Oct/Nov/Dec 2014 - 1st Marine Division Association

Transcription

Vol. LXiII w No. 4
October - November - December 2014
The Official Publication of the 1st Marine Division Association, Incorporated
O Guadalcanal O New Britain O Peleliu O Okinawa O North China O
O Korea O Vietnam O Kuwait O Somalia O Afghanistan O Iraq O
The 1st Marine
Division Association
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES 2014
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
All Elected Officers Are Members
Of Executive Committee
President
Arthur John (AJ) Burn
107 Ervin Ave, Linwood, PA 19061-4315
Home (610) 497-7164 Cell (610) 494-5818
Email ajburn49@aol.com
Vice President
Vincent Rios
2024 Greenway Crossing, Haslet, TX 76052
Home (817) 847-9937 Cell (817-304-3596
Email vrmarine@msn.com
Deputy Vice President, East
Carl Wenhold
508 E. 6th St, Lansdale, PA 19446-2742
Home (215) 362-6910 Cell (215) 350-4034
Email cwenhold@hotmail.com
Deputy Vice President, Central
Ed (Tex) Stiteler
210 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209-6500
Home (210) 828-5775 Cell (210) 378-4860
Email edico37@sbcglobal.net
Deputy Vice President, West
James A Fossos
20730 7th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198-3407
Home (206) 824-8537 Cell (206) 518-7075
Email jfossos@aol.com
Secretary
Michael L. Galyean
746 McIntyre Ave., Winter Park FL 32789
Home (407) 740-5097 Cell (321) 276-7515
Email koolade@embarqmail.com
Treasurer
James Zalpis
884 Vallecito Dr., Ventura, CA 93001
Home (805) 643-3295 Cell (805) 340-0976
Email jimzalpis@jlz.com
Legal Officer
David M. Franklin
P.O. Box 3253, Palm Desert CA 92261
Home (760) 349-0035
Email dfranklinlaw@gmail.com
Chaplain
William (Denny) Weisgerber
195 Casper St, Milpitas, CA 95035-4842
Home (408) 262-1776 Cell (408)221-6607
Email wdw2710@gmail.com
Sergeant-At-Arms
George A Sager
1025 Lupine Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448-3436
Home (707) 433-2044 Cell (707) 696-0504
Email georgesager1948@gmail.com
w
w
w
Association Staff
June Cormier – Membership Coordinator
403 N. Freeman St.
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 967-8561 (760) 967-1386
FAX: (760) 967-8567
Editor, The Old Breed News
Arthur G. Sharp
152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
(860) 202-3088
Email: sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net
Publisher
Finisterre Publishing Incorporated
3 Black Skimmer Ct., Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 521-1896
Email: Finisterre@ISLC.net
2
Departments
President’s Message................................................................................................3
Blue Diamond Team/Southern Cross Team........................................................5
Book Review ..............................................................................................................
Update on the First Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund................13
Chapter Scuttlebutt ................................................................................................18
Contributions to the First Marine Division Association ....................................20
Welcome Aboard....................................................................................................29
Official 1st Marine Division Association PX ........................................30
Taps ........................................................................................................................31
News & Notes
Board of Directors Meeting: 19 Jan 2015 ....................................................................3
Looking For Native American Veterans For Survey ..................................................3
Soliciting Qualified Nominees for FMDA Office ......................................................4
The Advance....................................................................................................................6
10th Aniversary of the Battle for Fallujah: Al Fajr Ceremony....................................8
A Hero Of Fallujah: Douglas Zembiec ......................................................................9
Don’t Ever Mention Going Home..............................................................................10
Foss, Zona, and Lindbergh ..........................................................................................11
74th Anniversary Commemoration: Registration......................................................14
A Messsage Fom The Commandant of the Marine Corps ....................................15
Father Vincent Capodanno Guild Launches Website ..............................................15
National Marine Corps Council Meets ......................................................................16
3rd Combat Engineer Bn. Deactivated–Again..........................................................17
Reillys’ Letter..................................................................................................................19
Memorial honors life, career of Col. ‘Mac’ Dube ....................................................22
Bravo-1 hikes Aslaskan mountains ............................................................................23
Yearning For Yemassee? ..............................................................................................24
What An Introduction To Vietnam ............................................................................26
Just Another Day in the Bush......................................................................................27
COVER: Marine Capt. Douglas Zembiec, the commanding officer of Company E, 2nd Battalion,
1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, gives orders to his men over a radio prior to leaving
their secured compound for a short patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, April 8, 2004. Zembiec was killed in
action May 10, 2007. He was 34 years old. Photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen. Story on page 8
The
Old Breed News
The Old Breed News (USPS 599-860) ISSN: 0745-287X is published four times a year during the months
of March, June, September, and December by the 1st Marine Division Association, Inc., 403 N. Freeman
St., Oceanside, CA 92054; Phone: 760-967-8561; FAX: 760-967-8567. Email: oldbreed@sbcglobal.net;
Web Site: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org.
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Old Breed News, 403 N. Freeman St., Oceanside, CA 92054
Periodical postage paid at Oceanside, California and at additional mailing offices.
This publication may be quoted without permission if the 1st Marine Division Association is credited. The
Association requests a copy of any such use.
Directors at Large – 2014
Steve (Doc) Lakernick
162 Knittle Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530
Home (215) 850-8313
Email docusmc1@msn.com
Lee Rux
15111 Sun Spur, San Antonio, TX 78232-4624
Home (210) 499-0707 Cell (210) 213-3453
Email rux@satx.rr.com
Jerry Johs
4057 W. Hwy 21, Paige, TX 78659-4221
Cell (503) 784-7697
Email geronamo0122@yahoo.com
The Old Breed News
President’s Message
Board of Directors
Meeting: 19 Jan 2015
AJ Burn
I
am sure we have all be watching the drawdown of our beloved Marine Corps from
202,000 Marines to this year’s projected
182,000. Budget cuts and sequestration are
taking their toll on manpower and programs.
The FMDA is facing similar challenges as
our expenses continue to exceed revenue.
There were two programs planned to
raise income in this past year. The
Fundraising Committee worked hard to put
together a golf tournament in conjunction
with the Reunion in Charleston only to have
the event cancelled due to a lack of participation. An attempt to revive the Paintball
Tournament has not progressed to where we
can expect income in the near future.
Our financial pinch has led to some
changes in our Oceanside office and many
options were considered. The major change
is that the Association’s Executive Director
Juan Duff has been laid off. He was given 30
days’ notice and paid any vacation time
accrued.
To many of you this may seem an abrupt
change, but some history shows otherwise.
Treasurer reports for the past year have
shown that we were spending more than we
were making, even with the costs of the
office cut dramatically in recent years.
Thankfully a deceased 1st Division Marine
bequeathed the FMDA funds to help carry
us.
SgtMaj Duff’s contract expired in
January of this year, and he has been working without a contract since then. I wanted to
offer a contract but I did not believe it was
fair to the Executive Director or to the
Association to enter into a contract to commit such funds.
Recently, the office was closed on
Mondays, going to a
four-day work week to
economize. Juan Duff
continued to work
through this and did a
fine job for the FMDA, but without a projected income source it became necessary to
temporarily operate without the services of
an Executive Director.
June Cormier remains at the office and
we are able to return to five-day-a-week
operations. The duties of the Executive
Director are being fulfilled by officers. I am
working with June daily, although electronically. The Treasurer is assisting with the
financials.
The Anniversary planning is moving
ahead in large part due to the efforts of
SgtMaj Duff before he left. We are moving
forward with the OBN and Scholarships.
Unfortunately Nicole also left the office. She
indicated to me that she found full-time
employment.
Efforts have been made to search for
alternatives to the present office. The Office
Suites model, an office on base, an office at
the Oceanside Vets Center and outsourcing
have all been examined. At present the office
generates no foot traffic. It does little to justify its expenses. The FMDA would be best
served with a presence in Oceanside/Camp
Pendleton, and we are exploring all options.
Right now the office is open and operating. Call with a question and you will get an
answer. Send an email and you will get a
response. The 1st Marine Division
Association will continue to operate for
many years to come. The Officers of the
FMDA are committed to a leaner and better
Association.
Deadlines OBN Material: 2015
The new quarterly publication schedule dictates that we change deadline dates by which
we must receive material. Here is the schedules for the next issue:
ISSUE
PERIOD
DEADLINE
1st Quarter
Jan/Feb/Mar
1 February
2nd Quarter
Apr/May/Jun
1 May
3rd Quarter
Jul/Aug/Sep
1 August
4th Quarter
Oct/Nov/Dec
1 November
Please submit your material to OBN Editor, 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or
email it to sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net.
The Old Breed News
T
he FMDA Board of Directors will
meet at the Crowne Plaza, Hotel
Circle, San Diego, CA.
• Committees will meet 0800 – 1200,
Schedule TBA
• Directors will meet 1300 – 1500
If you have any items for the agenda,
please contact June Cormier at the
Oceanside office: june.oldbreed@sbcglobal.net
If you plan to stay at the Crowne Plaza,
please let me know so I can give the hotel
a count and we can get the reunion rate of
$120 per night.
AJ Burn, President, (610) 494-5818,
aj.oldbreed@sbcglobal.net
Looking For Native American
Veterans For Survey
I
am a Cherokee veteran of Iraq and
current graduate student (Counseling
Psychology Program), who is carrying
out a survey on Native American veterans and their perceptions of and attitudes towards Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder. It is my belief that if we as
Native people speak as a group through
this survey, places that provide veteran
services for PTSD, like the V.A. and
I.H.S., will listen and will add our suggestions
and
preferences
for
treatment/healing to programs intended
to help Native veterans.
I am asking for your assistance in
spreading the word about our survey
among your organization, friends from
the service, or any other interested
groups or individuals.
The survey is open to anyone who
is Native American and who has served
in the military. They do not need to have
been deployed or to have PTSD to participate in the survey.
Below is a a link to the online version of the survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nativeveterans). Thank
you very much for your time and consideration.
Greg Urquhart, P.O. Box 641046,
Pullman, WA 99164, Fax: 509-3350103, Ph: 509-335-8677
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Soliciting Qualified Nominees for FMDA Office
T
he election of new Association
officers for the term August
2015 to August 2017 will take
place by mail-in ballot just prior to the
August 2015 Reunion. The purpose of
this notice is to solicit qualified nominees for office.
• Bylaws Art V: Officers, Paragraph
B.1.b. states “Any member of the
Association in good standing is eligible
for election as an Officer except that a
member who has been elected as
President may not again be elected to
that office.”
• Bylaws Art VIII: Committees.
ParagraphA.2, states “The Nominating
Committee shall nominate not less than
two, nor more than three, candidates
for the offices of President, VicePresident, and the three Deputy VicePresidents, and at least one, but not
more than two candidates for the
offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Legal
Officer, Chaplain and Sergeant at Arms.
Candidates must be in good standing
and provide the Nominating Committee
a copy of his DD214 or Discharge with
the Social Security Number removed.
This requirement also applies to candidates for Chapter Officers except that
copies of the DD214 or Discharge shall
be provided to the Chapter Nominating
Committee. In good standing means,
dues current and no disciplinary actions
pending.
At the 2015 Reunion General meeting the following members were selected to compose the Nominating
Committee:
n Eastern Region: Daniel Flavin at
765-404-1407, danielflavin@aol.com
n Central Region: Lee Rux at 210499-0707, rux@satx.rr.com
n Western Region: Marty Vasquez at
(H) 760-757-6981 (C) 760-271-1672
n Eastern Region: Pierre Sims 302792-1497, pierresims@comcast.net
n Eastern Region: Steve (“Doc”)
Lakernick, 215-850-8313,
docusmc1@msn.com
n Steve (“Doc”) Lakernick was selected to be the Chairman of the
Nominating Committee.
In addition, to being in “good standing” with the Association, officers must
be able to attend all board meetings
(twice a year minimum). The President
and Vice-Presidents must be able to
attend functions/activities relating to
their positions. This mean having the
time and financial resources.
If you want to be considered as a
candidate for any of the above offices,
please submit the information requested
on the sample form to the Chairman of
the Nominating Committee. All applications must include a copy of the candidate’s DD-214, a photograph, and letter.
The submission deadline is 20
December 2014. If you have questions,
please contact any of the above committee members.
4
The Old Breed News
5
The Old Breed News
The Advance
NOTE: This is the first excerpt from
Robert Olsen’s memoirs. It begins with
events that occurred shortly after he
landed at Inchon.
S
6
ometime after Inchon, on our way
to Yong Dung Po, we lost one of
the finest men in our company. I
had met Walter C. Monegan, Jr. on the
trip from New York City to Parris
Island. We went through boot camp at
the same time, were together in China in
1948-49, and in Camp Pendleton, and
when I was transferred to Oakland,
Monegan went to Washington State. At
the start of the Korean War we were
both sent back to Camp Pendleton, CA
and assigned to the same company.
Monegan,
who
was
from
Massachusetts, was married, and his
wife was pregnant with their first child.
He had the habit of wearing his wedding
ring around his neck, and when he lost it
one day he took that as a sign that he
was going to die. We tried to assure him
that he would live to go home to be with
his wife and baby.
We encountered heavy resistance on
our way to Yong Dung Po. Early one
morning, we saw a column of North
Korean tanks approaching our position.
Monegan, a skilled 3.5 rocket man (antitank eliminator), who had already
knocked out many tanks, destroyed the
two lead tanks, but was killed doing so.
As a result of his action, the other tanks
turned around and left.
After Monegan’s death, his wife gave
birth to a baby boy. The Medal of Honor
that he earned for his heroic actions was
presented posthumously to his wife by
President Harry S. Truman in
Washington, DC.
We continued our advance toward the
industrial town of Yong Dung Po. At one
point I was firing out into a rice field
alongside a New Mexico Marine named
Salazar. (There were too many Toms,
Dicks, Bobs, etc. in the group, so we
called each other by our last names).
While the tank to the right of us was
blasting its 90mm cannon, Salazar took
a bullet in the neck from incoming fire.
Robert Olsen
Our company was losing
so many Corpsmen
(medics) to enemy fire
that we had begun to carry
morphine syrettes in the
upper pockets of our
shirts, as an emergency
measure.
