OldBreed Mar-Apr 2005.qxd - 1st Marine Division Association

Transcription

OldBreed Apr-May-Jun 2012_OldBreed Mar-Apr 2005.qxd 6/7/2012 11:00 AM Page 1
Vol. LXI w No. 2
APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2012
The Official Publication of the 1st Marine Division Association, Incorporated
O Guadalcanal O E. New Guinea 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 2011 – 2013
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
All Elected Officers Are Members
Of Executive Committee
President
Robert R. Montgomery “Rita”
6134 Glennox Lane, Dallas TX 75214
Home (214) 368-2913 Cell (214) 562-2900
Vice President
W. Denny Weisgerber “Marianne”
195 Casper St,, Milpitas CA 95035
Home (408) 262-1776 Cell (408) 221-6607
Deputy Vice President, East
Richard (“Moon Man”) B. Mooney “Gloria Jean”
25 Park Place, Floral Park NY 11001
Home (516) 352-9203
Deputy Vice President, Central
Lee Rux “Judy”
15111 Sun Spur, San Antonio TX 78232
Home (210) 499-0707 Cell (210) 213-3453
Deputy Vice President, West
William R. Mimiaga “Kris”
936 Coronado Dr., Costa Mesa CA 92626
Home (714) 540-8518
Secretary
Michael L. Galyean “Nancy”
746 McIntyre Ave., Winter Park FL 32789
Home (407) 740-5097 Cell (321) 276-7515
Treasurer
James Zalpis “Nancy”
884 Vallecito Dr., Ventura., CA 93001
Home (805) 643-3295 Cell (805) 340-0976
Legal Officer
David M. Franklin “Martha”
P.O. Box 3253, Palm Desert CA 92261
Home (760) 349-0035
Chaplain
(Vacant)
Sergeant-At-Arms
Samuel L. Felton “Jacquelyn”
832 West 23rd St., Lorain OH 44052
Home (440) 244-4224 Cell (216) 469-0218
Executive Director
Sean R. Dobeck “Kristine”
3115 Amberwood Lane, Escondido CA 92027
Home (760) 294-3307 Cell (619) 985-9464
w
w
w
Association Staff
• SgtMaj Juan Duff USMC (Ret) – Office Manager
• 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 Dr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067
860-563-6149
sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net
2
Publisher
Finisterre Publishing Incorporated
3 Black Skimmer Ct., Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 521-1896
Finisterre@ISLC.net
April-May-June 2012
Departments
President’s Message..................................................................3
Director’s Corner ......................................................................4
Blue Diamond Team ................................................................5
Chapter Scuttlebutt....................................................................8
Taps ..........................................................................................19
Contributions to the First Marine Division Association ......20
Welcome Aboard......................................................................23
Feedback/Letters to the Editor..............................................26
Reunion Calendar....................................................................27
Official 1st Marine Division Association PX ........................29
Quests & Queries ..............................................................30
News & Notes
Fr. Vincent Capodanno ............................................................3
Minutes - Teleconference: Executive Committee ..................6
Mentor Program Needs Volunteers ........................................7
E-Mail Me! ................................................................................7
FMDA 2012 Reunion: Schedule & Tours ..............................10
FMDA 2012 Reunion: Registration ......................................12
Thanks to John Galt Miller......................................................13
1st Marine Division Association Membership Drive ............14
Pendleton Marines prepare to transfer patrol
base to Afghans ........................................................................15
Jacob Vouza: Friend or Foe? ..................................................16
Operation Union......................................................................24
Msgr. Walter Cornelius Murphy ............................................27
Orlando JROTC Steps Up BIGTIME!!!................................30
Reunion Journal Advertising Rates ........................................31
Deadlines OBN Material
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
16 Feb
2nd Quarter
Apr/May/Jun
15 May
3rd Quarter
Jul/Aug/Sep
16 Aug
4th Quarter
Oct/Nov/Dec
20 Nov
Please submit your material to OBN Editor, 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, or
email it to sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net.
COVER: U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Jeffery R. BorneMann, assigned to 2d Battalion, 1st Marine
Regiment, reads a passage from a Bible at a religious service in Husaybah, Iraq during Operation
Steel Curtain. The objectives of Steel Curtain [were] to restore security along the Iraqi-Syrian border
and to destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq's terror network operating throughout Husaybah. The operation
[was] a joint U.S.-Iraqi offensive. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Michael R. McMaugh.
The recent death of Msgr. Murphy reinforced the idea that chaplains such as Lt. Jeffery R.
BorneMann (pictured) are extremely important members of any military unit. Therefore, in
this issue we feature two of the more renowned chaplains in First Marine Division history:
Msgr. Murphy and Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Vincent Capodanno.
The Old Breed News
President’s Message
A Century of Navy Chaplains
Fr. Vincent
Capodanno
Robert R. Montgomery
One of our large sources of income is, and has been, those
members who remembered the FMDA in their will. (Just a suggestion.) Also, many of us have small insurance policies that
are paid up; the FMDA would appreciate being made a beneficiary.
A
dversity always seems to bring out
the best in a Marine. Cases in point:
• the sickness and death of our
Chaplain, Monsignor Walter Murphy, and
the committed efforts made by Eastern VP
Richard Mooney, Bob Rhode, and the
New York Chapter to insure that Father
Murphy was properly cared for and given
a proper Marine Funeral.
• a Marine JROTC unit in Florida collected over $3,000.00 for helmet liners for
2/5.
• Chapter 1/5 is spearheading the building of a monument for MOH recipient
Rodney Davis in Macon, GA.
• Marty Vasquez and the Southern
California Chapter are mentoring wounded Marines in Camp Pendleton, and the
Desert Cities Chapter is mentoring the
wounded Marines at 29 Palms.
Those are just samples of what our
Chapters are doing and are capable of
doing, and they typify the major mission
of this Association, e.g., making sure
Marines’ wives and children are taken care
of.
Forty-seven percent of all Marines are
married. That means there are wives and
children who also need support. All of this
takes money. John Stevens and his Fund
Raising Committee have instituted several
programs, e.g., The Gunny’s Locker, for
selling memorabilia on eBay, and the
iGive program.
All these initiatives will supplement
our major “Money Maker,” the annual
reunion, which has been producing less
and less revenue each year.
One of our large sources of income is,
and has been, those members who remembered the FMDA in their will. (Just a suggestion.) Also, many of us have small
insurance policies that are paid up; the
FMDA would appreciate being made a
beneficiary.
As mentioned above, we lost our
Chaplain, Monsignor Murphy. He was a
dedicated priest and Marine. Well done,
thy good and faithful servant. Semper
Fidelis. Monsignor Murphy joins two
other former FMDA Chaplains, Father
Denis O’Brien and Bob Boardman, in
watching over the 1st Marine Division and
the Association.
The annual reunion in Portland is just
around the corner. This promises to be one
of our best. Steve Easterday and the
Oregon/Columbia River Chapter have
gone all out to make it a memorable week.
See you there!
During a 90-day period at the end of 1967 during the Vietnam War, three chaplains earned
Medals of Honor: Fr. Capodanno, Fr. Charles
Watters (U.S. Army), and Fr. Charles Liteky
(U.S. Army). Only Fr. Liteky survived to wear
his medal.
J. F. Fleming became the first U.S.
Navy chaplain to accompany Marines
into battle. That occurred when the First
Provisional Regiment, which he served,
invaded Nicaragua in August 1912—100
years ago. Navy chaplains have accompanied Marines into battle ever since—and
into unofficial “sainthood.”
Two of the most valuable commodities
the U.S. Navy furnishes for the Marine
Corps are chaplains and corpsmen. It was
a bit of an irony, then, when Vincent
Capodanno, a Navy chaplain, earned the
Medal of Honor on 4 September 1967
while saving the life of a corpsman during
a battle between 500 Marines and thousands of North Vietnamese Army regulars.
All chaplains are “saints” on the battlefield. Some go above and beyond the
call of duty. Fr. Capodanno was among
that elite group as he proved in adhering
to the biblical entry from John 15:13:
“Greater love than this no man hath, that
a man lay down his life for his friends.”
MEEMBERSHIP REPORT 5-15-12
Status
Active
Life
7,891
Annual
1,631
Assoc. Life
8
Assoc. Annual
96
Total
9,637
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.
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.
The Old Breed News
Father Capodanno
Continued on page 13
April-May-June 2012
3
Director’s Corner
Sean Dobeck
T
he national office staff has been busy in the last several months
implementing changes to improve the association writ large.
This report will provide a brief description of three areas we
have focused on recently: communications – membership – revenue
generation.
One of the areas that we felt needed improvement was communications. Now that we are able to publish and provide a copy of the
Old Breed News to all of our members, we decided to focus on our
online venues, such as the association website and Facebook pages.
Our goal is to continue to refine these two online engines to bridge
the gap between our current membership and the new generation of
Marines who are either coming off active duty or coming back to find
their roots at the Old Breed.
The website has been completely redone and has been given a
new and updated look that mirrors that of the 1st Marine Division
webpage. I direct your attention to our updated website at
http://www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org/index.html. The website is intended to allow viewers to become informed, stay aware, and
get involved. If you don’t currently use a computer or need assistance
setting up your computer to see our site, please call the national office
to point you in the right direction.
Our membership numbers are decreasing drastically from recent
highs approaching 15,000 7 years ago to fewer than 10,000 currently. To combat this trend, we have implemented a membership drive
to increase our numbers at all levels. The national office, with assistance from AJ Burn, will assist local chapters by placing recruiting
ads in local papers, online social networks, and public service
announcements.
We continue to actively seek out new chapters, in particular, unit
chapters from the Vietnam and Gulf War periods that served under the
Blue Diamond. If you or someone you know is interested in starting
a chapter in your area, the national office will provide all the guidance
and information required.
One last note regarding our membership drive is the initiative to
award a “Recruiter of the Year” (see ad in this issue). Our recruiter of
the year will be awarded to the member who signs on the most new
“joins” during the calendar year 2012.
