aircraft assembly line for 13 years. I, subsequently, moved to the Human Resources Management field at Boeing where I worked for another 10 years. I was laid off after 23 years - it was another good career, but not near as fulfilling as the Marine Corps.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of several organizations: Marine Corps League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America. The most specific benefit is the continued bond with other Marines and veterans.

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?
I continue to try to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

And, in addition to that, I believe in a strong "work ethic" -- you get up every day and go to work, and when you're there, you give it 100%.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Stay in until they make you leave. I regret retiring @ 20 years.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have located and contacted Marines I haven't heard from in over 40 years. Very gratifying to reconnect with them after such a long time.

KC 11.12.21