He was taken out to receive medical
treatment, but I learned a short while
later that he had choked to death. With
tears in my eyes, I continued spraying
the rice field. Salazar was a beautiful
human being and a good Marine who
did not smoke or drink, and who read his
pocket Bible when he had time.
Advancing through one of countless
small towns on the way to Yong Dung
Po, we came across a mother standing
next to a table set up outside her home.
When we stopped to offer assistance, we
discovered that her son lay on the table,
a white cloth covering his left leg below
the knee. Lifting the cloth, I saw that the
bone was broken and the flesh that
should have covered it was gone.
Our company was losing so many
Corpsmen (medics) to enemy fire that
we had begun to carry morphine syrettes
in the upper pockets of our shirts, as an
emergency measure. So I took out a
syrette. Since the child was too small for
a full dose, I emptied out about 75% of
the morphine. I showed the mother how
to remove the air from the syrette and
how to inject the morphine into the
boy’s buttocks.
Since we didn’t speak the same language, I pointed to my watch and put up
four fingers to indicate that she should
give him another shot in four hours. I
left her another morphine syrette, knowing that she would get additional help
from our rear echelon as they moved
forward to support our troops.
As the advance continued, I stopped
to check out two men lying underneath
some large rice sacks inside a small
building by the side of the road. I did not
know if they were South or North
Koreans. When I pulled the sacks off
them, I was surprised to see that both of
them were amputees. One man had both
hands amputated; the other had both feet
amputated. I did not see any other
wounds on their bodies.
It appeared that the amputations had
been done professionally; the Ace bandages covering the stumps were clean and
very well wrapped. To this day, I still
can’t figure out why they lost their
hands and feet. When they gestured
toward their mouths, letting me know
they were hungry, I gave them the one C
ration food can I had left.
Traveling farther, we came upon a
North Korean soldier lying by the side
of the road, covered with blood and with
multiple wounds all over his body. Since
he was obviously mortally wounded and
was suffering greatly, our sergeant asked
the lieutenant if he should put him out of
his misery. The lieutenant agreed. It was
the only humane thing to do.
Yong Dung Po
Just before reaching Yong Dung Po,
we came to a bridge. Not knowing if it
was booby-trapped, we decided to cross
to the other side by wading through the
stream. Soon after the crossing we
The Old Breed News
reached the city. It was well fortified,
with high smokestacks that could easily
conceal lots of snipers, as we discovered
when we encountered very heavy resistance.
As we advanced cautiously, one of
our men, Erla, who came from upstate
New York, got hit in his left leg below
the knee. We removed his Boondocker
boot and I carried him a block or so to a
protected spot between two warehouses,
where his wounds were treated.
Near where Erla was receiving treatment I noticed yet another young
Marine, this one suffering from multiple
wounds and lying on a door being used
as a stretcher. I didn’t have a chance to
talk to him, but since then I have often
wondered if he made it out alive.
Just as I was leaving the treatment
area in order to rejoin my platoon, a
blond-haired sergeant with a foot wound
called out to me, telling me that a jeep
and trailer used to evacuate the wounded
had been left on the bridge we had just
passed. He asked if I could retrieve
them, which let me know that the bridge
must not have been booby-trapped.
So I crossed the road, dropping down
into the ditch alongside it to avoid being
an easy target until I was abreast of the
bridge. I ran up the embankment to the
jeep and trailer, and when I didn’t see a
driver around, I climbed into the jeep.
Only then did I notice that the driver had
jumped into the back of the jeep and was
lying down on the floor. I drove the
vehicles to where the wounded were and
then left to catch up with my advancing
platoon.
Yong Dung Po had a large brewery,
and inside the brewery was a large
wooden vat filled with beer. Naturally,
we were curious about it, so I climbed
the ladder attached to the very high
structure. Inside, to my surprise, I saw a
North Korean soldier floating in the
beer. We decided he must have been a
sniper hiding in the rafters when he was
shot and fell into the vat.
To Be Continued...
Robert Olsen, 734 S. Melrose Dr., Vista,
CA 92081. PFC Olsen served with F/2/1
in Korea.
MOH
Citation
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress takes
Pride in presenting the Medal of Honor
(Posthumously)
MONEGAN, WALTER C., JR.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d
Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine
Division (Rein.). Place and date: Near
Sosa-ri, Korea, 17 and 20 September
1950. Entered service at: Seattle, Wash.
Born: 25 December 1930, Melrose,
Mass.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
Check your label
Your Unit & Service Era
Membership Dues Expiration Date:
Month and Year (Life = 0000)
*************************************AUTO**5-DIGIT 12345
I-3-5 WWII
0215
JOHN Q MARINE
1234 MAIN STREET
YOURTOWN US 12345-1111
DELIVERY POINT BARCODE
The Old Breed News
beyond the call of duty while serving as a
rocket gunner attached to Company F, and
in action against enemy aggressor forces.
Dug in on a hill overlooking the main Seoul
highway when 6 enemy tanks threatened
to break through the battalion position during a predawn attack on 17 September,
Pfc. Monegan promptly moved forward
with his bazooka, under heavy hostile
automatic weapons fre and engaged the
lead tank at a range of less than 50 yards.
After scoring a direct hit and killing the
sole surviving tankman with his carbine as
he came through the escape hatch, he
boldly fired 2 more rounds of ammunition
at the oncoming tanks, disorganizing the
attack and enabling our tank crews to
continue blasting with their 90-mm guns.
With his own and an adjacent company’s
position threatened by annihilation when
an overwhelming enemy tank-infantry
force bypassed the area and proceeded
toward the battalion command post during
the early morning of September 20, he
seized his rocket launcher and, in total
darkness, charged down the slope of the
hill where the tanks had broken through.
Quick to act when an illuminating shell lit
the area, he scored a direct hit on one of
the tanks as hostile rifle and automaticweapons fire raked the area at close
range. Again exposing himself, he fired
another round to destroy a second tank
and, as the rear tank turned to retreat,
stood upright to fire and was fatally struck
down by hostile machinegun fire when
another illuminating shell silhouetted him
against the sky. Pfc. Monegan’s daring
initiative, gallant fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were contributing
factors in the success of his company in
repelling the enemy, and his self-sacrificing effor ts throughout sustain and
enhance the highest traditions of the U.S.
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for
his country .
Check your name and
address ( Apt./Bldg/Lot
No.). Notify the
Membership Chairman
if you find an error. If
your zip code does
not contain 9 digits
(zip+4), your address
is not correct according
to the USPS. Contact
your local Post Office
for proper format.
7
10th Anniversary of the Battle for Fallujah
Al Fajr Ceremony
O
8
n 7 November, 2014 the
Commanding General invited all
veterans of the Battle for
Fallujah/Al Fajr to attend a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of that battle. The
ceremony was held at the 1st Marine
Division Headquarters. Retired Lt. Gen.
Richard Natonski, commander of the Blue
Diamond during the battle, was the guest of
honor.
The First Battle of Fallujah, also known
as Operation Vigilant Resolve, was an operation to root out extremist elements of
Fallujah and bring those responsible to justice for the killing of four U.S. contractors in
April 2004.
The chief catalyst for the operation was
the highly publicized killing and mutilation
of four Blackwater USA private military
contractors and the killings of five American
soldiers in Habbaniyah a few days earlier.
Following escalating insurgent activity
and Operation Vigilant Resolve (First Battle
of Fallujah) in spring 2004, U.S.-led
Coalition forces turned fighting in Fallujah
over to the Iraqi Fallujah Brigade. This unit
ultimately collapsed leaving the city in the
hands of the insurgents. This, along with the
belief that insurgent leader Abu Musab al
Zarqawi was operating in Fallujah, led to the
planning
of
Operation Al
Fajr
(Dawn)/Phantom Fury with the goal of
retaking the city. It was believed that
between 4,000-5,000 insurgents were in
Fallujah.
Located approximately forty miles west
of Baghdad, Fallujah was effectively surrounded by U.S. forces. Establishing checkpoints, they sought to ensure that no insurgents were able to escape the city. Civilians
were encouraged to leave to prevent being
caught in the coming battle and an estimated
70-90% of the city’s 300,000 citizens departed.
During this time, it was clear that an
assault on the city was imminent and the
insurgents prepared a variety of defenses and
strong points. The attack on the city was
assigned to the I Marine Expeditionary Force
(MEF).
With the city cordoned off, efforts were
made to suggest that the Coalition attack
would come from the south and southeast as
A Boeing contractor explains the workings of the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle to visiting military analysts. The UAV has been credited with the lives of a number of Marines during the fighting in
Fallujah in 2004. Photo by Jim Garamone http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/
2005-01/hrs_2005011103a_hr.jpg
had occurred before. Instead, I MEF intended to assault the city from the north across its
entire breadth. Regimental Combat Team 1,
consisting of the 3rd Battalion/1st Marines,
3rd Battalion/5th Marines, and the U.S.
Army’s 2nd Battalion/7th Cavalry, moved
into position to assault the western half of
Fallujah from the north.
They were joined by Regimental Combat
Team 7, made up of the 1st Battalion/8th
Marines, 1st Battalion/3rd Marines, and the
U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion/2nd Infantry,
which would attack the eastern part of the
city. These units were joined by Iraqi troops
as well.
With Fallujah sealed, operations began at
7:00 PM on November 7, when Task Force
Wolfpack moved to take objectives on the
west bank of the Euphrates River opposite
Fallujah. While Iraqi commandos captured
Fallujah General Hospital, Marines secured
the two bridges over the river to cut off any
enemy retreat from the city. A similar blocking mission was undertaken by the British
Black Watch Regiment south and east of
Fallujah.
The next evening, RCT1 and RCT7,
backed by air and artillery strikes, commenced their attack into the city. Using
Army armor to disrupt the insurgent’s
defenses, the Marines were able to effectively attack enemy positions, including the
main train station. Though engaged in fierce
urban combat, Coalition troops were able to
reach Highway 10, which bisected the city,
by the evening of November 9. The eastern
end of the road was secured the next day,
opening a direct supply line to Baghdad.
Despite heavy fighting, Coalition forces
controlled approximately 70% of the city by
the end of November 10. Pressing across
Highway 10, RCT1moved through the
Resala, Nazal and Jebail neighborhoods
while the RCT7 assaulted an industrial area
in the southeast. By November 13, U.S. officials claimed that most of the city was under
Coalition control. The heavy fighting continued for the next several days as Coalition
forces moved house to house, eliminating
insurgent resistance. During this process
thousands of weapons were found stored in
houses, mosques, and tunnels which conThe Old Breed News
A Hero Of Fallujah
nected buildings around the city.
The process of clearing the city was
slowed by booby traps and improvised explosive devices. As a result, in most cases, the
infantry only entered buildings after tanks
had rammed a hole in a wall or specialists had ... his men would tell you that they would follow Zembiec to the gates of hell – or,
blasted a door open. On November 16, U.S. at the very least, into the treacherous urban battlefield of Fallujah.
officials announced that Fallujah had been
cleared, but that there were still sporadic The Story:
He raced down the stairs and directly
episodes of insurgent activity.
into
the line of fire, heading toward the
“If you took 100 Doug Zembiecs [of
tank.
He climbed up to the hatch even as
Aftermath:
Corvallis, OR] to war with you, you could
mortar
rounds exploded nearby and bullets
The fighting in Fallujah cost U.S. forces conquer the world.” That is how Maj.
ricocheted
off the metal. Unscathed, he told
51 killed and 425 seriously wounded, while Zembiec’s high-school wrestling coach
the
tank
operators
where to fire. The tank
Iraqi forces lost 8 killed and 43 wounded. characterized him – though the men who
made
quick
work
of the enemy, and
Insurgent losses are estimated at between served with him captured his spirit more
Zembiec
ran
back
to
the roof. Witnesses
1,200 to 1,350 killed.
succinctly: He was reverently called the
say
the
other
Marines
dropped
their jaws in
Though Abu Musab AL Zarqawi was not “Lion of Fallujah.” A magnetic commandawe
of
his
bravery.
captured during the operation, the victory er, an “unapologetic warrior,” Zembiec
severely damaged the momentum the insur- believed in leading by deeds rather than
A few weeks later, on April 26, insurgency had gained by holding the city. words. As a result, his men would tell you gents opened fire on Zembiec’s platoon
Residents were allowed to return in that they would follow Zembiec to the gates from three sides, with thousands of rounds.
December and slowly began rebuilding the of hell – or, at the very least, into the treach- Grenades flew back and forth between the
badly damaged city.
erous urban battlefield of Fallujah.
enemy and his men – with only 20 feet
In early April of 2004, Zembiec’s com- between them. Zembiec, wounded by
pany was sent in to help pacify Fallujah and shrapnel, moved to a better position to
restore order in a city where violence had direct the counterattack. He then moved
spiraled out of control. During the month- from house to house, encouraging and
long battle to claim Fallujah, Zembiec’s motivating his men and repositioning the
eave a legacy of support to the FMDA Echo Company was often the first one in outnumbered Marines. Even as the battle
raged, Zembiec coordinated the evacuation
Scholarship Fund as a Member of the and the last one out.
On April 6, Zembiec, a captain at the of nine injured Marines.
Blue Diamond Legacy.
Later, despite being assigned to a desk
When you include the Scholarship Fund in time, found himself deep in insurgent terrijob,
Zembiec volunteered to return to the
your estate plan, whether through a bequest tory in Fallujah’s Jolan district.
frontlines.
He completed a tour in
A Marine patrol was taking heavy fire,
in your will or trust, a life income gift, or
Afghanistan
and
returned to Iraq again. On
simply naming the Scholarship Fund as a and Zembiec’s unit was called in to lead a
May
11,
2007,
Zembiec was killed in
beneficiary of an account or insurance poli- retaliatory assault. Right after arriving,
Baghdad,
Iraq,
while
leading a combat
cy, and you notify us of your gift, you’ll Echo Company rushed toward the enemies,
operation.
become a member of our Blue Diamond who launched a heavy volley of fire toward
When people think of warriors and
Legacy. These essential funds help us to con- the new arrivals. Instead of directing from
tinue to offer scholarships to deserving the back, Zembiec himself led the men heroes, images of legendary Spartans or
dependents of qualified members of the toward the fire, determined to help the Trojans often come to mind. The tales of
those warriors may have faded into history,
trapped patrol.