In keeping with the President’s guidance to increase revenues, we
have partnered with Harris Connect to publish another membership
directory. This venture was a recommendation from Dale Turner. The
National Office and Harris Connect have worked toward the release
of the 2012 FMDA Membership Directory.
You have most likely been notified by Harris Connect by the time
you read this issue. If you have not received a phone call or letter in
the mail from Harris Connect, and would like a copy of the 2012
Membership Directory, please call the national office.
In closing, I reiterate the importance of registering for the Portland
reunion. The Oregon/Columbia River Chapter has done a lot of outstanding work to make this a great event and one to be remembered.
Please see the information in this issue or on our reunion website link:
www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org/Upcoming%20Events.html.
As always, please feel free to call, write, or email me your thoughts
or concerns and any updates that you would like to pass on to the
membership.
Win this Brand New ‘Old Breed’
Commemorative .45 Cal. Colt !!
General Keys has done it again!
He has donated another Colt pistol to
our Association. Drawing will be conducted at the 2012 Reunion. You do not
have to be in attendence to win.
2nd Place is a 2-night stay at the
Marine Memorial Club, San Francisco!!
3rd Place is a Visa credit card worth
a minimum of $100!!
Fill in the stub and mail with $20 for each ticket to:
1st Marine Division Association, 403 N. Freeman St., Oceanside
CA 92054 or call (760) 967-8561 with credit card information.
FMDA Reunion Drawing
4
Name ________________________________________
Address ______________________________________
Phone________________________________________
First Prize:
.45 Pistol
Second Prize: Two nights at Marine Memorial Club
Third Prize:
Visa Credit Card for $100
$ 20.00 per ticket
April-May-June 2012
The Old Breed News
The Blue Diamond is open to all Members and Chapters. An initial donation of $600.00 earns you or your
chapter the title and recognition of being a major supporter of the 1st Marine Division Association.
*Burton Anderson (F)
*Edgar D. Aronson (F)
*Robert Arron (FD)
James J. Barry Jr. (F)
*John Bastian (F)
Chester T.Bened (FD)
Bob Boardman (FD)
A.J. Burn (F)
Bill Call (F)
*Mike Carone (F)
Marshall N. Carter
Joseph Cashen (F)
*Joe Clapper (F)
*Coleman Coughlin (F)
*Jack Coughlin (FD)
Herb Crawford (F)
*Robert Croll (F)
Larry Davis (F)
*James A. Dearie Jr.
John L. Decker (F)
Ralph M. Delaney (F)
Russell Diefenbach (F)
*David M. Ebbitt (F)
L. Glynn Ellis
Glendal R. Ellis
*Mike Enos (FD)
*Robert D. Evans (F)
Tom Evans (F)
Neil (Buzz) Fanion
LCpl John Felix Farias (FD)
KIA
Felix & Penny Farias Gold Star
Parents
*Joel Forman
*David Franklin (F)
Preston Garris (F)
Hoover Ginn (F)
*Walter Girod (F)
Byron Gourley (F)
*John Gose (F)
Leo Graham (F)
Steve S. Grandusky (F)
T. J. Hanley (F)
*Elmer J. Hawkins (F)
*Kenneth G Haynes (F)
Len Hayes (F)
Harvey Hipple (FD)
Ward A. Holcomb (F)
*Louis A Imfeld (F)
*Darrell Jensen (F)
Jerry Johs (F)
Andrew C. Jones (F)
*Tom Kelly (F)
Steve Lakernick (F)
James T Larkin (F)
LeRoy H. Lilly
Charles S. Lindberg (F)
*Frank Lindstrom (F)
*Don J. L. Long
Bill Lynne (F)
Bill Maker (F)
Gary Marshall (F)
Stormy Matteo (F)
Guy R. Maxwell (F)
William McLaren (FD)
William McClendon (F)
*Garland A. McCollough (FD)
William McCroskey (FD)
Andrew B. McFarlane (F)
Tom McLeod (F)
*George Meyer (F)
*Larry Meyer (F)
*Neal Mishik (F)
*Robert Montgomery (F)
Harvey Newton
*Eugene L. Norheim (F)
*Sgt Brian Norwood (FD) KIA
Janet Norwood Gold Star Mother
Robert Palmer (F)
*Dick Partee (F)
Donald L. Penfold (F)
Stephen Percy (F)
H. Phil Pearce (F)
Frank E. Pulley (F)
Jerry Reed (F)
*Don Reid (F)
Norman E. Robichau (F)
James L. Robinson (F)
*Joe Ryan (F)
George Sager
Walter Schmick
Henry R. Schramm
*Ed Schroeder (F)
*Bernard Schutzman (F)
Blaine Scott (F)
*James Shumaker (F)
*Mike Sisk (F)
Russ C. Smith (F)
Charles C. Snow (F)
Lewis B. Spivey (F)
*John Stevens (F)
(G³7H[´6WLWHOHU)
*Zack Taylor (F)
*Michael Trueworthy (F)
*Bill Turner (F)
*Dale Turner (F)
*Robert A. Vertacnik (F)
*Tom Vetter (F)
*Myrl Wallace (F)
George Waselinko (FD)
Bernard Wehby (F)
*Denny Weisgerber (F)
Tom Whetzel (F)
*Gary Wilkins (F)
*Lt. Ron Winchester (FD)
KIA
Marianna Winchester Gold
Star Mother
*Jess Wise (F)
Paul Wojahn
John M. Worthy (F)
Tom Zangrilli
The BDT Committee is proud to
report that as of 1 August 2011 115
members and 22 Chapters have
joined the Blue Diamond Team.
For those Members and Chapters
who have sustained their BDT
status with an annual donation we
thank you for your continued
support.
The Blue Diamond Team is the
heart and soul of our Association.
.The Blue Diamond Team Founder
pin has been retired and a new
Blue Diamond Team Member pin
will now be issued to all those
members who join the BDT in the
future.
Semper Fidelis
Don Reid
John Stevens
Denny Weisgerber
Your
Blue Diamond Team
Co
BLUE DIAMOND TEAM SUPPORTING CHAPTERS
A-1-7 MCA Korea 1950-53 Alamo Chapter *Bodfish Chapter Central Florida Chapter California Delta Chapter
*Colorado River Chapter
Chicago Chapter *Dallas Chapter Golden Gate Chapter *Hawaiian Islands
Chapter
*Houston Chapter
*Liberty Bell Chapter *Los Angeles County Chapter, Inc. * Minnesota
Chapter
NE Florida Chapter Redwood Empire Chapter
*Orange County Chapter
*Oregon/Columbia River Chapter Rocky Mountain Chapter
*St. Louis Chapter
1/5 Vietnam Veterans Unit Chapter
*Wisconsin Chapter
The following Members, Chapters and Affiliates on their way to becoming a members of the
Blue Diamond Team
NY State West Chapter $500.00 - Nile Holmes $300.00 - Martin Dunbar $200.00 - Dave Manipole $200.00 -Roland Salisbury
$200.00 - Don Tennenbaum $200.00 A.L.Scarborough $100.00 - Lionel Spencer $100.00 -- Boyce Clark $100.00
Desert Cities Mitchell Paige MOH Chapter-$200.00 Blair Hunter $200.00 Richard L. Jack $100.00
Maryland Chapter $100.00 Henry Tassinari $100.00 Carlton L. Ferris $100.00
F - Founder D ± Deceased * with Name Bolded ± Sustaining Member/Chapter for current year 1 January ± 31 December.
Sustaining status is achieved with an Annual donation. $100.00 for Individuals - $200 for Supporting Chapters.
This sustaining donation can be made anytime during the year. However, it is recommended that it be made in January/ February during the
Anniversary Celebration of the 1st Marine Division. The sustaining donation may be added to your Anniversary registration application.
Call for more details 1-760-967-8561.
Don Reid, Committee Chair, 415 -776-5342 or June Cormier 760-967-8561
The Old Breed News
April-May-June 2012
5
MINUTES - TELE-CONFERENCE n
6
n
n EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - 1ST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
18 April 2012
Tele-conference meeting called to order by President Bob
Montgomery at 1600 hrs.
Members present: Bob Montgomery, Denny Weisgerber, Mike
Galyean, David Franklin, Richard Mooney, A.J. Burn,
Executive Director- Sean Dobeck
Members not present: Jim Zalpis, Lee Rux, William Mimiaga,
Samuel Felton, James Fairbairn, John Stevens, Monsignor Murphy.
n Richard “Moon Man” Mooney gave a report on the condition of
Monsignor Walter Murphy.
• The Monsignor has been removed off all artificial life support
other than subsistence.
• Only half of his heart is operating and multiple blood clots exist
in his lungs. He has been declared terminal and the end could come
at any time.
• The committee authorized Mooney to have flowers from the
FMDA with a suggested cost of $150 when the time comes for a
funeral.
All members of the committee thanked Mooney for his diligence in
his support of the Monsignor and relating his condition to the association. We all join in prayers for a easy and pain free passing for the
Monsignor.
n Discussion moved to the upcoming “Tournament of Heroes”
paintball tournament to be sponsored by the FMDA as a fundraising
venture.
• David Franklin stated that even though he initially was not in favor
of this effort, he is now behind it.
• He has reviewed the contract between the association and the
National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) and agrees with its
basic content, but will suggest a couple cosmetic changes in the finalized contract which will make our tournament an “affiliated series
tournament” with NPPL.
• The agreement requires a $500 fee to be paid by the association to
NPPL. For that the association will receive assistance with advertising, sponsors, website, developing a flier, providing a “hyper-link” to
the NPPL website from the FMDA site, registration of teams, use of
PayPal.
• Participants will be provided with a NPPL membership (normally
$40) for free. Three emails promoting the event will be sent out by
NPPL to its 20,000 members and sponsors. NPPL will provide rules
for the tournament and the association must follow the NPPL rules.
• NPPL will design a logo for a cloth patch (production will be the
association’s responsibility). Regarding the event patches (with
design by NPPL) , it was left that Sean would handle that if it is practical.
• Sean is seeking help in locating sponsors for the event. The amount
of money made is directly related to the sponsors brought on board.