FMDA.
His men moved to a roof to counter the but that same timeless courage and heroism
As a member of the Blue Diamond Legacy,
insurgents who had been firing down from lives on in a new breed of heroes – men like
you’ll receive:
above. The enemies wasted no time and Doug Zembiec, the “Lion of Fallujah.”
• Membership in the Blue Diamond
For his month-long fight in Fallujah,
focused their AK-47- and RPG-fire on the
Legacy
Zembiec
received a Bronze Star for Valor
Marines on the roof. The Marines tried to
• Recognition in the Old Breed News
on
Dec.
9,
2004.
radio an Abrams tank to fire on the enemy,
• Recognition on our website
but the tank didn’t respond. As they contin- Note: He also received the Silver Star
• A Blue Diamond Legacy Pin
ued to call for assistance, Zembiec decided Source: http://ourmilitaryheroes.defense.
• Satisfaction that you will be helping a
to take matters into his own hands.
gov/profiles/zembiecD.html
deserving student
And more.
For more information about the Blue
MEMBERSHIP REPORT 05-06-2014
Diamond Legacy and its important role in
Life
Annual
Assoc. Annual
Friend
Total
supporting deserving students, call 760-9627,336
1,363
112
10
8,821
8561 or John Stevens at 415-921-1933.
Douglas Zembiec
What will your
legacy be?
L
The Old Breed News
9
Don’t Ever Mention Going Home
By John Barber
T
10
he command had set up a movie for
all those who weren’t on duty to
watch. I still remember the film,
“Alfie.” (The movie may not have been as
famous as its theme song, “What’s It All
About, Alfie?”) I was sitting next to the first
sergeant’s tent when the call came in. All I
heard was the first sergeant say, “We can be
ready in eight hours.”
The First Battalion, 7th Marines had been
almost wiped out by the division of NVA
and we were going to replace them. They
were operating north of Con Tien, which
was much farther north, very close to the
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). We had been
doing routine patrols around Hill 69, but at
Con Tien we’d be in “the big ball game.” We
would be facing off with the North
Vietnamese Army there.
We were told to pack our sea bags with
the things we couldn’t take with us. So we
started putting things in our sea bags to be
shipped home if anything happened to us.
We knew why we were packing things in the
bags, but we didn’t want to think about it.
I put a lot of junk in my bag and hoped
I’d see it again. This was the precaution they
took with our things in case we got wounded
or killed, but we all knew in our minds we
were coming back. We had to think that way
or you’d go nuts focusing on dying. (By the
way, I never did get my stuff back, and I had
a camera and some good pictures from Hill
69.)
While we were getting ready we were
told that the second squad needed a radio
man. I thought that if I volunteered I could
get out of walking point and maybe stay
alive a little longer. So I volunteered for the
job and got it.
As the radioman I had to remember all
kinds of frequencies to call. At first I had to
write them all down on paper to remember
them, but I would have to get rid of the
paper. If I got shot or captured I couldn’t let
those frequencies fall into enemy hands. I
finally just memorized all the call signs. I
thought I’d never be able to do it, but I did.
The next morning we were loaded onto
choppers. It was a cool, crisp morning, but
the sun would be up soon and it would be
another hot, sticky day. As the choppers
landed they kicked up clouds of dust and
H/2/5 in Okinawa about a week before they shipped out for Vietnam (John Barber is top left).
dirt. Each squad ran to their assigned chopper and boarded. As the choppers rose, the
cool air dried us off. From our vantage point
in the chopper we could see we were going
deeper and deeper into the jungle. We saw
fewer and fewer rice paddies.
We flew for about forty minutes and
finally landed in a jungle area. All of our
companies got in a line after we got off the
choppers and went to the area where the 7th
Marines had lost eighty percent of their unit.
We were the lead company on the march.
As radioman, I walked with the platoon
commander at all times. The platoon commander knew all the call signs well, so I
wasn’t as worried or nervous about it. As we
marched, I had a lot to carry. I had my backpack with things I needed, like extra ammunition, dry socks, c-rations, cigarettes, an
extra battery for the radio—and I was carrying the radio.
I had about fifty pounds on my back all
the time. That wouldn’t have been so bad
because I did get off walking point.
However, I was completely unaware of the
fact that the average life expectancy of a
radioman in Vietnam was seventeen minutes. That’s right—seventeen minutes! The
Viet Cong tried to hit the radioman first to
knock out the squad’s communications. I
wish I had known that before I volunteered
for the job.
We walked along a trail for hours with
two fighter jets flying as an escort.
Occasionally we would see villagers working in the fields, but very few of them. The
NVA was in the area and a firefight could
break out at any time.
We were still walking in the middle of
the afternoon when we came upon a pile of
sticks in the middle of the trail. We noticed
immediately that there were no villagers in
the field, so we passed word down the line to
watch out for an ambush. (I was almost convinced that our two South Vietnamese interpreters were Viet Cong.)
There was a strange arrangement of
bushes here. First, there would be an open
area and then a row of bushes, then another
open area followed by another row of bushes. We were puzzled by the sticks in the trail.
The interpreters told us they didn’t know
why they were there. Later we found out that
it was a signal to the villagers to stay out of
the area.
We continued down the trail and were
caught immediately in an ambush. We had
months and months of training about how
not to get caught in an ambush, yet there we
were, right in one of the open areas with the
NVA firing on us.
We dropped down on the hard dusty
ground and started firing back at them.
There were so many muzzle flashes from the
The Old Breed News
enemy we couldn’t count them all. (Muzzle
flashes is one of the immediate ways you
assess the number of enemy.) We knew there
were at least 10-12 NVA firing on us.
I shot all forty rounds from my M-14,
reloaded with another magazine, and fired
again. When the enemy quit firing for a few
seconds we assumed they were reloading
and we ran for cover. We got behind some
rocks and the bushes. I tried to call the first
squad on the radio, but no answer.
Just to the right of me was the M-60
machine gun. They were blasting away at
the enemy when the Marine firing the gun
was hit. Another Marine jumped over and
started firing the machine gun; he got shot as
well.
I called in air support to give us a hand.
We threw red smoke bombs in the area of
the enemy so the jets could use it as a target.
The jets came in so low we could almost
touch them. They were so close that the shell
casings from their machine guns fell on us.
Once the jets got there with their massive
fire power, the firefight was over in a matter
of minutes.
During the battle my lieutenant was shot
through the side of his stomach. The bullet
went right through him. A machine gunner
to my left had been firing away when his
gun jammed. He had gotten on his knees to
reload the gun when he got hit in the stomach too. He looked over at me and said
something I’ve never forgotten: “I’ve got
jelly in the belly.”
Watching him fall over was like watching
a movie in slow motion. I thought, “My
God, is this really happening to me?”
I tried not to lose focus on what was happening around me. For a few seconds it was
like there was no sound; I couldn’t hear a
thing. Then I heard like it was far in the distance, “Barber, Barber.” Finally I popped
back to reality and heard my lieutenant
yelling, “Barber, the radio, the radio!”
After the firefight was over we went
through the grizzly routine of gathering up
our dead and wounded and putting them on
the choppers. The reason I couldn’t raise the
first squad on the radio when we got
ambushed was because most of them had
been ambushed and killed as well, including
their radioman.
I had gotten to know their radioman, who
was a small black guy and a good Marine.
Before we had left for the mission he and I
The Old Breed News
had been talking about home and how we
only had eight or nine months to do. People
had heard us and when they heard he was
killed no one ever talked about going home
again. It was bad luck.
We lost so many Marines in that firefight
that we no longer were the lead company.
We were sent to the back to bring up the rear.
Reach John Barber at barber215@ comcast.net
John Barber was in the Marine Corps
from 1965-1969. He spent two tours in
Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. He was with 2/5,
3/9, and 1/26 for a while, and also with the
MPs. As he noted, “We landed in Chu Lai,
Vietnam in April 1966 and worked our way
north right up to the DMZ. There is not a day
that goes by that I don’t think of Vietnam
and all the Marines who were lost in my
company. I know when my time is up on this
earth I will be with my Marine comrades in
arms.”
Foss, Zona, and Lindbergh
This slightly edited letter appeared originally in the Sept-Oct 2003 edition of the Second
Marine Division Association’s newsletter, Follow Me. In it, the writer, Neil Duane, highlighted the friendly rivalry between and among Marine divisions in his tribute to former
1stMarDiv members Joe Foss and Joe Zona—and their relationship to Charles Lindbergh!
Sadly, the writer, Neil Duane has joined Foss and Zona in guarding the streets of heaven,
where Lindbergh is no doubt looking on.
The Letter
I’ve noted that in the past, some members have suggested that you give too much space
to the WWII guys. I don’t think so. It’s vital that we get these stories in print before we lose
them forever. We just lost MOH winner Joe Foss and his Ordnance Officer, Joe Zona, from
the old Guadalcanal Black Sheep Squadron, VMF 214. Although these were First Division
Marines, I was introduced to Joe Zona through his daughter-in-law, who told me he was
pretty much confined to the house with Parkinson’s disease, but he was still pretty sharp
and spent his days reading Marine Corps history.
When I went over to see him, I introduced myself as “Neil Duane, Second Marine
Division.” He smiled and shook hands with me, saying “I was in the First Marine Division.
You were in a good outfit.”
I presented him with a 1st MarDiv baseball cap. He showed me his photo collection,
which included shots of Henderson Field, Japanese prisoners on Green Island, including an
officer who later committed suicide, and—get this—a snapshot of him, Joe Foss, and
Charles Lindbergh.
Lindbergh had joined them to work out some high-altitude engine problems with the
Corsair, and worked on a pilot seat adjustment to give the pilot a little more armor plate
protection. He also had all kinds of aerial reconnaissance photos from various islands.
One time during the discussion, Zona forgot the name of a place they had “reconned”
and asked me, “What was the name of that big Jap base up north?” Calling on my ingrained
USMC history absorbed from having had the honor to serve under many WWII veterans,
I answered, “Rabaul?” Keep in mind that I was only two years old when that battle was
fought. He said, “Yeah, that’s it.”
Later, I set up a conference call between him and Joe Foss. They reminisced about the
old Corps, including the time that he and Joe went bird hunting in North Dakota when they
returned to the States. Joe Zona built some trap doors into the Corsair’s drop tank so they
could fly the grouse back to Santa Barbara for the troops.
Just before Gunner Zona passed away—he joined the Corps in 1936—he had me over
for pizza and beer and asked me to help him sort out his medals and ribbons for his daughter. He didn’t know where they went, but I did. As I was getting ready to leave, he shook
hands with me again—his memory was failing by then—and asked me if I served with him
on the “Canal.” I suddenly realized that I certainly looked old enough.
No, Joe, but I sure wish I had, I thought, and I’ve never felt a stronger connection to the
old Marine Corps that included men like Joe Zona and Joe Foss, and all of our Marine legends.
Neil Duane
11
B o o k Review
How To Make Horse Sense
12
By Rego Barnett
Janet Barrett, They Called Her Reckless: A True Story Of
War, Love And One Extraordinary Horse. Chester, CT: Tall
Cedar Books, 2013. 177pp. ISBN 978-0-9898040-0-4. $15.95.
Janet Barrett has done an excellent job of telling the story
of SSGT Reckless, the little Mongolian mare that served in
Korea with the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Antitank Company,
Fifth Marine Regiment. The seemingly indefatigable Reckless
carried ammo and transported wounded Marines for the platoon. Barrett melds tales told by the Marines who served with
Reckless and treated her as one of them.
As Barrett wrote regarding Reckless’s service at Outpost
Vegas in March 1953, where she earned two Purple Hearts,
“The guys remember her always in motion, coming up to the
gun site, being unloaded and heading back, never hesitating,
never stopping save for the couple of times she was taken off
her route for a snack and some rest.” (p. 89) She explains
clearly why they employed a horse to assist them in their fight
against the enemy, which she depicts in her narrative as anything but easy.
Barrett makes it clear that Reckless was one unusual horse,
in that she loved being in the spotlight. “Life without Reckless
started out nice and easy…With a saddle still to arrive, there
was time to break her in slowly. It gave her time to settle
down, become comfortable with her surroundings, and show
who or what she might become. An enjoyment of the limelight
was certainly a part of her responsibility….” (p. 37)
The author does not spend all her time recounting
Reckless’s exploits in combat. She presents a thorough explanation of Reckless’s background, e.g., her race horse training,
how the war affected the race tracks in Korea, and what happened to her home track. “Three days later, when Seoul was
captured, the racetrack was turned into a supply depot by the
North Koreans.”
No, Barrett does not horse around when she provides background material about the horse, the war, and her role in it.
The book is filled with helpful tidbits of information that illuminate the story of this little mare that served the Marines so
well in Korea—and was amply rewarded for her service once
her “enlistment” ended.
As she reveals, the Marine Corps retired Reckless from
active duty on November 10, 1960. Fittingly, that was the
Corps’ birthday. She died slightly less than eight years later,
on May 13, 1968, due to complications from a bizarre accident. Barrett provided a fitting tribute to the horse, her military career, and her life in a closing paragraph:
“Life did not change much with retirement. Reckless no
longer marched ahead of her regiment when they came back
to camp after a long hike, but she still enjoyed appearances at
the rodeos and the attention it brought her. She had her two
last foals and, with age, was bothered by arthritis in her back.
Yet her pleasure in visitors bearing treats stayed strong. Even
as Korea must have been a dimming memory, her old buddies
still came around, and the youngsters at the stables never
stopped showering their special horse with attention.” (p. 162)
Certainly, “showering their special horse with attention” is
what Barrett does in her fact-filled, entertaining, concise tale
of a unique horse that served its comrades faithfully. People
who are looking for a well-written book about a little-known
Korean War hero are encouraged to pick up a copy of They
Called Her Reckless: A True Story Of War, Love And One
Extraordinary Horse.
It’s the ultimate “Semper Fi” to one of the U.S. Marine
Corps’ most unusual heroes.
Attention Marines: Is
This Your Last OBN?
This could be your last issue of the OBN. It does not have to
be. There are several options you can take to continue receiving your copy.
You can always read the current issue online at www.
1stmarinedivisionassociation,org.
If you haven’t done so, please supply the office with your email
and each issue will be sent electronically. Call (760)967-8561
or email oldbreed@sbcglobal.net
Please send $25 to cover the printing costs and a copy will be
sent to you.
If paying for a printed copy is a hardship, simply notify the
office and a copy will be sent to you.
We do not want anyone to be without the Old Breed News, but
we are working to control costs. Your assistance is appreciated.
AJ Burn
Division 74th Anniversary: 19-23 January 2015
Please join the First Marine Division Association in celebrating the
Division 74th Anniversary on Camp Pendleton, CA at the First Marine
Division Headquarters. The following is a general schedule of events:
Monday, 19 Jan ............Early arrivals/Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, 20 Jan ............Late Arrivals, off base tour (TBA)
Wednesday, 21 Jan........Unit visits
Thursday, 22 Jan ..........Morning Colors Banquet/Sergeant
......................................Major Luncheon/Ladies Luncheon
Friday, 23 Jan ................Off base tour MCRD San Diego
......................................(Graduation, Lunch, Museum)
Expect further guidance and a detailed list of events in this issue and
by electronic media, such as the FMDA website, Constant Contact,
and Facebook.
The Old Breed News
Update on the First Marine Division Association
Scholarship Fund
From a grateful recipient...
September 15, 2014
Dear 1st Marine Division Association:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep
appreciation for the generous scholarship award. You have
given me the chance to achieve my dream of a college education and my goal of becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy. Your
donations to the 1st Marine Division Association Scholarship
FUND INC. have made it possible for sons and daughters of 1st
Marine Division service members to continue our education
and have the chance to attain our dreams. I would also like to
thank Sergeant Major Juan Duff for his continued support and
management of the scholarship awards.
I was just a toddler when my father, Thomas K. LaZore Jr.,
passed away unexpectedly, leaving my mother a widow with
four children to care for. Although I do not remember my father,
I have a great image in my mind of what he must have been
like, and I am very proud to know he was a member of the 1st
Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. It is the
love of his heritage and pride for our country that I have inherited, and I try to show throughout each day. My father’s inspiring spirit has been like a candle lighting the way for our family
by keeping us focused through any obstacles.
My father was most proud of his family and his service to
the 1st Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. My
mother would keep his memory alive by sharing his cherished
Marine Corps memorabilia with us. My mother is now physically disabled and my family struggles to meet everyday
expenses, but she has taught me that nothing in life ever comes
easy. There are those less fortunate, but those who strive for
something great, will attain great things. This award has made
it possible for me to attend college and it has helped to alleviate
some of my financial burden so that I was able to concentrate
solely on my academics and strive to achieve my educational
goals.
I am a student at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences in Albany, New York studying towards my Doctor of
Pharmacy degree. It is a very rigorous academic program, and
I look eagerly to the year I receive my Doctorate degree. This
scholarship has offered me the financial freedom which allowed
me to solely concentrate on my academic progression. Along
with my academics, for the last four years I also tutored at the
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Academy.
The ACPHS Academy is an afterschool enrichment program
that brings elementary and middle school students to the campus for specialized science instruction. The classes are taught
by local schoolteachers and assisted by ACPHS students, like
myself, who serve as mentors to the young scholars. I believe it
is the opportunity to work with the ACPHS mentors that really
helps motivate the young students to learn and excel. I try to
create an interest in science, and then students eagerly want to
The Old Breed News
explore science in a much greater depth. I encourage them to
hone their problem solving skills. I’ll show them the way, but
they have to find the answers. I love giving the children the
chance to do hands-on experiments and learn the basics of scientific research.
What is also exciting to me is that these are inner-city youths
with average grades, who may think that college is not in their
future, but who show an interest in science, and we try to
inspire them and hope to help them reach their potential. The
program has been shown to help students improve their core
math and science skills, and nearly every student in the program
passes the New York State science exam with high scores. Each
year culminates with a science fair where the young students
receive diplomas and showcase what they have learned and
then a graduation ceremony concludes the year, which is
attended by the students’ families along with members of the
College community.
In addition to what they learn in the classroom, we also take
our students on tours of the campus so they can see all aspects
of a college student’s life. Along with science, I hope I have
inspired these young students to one day want to attend college,
perhaps even Albany College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences. So you see that your donations to the 1st Marine
Division Scholarship Fund Inc, not only helped me further my
education, but my scholarship award also inspired me to help
others believe in themselves and to also believe that a college
education is possible.
I hope that my mentoring these young students has inspired
at least one youth to believe in themselves and their accomplishments, and believe that a college education is possible. If
you strive for it, it is possible. I also hope that I have instilled
in all of the youths I have mentored, the importance to voluntarily help others whenever they can. When I attain my
Doctorate degree, I hope to have many more possibilities, like
the mentoring I do, with which I can use to help Marine Corps
service personnel and their families.
Although my father did not have the opportunity to attend
college, he had dreams that his children would. The award of
this scholarship has helped to make my father’s and my dreams
of my college education a reality. Again, I thank you for this
scholarship award. I have set my sights on my goal, and I will,
to the best of my ability, make you proud for awarding me this
scholarship and giving me the opportunity to achieve my
dreams. I would like to thank the donors of the scholarship
fund. Your unselfish charitableness has inspired me to help others, and I hope that one day I will be able to help students
achieve their goals, just as you have helped me.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth C. LaZore
1st Marine Division Association Scholarship, Fund Inc.,
403 N.Freeman Street, Oceanside, CA 92054-2515
13
1ST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
74th Anniversary Commemoration
18 January – 24 January 2015 Camp Pendleton, California
ADVANCE REGISTRATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5 JANUARY, 2015
REGISTRATION INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT)
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________ Birth Date: ________________________________________
Unit served in that I want on my badge (one only):______________________________________________________
Please word badge(s) (Name—include spouse/guests):
________________________________________________
EVENT REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION: required of all members and not refundable $25.00 fee ($30.00 after 5 January) covers member,
member’s spouse or guest, and immediate family (ADDITIONAL GUESTS:$10.00) ........................# ______ $ __________
Mon 19 Jan (0800-1600) Registration Rodeway Inn
Tue. 20 Jan (0830-1600): ACU-5 and Weapons Training BN tour /lunch $20.00 per person)........# ______ $ __________
Wed. 21 Jan (0800-1500): Unit Visits, Camp Pendleton / lunch $20.00/person................................# ______ $ __________
Thur. 22 Jan (0700-1000): Morning Colors, Photographs, Division Brief ,(Free of charge)..............# ______ $
NC
Thur. 22 Jan (1130-1330): Lunch with Regt/SepBn Sergeants Major $20 /lunch per person ........# ______ $ __________
Thur. 22 Jan (1130- 1230): Lunch for Ladies with CG wife (CG residence) no charge....................# ______ $
NC
Thur. 22 Jan (1800-2200): ANNIVERSARY BANQUET DINNER
( ) Champaign Roasted Breast Chicken $40.00/person. ......................# ______ $ __________
( ) Vegetarian $40.00/person ..................................................................# ______ $ __________
Fri. 23 Jan (0900-1500):
MCRD Graduation, Bayview Restaurant lunch and Museum $30 ........# ______ $ __________
DUES: (if not paid, $35.00 per year, $150.00 Senior Life Member, $1000 Regular Life Member .................... $ __________
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
General Fund..................................................................................................................................................$
Scholarship Fund. ..........................................................................................................................................$
Warrior Liaison Fund ......................................................................................................................................$
**Sponsor an Active Duty Marine or Sailor for Banquet Dinner($40.00/each) ......................................$
________
________
________
________
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Credit Card# ____________________________
r MC r VISA; Expires:
____________TOTAL ....$ ________
Signature ________________________________________________Date ______________
Anniversary Dinner Seating Request Form:
Please seat my party ______(# in party); with the following names ________________________________________
Send payment and registration form or fax a copy to the office at the following location/number:
Contact:
June Cormier, 403 N. Freeman St, Oceanside, CA 92054; Office phone number: (760) 967-8561;
Office fax number: (760) 967-8567; Office email: oldbreed@sbcglobal.net
14
NOTES:
• All tours will require members/participants to fill out "hold harmless" agreements upon check-in
• All tours will depart from the Rode Way Inn; times will be provided during event registration
• Dates include early arrival (18 Jan) and departure (24 Jan)
• Lodging reservations to be made with Rode Way Inn: Phone: (760) 722-1904, Address: 1103 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA
92054. Rates starts at $55 for a queen size bed /$65 for a King size room.
• Please make arrangements with FMDA office for medical assistance (if required)
The Old Breed News
Father Vincent
Capodanno Guild
Launches Website
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On August 29,
2014 the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild
launched its new website at www.
CapodannoGuild.org.
The new website provides direct
online access to information about the
life of Father Capodanno, his Cause for
Canonization, and Guild activities. It
offers, among other things, links to a
biography, photographs, the text of the
Medal of Honor citation, a copy of the
decree declaring the priest-hero a
Servant of God, a page of media
resources, sections on news and events,
Guild contact information, and an online
donation form.
The Guild Chairman, Capt. George J.
Phillips, USMC (Ret.), said:
“The purpose
The website provides of this new weban introduction to
site is further execution of the
and a history of
Guild’s responsiFather Capodanno
and his remarkable, bility to make
known the Father
saintly service to
Capodanno Cause
God, Country, the
and to raise funds
Marine Corps, and
in support of the
the Catholic Church. effort. The website provides an
introduction to and a history of Father
Capodanno and his remarkable, saintly
service to God, Country, the Marine
Corps, and the Catholic Church.
Additionally, the website provides a
means for on-line giving that has already
begun to benefit the Cause. I invite
everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic
alike, to visit the website and make their
own determination of the saintliness of
this holy priest and their willingness to
support his cause.”
The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild
is a private Catholic Church association
and not-for-profit corporation established to promote the Cause for
Canonization of Father Vincent R.
Capodanno, MM. Father Capodanno, a
U.S. Navy Chaplain, was killed in action
during the Vietnam War while anointing
and aiding U.S. Marines in combat with
the North Vietnamese army.
The Old Breed News
15
National Marine Corps Council Meets
O
n 25 Oct 2014 I traveled to Falls
Church, VA for a meeting with the
National Marine Corps Council. Present
were about two dozen representatives of
Marine organizations throughout the country.
We were welcomed by MajGen Padilla,
CMC Rep. He then gave the group an update
of current operations. From a current status
of 188,000 Marines the Corps plans to
reduce to 182,000 with a possible reduction
to 175,000 if sequestration is applied. The
ideal force that Headquarters deems necessary to fulfill its obligations is 186,800.
As always, the Corps will do what is
required. It is expected that soon the MV-22
will have the capability for air refueling from
another MV-22. This will greatly improve
mobility.
Cuts to the Navy budget have reduced the
available amphibious shipping to critical levels.
Col R. T. “Otter” Bew gave a briefing on
legislative affairs. With the current
Congressional situation, appropriations legislation runs behind schedule, a delay that
strains Marine Corps operations planning.
The reduced numbers of veterans in
Congress, particularly Marine veterans, complicates the process of explaining Marine
requirements to Congressional members.
Non-active duty Marines can assist by writing letters to the editors of their local newspapers and keeping the public informed on
the need for a strong Marine Corps.
Next on the program Col Hall spoke on
USMC Programs and Resources. As
resources shrink, some costs rise, causing
some unwanted changes. Vehicle costs per
unit have increased, leading to fewer replacements. The cost to equip the individual
Marine has grown, drawing money from
other areas. Right now maintenance of buildings and equipment is being delayed to fund
other programs. This is a situation the Corps
understands it cannot maintain and hopes it
will not last.
Today’s Marines must think about austerity again. Due to the length of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan, today’s staff NCOs
and senior officers have received all the supplies asked for. This will not be true in the
future and many Marines are not used to
being told no. Some of you old salts are
familiar with the creative acquisitions that
prevailed in the past and may be part of the
future.
Marine & Family Programs will take a
large reduction, with a decrease of $33 million to its budget, as the Council was
informed by Col Marvin Reed.
Consolidation of programs and facilities is
expected to address the reduction of funding.
Plans to increase access to off-base child
care through fee assistance is one avenue that
will be pursued. Shared best practices and
consolidated CDC and fitness facilities on
some installations will cover the budget cuts.
A report on the Wounded Warrior
Regiment was given by Col T. Shane Tomko.
Their mission is to provide leadership and
enable non-medical care to combat and noncombat, ill and injured Marines, sailors
attached to Marine units, and their family
members in order to maximize their recovery
as they return to duty or transition to civilian
life. It is the job of society to help reintegrate
those sons and daughters who did their duty
and now return under different and sometimes challenging situations.
AJ Burn
16
The Old Breed News
FOR REQUEST TO BE CONSIDERED AS A CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE
This is a request to be considered for the Office of __________________________,
1st Marine Division Association, for the 2015 election.
Name ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
Service (dates, rank, unit) ______________________________________________
Association Involvements (Date joined, offices, committtees,other) ______________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Education(Optional) __________________________________________________
Work experience (up to 250 words)
3rd Combat Engineer
Bn. Deactivated–Again
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. Center patrons stood silent and still as
they paid witness to the closing of an historic era. Crimson and gold colors gently
ruffled in the mild morning air, waving for
the last time before being retired and
cased. This marked the official deactivation of 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, a
unit that’s participation in foreign wars
since World War II has been integral to the
Marine Corps’ mission.
3rd CEB was officially deactivated
during a ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L.
Gray Field, on August 5, 2014.
____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Major goal if elected __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
My qualifications for the Office of __________________________ are__________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Phone number ____________________ Fax number ________________________
E-mail address (s) (Required) __________________________________________
NOTE: Article V, Paragraph B.8.