Participant fees will only cover expenses.
• Sean has lined up one, and possibly two, MOH recipients to serve
as Tournament Honorary Hosts. Sean will re-send the sponsorship
requirements and levels of sponsorship via email.
A motion was made by Mooney and seconded by Weisgerber to pay
the $500 required by NPPL for their affiliation. The motion passed
April-May-June 2012
unanimously.
n Discussion moved to membership and the upcoming Membership
Drive.
• Sean (and John Stevens) need a Membership Drive “lead.” This
person will assist in getting information out to the various chapters
and the media and will probably take no more than a couple of hours
per week. A.J. Burn will get back to Sean as a possibility.
• The membership drive will run from 1/12 through 12/12 and a
“Recruiter of the Year” will be recognized at the 2013 Anniversary
Celebration in Oceanside.
• Sean was authorized to order 100 “Southern Cross Team” pins.
The meeting was adjourned by President Montgomery at approximately 1445 hrs.
n Addendum: Sean sent the following email out after the tele-conference. Bob has asked that I add it as an addendum and members
should respond with a “yea” or “nay” after receiving the minutes.
One item I was hoping to bring up today was an advertising
allowance. We are beginning our membership drive this month (still
need a lead), and looking to place ads in newspapers as well as online
sources to promote the cause and bring in new members. I feel comfortable that we can achieve our goals with a monthly allowance of
$350.00. I would like to run this trial period for 6 months, thus allowing the membership to approve any additional requirements during
the Reunion. Thanks, s/f- Sean
Please respond to the addendum with your “yea” or “nay” vote to
Bob Montgomery at 525robert@earthlink.net
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Galyean, Secretary
CHRISTIASON, MICKEY A. ..................................................$200.00
DENNIS, WILLIAM J.............................................................$100.00
FRANKLIN, DAVID M. ..........................................................$100.00
HOLMES, NILE H. ................................................................$100.00
LOS ANGELES COUNTY CHAPTER INC, ..............................$100.00
LYNCH Jr., REX W. ..............................................................$100.00
SCHMICK Jr., WALTER C.....................................................$100.00
SHUMAKER, JAMES C.........................................................$100.00
SMITH, ROBERT H...............................................................$500.00
STEVENS, JOHN R...............................................................$100.00
STEVENS, ROGER A.............................................................$100.00
TURNER, DALE L. ................................................................$100.00
WOOTTON, TOMMY J. ........................................................$100.00
The Old Breed News
Wounded Warriors
Mentor Program Needs Volunteers
Paul Hoffman, Jimmy
Wheeler, Mike Walker, Jim
Sullivan, Dick Partee, LtCol
Ted Wong, Bob Shepard,
Joe Daily, Jimmie Wheeler,
Charlie Garbarini, Pete Van
Vechten (L-R) discuss
Desert Cities chapter mentor program
E-Mail Me!
n You Don’t Need A Computer
To Take Advantage Of The
Benefits Of Using E-Mail
B
efore WWII, and even in the early
days of WWII, field communications
was by hand signals, whistles, semaphore
flags, runners, air ground panels and
Morse Code radio messages. Today, active
duty Marines have a super abundance of
ways to communicate, and so do we. We
have U.S. mail, telephone, fax and e-mail.
What is e-mail?
T
he Desert Cities Chapter is calling for
volunteers to mentor Marines of the
Wounded Warrior Detachment at Marine
Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms who are leaving active duty. The
mentors will work on a one-on-one basis
with Marines to help them transition to
civilian life. According to Lt. Col. Ted
Wong, commanding officer of the detachment, the average age of a Twenty-nine
Palms wounded warrior is 22.
“Most joined the Marine Corps after
high school graduation and were looking at
the Marines as their career in life,” said
chapter member Jim Sullivan, one of the
program organizers. “Due to wounds and
injuries, they now have to enter civilian life
and need some help in making decisions as
to going on to college, trade schools, or
finding a job.”
The Chapter had ten volunteers meet
with LtCol Ted Wong, Wounded Warriors
Detachment, 29 Palms, concerning a new
The volunteers hope to help the Marines
make the transition into civilian life. Each
volunteer will be assigned one Marine.
mentor program for Marines in the detachment. A meeting was held in late March at
Chapter member Jim Sullivan’s house.
These volunteers, and another five who
couldn’t attend, will send their personal bios
to the LtCol to start lining them up with his
Marines.
The volunteers hope to help the Marines
make the transition into civilian life. Each
volunteer will be assigned one Marine. We
believe in Marines helping Marines, and we
hope to make a difference in the lives of
these Marines.
If you or your chapter is interested in following suit to the outstanding work that has
been done by the Desert Cities chapter,
please call the FMDA national office at 760967-8561
Check your label
Your Unit & Service Era
*************************************AUTO**5-DIGIT 12345
I-3-5
WWII
0212
JOHN Q MARINE
1234 MAIN STREET
YOURTOWN US 12345-1111
DELIVERY POINT BARCODE
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.
The Old Breed News
E-mail is nothing more than sending
written messages electronically. It was
started in the
civilian
world a
You can register on
number
of
years
the Association webago, but was
site, which will allow
restricted to indithe Association to
vidual networks.
have immediate con- That is, you only
could communitact with you.
cate with subscribers on the
same network that you were using. Today,
that is changed. Through the use of the
Internet, that restriction has been eliminated.
Why use e-mail?
1. It is an easy, rapid, and inexpensive
way to communicate with your family
members and them with you.
2. It also is a way to share information
with your friends.
3. It is a way to send and receive information about the First Marine Division
Association. You can register on the
Association website, which will allow the
Association to have immediate contact
with you.
4. You can get almost instantaneous
communication, as opposed to U.S. mail.
Is a computer needed?
Membership Dues
Expiration Date:
Month and Year
(Life = 0000)
No, you do not need a computer, nor do
you need to know anything about computers. All you need is an e-mail machine that
will use your existing telephone line.
How much does it cost?
Most of the national discount retailers
offer e-mail machines starting under
$100.00. The monthly use charge is under
$10.00.
April-May-June 2012
7
Chapter Scuttlebutt
1/5 VIETNAM VETERANS
Project Update: Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, USMC (MOH)
Memorial Monument Project
8
Several 1/5 Vietnam veterans, Jim Dougherty, Jim Latta, Gary
“Pete” Petrous, Randy Leedom, Dewitt Price, Dave Grunden,
Charles Gamble, Isaac Thomas, John Sims, and Nick Warr gathered in Macon, GA during the week of 9–14 April 2012 to work
on the Sgt. Davis Memorial project. They called on many in the
community to ask for their help.
Our welcome there and the support we are experiencing have
been just wonderful. We launched our fundraising campaign
about three months ago, and our trust fund just went over the
$15,000.00 mark. Our project goal is $75,000.00, which will
build the memorial monument, allow us to host a Memorial
Dedication and a Commemoration Banquet to celebrate Sgt.
Davis’s heroism, say “thank you” to all our donors and volunteers, and launch a scholarship program in honor of Sgt. Davis,
our hero.
We conducted an informal planning luncheon on April 13th,
with many key folks there in Macon, including three City
Council members, representatives from the mayor’s office, four
of the five high schools in Macon (they each have a Jr. ROTC
program, and the OICs attended), the Bibb County School
District, the local Middle Georgia Detachment of the Marine
Corps League, the Montford Point Marine Association, the
Macon Cemetery Preservation Corp (the supervising organization), the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, and many other
interested people, including several members of the Davis
Family.
We have received all the government “permissions” we need
to proceed with the monument when the necessary funds are
raised (the cost of the monument, foundation and installation will
be just over $50,000), and we now have a “steering committee”
that will put together the scholarship program plan.
Four of our Marines in Macon this week were Bravo 1/5
Marines. Three of them were in Vietnam on September 6, 1967
and witnessed Rodney’s heroism. One of them, Marine Randy
Leedom, owes his life to Rodney. Two TV stations, the local
newspaper, and a radio station all interviewed them. This media
coverage has already proven to be extremely helpful.
Our contributions thus far have come from individual donations (thanks to a number of our members), and we have received
several generous donations from individuals in Macon, as well as
businesses and other organizations in Macon and across the
country (such as the NCOA, VFW, several MCL Detachments,
etc.).
Our current challenge is to secure the larger donations. We
have also received confirmation that we will be able to install
three “contemplative benches” around the monument, and all of
our Bronze Star ($500), Silver Star ($5,000), and Navy Cross
($25,000) donors will be recognized by having their names
etched into the granite benches. They will also be our honored
April-May-June 2012
guests at the Memorial Dedication and a Commemoration
Banquet.
We are also very excited that the folks in the Bibb County
School District, which includes Macon and the surrounding area,
have enthusiastically jumped on our bandwagon. The OICs of the
Jr. ROTC programs and several other key people in the schools
and the local Marine Corps League detachment have now formed
a “steering committee” to develop a detailed plan for the
Scholarship Program.
Everyone there who is interested in the scholarship program is
very excited. We have had some discussions about this scholarship program with the leadership of the FMDA, and have
received their approval to proceed.
Bottom line: we are on track with our project plan, but the
next two months are critical. If we are able to secure the funds for
the monument by early June, we will be able to stay on schedule
and will then be able to develop the plan for the Memorial
Dedication and Commemoration Banquet. The target date is 6
September 2012, the 45th anniversary of Rodney’s courageous
act.
Our “backup plan” will be to target this event for the weekend
of 9–11 November 2012, which is, of course, the weekend of the
Marine Corps Birthday, as well as Veterans Day.
We still have a long way to go, but we now feel very confident
we will achieve or exceed all our project goals. We think our
project plan is sound. Our strategies are proving out, and we now
know our goals and our objectives, while somewhat high, are
definitely achievable. What we need right now, more than anything, is to secure some “major donors.”
If you would like to learn more about our project and/or you
are aware of charitable businesses or organizations that might be
willing to support our cause, please send an email message to
SgtDavis@1-5VietnamVeterans.org, or call Nick Warr at 828243-8708.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
We are raffling off an amphibious landing scene in a bottle.
This Amphibious Landing Scene is in a 1.75 liter Jack Daniels
Whiskey bottle from an Amtrack (Alligator) on a Pacific Island
during WWII. This piece is dedicated to all those Marines who
have made such a landing and to all those Marines who have
never had that experience.
This item is being raffled off at $5 per ticket. If interested,
please contact Mike Galyean at koolade@embarqmail.com
Landing in a bottle
The Old Breed News
DALLAS
We were entertained by some special guests at our quarterly
husbands and wives luncheon. During the annual Dallas
Veteran’s Day Parade, we met representatives from Patriot
PAWS, a local organization that acquires, trains, and provides
service dogs to our wounded warriors. Because we were so
impressed with this initiative, we invited them to come to our
meeting for a “front line view” of the program.
Chapter Treasurer John Lovas contacted Patriot PAWS and
arranged to host Bonnie Hardick, Bonnie Hoard, and Service
Dog “Barney” to our meeting. We were captivated by Bonnie
Hardick’s overview of their service dog program and amazed
when trainer Bonnie Hoard conducted a demonstration of
“Barney’s” special skills, skills needed to assist the wounded
warrior.
Bonnie Hoard, “Barney,” John Lovas (Dallas Chapter Treasurer) and Bonnie
Hardick
Caring for one of the dogs-in-training can cost $20K - $30K,
and only through donations (tax deductible) and volunteers can
Patriot PAWS provide these service dogs to our wounded warriors - at no cost to the veteran.
If you would like additional information, visit
patriotpaws.org.
Support to Operation Helmet: The Dallas Chapter donated
$442.00 to support one squad from 2nd Bn 5th Marines currently deployed in support of OEF.
Walt Schmick
Walter.Schmick@northgateconstructors.com
Division Association reunion in Portland, OR, 13-18 August, at
the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront Hotel. August is a
great month to enjoy the activities planned.
The delicious buffet style meal of “roots and shoots” was
served; “doggie bags” were supplied for take-home meals.
All in attendance were introduced. The most “mature” Marine
is a member of the Lady Rose Chapter of Women Marines, Golda
Fabian.
Our speaker was SSgt
Aldo Zamora of the Salem
recruiting office. This
young Marine (who has
been in harm’s way) gave
a fine presentation about
today’s happenings, about
recruiting challenges, and
some of what the current
Marines are experiencing
throughout the world. The
Corps is in “good hands.” SSGT Oscar Zamora speaks to audience
Alan Lemons of the at Oregon/Columbia River chapter meeting
Marine Corps League
played the Marines Hymn on his Bagpipes. The traditional
“Empty Chair” (written by Marine Boyce Clark of the Bob
Boardman Chapter) was recited by Chaplain Al Hein.
The election to fill vacancies on the board of directors completed the agenda for the day.
Two WWI uniforms were displayed (courtesy of the Greater
Salem Area Veterans Organization). They were worn by
recruiters who had been stationed in Portland, including a female
Marine and a Marine who had served in France. Corporal
Elizabeth Nelson-Welk (originally from Portland) and MSgt
George Welk, also of Portland.
MSgt Welk served as the recruiter from 1921 through 1947.
Bob (“Doc”) Wickman (Korea)
Rcwickman@aol.com
OLD DOMINION
We presented awards to VMI cadets who are going into the
USMC. The lady to the right is "Chesty" Puller's Daughter,
Virginia Dabny (the late Col. Dabny's widow
OREGON/COLUMBIA RIVER
The annual Salem meeting was held on 21 April 2012 at
Canton Garden Restaurant. There was a large group of about 30+
members, wives, and very welcome guests. After the “attitude
adjustment period,” President Steve Easterday convened the
event.
Announcements were made about the upcoming 1st Marine
The Old Breed News
9
April-May-June 2012
FMDA 2012 Reunion
Schedule of Events
Monday, 13 August
Arrival by Association Board and Executive officers
1630
Welcome aboard reception by Oregon Columbia
River Chapter
Tuesday, 14 August
0800 – 1000
1000 – 1730
1630
1800
All Chapter Representatives’ & Committee
Meetings
Tour: Evergreen Aviation Museum &
Wine tasting
Unit Hospitality Suites
Unit Dinners
Wednesday, 15 August
0900
1000 – 1500
Opening Ceremony and Program
Committee meetings
1100 – 1730
Tour: Japanese Garden, Rose Test Gardens &
(VVM) State Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Unit Dinners
1000 – 1100
1100 – 1200
1300 – 1400
1400 – 1500
1630
1800
0900 – 1500
1630
1800
Tour: Edgefield McMenamins Winery &
Brewhaus, then Antique Shopping in
Old Town Troutdale
Unit Dinners
Saturday, 18 August
0900 – 1500
0900
1600
1730
1830
1900
2100 – 2230
Tour: Columbia River Gorge
Golf or City Guided Tour & other misc. events
Chaplain’s Religious Service
Reception
Ceremony for Association
Dinner Banquet
Dancing
Sunday, 19 August
1100
Farewells and Departures
Financial Review / Insurance / Awards
By-Laws / Fundraising / Reunion Destination
Membership / Scholarship Selection
Scholarship Corporation / Warrior Liaison
Thursday, 16 August
0900
1000 – 1200
1330 – 1730
0800
0900 – 1230
1330 – 1730
1730
1800
Muster & Committee Meetings
Board of Directors & Executive
Committee Meeting
Tour: Willamette River Boat Cruise
along Portland Waterfront
(Ladies Program)
Assemble in Mt Hood Room for Tour
Tour: The Grotto & Lunch
Tour: Willamette River Boat Cruise
Unit Dinners
Friday, 17 August
0800 – 0900
1630
1800
Memorial Service and Korean War
Ceremony – Waterfront Park
General Membership meeting
President’s Luncheon – Honor Past
Association National Presidents
Tour: Bill’s Place: USMC Museum of
Vehicles & Memorabilia
Unit Dinners
0845
(Ladies Program)
Assemble in Mt Hood Room for Tour
0900 – 1130
1130 – 1300
1330 – 1730
10
April-May-June 2012
The Old Breed News
11
The Old Breed News
April-May-June 2012
12
April-May-June 2012
The Old Breed News
Lt. Joseph E. Pilon described the events
that led to Fr. Capodanno’s death.
Over here [Vietnam] there is a written
policy that if you get three Purple Hearts
you go home within 48 hours. On Labor
Day, our battalion ran into a world of trouble-when Father C. (Capodanno) arrived
on the scene it was 500 Marines against
2,500 North Vietnamese Army (NVA)
Regulars.
Needless to say, we were constantly on
the verge of being completely overrun and
the Marines on several occasions had to
advance in a retrograde movement. This
left the dead and wounded outside the
perimeter as the Marines slowly withdrew.
Casualties were running high and
Father C. had his work cut out for him.
Early in the day, he was shot through the
right hand, which all but shattered his
hand-one corpsman patched him up and
tried to med evac him, but Father C
declined, saying he had work to do.
A few hours later, a mortar landed near
him and left his right arm in shreds hanging from his side. Once again, he was
patched up and once again he refused
evacuation.
There he was, moving slowly from
wounded to dead to wounded using his left
arm to support his right as he gave absolution or Last Rites, when he suddenly spied
a corpsman get knocked down by the burst
of an automatic weapon. The corpsman
was shot in the leg and couldn’t move and
understandably panicked.
Fr. C. ran out to him and positioned
himself between the injured boy and the
automatic weapon. Suddenly, the weapon
opened up again and this time riddled
Father C. from the back of his head to the
base of his spine- and with his third Purple
Heart of the day- Father C. went home.
Source: http//www.vincentcapodanno.org/
index.php
Like Monsignor Murphy, Lt./Father
Capodanno was born in New York, in Elm
Park, Richmond County, on 13 February
1929. Unlike Monsignor Murphy, who
earned his spurs as an infantryman and
later entered the priesthood, Fr. Capodanno
died as a young man. He was 38 years old
when NVA bullets cut his life short, only
ten years into his priesthood. (He had been
ordained in June 1957 by Cardinal Francis
Spellman.)
Regardless of their respective ages,
both men demonstrated the value of chaplains on the battlefield, regardless of their
branches of service, ages, denominations,
etc. They comfort the wounded, bless the
dead, and bolster the morale of those in
between. That is the chaplain’s role, which
Fr. Capodanno performed on the battlefield with his beloved Marines and
Monsignor Murphy carried out with the
members of the FMDA. They will not be
forgotten, regardless of where or how they
served.
Photo courtesy of Home of Heroes,
http://homeofheroes.com/photos/7_rvn/ca
podanno_field.html
Fr. Capodanno’s MOH Citation
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as Chaplain of the 3rd Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response
to reports that the 2nd Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed
enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post
and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding
the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion
of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help
their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15
yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded
corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine
gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld
the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom”
The Old Breed News
Thanks To John
Galt Miller
Association Members and Friends:
We
recently
received information that Life
Member Sergeant
John Galt Miller
had reported to his
last duty station
and that John had
left the 1st Marine Division Association
over $102,000 in his estate. For those of
you that have followed the peaks and
valleys of our fiscal condition, I don’t
have to explain what a wonderful gift this
is.
If each of our members would set
aside a fraction of what John did, we
could ensure the continued existence of
our Association.
John was born March 28, 1928 in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He passed away
March 8, 2011. He graduated from
Shorewood High School in Milwaukee.
After graduation, John enlisted in the
Marine Corps and served with the 7th
Marines during the Korean War. He was
a Purple Heart recipient.
When he was discharged from the
Marine Corps in 1954, he attended
Lehigh University and engineering
school at Virginia Tech (VPI) in
Blacksburg, VA. After graduation, he
was employed by Westinghouse Electric
in Pittsburgh, PA until his retirement to
Charlottesville, VA. He moved to
Charlotte in 2010 to be near family.
John’s niece, Kathy Rodgers, advised
us that John was very proud of his service in the Marine Corps. She will receive
copies of this Old Breed News in gratitude of her uncle’s generosity.