No candidate shall campaign for any office in the Association, and no member or
Chapter shall directly, or indirectly, electioneer or conduct any campaign for the
election of any candidate to an office in the Association. Violations of this provision
by a nominee may disqualify such nominee from holding the office for which nominated. Violation of this provision by a Chapter may be cause for revocation of such
Chapter’s Charter. All alleged violations shall be investigated and resolved pursuant
to the standing Dispute Resolutions Procedure.
The Old Breed News
Lt. Col. Brian Dwyer, commanding officer, 3rd
Combat Engineer Battalion, salutes the national
and unit colors, while the National Anthem
plays, during 3rd CEB’s deactivation ceremony.
“This is the third time we’ve rolled
these colors and deactivated this battalion,” said Maj. Gen. Lawrence D.
Nicholson, commanding general, 1st
Marine Division. “This battalion formed
in 1942, during one of the most dangerous
periods in this country’s history. So, when
things are really rough, you look for engineers. They are guys who solve problems
and they are guys that prevent problems.”
The battalion was first formed in 1942
in support of the Bougainville, Guam, and
Iwo Jima campaigns, and deactivated at
the end of World War II.
The unit reactivated in 1952, later
Continued on page 31
17
Chapter Scuttlebutt
News from the Chapters of the 1st Marine Division Association
OKLAHOMA
PHOENIX
I know you will receive a lot of stories about groups giving cheer
to our vets in Veteran Patient centers this past Christmas season. I
would like to tell you of our story.
Our group is made of the Oklahoma City Chapter of the 1st
Marine Division Association and the Oklahoma Chapter of the
Chosin Few. These two chapters discussed at our July meeting what
we could do to bring a little cheer and brightness to our comrades in
the nearby veteran centers. Our August meeting brought the idea of
lap quilts as a well-meaning project.
Karring Quilters from Emmaus Baptist Church in Moore,
Oklahoma was contacted. They agreed to furnish 24 lap quilts. This
was on top of all the other quilts they had provided for church baptisms, baby dedications, ministries of the church, Department Human
Services children, and all the teachers and staff of Briarwood and
Plaza Towers schools that were destroyed by the May tornados. All
together, they made 284 quilts in 2013.
On 22 August 2014 several members were aboard MCAGCC 29
Palms CA to present a challenge coin to each Marine and Corpsman
of E/2/7 prior to its latest deployment. There were approximately 190
Marines and corpsmen in attendance.
Captain William T. Kerrigan, company commander, opened the
ceremony detailing the purpose of this event. After an invocation by
Lt. Shepard, Chaplain USN, Company 1stSgt Iris N. Turay introduced the chapter and reinforced the meaning and importance of the
activity of the day. Gene Wuestenfeld, chapter president, then gave an
explanation of the design and history of the coin.
Following that, chapter member introduced themselves individually and commented on their time in the Corps. Then, one by one,
each Marine and Corpsman of E/2/7 was presented with their coin.
Lt. Col. Sean M. Hankard, Battalion Commander, briefly commented
as to the importance of this event. The event ended with the singing
of “The Marines’ Hymn.”
Also attending were Mrs. Kathleen Hankard and Battalion
SgtMajor F.A. Smith. Chapter members in attendance were Gene
Wuestenfeld, John Templeton, VP, Alex Romaro, Secretary, Wayne
Baldwin, Chaplain and Bob Bohach, Historian. Our sincere thanks to
Lt. Col. Hankard, Captain Kerrigan and 1stSgt Turay for
their approval and cooperation relative the this meaningful event.
That afternoon Captain Kerrigan hosted the chapter members to
lunch at the Staff Club. Also at lunch were Marines representing
each rank within the company.
Upon return of E/2/7 from its deployment the chapter will present
the Oscar P. Austin award. This award is presented to a non NCO
selected by the Marines and Corpsmen of the company. The award is
named after Austin, a Medal of Honor recipient who received the
award posthumously for heroism and sacrifice of his own life in
South Vietnam in February 1969 while serving with E/2/7.
Also, in concert with the Oscar P. Austin award, a company
Corpsman will receive a similar award. Both awards consist of a certificate of recognition as well as an engraved K-Bar. There will also
be a “Steak Fry” with the appropriate refreshments hosted by the
chapter.
At our meeting on 19 October the chapter approved “Operation
Cold Cup of Water.” The purpose is to collect and ship comfort items
to the Marines and Corpsmen of E/2/7. Recently, a number of items
were sent to the company. Wayne Baldwin and his wife Helen have
“taken point” for this operation. The next phase will be to send items
prior to Christmas.
Recently, several chapter members formed a “working party” to
remodel the home of Joe Kellwood, Navajo Codetalker. This project
was in conjunction with his 93rd birthday. This is the true meaning of
“Marines Helping Marines.” Chapter members assisting were Alex
Romero, Bob Bohach, Bill Brown, Brian Kerr and Charlie
Hightower.
In my previous report I failed to thank chapter member Dale
Bob Bartholomew, Hershall Burns, Joe Packnett, Darrell McArdle, and Linus
Chism (L-R) of the Oklahoma chapter present quilt to Mrs. Ann Darling
18
I have never worked with a more dedicated, faithful and caring
group, which is headed by Mrs. Ann Darling and Mrs. Joyce Rhodes,
with special work from Mrs. Carol Neal.
The Oklahoma Veterans Center, located in Norman, Oklahoma,
has 6 wings, which meant that each wing would receive 4 quilts. A
very good lady friend of member Foy Sellers provided 6 more. Our
county attorney, David Prater, a guest speaker on the day of the decision, volunteered to finance the project.
We delivered them to the Veteran Center on December 14, 2013,
where they were graciously received. Jeannene Wade at the Norman
Center was very helpful. The Sulfur Oklahoma Veterans Center was
also provided with 25 quilts supplied by Southern Hills Baptist
Church quilting ministry. This made a total of 51 lap quilts for the two
centers.
Bob Bartholomew, 10509 S. Linn,
Oklahoma City, OK 73170, 405-692-7972
The Old Breed News
Turner for his efforts in obtaining the “Thanks-A-Bunch” gift cards.
A belated “Thank you,” Dale.
Gene Wuestenfeld, genevaw@earthlink.net
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Members attended the Battle of Fallujah 10th anniversary ceremony at Camp Pendleton.
Reillys’ Letter
In the previous issue we noted the Reilly family’s donations to the FMDA in honor of Lieutenant Ronald
Winchester, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. (See the story
on p. 25 of the July/Aug/Sept 2014 edition.) Here is the letter they sent us with the donation.
Members of the Southern California Chapter at Fallujah commemoration
Reunion Calendar
Mail your info to OBN Reunion Editor, 152 Sky View Dr., Rocky Hill, CT
06067 or email it to sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net. Include Unit,
Date(s), Place, and Contact’s name, address, phone #, email address.
Entries are posted “first come, first served.” The OBN is not responsible
for the accuracy of the information published. NOTE: Submissions may
be edited for space considerations..
2015
The Fire Brigade, lst Provisional Marine Brigade (Korea - 1950). 65th
Anniversary reunion in planning. Col Warren Wiedhahn, USMC (Ret), 4.2
Mortars, 5th Marines, Military Historical Tours, 13198 Centerpointe Way,
#202, Woodbridge VA 22193, 703-590-1295, JWiedhahn@aol.com
JUNE
Hotel Co., 2/7 (Vietnam, 1965-1970), 5-7 June, Adams Mark Hotel,
Buffalo, NY. POC: Ralph Sirianni, (716) 903-9640, Trippr19@aol.com
1st, 2nd, &3rd AmTracs, USMC (Korea), 24-26 June, Biloxi, MS, Rivage
Resort & Casino. For more info, call 941-496-8119
The Old Breed News
19
Contributions to the First M
General Fund
General Fund Donations = 78 Total = $ 4,024.90
20
• MAJ EDGAR D. ARONSON USMC (Ret)
• SSGT JOHN N. BASTIAN
• HM3 CHARLES E. BERGER
• HM3 CHARLES E. BERGER
• HMC JAMES B. BEYERSDORF FMF
• SGT ROBERT THOMAS. BIBY
• CAPT EARL C. BLOUNT Jr USMC (Ret)
In Memory of Maj. Ed Kelly
• LTCOL ROBERT F. BROCKISH
• CPL HAROLD BUFF JR
• LTCOL FRANK S. CANNON USMC (Ret)
• LTCOL FRANK S. CANNON USMC (Ret)
• COLORADO RIVER CHAPTER
• ROBERT M. CUMMINGS
• BRIAN CURTIS
• CPL LEONARD A. DIBBS
• SGT CHARLES G. DIEZ
• RAY J. DINI
• 1STSGT PAUL R. DOBSON
• COL DARRYL A. DONEGAN
• SGT WILLIAM R. DOWDLE JR
• CPL ROBERT L. EHRLICH
• PFC ROBERT M. FEIST
• CPL EDWARD L. FIESELER
• ALLEN GARTNER
In Memory of Bob Peterson
• TERESA GARTNER
In Memory of Robert Bob Peterswon
•SGT HOLLAND (HOOT) M. GIBSON Jr
• CAPT JOHN A. GRIFFITH USMC (Ret)
• SGT JOHN E. HARRISON Jr USMC (Ret)
In Memory of Corps Francis C. Hammond MOH C-1-5 Korea
• BRENTT HOOVER
In Honor of Robert Bob Peterson. Semper Fi!
• CHARLES E. JENKINS
• MR. & MRS. R J. JONES
In Memory of Robert C. (Bob) Peterson
• MGYSGT JAMES L. KEELY (Ret)
• MGYSGT JAMES L. KEELY (Ret)
• MSGT DAVID E. KEENE
• MSGT DAVID E. KEENE
• LCPL KENNETH R. KELPS
• GYSGT PAUL T. KURAS USMC (Ret)
• CPL THOMAS LADNER
In Memory of My Dad Red Ladner, 482nd Bombardment Group
12th Bomber Squadron WWII
• 1STSGT JAMES L. LANGFORD
• COL SUNG HO. LEE
Book Sale Commissions
• MYRON J. LEISTLER
In Memory of Cpl. Phil Reynolds, KIA Chosin
•CARL N. LIGHT
In Memory of I-3-1 Korea
• SGT DAVID J. MACKIN
• SGT MURDO A. MACLENNAN
• CAPT RAYMOND L. MALOY
• MAJ DON E. MATHIS
• COL STEPHEN M. MCCARTNEY
• LTCOL WILLIAM A. MCCLELLAND USMC (Ret)
• CAROL MCCONNELL
In Memory of Robert C. Peterson
•CAPT ANDREW B. MCFARLANE USMC (Ret)
In memory of SgtMaj (Ret) Robert A. Burke USMC,
Expired: May 8, 2014 Korea/Vietnam
•CPL THOMAS C. MCLAUGHLIN
• 1STSGT RAYMOND W. MEANEY USMC (Ret)
In Memory of Edmund G. Farah
• PFC WILLIAM J. MERRITT
22nd
34th
35th
8th
9th
13th
1st
18th
100
100
100
50
50
5
100
50
5th
27th
30th
31st
29th
1st
1st
5th
5th
20th
5th
9th
15th
18th
11th
4th
1st
51
10
50
50
300
50
150
65
25
15
10
10
25
20
25
25
100
1st
100
8th
29th
9th
20
25
100
1st
25
6th
1st
15
50
74th
75th
9th
6th
16th
30
30
25
25
100
10
10
4th
12th
100
6.84
7th
25
1st
100
2nd
42nd
2nd
3rd
6th
11th
1st
20
20
100
25
100
40
50
21st
100
1st
25th
50
50
4th
100
In Honor of Darrel S. Cole USMC MOH killed on
Iwo Jima Island on February; 19, 1945
• SGTMAJ GEORGE F. MEYER USMC (Ret)
212th
In Honor/Memory of All Who Served 1950 D-2-5 Korea
• SGT GUY V. MOLINARI
2nd
In Memory of Ed Mieskowski
• CPL THOMAS W. MULLEN
8th
• SGT JOHN S. OKEEFFE
60th
61st
• ROBERT OLSEN
27th
• OREGON /COLUMBIA RIVER CHAPTER
13th
• CAPT WILLIAM R. OTTO USMC (Ret)
32nd
• GYSGT HARRY M. PAULHAMUS USMC (Ret)
40th
In Memory of my beloved wife Rosemarie
• LTCOL STEPHEN PERCY
31st
• CPL DONALD E. PETTY
2nd
In Memory/In Honor of 2/7 Echo
• MGYSGT CHARLES D. PICKERING
25th
• HM3 WILLIAM E. PITTMAN
7th
• SGT ROBERT EUGENE PRAEUNER
2nd
• PAT RASKA
1st
• HORACE E. ROWOLD
1st
• CAPT ELWIN A. ROZYSKIE
13th
• SAN ANTONIO ALAMO CHAPTER
22nd
•DAVID SCHMIDT
1st
• CPL ART B. SCHWARTZ
10th
• LTCOL JOHN R. STEVENS USMC
60th
In Memory of Lt. Baldermo Lopez
• LTCOL JOHN R. STEVENS USMC
61st
In Memory of Lt. Baldermo Lopez
• SGT HAROLD W.. WEINRICH
14th
IN Memory of/ In Honor of Semper Fi 1st Tk Bn 1st Marine Div Korea
• CPL JOSEPH JOHN. WISOCKI
5th
100
15
100
10
10
30
115
20
10
15
35
25
10
25
50
50
25
100
212.06
25
10
10
10
25
Scholarship Fund
Fund Donors = 35; Total = $ 2,141.25
• SGT RON A. ARNOLD
20th
20
In Memory of our friend, Mary Lou Delaney, wife of member Ralph Delaney
15th
100
35th
100
36th
100
• BERKELEY LIONS CLUB
1st
100
From Berkeley Lion John McDougall
3rd
10
• COL JACK CASSIDY JR USMC (Ret)
1st
50
In Memory of CWO-4 Edmond Farah USMC (Ret)
• LOCAL INDEPENDENT CHARITIES
3rd
318.25
• COLORADO RIVER CHAPTER
15th
300
• MGYSGT LAMBERT CONSIJIO Jr USMC (Ret)
220th
20
In Memory of my beloved wife, Miyoko Mary
• MGYSGT LAMBERT CONSIJIO Jr USMC (Ret)
221st
20
In Memory of my beloved wife, Miyoko Mary
• MR. & MRS. ROBERT L. FARAH
1st
50
In Loving Memory of Edmond G. Farah
4th
25
• CAPT CHARLES J. FITZGERALD USMC (Ret)
1st
100
• SGT GEORGE B. GELDERT
19th
25
• KENNETH L. HALL
1st
100
In Memory of Ronald Page
• MAJ THOMAS J. KENNEDY
7th
20
• MAJ THOMAS J. KENNEDY
8th
20
• CWO4 FREDERIC T. KREBS USMC (Ret)
41st
25
8th
40
• 1STLT JOHN MCDOUGALL
10th
9
In Memory of/ Honor of 2dLt Joseph Missar, Jr, died RVN 2/66 Basic Class 2-66
• 1STLT JOHN MCDOUGALL
11th
9
In Memory of/ Honor of 2dLt Joseph Missar, Jr, died RVN 2/66 Basic Class 2-66
• CPL JOHN J. MCGOWAN
18th
25