Help! New Members Needed
The envelope in this issue of the Old
Breed News will serve as an application
for membership in the FMDA. Pass it
along wherever a potential member is
identified.
April-May-June 2012
13
1st Marine Division Association Membership Drive
Every Member Can Be A
Recruiter
“Why should I be a recruiter?”
The By-Laws of the FMDA clearly state
the purpose for which our Association was
formed. These contain definitive reasons
for becoming a member of this
Association.
Foster, encourage and perpetuate the
memory and the spirit and comradeship in
arms of members of the First Marine
Division.
Preserve incidents and memories of
our Association.
Foster patriotism and love of country.
Perpetuate the spirit and traditions of
the United States Marine Corps.
Promote and encourage social interaction and fellowship among members.
Establish and maintain monies in a
scholarship fund for the purpose of awarding grants to dependents of veterans of the
1st Marine Division and attached units who
are deceased, missing in action, or fully
disabled. The Association has awarded 55
scholarships over recent years.
Hold meetings and social gatherings
for the better realization of the stated purpose of the Association.
When recruiting nonmembers
to join the Association, it is
important to know the product
you are selling. There are many
inducements that can be presented to the potential member,
some of which are listed here.
One thing is certain, and that is
the enthusiasm with which the
member presents his case.
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Some examples are:
• School reading programs
• Support for Marine JROTC Programs,
Devil Pups and Young Marines
• Participation in community events such
as parades, funerals, memorial services
and Toys for Tots
• Support for active duty Marines, i.e.
providing comfort packages to deployed
units and to injured Marines in local hospitals.
Additionally, recognition and awards are
made to local Recruiters of the Year. The
Association, Chapters and individual members collectively are the largest contributors to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
• Keeping informed about Marine Corps
activities, policies and programs.
• Renewing contact with fellow Marines
and enjoying the camaraderie. Provide
assistance to fellow members when necessary and appropriate.
• Participate in fund raising events like
M-1 Rifle raffles and Golf Tournaments
which contribute to support of Chapter
activities and the Association needs.
In addition to the list above, the Old Breed
News is an excellent newsletter that keeps
the membership informed of per tinent
Marine Corps oriented news and with articles from and about members.
Benefits For Computer Users
For computer users, there is a great website with up-to-date Association information and access to a PX with a wide range
of Marine Corps/Division items.
Awards Program
The Association supports an awards program that recognizes active duty Marines
who excel. In addition, plaques and markers are provided to sites of importance to
the 1st Marine Division, e.g., national
cemeteries and major battle sites.
Most of all, the benefits mentioned above
permit new members to associate with
those who have been where they have
been, seen what they have seen, and experienced what they have experienced. They
will be among people who understand you
as no one else can.
As the foregoing list shows, there are
numerous benefits available to help
recruiters “sell” new members on joining
the FMDA. Now all you have to do is go out
and sell.
Selling Points To Attract
New Members
Some of the inducements you
may use in the recruiting effort
include the following:
Over 40 local Chapters
offer a chance to meet periodically.
Chapters have a variety of
programs in which members
can participate. These include
programs that are both community and Marine Corps oriented.
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April-May-June 2012
The Old Breed News
Pendleton Marines prepare to transfer patrol
base to Afghans
MUSA QA’LEH DISTRICT, Afghanistan 05.05.2012. Story by Kenneth Jasik.
M
arines with Golf Company, 2nd
Battalion,
5th
Marine
Regiment, are leaving the place
they’ve called home for the past two
months to head to Camp Leatherneck, the
main base of operations for Marines in
Helmand province.
Afghan National Security Forces will
be taking on the security role for the area.
The Marines, who’ve spent the past two
months advising and training the ANSF,
say the Afghans are ready to handle the
mission on their own.
For about two years, different Marine
units have been at Patrol Base Habib,
which is just north of Musa Qa’leh
District Center, and have built a strong
relationship with the locals and Afghan
National Army.
“In this general area, the people definitely don’t want us to leave,” said Staff
Sgt. Justin M. Rettenberger, platoon sergeant, 1st Platoon, Golf Co. “They are
happy to have the support of the ANA
and (Afghan National Police), and
they’re going to protect them from the
Taliban.”
The Marines are able to leave the area
fairly secure partly because of the efforts
of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,
the unit here before them.
“Second Bn., 4th Marines set a good
baseline with the local population,” said
Cpl. Sedrick Hay, a team leader with Golf
Company. “Before, they were finding
(improvised explosive devices) around
here, but they held a shura [Arabic word
for consultation] and were able to work
out an agreement.”
According to the Marines, many of
whom are on their second deployment to
Afghanistan, the skills of the Afghan
National Security Forces have grown to a
level where they are ready to be independent.
“They’re actually going on local security patrols themselves,” said Hay.
“When I was here last time, we were inte-
The Old Breed News
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, load supplies onto a truck at Patrol Base
Habib, April 27, 2012. They are preparing to leave the Helmand province base in the hands of
Afghan National Security Forces when the Marines head to Camp Leatherneck.
According to the Marines, many of whom are on their second deployment to Afghanistan, the skills of the Afghan
National Security Forces have grown to a level where they
are ready to be independent.
grating them on patrols and they didn’t
really go out on their own. They really
don’t depend on us anymore.”
The Marines have seen their Afghan
counterparts apply the training they’ve
received.
“When we first got here, four ANA
soldiers were (hurt), and they applied
tourniquets and did first aid the same way
Marines would do,” said Hay, 24, from
Milwaukee. “That showed me that they
are ready for the next step.”
The Marines plan on completely turning over the base by mid-May.
“For the pack-up, I’m not too thrilled
because I really like it here. But as far as
turning it over to the ANSF, it’s the right
thing to do,” said Rettenberger, 32, from
Dubuque, Iowa. “We’ve helped them get
as far as they are, and they are ready to
lead. Also, you don’t want to become the
unwelcome guest.”
Editor’s Note: Second Battalion, 5th
Marine Regiment is part of Regimental
Combat Team 6. RCT-6 falls under 1st
Marine Division (Forward), which heads
Task Force Leatherneck. The task force
serves as the ground combat element of
Regional Command (Southwest) and
works in partnership with the Afghan
National Security Force and the government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to
securing the Afghan people, defeating
insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF
assumption of security responsibilities
within its area of operations in order to
support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
April-May-June 2012
15
Jacob Vouza: Friend or Foe?
By Tom McLeod
J
16
acob Vouza, a retired native policeman
who lived on Guadalcanal when
Japanese forces arrived to build an airfield, is an absolute hero and legend in the
annals of the 1st Marine Division’s history.
Until now, his exploits have been questioned
by historians.
Discovering historical facts is like a game
children play. One tells a story to another and
that one passes it on. When the story gets
back to the originator, nothing in it is as initially told. This is what happened to Vouza’s
story. That is, until now.
In a recently discovered 1963 interview,
Vouza tells exactly what happened leading
up to the total defeat of one of Japan’s finest
units, Colonel Kiyonao Ichiki’s famed 28th
Infantry Regiment. Vouza’s story was confirmed by other interviews, which were
made in 1968 and 1975.
To understand Vouza’s role in the Battle
of the Tenaru, one must have some knowledge of what led up to the battle. Japanese
forces moved southerly into the Solomon
Islands in the summer of 1942. They needed
an airfield in order to cut American supply
lines to Australia and consolidate their conquests in the South Pacific. They could also
launch a possible attack on northern
Australia. On the remote island of
Guadalcanal, located in the middle of the
British Solomon Islands, just 900 miles from
Australia, the Japanese began building that
airfield.
American commanders were told of the
advance and airfield construction by the network of Australian coastwatchers in the
area. Reconnaissance aircraft were soon sent
to photograph the airfield and surrounding
territory.
Parts of the 1st Marine Division, which
had been sent hastily to New Zealand to train
for six months, were suddenly thrust into a
combat role and they launched an amphibious assault upon the shores of Guadalcanal
on 7 August 1942. Col. Clifton B. Cates’ 1st
Marines seized the airfield the next day.
The Japanese High Command quickly
sent approximately 900 highly-trained
combat veterans of Col. Kiyonao Ichiki’s
28th Infantry Regiment to retake the airfield. Ichiki and his veterans landed 27
April-May-June 2012
This memorial on
Guadalcanal commemorates Sir Jacob Vouza,
the most famous hero of
the Solomon Islands in
the Second World War.
miles east of the airfield, on Taivu Point,
during the night of 19
August.
Responding to a
rumored
Japanese
radio
station
at
Garibasu (near Taivu)
and a possible landing east of the Marine
perimeter, Marine Captain Charles H. Brush
(A/1/1) and a sixty-man patrol were sent
eastward to investigate and destroy the radio
station. At the same time, Col. Ichiki sent a
thirty-eight-man patrol, under command of
Captain Shibuya, to the west to set up a communications point near what is now best
known as “Alligator Creek.” (How Alligator
Creek got its name is described below.)
Both sides stayed on, or very close to,
what is commonly known as the “Coastal
Road,” which was mostly some trodden
paths on which the locals transported goods.
Around noon of the 19th, both patrols literally came face-to-face on a blind-corner
bend in the road. After an hour-long and furious firefight, the five remaining Japanese
retreated, leaving a treasure trove of intelligence materials for the Marines. The
Marines lost three men killed and three
wounded.
Captain Brush quickly returned to the
Marine perimeter with the captured reports
and a map. Unfortunately, none of the captured documents told General A.A.
Vandegrift, the division’s commanding officer, the size of the enemy force, or the
Japanese plan of attack.
Jacob Vouza’s Part in the Battle
Here is the translated account of SgtMaj
Jacob Vouza’s part in this historic battle.
“After I had been in the police for twentyfive years, I retired and came back to my
home on 12 April 1942. Then I stayed at my
home at Colo Point (near Garibasu).
Then I saw the Japanese who first came to
Lunga (site of the airfield). I was too terrified
of these people to go close enough to them to
have a good look. However, the government
felt a bit suspicious of me because these
Japanese were staying close to my place.