In Memory/In Honor of H&S 1-1 Korea 1954-1955
The Old Breed News
Marine Division Association
• CPL RALPH E. MUSSEHL
5th
In Memory of John Teague I-3-7 VN
4th
• CAPT WILLIAM R. OTTO USMC (Ret)
185th
4th
• CPL WILLIAM L. SHEDLOV
12th
• CPL WALLACE T. STEWART
11th
• SSGT JAMES F. SUTTON
4th
• MRS ANITA WASELINKO
7th
In Memory of my husband George Waselinko
• MRS CAROL WEBB
1st
In Memory of my husband, Paul H. Webb
• MRS CAROL WEBB
2nd
In Memory of Paul H. Webb
4th
In Memory of/ In Honor of Semper Fi 1st Tk Bn 1st Marine Div Korea
10
10
25
25
25
25
25
50
150
100
100
OBN Plea = 21: Total = $ 470.00
21st
30th
14th
2nd
14th
5th
30th
8th
6th
6th
5th
25
25
5
25
5
25
25
100
10
25
20
43rd
10th
10th
10th
14th
32nd
14th
14th
15th
20
20
25
25
10
25
25
10
10
10
24th
29th
9th
17th
32nd
7th
16th
5th
3rd
28th
7th
28th
5th
3rd
3rd
25
25
25
100
100
100
10
35
25
25
20
25
25
100
50
4th
30
31st
50
General Fund
Life Member = 25; Total = $ 990.00
• SSGT RALPH C. AST
• CPL GERALD F. BABCHAK
• BRIAN H. BAILEY
• CPL MELVIN F. CRUTHERS
• CAPT JOHN F. CURRAN USMC (Ret)
• SGT RICHARD J. DOBSON
• SGT LOUIS E. FARRAYE
• CPL BERNARD HAROLD. HABERMAN
• 1STSGT CHARLES E. JAQUES USMC (Ret)
• 1STSGT JAMES L. LANGFORD
• MR. RICHARD S. LEBLANC
In Memory of My Father, Sgt. Maj. L.G LeBlanc,
1st Mar Div SgtMaj 1968
• PFC TROY J. LEWIS
In Memory/Honor of Members of FMDA served in Korea
• CAPT CHARLES S. LINDBERG
The Old Breed News
6th
41st
5th
2nd
29th
12th
5th
18th
20
20
35
35
35
25
25
25
General Fund
Blue Diamond = 2; Total = $ 150.00
10
OBN Plea – 2014
• SSGT RALPH C. AST
• MAJ AL V. DECKER
• CPL DANIEL FELSEN
• CPL HENRY E. GUTIERREZ USMC (Ret)
• JOHN A. HANSEN Jr
• PFC TROY J. LEWIS
In Memory/Honor of Members of FMDA served in Korea
• SGT GILBERT L. OLSON
• SGTMAJ JESSE L. PACHECO USMC (Ret)
• SGT JAMES V. PELLA
In Memory of/ In Honor of Semper Fi 1st Tk Bn
1st Marine Div Korea
• SSGT DONALD F. MACDERMOTT
• COL STEPHEN M. MCCARTNEY
• CWO4 DUTCH E. PARKER
• COL ROBERT C. TASHJIAN
• CAPT JOHN W. VAGNETTI
In Memory/ In Honor of SSgt James. E. Brewer,
USMC KIA Vietnam 1968
23rd
30th
50
100
Southern Cross
Team Contributions
•CPL MARK G. BAYUK
25th
• MGYSGT RONALD BINION USMC (Ret)
4th
• 1STSGT JEROME S. BONKOWSKI USMC (Ret)
9th
• SGT DONALD D. DENTON JR
• MGYSGT GLENN E. DENTON Jr USMC (Ret)
• LCPL JOHN J. LEONARD Jr
7th
• SGT CHARLES W. PARKER
20th
• CAMP HAMILTON VETS MEM PK
1st
• DAVID F. WEST
1st
In Memory of my father, S/Sgt ‘Bill West’-Guadalcanal,
7th August to 9th December, 1942; and New Britain, 1943.
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
200
Facts About Operation al-Fajr
Natives Know
Iraqi soldiers played a vital role in the success of
Operation al-Fajr. After rooms were cleared they’d go into
search hidings spots, which were commonly used by
insurgents for weapons.
Leadership Laws
As two Iraqi officers brawled over who would sleep on
the better mattress, their soldiers were out supporting the
operation. The Marines taught them the importance of leadership. They learned everything from being the first up in
the morning, to leaders eating last.
Spy skills
Iraqi and Jawani Special Forces were put into a vehicle
with a hind camera driving through the city of Fallujah taking pictures of the berms and the defenses inside the city.
With this intelligence they were able to determine how the
defenses were oriented toward the east and formulated a
course of action. They never got pulled over while collecting the photos, which would have meant instant execution.
21
Memorial honors life, career of Col. M.J. ‘Mac’ Dube
By Cpl. Charles Santamaria
June 13, 2014
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT
CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. —
T
22
he church was still as those who
filled its pews prayed. The memories and thoughts that were shared
through the words of friends and family
members soothed the feeling of loss,
which weighed heavily in the room. The
congregation gathered to mourn the loss
of an honorable Marine and beloved
member of the Twentynine Palms community. Retired Marine Col. M.J. ‘Mac’
Dube, 80, passed away, April 29.
The base Catholic chapel held a
memorial service for Dube in the
chapel’s hall, June 13. Dube enlisted in
the Marine Corps in 1951 during the
Korean War and served as a platoon sergeant during the conflict. He commissioned in 1958, and after graduating the
basic school in Quantico, Va., transferred
to 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune.
After studying the Vietnamese language, he was assigned as Senior Advisor
to the 3rd Bn. Vietnamese Marine Corps,
with which he participated in 46 combat
operations—and was wounded. He was
then assigned to Army Joint Staff in I
Corps as G-3 in 1968. Again, after recovering from wounds he returned to
Vietnam with the Combined Action
Program, III MAF.
“I only saw the last 12 years of a 38year career, so my perspective wasn’t
there until I became older and was able to
understand it more,” said Marc Dube, son
of Dube. “Seeing everything during the
memorial and all the memories people
shared with him, I see the type of Marine
he really was and how much people
admired him.”
Dube was admired by many because
of his actions and was also a decorated
Marine.
Dube’s personal and unit decorations
include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit,
four Bronze Star Medals with Combat
‘V’, four Purple Hearts, two Air Medals,
the Joint Service Commendation Medal
with
Combat
‘V’,
the
Army
Commendation Medal, the Combat
Above left, Marc Dube, son of retired Marine Col. M.J. ‘Mac’ Dube, speaks about how his father
affected his life during the memorial service for his father at the base Catholic chapel. Above right, A
portrait of retired Marine Col. M.J. ‘Mac’ Dube and his wife of 42 years, Patricia Dube, is displayed at
the entrance of the base Catholic chapel.
Above left, Cpl. Jorge Barrera and Sgt. Gabriel Herrera, maintenance management clerks, Exercise
Support Division, fold the American flag being presented to the Dube family during the memorial
service. Above right, Cpl. Tyler Hanson, motor transport mechanic, Exercise Support Division, leads
a rifle team through a 21-gun salute.
Action Ribbon, four Presidential Unit
Citations, three Navy Unit Citation
Medals, two National Defense Service
Medals, three Vietnam Crosses of
Gallantry, and two Vietnam Honor
Medals 1st Class. His service to his community after the Marine Corps
also affected many.
“Despite the sadness in the
room today, I have to say how
personally grateful I am ‘Mac’
was in my life and the positive
influences he had on the people in this
room today,” said Jim Bagley, consultant,
G-5.
The priority he had for his family was
another trait pointed out by many of his
friends and loved ones. Dube leaves
he Dube family stands during a ceremony for retired Marine Col. M.J.
‘Mac’ Dube. hosted at the base
Catholic chapel, June 13, 2014.
(Photos by Cpl. Charles Santamaria)
The Old Breed News
behind his wife, Patricia Dube, of 42
years, two sons, Marc and Erik Dube,
and grandchildren Allison, Ryan,
Marissa, Aiden and Keira.
“He was big and loud but I’m glad my
kids got to see the gentle side of him as
their grandfather,” said Marc. “He loved
having his grandchildren around…I hope
as they grow older they are able to learn
and understand more about what type of
person he was.”
Dube served as the chief of staff
aboard the Combat Center for his last
term and retired in 1989 at the rank of
colonel with 38 years of service. Dube
remained in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
and was elected to the city council in
1994. He served as mayor for two terms
before he left the council in 2002 and
became the field representative to the
First District Supervisor. Col. Dube was
a member of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, The Marine Corps League, The
American Legion, Marine Corps
Association, and Desert Cities Mitchell
Paige MOH Chapter of 1st Marine
Division Association, 3rd Marine
Division Association, Elks and Rotary.
“Seeing the impact he had on people
through his actions was amazing,” said
Marc. “Growing up he was my dad, but
as I got older I realized he wasn’t just my
dad, he meant a lot to many people. Once
a Marine always a Marine. He never lost
that. He always wanted to be connected
to the Marine Corps and I see now how
the Marine Corps shaped his life.”
Through his service to our country
and the Twentynine Palms community,
Dube affected many lives in a positive
way. It is through those memories, acts,
and sacrifice that he continues living in
the hearts of many.
Book Cost $40.00
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949-660-9222
Bravo-1 hikes
Alaskan mountains
By Lance Cpl. Carson Gramley | 11th
Marine Regiment | August 28, 2014
FORT GREELY, Alaska — Marines
and sailors with 1st Platoon, Company B,
1st Reconnaissance Battalion recently
made a Deployment for Training (DFT)
trip to Fort Greely, Alaska, where they conducted various types of platoon training
and joint service exercises, August 5-17.
During their stay in Alaska 1st Platoon
visited the Northern Warfare Training
Center, or NWTC, in the Black Rapids
Training Site, where they embarked together on a two-day hike.
The movement took the platoon along
steep rocky trails and up to a snowy peak at
an elevation of 6500 ft. Each member of the
platoon carried a pack weighing between
40 and 60 pounds, containing all the necessary items to sustain themselves overnight
and help traverse the tough conditions.
The hike covered 10-12 miles and about
5000 ft. of elevation gain in an environment
completely different to what the Marines
were accustomed to, said Gunnery Sgt.
Kevin Homestead, the platoon sergeant for
1st Platoon.
“It enabled them to properly identify
timelines and terrain analyses of those different environments; so if we encounter
them in our deployment we can make more
realistic timelines and gear requirements,”
said Homestead.
Throughout the two days of hiking up
hills and through mountain draws, the
Marines encountered vast changes in
weather conditions, terrain features and
temperature.
“They had to go through the forest and
the tundra near the lower parts of the mountain, and then it became a lot more barren
and rocky as they got near the top.
Ultimately they wound up in snow and a
colder environment. The temperature
changed from about 75 degrees all the way
to 30 degrees with some rain and high
winds,” said Capt. John Garlasco, 1st
Platoon, platoon commander.
Among the rigorous mountain terrain
was a river canyon about 200 ft. wide and
100 ft. deep for the platoon to maneuver
Continued on page 29
The Old Breed News
23
Yearning For Yemassee?
By Rego Barnett
M
any FMDA members will
remember stepping off a train at
the Yemassee, SC railroad station into sheer chaos and terror. It didn’t
matter which Division they ultimately
ended up in. Quite a few of them began
their enlistments at Yemassee, the gateway
to Parris Island (PI), somewhere around “0
dark thirty.” Such was the case with Robert
V. Olsen, whose story starts below.
Korea: The Forgotten War and
the Tragedy of War
In March of 1948, when I was 17, I left
New York City with other recruits who
were headed for the Marine boot camp on
Parris Island, South Carolina. After boot
camp I was shipped to North China, where
I was stationed during 1948 and 1949.
After China, I spent a short time at Camp
Pendleton in San Diego County, CA before
being sent to Oakland, CA. When the
Korean War began in 1950, I returned to
Camp Pendleton and was then sent to
Yemassee was the first stop for eager recruits
seeking to earn the title United States Marine
before reaching Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris Island from 1915 to 1965. Many Marines
that fought in wars and conflicts spanning
WWI through Vietnam began their transformation at the train station.
Korea, where I first saw action at Inchon.
This is my recollection of participating
in and witnessing the events of human pain
and suffering from the horrors of war, not
in just one, two, or three, but four campaigns as a combat infantryman in Korea
in 1950 and 1951.
Places in South Korea: Inchon Landing,
Yong Dung Po, Seoul, Pusan, Mason,
Taegu, Andong, Chungju, Wonju and
Hongchon (where I was wounded).
Places in North Korea: Wonson, Kojo,
Chinhung Ni, Chosin Reservoir, Koto-ri,
Hamhung and Hungnam.
The remarkable Inchon landing on
September 15, 1950 was our initiation into
the horrors of war. Afterwards, I began to
appreciate its cost when I walked by a row
of dead Marines who had been killed in the
combat. They were covered by their ponchos, a sight that filled me with sadness.