Then everyone went and told lies. They
said, “Vouza is a friend of the Japanese now”
[and told] stories to Mr. Clemens.** He is
able to tell them the places where the government or watchmen are.” That’s what
everyone was telling Mr. Clemens.
Now, Mr. Clemens believed all these people. But he was afraid to send his police to
come and see me.
**Martin Clemens was a British colonial
administrator in the Solomon Islands. While
serving as a District Officer, he served as a
coastwatcher and sent huge amounts of intelligence reports to the Marines while they
were in New Zealand and after their landing
on Guadalcanal.
His war service earned him the Military
Cross on 15 December 1942. In 1944, he
received the U.S. Legion of Merit. The 1st
Marine Division also awarded him the
very prestigious commemorative “Faciat
Georgius” medal.
Clemens’ career led to his appointment as
Officer of the Order of the British Empire in
1956 and promotion to Commander of that
order in 1960. Clemens was appointed
Member of the Order of Australia in 1993.
“Hey, why are you afraid of me?” they
said. “Why don’t you come? We have heard
the news that you are now a friend of the
Japanese. If we come to you, you might take
us and give us to the Japanese.”
I said, “Who told you that?”
“Oh, we just heard the news.”
The Old Breed News
Then I said, “I am not a friend of anyone.
I am a friend of myself. I know that when I
was in the government I worked for the government. For a long time, I was not a friend
of any man.”
Now these men came, and they slept, and
went back and told Clemens, ‘Mr. Clemens,
this is how it is.’ I think Mr. Clemens did not
trust me because the Japanese were close to
my place at Colo.
Now the Japanese came wanting to take
some boys from my place. I said, “No, I can’t
give you boys, because I’m not going to take
any of my boys and let them belong to you
yet. You go and take some boys from another place. Maybe later I’ll give you some
boys.”
Why did I do that? Because I’m not a
friend of the enemy.
I was still thinking about Mailo’s work
during the time I was with the police. One
piece of news which I heard about a police
order said, “Suppose anything should happen
to England or to the Queen or to the King?”
It said, “You must honor your flag, honor
your King and respect your flag.” That’s
what I thought about then. Now, everyone
was telling plenty of stories about me, saying
I was now their friend (the Japanese). That I
was no longer a good man for the British
side. They all said that I had gone over.
That’s why the British watched me closely. They said I was a terrible man.
NOTE: Contemporary legends indicate
Vouza was inside American lines from 15-19
August, when he was sent out on a scouting
mission. Prior to leaving, Vouza was given a
small American flag as a commemorative.
Later that day, he was stopped by the
Japanese and searched. They found the
American flag. The Japanese knew Vouza
had seen the American build-up and began
to torture him for answers about American
defenses. This is a direct contradiction of
Vouza’s actual story.
All right, I waited. By and by the Japanese
came. Now they came and took me one day,
then they tied up my hands. They laid me out
on the sand at the bottom of a tree. A great
nest of ants started eating my body. I could
not run away because they had tied up my
hands. Two soldiers took bayonets and put
them against my back like this, very close to
my back. They said, “One move and you are
finished.”
Then I said, “Oh, never mind. I don’t
want to move. Let them eat me because I am
The Old Breed News
a man destined to die now.” That’s it. That’s
what I said. But, despite me talking like that,
I prayed earnestly to God, “God save me.”
That’s how I prayed.
Eventually, I tried to run away, but those
people who were soldiers now tied me up
like this, by the hands, so that my legs no
longer touched the ground. They then asked
me, “Where are the Japs? Where are the
British? Where is everyone?”
I said, “No. I don’t know.”
NOTE: This indicates the Japanese were lost
and did not know where they were.
All right, afterwards, after sunset, we
walked until we came to the sand beach at
Alligator Creek. There we met the American
section which everyone said was staying
there. One of the men with us went first, and
they shot him. The Japanese who were
escorting us said, “Let’s lie down. Then, all
the Japanese and I lay down on the ground
and the Americans were shooting at me and
Japanese close beside me.
The Japanese fell down and died, while
they missed me. Another man would shoot
another one beside me, “Agh.”
I was in the middle. I just prayed, God
save me. That’s how I wanted to talk. Later,
the Japanese said, “Go.”
It was not until we came to a clearing that
the Americans came and this Japanese escort
said, “If all my soldiers die, then I must kill
you.” I was not afraid then.
I said, “It doesn’t matter if I die.”
Just five-thousand of them had come.
Some stayed at a property on Nggela.
NOTE: Nggela Island, known to Americans
as Florida Island, is some twenty or more
miles across Iron Bottom Sound from
Guadalcanal. Some came over. But I didn’t
know how many came to Guadalcanal. Nor
did I know how many stayed at Nggela, on
this property.
Now that’s the way I thought if I reveal
where they all are. Because the Japanese had
5,000 people already and another 3,000 had
come afterwards. They outnumbered everyone here then. They outnumbered the
Americans.
NOTE: Solomon Islanders have a very difficult time with numbers. To this day, anything
more than ten can easily become a hundred.
But just one thought I had now. I said,
“Better for me to die. Then afterwards, all
will be well; every American will live and the
British will live and all my people by and by
will live and be able to work to bring the
island back to us again. But suppose I tell on
them all, it would be like me, just one man,
and they would kill Australians too and
might even go to Fiji and to Tonga because
our island is central.”
Then I said, “Oh, it doesn’t matter. I must
die for the sake of my people so that eventually all will live and do everything possible to
get our island back. To help the Japanese, to
help these Japanese, is to be the worst person
possible. They have come now to spoil us
because we have never been a land of war.
But now they have come and now we are
determined to help all the people from
America, to go with them in the bush, to surprise the enemy and to do every kind of
work, including some things we have never
done before. We did this because we decided
to work with them to help our island because
the Japanese said, “Suppose we conquer this
island, Americans must leave this island and
go back to America, and we don’t want that.
This island belongs to us. That’s why I
thought like that, and did not give up, no matter what they threatened.”
Eventually, they will make a big base
here, this enemy, the Japanese. By and by
they will kill everyone everywhere, and it
would be as though one man killed everyone
- Vouza would be the murderer of them all.
That’s why it would be better for me, one
man, to die.
All right, when we came to this place at
Alligator Creek, called a creek, but really a
river, we all saw that the morning star had
come. This escort came and thrust a bayonet
underneath my armpit. It came out my chest
and went up into my throat and tore my
tongue. Then he came back and thrust it into
my other side. He again thrust it underneath
my armpit and again it came out my chest.
Then he tried to come again. All right, this
time I blocked it.
NOTE: Vouza was apparently left to die.
However, he got his bonds loose and escaped
into the surrounding jungle.
I had not come to the Americans yet, but
when I lost the Japanese, I just raced across
the river. Then the Americans wanted to
shoot me. I said, “Friend, don’t shoot me.
The Japanese have already wounded me.”
Then they said, “Come.”
Then they said, “Who is your master?”
I said, “Captain Clemens, Where is he?
Where’s D2?”
April-May-June 2012
17
They rang up and Captain Clemens came
down. He did not think it was me, he did not
think it would be Vouza.
He came and saw that it was me.
“Oh, it is you, Vouza, and you are wounded.”
“Yes, Mr. Clemens, I am wounded by the
Japanese.”
He took me to the hospital. I stayed in the
hospital for ten days. On the eleventh day, I
asked the doctor if I could leave. The doctor
said, “No, you are badly wounded. You cannot go.”
All right, the next morning I asked again,
it being twelve days now. And the doctor
said, “All right, you can leave now.” All
right, I went out, but I had very bad wounds.
Now, because I was in the hospital, my
heart was very angry. I wanted to go back
and fight more, it made me want to fight this
enemy in order to get even for this body of
mine. Then I went out, and saw my captain,
Captain Clemens. He sent me back to my
home.
Now this is a true saying that I was thinking about because every Sergeant Major on
Guadalcanal used to say, “If anything should
happen to England, respect your flag and
honor your King.” That’s what they told me
and that’s why I said it because I belong to
the King. I am a policeman too. That’s why I
gave my life for this war, and I did not talk.
That’s the end of my story.
Now that’s why the Americans say,
“You’re a hero.” They talk like this to me,
“What made you do it? You had never seen
Americans before. Why were you prepared
to give your life?”
This is my thinking. I am a friend. I am a
true friend. I do not break a friendship when
I say that I am a friend.”
A Mélange of Medals For Vouza
18
Sergeant Major Vouza was highly decorated for his World War II service. The Silver
Star was presented to him personally by
Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift,
Commanding General of the 1st Marine
Division, for refusing to give information
under Japanese torture.
He also was awarded the Legion of Merit
for outstanding service with the 2d Raider
Battalion during November and December
1942, and was made an honorary Sergeant
Major of the Marine Corps.
April-May-June 2012
Martin Clems (L) and Jacob
Vouza at Camp Pendleton in 1968
From the British government, Vouza received the
George Medal for gallant conduct and exceptional devotion
to duty and the Police Long
Service Medal. Vouza was
made a Member of the Order of
the British Empire in 1957 for
his long and faithful government service. In 1979, he was knighted by
Queen Elizabeth II.
After the war, Vouza continued to serve
his fellow islanders. He was appointed district headman in 1949, and was president of
the Guadalcanal Council from 1952 to 1958.
He was a member of the British Solomon
Islands Protectorate Advisory Council from
1950 to 1960.
Vouza made many friends during his
association with the Marine Corps, and
Marines frequently visited him on
Guadalcanal. In 1968, Vouza visited the
United States as the honored guest of the 1st
Marine Division Association. He wore his
Marine Corps tunic until his death on 15
March 1984, and was buried in it.
A monument in his honor stands in front
of the police headquarters building in
Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands.
How the Ilu River Become Known as
the Tenaru River (aka Alligator Creek)
Historians have pondered and researched
this question for years, yet no definitive
answer,
until
now,
was
ever
found. Following his death, the family of
Thayer Soule, the Marine Corps’ first photography officer, sent all of his books and
records to your historian for safekeeping.
These will soon be sent to the USMC’s
Alfred M. Gray Research Library in
Quantico.
Thayer Soule began his military career
under the watchful eye of the 1st Marine
Division’s Chief Intelligence Officer, Col.