(Olsen’s story is continued elsewhere in
this edition.)
Some Marines don’t remember getting
off the train in Yemassee, perhaps because
they simply don’t want to because of the
24
The Old Breed News
trauma the experience caused. William D.
Murphy of Boston, MA, who completed
boot camp at PI in 1964, admits he
“Simply cannot recall how I got to Parris
Island. All I remember is that I was there
for a few weeks, and I was sure I was
going to die.”
A few lucky (or possibly unlucky)
Marines never got to PI, San Diego, or any
other Marine Corps boot camp. The Corps
was so desperate for troops when the
Korean War broke out that it simply activated reservists and shipped them off to
Korea without sending them to boot camp
or ITR (Infantry Training Regiment). They
might have wished they had gotten off a
train in Yemassee once they got into combat.
Remarkably, a lot of Marines who
experienced Yemassee firsthand have
some clear memories of their brief stop
there. Art Sharp, the editor of OBN, passed
through Yemassee in August 1958. He
remembers being herded on to a bus that
departed quickly for Parris Island. The
recruits aboard the bus were unescorted.
The driver, who had apparently made the
run from Yemassee to PI before,
announced to the frightened young men
aboard that they could smoke if they
wished.
“This will be the last time for the next
three months you can smoke a cigarette
without asking permission to do so,” he
said. “You might as well smoke that last
cigarette now.”
And, he added, “If you don’t smoke,
this is a good time to start.”
That’s when Sharp smoked his first cigarette.
Eventually, technology caught up with
the way the Marine Corps transported
recruits to PI. Gradually the Yemassee railroad station was phased out and it fell into
disrepair. But, as the nearby story suggests,
some civic-minded individuals were not
willing to let it crumble. They saw its historical value and restored the building.
So, any Marines who are feeling nostalgic about the “old days” and their arrival at
the railroad station should make it a point
to stop in Yemassee as they travel across I95. The railroad station is just off the highway, waiting for Marines and their families
to visit and relive old memories—if they
can remember being there in the first place.
The Old Breed News
Recognizing Yemassee’s spot in
Marine Corps history
By Cpl. Brendan Roethel, Marine Corps
Air Station Beaufort
YEMASSEE, S.C. — Marines, veterans
and their families gathered at the Yemassee
train station for the 2nd Annual Yemassee
Train Depot Reunion, Oct. 16. Yemassee
was the first stop for many young recruits
seeking to earn the title United States
Marine. From 1915 to 1965, recruits would
arrive at the Yemassee train station before
heading to Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris Island.
“I remember the chaos, the screaming,
and the doe-eyed look on every recruits face
Young recruits arrive at the Yemassee station
as orders were being yelled out by the young
[noncommissioned officers] waiting for us at
the station. This was my first true glimpse of
the Corps. This is where it all began for
myself and many others.”
This was what Mark Figroul, an activeduty Marine from 1964-1966, experienced
when he arrived at the train station in
Yemassee, S.C.
Marines, veterans and their families gathered at the Yemassee train
station for the 2nd Annual Yemassee
Train Depot Reunion, Oct. 16.
Yemassee was the first stop for many
The plaque at the Yemassee railroad station
young recruits seeking to earn the title
United States Marine. From 1915 to 1965,
recruits would arrive at the Yemassee train
station before heading to Marine Corps
Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Marines that fought in wars and conflicts
spanning from WWI through Vietnam began
their transformation at the train station.
“Before I left for the Marine Corps I
always spoke to Marines and veterans in my
hometown about their experiences during
boot camp and their time in the service,”
Figroul said, a native of Roanoke, Va.
“Countless times I heard them mention the
utter shock they faced when they arrived at
this very train station, but what they said
never made sense to me until I found my
own feet on the very platform where they
once stood.”
The town of Yemassee formed the
Yemassee Historical Association in the
hopes of restoring the historic train station
and barracks where Marines worked and
lived. They hope to make the barracks into a
historical museum and keep the history of
Yemassee alive.
“I will never forget this train station, and
At right, the newly refurbished
Yemassee railroad station. Below,
Band members play at Yemassee, SC
reunion event.
the night I first stepped out onto the platform,” Figroul said. “I feel like those
crusty old vets that I spoke to before I
joined. This train station will hold a special spot in my life. This train station has
an impact that unless you experienced it
yourself you could never fully understand.”
25
What An Introduction To Vietnam
T
his letter is the first one I wrote to the folks back home. I
wrote it to my grandmother, with whom I grew up. As I was
growing up I heard stories about my grandpa in WWI and my
dad in WWII. He was wounded in a kamikaze attack on the USS
Birmingham (CL 62), a light cruiser.
It was natural that I would write to my grandmother most of
the time, since she understood about combat. Incidentally, I have
changed the names of the two Marines killed in the operation I
describe. I would not want to cause any pain for the families of
the KIA.
26
Feb 18, 1968
Dear Grandma,
Well, we left the states the 21st of Jan and spent 14
days at Okinawa. All we did there was loaf around in
the day and go to the movies at night. Then, on the 5th
of Feb. we flew to Nam. We spent an hour at Da Nang.
Then we went aboard an LST, which we stayed aboard
for three days. Then we went aboard the Valley Forge.
This is an aircraft carrier. We stayed there for three
more days. We got our rifles, hand grenades and ammunition.
We couldn’t go into the country because it was
always raining. Finally it cleared up and we took off.
The helicopter landed a few thousand meters from Dong
Ha. I was put in Kilo Co., 3rd Bn. 1st Regt. into a rocket
squad. The first three days we just built bunkers and
stood watch. We got mortared by the N.V.A.(North
Vietnam Army) a few times, but no one got hurt.
The fourth day we took off south. We camped outside
a small village. The next day we went through that village and two more looking for the enemy. But no luck.
So we took off a few thousand meters to the west and
camped. Next day we went in.
As we entered the village two local Viet Cong popped
out of a door. They shot one of our guys, named Smith.
We quickly surrounded the house. They called for rockets. We came up ready to blow up the house with a rocket round. But Smith was still alive, so we couldn’t fire.
Every time we shot at them they shot at Smith, who
was lying outside. He couldn’t crawl away. A guy named
Brown tried to save him. They shot him in the neck. We
called in a helicopter.
Two more of our men diverted the fire from the
enemy and we got Brown to safety. But Smith was then
shot some more and died. He had been here for five
months. We put Brown on the copter and flew him to a
hospital.
We set the house on fire. The Viet Cong tried to get
out. We killed them both. Later on we came back to that
same village with three tanks and tore it down completely. We killed 5 more enemy and took 1 prisoner.
Then we went through two more villages, but there was
no action.
The amtracks came and took us back to the safety
area for a hot meal. Tomorrow we go out on another
twenty-day operation. Twenty more days of cold food
and sleeping outside. It’s always raining.
Could you please send me some candy and fruit. All
we get are C rations. I am fine. I am careful and do my
job. With elections coming up we all hope the war will
end.
Also, we found a letter on a dead Viet Cong that said
that this is their do or die year. They are losing quite a
few men.
Write soon. I hope you are okay and taking it easy.
Oh yes, could you also send a couple of pairs of wool
socks? I have made a couple of good friends.
Well , more later.
Love, Dave
David P. Crawley, 930 24th St. SE
Rochester, MN 55904
EDITOR’S NOTE: The action Crawley describes took place
on either 17 or 18 February 1968 in QUANG TRI. According
to the info on the Vietnam Wall, one of the Marines’ date of
death was 17 February 1968. The other was 18 February 1968.
More than likely Crawley is describing the events of 17
February. According to the 3/1 Command Report:
170820H - Co K moving to attack hamlets at YD 314630 and
YD 316634.
171100H - Co K at YD 317632 while reconning obj at YD
316634 made contact with 3 VC in a house resulting in 3 VC
KIA
171400H - Co K at YD 316633 encountered a small delaying
force left behind while 20-30 VC fled to north. Attack by Co
K killed 3 VC, found 6 weapons (3 of which were found near
the 3 VC in a house previously mentioned), 1 POW, and munitions
171520H - Co K and Co I now moving to YD 307637
171630H - CP moving to new location by AmTracs
The next day was relatively quiet, according to the report.
The Marine Corps Planning Process Really Works
More than 300 bombs, 6,000 rounds of artillery and 29,000
mortar rounds were used against the enemy in Fallujah and not
a single U.S or allied nation fatality thanks to the Marine Corps
Planning Process. Two thousand insurgents were killed and
1,200 were captured.
The pure combined joint task force successfully secured the
city of Fallujah. With the help of civil affairs, nearly 50,000 civilians had reentered the city within 16 days after the city was officially secured. By the middle of January every neighborhood
was open including the markets in al-Andalus District.
The Old Breed News
Just Another Day In The Bush
O
peration “New York” –February
28th, 1966: About eight or so
clicks southeast of Phu Bai…
the terrain is mostly sand. It’s open and
exposed, with tree lines all around us.
Hot, still, very little breeze, can’t keep
the sweat out of my eyes. PsyOp planes
are flying overhead broadcasting music
and asking the enemy to give up. I was
humping the radio for the C.O., LtCol
Hanifin (6), on Bn. Tac.
The battle began when the lead or
point squad in Foxtrot Company came
under intense fire from an ambush.
Thank God a nervous enemy opened
fire early before the main body was in
the kill zone or it would have been
much worse than it was. And it was bad
enough...
The “6” and I hit the deck with our
faces pressing against the sand. We
were about 200 or 300 yards behind the
point and about the same distance to the
tree line and cover. We were totally
exposed and the tracers from the main
battle were crisscrossing over our heads
like a solid layer. They were all green
tracers. Our eyes locked and the “6”
said “What the hell, we can’t live forever. Let’s get to the tree line.”
That was the longest couple of hundred yards I ever ran in my life! I hit
and rolled a couple of times just like
they taught us in ITR. By the time we
made the tree line and hit the deck my
legs were like lead. I was panting so
hard I could hardly talk on the radio. I
gave up trying to keep the sweat out of
my eyes.
Less than five minutes had passed
since the first round. About ten Marines
from Fox were already dead or dying,
with many more wounded. By the end
of the day there would be a total of 19
names to be added to the Wall.
A long and intense firefight continued as we consolidated and gained control. The Fox radio operator was KIA.
His place on BN TAC was taken by a
tall grunt who had been shot in the eye.
I had the hardest time convincing him
he was going to be medevaced! And
since he was doing such a great job he
was one of the last out. I wish I could
The Old Breed News
During the heat of the fight, about 30 minutes or so into
it, the corpsman told me he had 5 critical medevacs.
Critical meant that if they were not on a table in 30 minutes or less they would not make it...
remember his name.
I’ll never forget his reply when I told
him he had to go: “But Sarge, I can’t
tum the radio over to one of these
grunts. They’ll mess it up.” That from a
magnificent grunt with no radio training!!!
I heard later that the eye was saved,
as the round just creased the socket,
breaking the bone. Is this true? Are you
out there, Marine?
During the heat of the fight, about 30
minutes or so into it, the corpsman told
me he had 5 critical medevacs. Critical
meant that if they were not on a table in
30 minutes or less they would not make
it...
I called for an emergency medevac.
As the CH-64 was inbound the pilot
asked if the LZ was hot. I replied
“Hotter than a firecracker.” He asked
from what direction he could expect fire
and what size. I replied “360 degrees
and everything from small arms up to
50 cal, rpgs, and recoilless rifle fire.”
He asked if these were really critical.
I replied, “Roger that.”
The pilot said, “Roger that. You will
have thirty seconds and then I will be
out of there.”
I told him, “Roger that. You will see
six bodies lying in a row on the ground.
Put your door side wheel on the first
one. That will be me and we will be
loading the first one before your wheel
Sgt Jim Bogue
in early spring
1966 at Phu
Bau, Vietnam.
touches the ground.”
He said, “Roger that” and dropped
straight down. I started hearing the hits
when he was still about 200 feet up…
ping, ping, and ping.
“Damn, he’ll never make it,” I said
to myself. “We’re all dead men.”
Whoop, whoop, whoop—and he’s on
the ground. The first badly wounded
Marine went in. I made eye contact with
the door gunner, who was searching
intensely over our heads…looking,
searching, hoping for a target so he
could take some pressure off us all.
Up with the second one and there is a
role of holes stitched across the side by
the door, just like the movies. The door
gunner is still there. How? Is he hit and
not down? Or lucky?
In with the third one and the pilot
grunts and falls forward. “Damn!”
The door gunner is still there. He
must be lucky. The fourth and fifth
Marines are loaded, and off the chopper
goes after only about 20 seconds on the
ground, with the co-pilot flying. The
pilot was still slumped over stick. That
bird must have taken at least 100 hits! I
heard later that all five wounded
Marines made it.
So, whatever happened to you, my
fellow Marines, and the rest of that fantastic CH-64 crew who pulled 5
Marines out of harm’s way on that day,
6 to 8 clicks southeast of Phu Bai, during Operation “New York” on February
28th, 1966, 48 years ago?
The point squad leader got a tooth
shot out as he returned fire with his
M70 “Blooper’” and lost most of his
squad. We had the hardest time finding
one machine gunner. We finally found
him under a bunch of enemy bodies.
I’m told that he was still gripping his
M60, completely covered with the bod-
27
ies of the enemy he had killed while
dying, finger still on the trigger. He
received a Silver Star for his actions
that day.
A salty FNG who had been in the
D.R. was asking “Sarge, what’s the
matter with him?” as we stepped over a
dead Marine with a sucking chest
wound. The doc had just given up on
him.
I looked the FNG in the eye and
asked, “What’s the matter? You never
see a dead Marine in the D.R.?”
He got it then and was no longer a
salty D.R. vet.
The pilot? The round evidently hit a
strut or something and ricocheted up
between his legs, clipping the end of his
Sgt Bogue wading in a stream during
Operation New York on February 29, 1966. It
was taken the day after the heavy firefight
described in the story and the day before the
Corpsman wanted to send him to USS
Repose.
penis. The docs finished the circumcision and he had his Purple Heart. I
heard that he once showed off his
wound at the club, but that’s just
hearsay. I did not witness that!