Frank Goettge, at New River, North Carolina
in 1941. Lt. Soule had traveled the world and
had a Leica camera with which he took hundreds of skilled photographs. Col. Goettge,
needing a photo/mapping officer, immediately assigned Lt. Soule to create the unit.
Soule, with no previous military experience or instruction, worked on map production, intelligence, and press photography.
Soule was with the 1st Marine Division in
New Zealand and went with them to
Guadalcanal. It was while they were en route
to Guadalcanal that the misnaming of the
rivers occurred.
In an unpublished paper named
“Guadalcanal-The Desperate Gamble,” on
pp. 13-14, Soule wrote, “It (referring to the
battle) happened at the Tenaru River.
Actually it wasn’t the Tenaru. It was the Ilu.
That was my fault. On that first terrible map
I labeled it wrong. But we called it the Tenaru
at the time, throughout the campaign, and the
battle is still referred to today as the Battle of
the Tenaru.
NOTE: Many historians also refer to the Ilu
as “Alligator Creek.” It is my understanding,
after personally interviewing many veterans
of the battle, that following the carnage of
battle and with many dead Japanese soldiers
floating in and on the banks of the river, huge
saltwater crocodiles began feeding on the
remains. Thus, the river also was called,
“Alligator Creek.”
After training more combat photographers in Quantico, Captain Soule went to
Guam and began preparing intelligence maps
and photographs for the upcoming battle of
Iwo Jima. Soule was Photographic Officer,
Fleet Marine Force Pacific, Pearl Harbor
when the war ended.
Semper Fi,
Tom McLeod, Historian, 1MarDiv Assn.
306 Forest Lake Dr.
Texarkana, TX 75503-1940
Museum: 903-793-0385
Cell 903-278-5004
“It’s not the truth that hurts,
it’s the sudden realization of it.”
The Old Breed News
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19
The Old Breed News
April-May-June 2012
Contributions to the First Mar
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General Fund Donations = 183; Total = $ 6,506.50
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t Marine Division Association
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Honor of President Edward Evans, FMDA- Tennessee Chapter
Honor and Memory of Col Jerry Brown, FMDA-Director
Honor and Memory of Charles Marks- WWII (Gloster-Pavuvu
-Peleliu-Okinawa)
Honor of Elton “Mutt” Thompson- WWII (Gloster-PavuvuPeleliu-Okinawa)
Honor of Irving Galfund- WWII (Gloster-Pavuvu-PeleliuOkinawa)
Honor of Plek Bevier- WWII (Island Hopping)
• SGTMAJ GEORGE F. MEYER USMC (Ret)
In Memory and Honor of all who served in WWII-ChinaKorea-Vietnam-Afghanistan-Iraq
In Memory and Honor of all who served in WWII-China-Korea
-Vietnam-Afghanistan-Iraq
In Memory and Honor of all who served during WWII, China,
Korea, and Vietnam
In Memory and Honor of all who served during Kuwait,
Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq
In Memory General Sam Jaskilka, a great Marine and
friend, thanks General
• CAPT DIRK P. MOSIS III
• CAPT W D. NAREMORE
• CWO4 ALEXANDER J. NEVGLOSKI USMC(RET.)
In Memory/ Honor of All Marines
• MGYSGT LOUIS E. NORDYKE USMC (Ret)
• SGT JOHN S. OKEEFFE
• SGT JOHN S. OKEEFFE
• CAPT WILLIAM R. OTTO USMC (Ret)
• LTCOL RICHARD A. PAPE
In Memory Of An Old High School Buddy LtCol Robert E.
Harris USMC KIA RVN
• CPL JOHN H. PENA
• LTCOL STEPHEN PERCY
• SGT THOMAS M. PERRY
• TSGT EUGENE J. PETERSON
In Memory of MAG 25 WWII- who Have Heavenly Duty
• MSGT LAURENCE H. PETERSON
• MGYSGT CHARLES D. PICKERING
• SSGT DONALD S. PITT
• PHM1 CHARLES A. RANDALL
• SGT JAMES C. RILEY
• PFC JAMES F. ROBBINS
• CPL RICHARD J. ROBBINS
The Old Breed News
16th
1st
30th
2nd
50
50
30
15
90th
91st
92nd
93rd
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• RICHARD F. ROWLEY
• CPL JOHN J. SALERNO
Honor of Pvt Knorr and Cpl Stevens Killed on patrol, 7/17/53
• CPL ART B. SCHWARTZ
• LT COL JEFFREY P. SCOFIELD USMC
• SGT JAMES A. SEKOSKY
• PFC ROBERT E. SIMANEK
• CPL DAVID SLATER
In Memory of “Old Comrades”
• SGT EDWARD S. SMITH
• SGT RALPH K. SMITH USMC
• SGT ANTHONY J. SPADA Jr
• SSGT A J. STAHL
In Memory of Sgt Louis Krause 12/2/50
• MR. MAURICE J. STARR
In Memory of Howard Davenport Recon KO 1950 -1953
• COL JOHN R. STEVENS USMC
• SGTMAJ JOHN A. SWINDLE USMC (Ret)
• SSGT DONALD S. TENNENBAUM
• CPL WILLIAM D. THOMPSON
• SGT RICHARD T. TRACY
In Memory of GSgt J.C. L. Hollingsworth, “H” Co. 2nd 5 Regt,
Capt, “A” Co 1st Bn 5 Regt
• CAPT JOHN W. VAGNETTI
In Memory of SSgt James E. Brewer KIA Vietnam
• SGT HENRY J. VANNELLI
In Memory of John T. Stritch, F-2-7 KIA Chosin
In Memory of John Bryant, F-2-7 Korea
Honor Of The Men of F-2-7 Korea
Honor of LtCol Ralph Scaramuzzo 11th Marines
WWII N. Korea
• 1STSGT FRANK T. VONRINTELN USMC (Ret)
• CPL EDWARD M. WALSH
• SGT HAROLD W.. WEINRICH
• SGT RICHARD J. WEISLER
• SGT CARL F. WENHOLD
In Memory of USMC Cpl and Lt PA State Police,
Michael Selgrath
• MSGT WILLIAM R. WERNTZ Sr USMC (Ret)
• REV. DON E. WHITE
• SGT MAURICE P. WHITMER
• COL PAUL E. WILSON
• NANCY ZALPIS
17th
9th
10
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44th
45th
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65
Scholarship Fund
Contributions = 58; Total = $ 4,465.00
• MGYSGT SALVATORE P. ANGEROME
• CPL LLOYD K. BECK
• MAJ ALLAN C. BEVILACQUA USMC (Ret)
In Memory of Helmut Gerstenberger
• LAUREN ANN. BROWN
Memory of 1stLt Ronald Winchester KIA, Iraq 2004
• SGT LOUIS S. CAMPBELL
• MICHAEL JR. CAPRIO
In Memory of Cpl Michael L. Caprio, 7th SVC ATT CH
• MGYSGT LAMBERT CONSIJIO Jr USMC (Ret)
In Memory of my beloved wife, Miyoko Mary
• PHM3/C EARL J. COOK
1st
1st
88th
50
20
50
1st
50
24th
1st
20
100
189th
20
190th
20
191st
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20
April-May-June 2012
21
22
• 1STLT DANIEL J. CRONIN USMC (Ret)
• CHARLES DELLGATTI
In Memory of 1stLt Ronald Winchester KIA, Iraq 2004
• LCDR DAVID M. EBBITT MD
• CPL FELIPE ESPINOZA Jr
• MAJ ROBERT D. FOX
• SGT GEORGE B. GELDERT
• GEORGE CO 2ND BN 5TH MARINES
In Memory of Patricia Evans
• MRS. JUNE (GORDON F.) ELWYN. HEIM
In Loving Memory of CWO Gordon F. Heim, Past President,
Treasurer. Ran 6 Reunions. From his wife June
and his daughter Diane
• RM3 IRVIN H. HERMAN
• PFC JESSE JR. HERNANDEZ
• CPL VICTOR H. HIX
• PFC WADE T. HOFFMAN
• CPL RAYMOND G. HUTCHISON
• SGT WILLIAM E. KELLEY
• TSGT PATRICIA A. KELLY
In Memory of my husband, Major Edwin F. Kelly USMC (Ret.)