The next day I took off my boots to
wring out my socks after wading
through some streams. I discovered that
my left sock was soaked with blood. I
found the source on my left shin and
called the doc. He tagged me as “WIA,
unknown cause,” and fixed it up with a
small dressing.
I asked him what the tag was for. He
said, “You’re going to the hospital ship
Repose for a few days.”
I tore the tag off, said “No thanks,”
and finished wringing out my socks. I
put my boots back on, shouldered the
radio, picked up my rifle, and moved on
down the trail.
Just another glorious day in the
Corps, in the bush, in Vietnam, with the
wonderful grunts of 2/1. You would
have had to have been there...
Jim Bogue, MGySgt (USMC, ret), P.O.
Box 1205, Georgetown, TX 78627,
254-793-2732 (H), 512-948-5169 (C),
bogue@thegateway.net
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The Old Breed News
Welcome Aboard!
* Life Member
New Members of the 1st Marine Division Association
NAME
UNIT
ADDRESS
PHONE
RECRUITER
NEW MEMBERS
sGT JOHN A. BEARD
10612 W LANCASTER AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53225-3935 414-308-3049
1-DONG, 1603-HO YEOMGWANG APT., JUNGGYE 4-DONG,
NWON-GU, SEOUL, 139-927
02-3391-8321
PFC RICHARD A. CONNELL
BAND, HQBN, 1ST MAR DIV
1830 VIA GENOA, WINTER PARK, FL 32789-1525
407-647-2212
E9 SGTMAJ MICHAEL E. GONZALES 3-5 1-5 11TH MARINES
528 YUBA ST, VALLEJO, CA 94590
760-583-9691
CPL CHARLES F. HARRIS
A-1-11 VN
2089 NE TIDE AVE, LINCOLN CITY, OR 97367-3964
541-992-4355
SGT GEORGE T. HARRIS JR
CO D, 1ST BN 5 MAR, 1 MAR DIV 5110 STARFIRE ST, KIRBY, TX 78219
210-310-2151
SSGT ROSS R. KIRKWOOD
H&S BTRY HQ BN KOREA
10351 se 252nd dr, DAMASCUS, OR 97089
503-665-8068
SGTMAJ DANIEL L. KRAUSE
3-7 1-11 1CEB HQBN
27815 POST OAK PLACE, MURRIETA, CA 92562
951-326-5286
CPL KARL FRANZ LAVIN
MIKE BATT 4-11 VN
29 MAYFAIR DR, RAMSEY, NJ 07446
PO1 DONG-WOO LEE
MAR 1ST BN 1ST CO KO
50-9 DAPSIMNI-DONG, DONGDAEMUN-GU, SEOUL, 130-032 02-2244-0393 3
1STLT HEE-IL LEE
MAR 1ST BRIGADE KO
HYUNDAI HOUSING C-7, 67-18 SAMSUNG-DONG,
GANGNAM-GU, SEOUL, 135-870
02-542-5656
SGT JIN-HEE LEE
MAR 1ST REGT 3RD BN KO
106-DONG, 1103-HO, DONGA CHEONGSOL APT.,
CHANG 4-DONG, DOBONG-GU, SEOUL, SEOUL, 32-791
900-5596
SGT SANG-KYU LEE
MAR SEOHAE 41 CO KO
101-805 SOLGEO APT., WIIN-RO 20, EUIWANG-SI,
GYEONGGI-DO, EUIWANG-SI, 497-738
031-429-0737
E-2 GREGORY ALLEN MARTIN
H&S B CO 3 TK BN VN
6514 81ST DR NE, MARYSVILLE, WA 98270
MAJ JUSTIN L. MCDONALD
1160 PIERCE #105, LAKEWOOD, CO 80214-1949
203-325-4273
CPL RON POMPEL
HIMS—24 MAG 24 HIMS-33
P.O. BOX 217, GRESHAM, OR 97030
503-665-7779
E6 CHAD E. RUSSELL
L-3-1 BLT 13TH MEU OIFII
16215 SW 108TH AVE APT 327, TIGARD, OR 97224
541-771-0965
*CAPT JOHN F. SHEEHAN
D-1-7TH MAR G-2-5TH MAR
P.O. BOX 391267, ANZA, CA 92539
951-763-5703
E-5 SGT ARNIE W. SUNDBERG
F-2-7 1ST MAR DIV
725 NW PINE ST #5, CLATSKANIE, OR 97016
503-369-1121
SSGT BLAINE L. TYLER
1ST MAW 1ST MAR DIV
405 NE 66TH AVE, PORTLAND, OR 97213
503-254-8222
CPL E-4 ROBERT H. VOWELL
1ST PION BN 1ST MAR DIV
47611 WEST DRY CREEK RD, HALFWAY, OR 97834
541-742-6361
DAVID F. WEST
ASSOCIATE
95 FISHING BROOK ROAD, WESTBROOK, CT 06498
860-339-5031
PFC GERALD JAY. WILLIAMS
HD 6CO, 3MARDIV, HD6 O 1MARDIV KO 9891 SUNRAY PLACE, WINDSOR, CA 95492
707-483-0714
SSGT SUNG BOK CHOI
C-1RECON VN
MAR 1ST DIV 1ST REGT KO
1st Recon Bn
Vito Pileggi
John Hudson
SgtMaj Marty Vasquez
John Hudson
Bill Adams
David Jordan
Bill Hendrickson
Wayne Bonkosky
RENEWAL MEMBERS
*CAPT KENNETH M. MCDONALD
*MSGT KYU-PYO SON
C-1MED BN VN
Bravo-1 from page 23
across. The canyon was along a planned
trail the platoon’s command and guides
from the NWTC had chosen as part of the
training.
“During the hike we wanted to hit a couple Tactical Rope Suspension Techniques,
(TRST), so we had them fashion a one-rope
bridge using our assault climbers and platoon mountain leader. We employed our
schools that we’ve been to and our techniques to conquer a gap and move the rest
of the platoon through,” said Homestead.
The hike was coordinated and conducted
in a non-tactical manner. The platoon was
granted the opportunity to maneuver the
mountains and their unique obstacles as
teams instead of one large group. The four
The Old Breed News
1083 BUCKINGHAM DR, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103
105-301 WEOLGOK RAMIAN LUNA VALLEY 226 HAWEOLGOK-DONG, SEONGBUK-GU,
HAWEOLGOK-DONG, SEONGBUK-GU SEOUL 136-130
teams moved independently but stayed
within a close proximity of each other to
maintain safety and command control.
“It allowed the guys to gain an appreciation for the terrain and test their abilities to
make the movement, so it was really a team
and platoon bonding event and a way to get
out and experience Alaska,” said Garlasco.
Bravo Company is slated to depart with
the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit early
next year and is using training like this to
improve their ability to respond to any situation they may encounter in future operations.
Bravo-1 hikes Alaskan Mountains (Photo by
Lance Cpl. Carson Gramley)
29
30
July - August - September 2014
The Old Breed News
TAPS
* Life Member
1STLT WINFIELD A. ALLABAND HQ-11MAR KO FERNANDINA BEACH, FL 10/6/2013
*PFC ALBINO AMBRIZ A-7TH MTR D-3 KO ACAMPO,
CA 7/23/2014
*MR. ROBERT E. APPLE A-8AMTRAC WWII DARDANELLE, AR 2/16/2013
*SSGT CHARLES B. BALDWIN B-1-7 E-2-5 WWII KO
VN TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA 9/10/2014
*PFC HARRY M. BENDER Jr K-3-5 WWII SARASOTA,
FL 10/11/2014
*CPL WOODROW T. BROWN B-1-1 WWII DEXTER, MI
5/2/2014
*SGT DONALD J. CHILDS TRANS-3SVC CH KO MADISON, WI
*CPL CARLOS V. COX HQ/HQ G-3MAR WWII CH ST
LOUIS, MO 8/4/2014
*CAPT DANIEL E. CROCKETT USMC (Ret) C-1-5 KO
VN ASTORIA, OR 2/17/2013
CAPT JOSEPH SHARMAN. DAWSON FOX CO 2/7
BOCA RATON, FL 9/3/2014
*CPL JACKSON M. DOUTHIT L-3-1 WWII PORTLAND,
OR 1/22/2011
*SGT RALPH J. DYSON B-1-5 WWII TIGARD, OR
11/1/2008
*SGT JOHN W. EARNSHAW E-2-11 HQ-1-1 CH
BALLINGER, TX 6/5/2014
*SGT FRED ELLIS Jr A-1-1 WWII NEW CARROLLTON,
MD 7/13/2013
*MSGT JAMES E. FALTYNSKI USMC (Ret) E-2-5 WWII
CH LAUREL, MD
*PFC JIM L. FREIDEL E-2-1 KO CLACKAMAS, OR
5/7/2008
*CARL D. GAERIG C-1-1 WWII DEARBORN, MI
12/20/2013
3rd CEB
*CPL KENNETH R. GREEN AT-7MAR WWII KO REDDING, CA
*EUGENE J. HASSON 5MAR WWII CH CORONA, CA
6/1/2014
*SGT ROBERT E. HOPP D-2-5 KO MINNEAPOLIS, MN
*SGT LELAND M. HOWDEN WPNS-2-1 KO 0000
TERREBONNE, OR 2/5/2010
COL JACK KELLY 3-5 1-9 VN ENCINITAS, CA
9/21/2014
*CPL JOSEPH KERVITSKY DOGPLT-5MAR WWII
OCEAN CITY, MD 7/17/2014
*CPL ROBERT D. KIRCHNER F-2-7 KO BETHEL
PARK, PA 5/20/2014
*CPL ALBERT L. LANE USMC (Ret) F-2-1 H&S-3-11
WWII CH KO CLACKAMAS, OR 4/16/2008
*CPL WILLIAM H. LANGILL F-2-7 WWII CH KO
WOBURN, MA 5/2/2014
SGT ROBERT E. LARSEN B-1-1 KO NARVON, PA
8/25/2014
*SSGT DONALD W. LEAVITT Sr ORD BN KO MORTON,
PA
*SGT JEAN W. LEWIS E-2-1 WWII PORTLAND, OR
9/3/2009
*PHM1 HARVEY O. LUND HQ/F-2-1 WWII CH
BEAVERTON, OR 11/20/2008
*COL DONALD I. MACIVOR WPNS-1MAR YUBA CITY,
CA 6/23/2013
SGT CARL J. MCKEE HQ-3-11 KO PLEASANT HILL,
OR 4/17/2012
*MSGT MICHEL MICKELSEN G-2-7 WWII KO LAS
VEGAS, NV 4/6/2011
*1STLT RICHARD E. MURPHY D-2-1 KO CHAMBERSBURG, PA 7/25/2014
*PFC ROBERT A. PATTERSON F-2-1 WWII CH
PUEBLO, CO
*EUGENE L. PETERSON L-3-5 WWII SHAWANO, WI
SSGT ROBERT C. PETERSON 1SIG CW KO SAN
ANTONIO, TX 9/2/2014
GYSGT JOSEPH J. POMODORE (Ret) 1ARMAMPH KO
FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY 10/12/2014
*GYSGT GEORGE S. REISWIG H&S-3-7 A-1-9 CH KO
TILLAMOOK, OR 6/18/2012
*GYSGT RICHARD F. ROUSSEAU USMC (Ret)
VMFN513 HMM364 KO VN FARMVILLE, VA
8/3/2014
*SGT JAMES S. ROWAN 1CSG KO ENCINITAS, CA
8/13/2014
*CPL GORDON W. SAYERS B-1AAA FMF KO TIGARD,
OR 11/30/2009
*SK3 EDWIN ELDEN. SCHROEDER USS IDAHO WWII
CROSBY, TX 7/19/2014
*SGT DONALD J. SHAW 1MAW KO Vista, CA
12/26/2013
SGT HARRIS E. SMITH M-3-7 WWII PORTLAND, OR
2/20/2009
DEE SUTIS Wife of GySgt Damaso H. Sutis HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
*SGT ALBERT L. WATSON C-1ATK KO CELINA, OH
10/2/2014
CAPT BILLY B. WILLIAMS C-7MT CW PORTLAND, OR
10/13/2014
Friends
ST PLATOON SGT ROBERT RIGDON
10/17/2014
from page 17
deploying to the Republic of Vietnam
from 1965 to 1969. Deploying in support
of Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm between 1990 and 1991, 3rd CEB
later deactivated in 1995.
In 2007, the unit was reactivated at the
Combat Center and deployed in support of
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring
Freedom.
“The performance of this command is
outstanding and it is testament to that history and that legacy of such a fine battalion,” said Lt. Col. Brian Dwyer, commanding officer, 3rd CEB. “These are the
Marines that performed route clearance …
to ensure and assure the safe passage of
any unit that needed to get somewhere.
Day in and day out, they got on the road
and said, ‘It will not be the Marine behind
The Old Breed News
me. I will find that IED or I will take it
myself.’ That is the caliber of Marine that
is standing behind me.”
At the ceremony, portraits of every
Marine who lost their lives in support of
Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
were on display to be honored and recognized.
“We have eight Marines and sailors
that lost their lives serving with this battalion just during this rotation,” Nicholson
said. “Can we please have a round of
applause for our gold star families? Thank
you for being here with us today.”
The final review was performed by the
Marines of 3rd CEB as they marched past
the reviewing area and the 3rd CEB colors
were then respectfully lowered during the
National Anthem one last time before
being put away. It was assured to the audience, though, that this would only be until
the unit would once again be called upon.
“Today we are going to roll these colors, but we’re not saying, ‘Goodbye,’”
Nicholson said. “We are saying, ‘See you
later.’ We are going to roll these colors
knowing that when the nation needs them
the most, when the wolf is at the door, we
will once again unfurl these colors and we
will fill the ranks with great and talented
young combat engineers that will carry
the load and protect all of us.”
Source:
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/138712/3r
d-ceb-hosts-deactivationceremony#.VBBvLWMtqUk
31
1st Marine Division Association
403 North Freeman Street
Oceanside, CA 92054
PERIODICAL — TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL

Oct/Nov/Dec 2014 - 1st Marine Division Association

Transcription

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