Past President 1985-1987
• CAPT CHARLES S. LINDBERG
• CPL EDWARD F. LINDSAY
• LCPL EDDIE MARX III
In Memory of Donald and Ruth Emmel
• LCPL EDDIE MARX III
In Memory of George Waselinko
In Memory/ Honor of All Marines
• SSGT DONALD S. PITT
• SGT JOSEPH POLEO Jr
• RICHARD F. ROWLEY
• ROBERT C. SCHINIDER
• CAPT RICK SCURICH M.A. J.D
• CAPT JAMES C. SHUMAKER USMC(R) USMC (Ret)
• SGT EDWARD S. SMITH
• SSGT A J. STAHL
• LUCETTE STAPLTON
• SGT RICHARD T. TRACY
In Memory of GSgt J.C. L. Hollingsworth, “H” Co. 2nd 5 Regt,
Capt, “A” Co 1st Bn 5 Regt
• CPL LARRY R. VAUGHT
In Memory of Harold Abbott PFC B Co. 1/5 RVN KIA 17 Feb 68
MOH, Dewayne T. Williams, PFC H Co. 2/1 KIA 18 Sept 68
• MRS ANITA WASELINKO
In Memory of my husband George Waselinko
• CPL WALTER H. WEIDNER Jr
• SGT CARL F. WENHOLD
In Memory of USMC Cpl and Lt PA State Police, Michael Selgrath
• MSGT WILLIAM R. WERNTZ Sr USMC (Ret)
• MRS MARIANNA WINCHESTER
Memory of 1stLt Ronald Winchester KIA, Iraq 2004
26th
1st
50
500
Life Member Donation
21st
5th
17th
18th
19th
12th
26th
14th
3rd
25
100
15
25
25
50
50
25
50
Contributions #1 = 53; Total = $ 3,620.00
75th
50
16th
1st
27th
20th
3rd
10th
7th
20
20
25
20
50
25
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25
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15
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35th
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1875
• CPL DENNIS E. ANDERSON
• CPL JAMES W. ANDRULEWICZ
• MR. GEORGE L. AYER
• PFC GERALD (JERRY) L. BAKKE
• CPL CHARLES S. BLAKELY
• SGT CHARLES R. BOAMAN
• GLENN A. BORVANSKY
• ARMANDO R. CARLI Jr
• PO3 JOHN B. CURCIO
• SGT EARL R. DAVISON
• CPL RICHARD B. DEAN
• MSGT JOHN L. DECKER
• LTCOL WILLIAM H. DISHER
• SGT RICHARD J. DOBSON
• LTCOL RICHARD M. ELLIOTT
• CPL DANIEL FELSEN
In Memory of GySgt William F. Freestone
• SGT JAMES E.. FORD
• CPL JAMES R. GALBRAITH
• SGT GORDON A. GEHRLEIN
In Memory of Ralph Rebman K.IA- Korea
• SGT KEITH W. HANSEN
In Memory of Sgt. Laverne Hansen
• COL ROBERT J. HENLEY
In Memory of MajGen Jim Day
• SGT WILLIAM T. HORTON
In Memory of Alvin I. Pope A-1-5 Korea 1951
• LTCOL FLOYD G. HUDSON USMC (Ret)
• PFC BLAIR HUNTER
• CPL DRAZA KNEZEVICH
• HM2 JOHN W. MADDEN
• SFC MICHEAL L. MEADE USA (Ret)
• PFC WILLIAM A. MOREY
In Memory of HN3 George Gallagher KIA 29 Aug 1967
In Memory / Honor of All Marines
• CPL IRA L. NIX
• MAJ CHARLES H. NOBLE Jr
• MGYSGT LOUIS E. NORDYKE USMC (Ret)
• CPL WILLIAM J.D.. OMARA
• SGT ROBERT P. PETERSON
• CAPT TERRELL B. PORTER
• PHM2 JAMES L. QUIN
In Memory of 1st Marines on Peleliu
• SGT EDWARD K. RATCLIFFE USMC (Ret)
• SSGT A J. STAHL
• SGT JOHN H. STEVENSON
In Memory of Cpl Jack M. Hopkins KIA RVN
• GYSGT EDWIN H. TATE (Ret)
• SGT JOHN T. TRUITT
• SGT HAROLD W.. WEINRICH
• LTCOL JEAN P. WHITE USMC (Ret)
• SGTMAJ RAY V. WILBURN USMC (Ret)
• SGT JOHN F. WILLIAMS Jr
• SGT EDWARD L. WINDETT
In Honor of my Suad On The Hook- ‘52 A-1-7
• CPL LEONARD ZAVALA
2nd
3rd
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25
2nd
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10th
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43rd
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2010
7th
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5th
20
April-May-June 2012
The Old Breed News
Welcome Aboard!
New Members of the 1st Marine Division Association
NAME
UNIT
ADDRESS
PHONE
RECRUITER
NEW MEMBERS
SSGT DANIEL JACK. BAKKE
BILLY E. BENNETT
HM1 ARLO B. BOLLINGER
GYSGT WILLIAM A. BROSCHAY
*HM3 CHARLES T. CULPEPPER
CPL STEVEN ALDEN. DELANO
CAPT ENRIQUE DIAZ
*FELIX & PENNY FARIAS
*CPL ROBERT E. FLAHERTY
CPL E-4 DAVID FOSS
*SGT BILLY E. FOX
CPL TERRY ALLAN. GERBA
*PVT RICARDO MIGUEL. GONZALES
LCPL AUGUSTINE R. GUILLEN
SGT RAYMOND F. HARTMAYER
SGT JAMES ROBERT. HORNE
MRS ROY KERTON
DOROTHY LOUISIGNAU
MRS ROSEMARIE LYNNE
WILLIAM “BILL” MARRA
CPL E-4 WARREN D. MIXER
SGT DAVID CARLOS. PALOMARES JR
URSULA PERSINGER
CPL BOB G. RHODES
SGT JAMES ALLEN. RICHART
ROBERT ROSCOE
GYSGT LEWIS R. RUMPAKIS
CAROL SANCHEZ
E-5 LARRY D. SHOWALTER
CPL JOHN L. SULLIVAN II
SHEILA B. TAFT
SUSAN VASQUEZ
*SGT JOSEPH K. WONG
WINIFRED M. WOOTTON
WPNS CO 2-1 OIF
ASSOCIATE
1ST BN, 5TH MAR, WPNS CO
B TRK CO 7MAR WWII
1ST MAR TANK BN
H&S 2/5, H&S 3/26
2-9 5-11 1MAR DIV SOM CW
GOLD STAR PARENTS
1ST MAW, MGCIS3, MACG2 KO
HMS MAG-11 CMC
HDQ CO 1ST BASE DEPOT, 1MAR DIV
“C” CO- 1ST BN- 1ST REGT
WPNS-3-5 KO
OBN
E CO. 2-7
III MAF 5TH COMM BN VN
ASSOCIATE
FRIEND
1ST ARMORED AMPHIB BAH KO
ASSOCIATE
1621 APODACA WAY, OCEANSIDE, CA 92057
209 DRAKE DR, WHEATLAND, WY 82201
10212 YORKTOWN DR, SAN DIEGO, CA 92124
15191 FORD RD APT 228, DEARBORN, MI 48126-4696
13842 TOPSAIL ST, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78418
12 BENJAMIN’S PATH, PEMBROKE, MA 02359
39473 BONAIRE WAY, MURRIETA, CA 92563
906 AVERY PARKWAY, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78130
6346 SUTHERLAND, ST LOUIS, MO 63109
1737 CAMINO VERDE, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94592
12445 LAVIDA LN, WILTON, CA 95693
799 STATE ROUTE 7 NE, POBOX 537, BROOKFIELD, OH 44403
5061 DEER WOOD DR, SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA 95682
7956 UPPER OLALLA RD, WINSTON, OR 97496
9285 WISTER DR, LA MESA, CA 91941
2580 GOTTS LANE, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 29306
530 CYPRESS DR, RIO VISTA, CA 94571
35700 HUNTER AVE APT 229, WESTLAND, MI 48185-9457
137 Kathryne Bailey Drive , KINGSLAND, GA 31548
10620 E. NW HWY, DALLAS, TX 75218
7105 N. GREELEY AVE, PORTLAND, OR 97217
1815 E CORTEZ ST #225, WEST COUING, CA 91791
1149 SANDALWOOD CIR, NICEVILLE, FL 32578
377 N ELTING CORNERS RD, HIGHLAND, NY 12528
3422 185TH ST, WEVER, IA 52658-9556
8311 NORDALE ST, ANCKORAGE, AK 99502
1728 SW 26TH ST, TROUTDALE, OR 97060
351 PUEBLO PINTADO, HELOTES, TX 78023
3449 SOUTHERN HWY, MINERAL SPRINGS, WV 26150
29 LLOYDEN DR, ATHERTON, CA 94027
5757 64TH AVENUE NE, SEATTLE, WA 98105
200 HAMPSHIRE DR, SELLERVILLE, PA 18960
1001 WHITE NOLL DR, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
12250 SUNNYBROOK LN, WHITTIER, CA 90604
A-1-1 WWII
L-4-11 KO
I-3-5 WWII
A-1-7 D-2-5 WWII CH KO VN
C-7MT H&S-3-5 CW
I-3-5 KO
HQ BN WWII KO
COMMCO HQBN 1ST MAR DIV
INDIA CO 3RD BN 1ST MAR
VMCJ-1 1MAW
5175 WHITEWATER RD, RICHMOND, IN 47374-9223
P.O. BOX 1315, ARGYLE, TX 76226-1315
2586 SO. UNO WAY, DENVER, CO 80219-5637
401 FIRST ST, OAKDALE, PA 15071-1225
2314 NW EDGEWOOD PLACE, PORTLAND, OR 97229-7618
3301 SHOUSE RD, SANTA FE, TX 77510-9063
1840 S STEELE ST, DENVER, CO 80210-3633
80-847 DARTMOUTH AVE, INDIO, CA 92201
232 E ELLIS AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048
4230 SE KING RD #299, MILWAUKIE, OR 97222
SCTY BN MCB CAMPEN CA
C-1-5 VN
A-1-5 VN
L-3-1 VN
7149 HUMMINGBIRD DR, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21060
769 NORWICH AVE APT 2, COLCHASTEL, CT 06415
45 FAREWELL ST, NEWPORT, RI 02840
201 PRESIDENT AVE, RUTLEDGEZ , PA 19070-2112
ECHO 2/7
H&S CO 1-5 CW
B 1/5
ASSOCIATE
OBN
ASSOCIATE
2-5-1ST MAR DIV
D-1-5 D-1-1 VN
A COMP, 1BN, 5MAR, 1MAR DIV
OBN
9 ENG BN HQ 1MARDIV VN
G-3-5 1 PROV BRG 1MAR DIV KO
307-322-3837
760-458-0638
313-584-4933
361-816-0663
951-265-6838
314-352-6611
925-939-3948
916-687-7421
330-448-2910
530-672-8450
541-679-1791
619-417-7829
910-424-6003
707-374-6343
734-729-5038
912-882-1216
214-448-5534
503-285-0866
914-204-3928
319-372-9925
907-248-0632
503-328-8737
210-695-4034
304-489-9013
650-326-7992
206-523-5027
Frank E. Wallace III
Elmer J. Hawkins
Arthur W. Jackson Jr.
David Fitch
Bob Montgomery
Col. Steve Easterday
George Meyer
Steve Easterday
Tommy J. Wootton
213-250-3818
Tommy J. Wootton
RENEWAL TO LIFE
*SSGT JOSEPH A. BURGESS
*SSGT WATSON A. CRUMBIE
*PFC FRANK H. DARROW
*MSGT JOHN H. HUGHES USMC (Ret)
*CAPT DUSTIN F. JANES
*SGT WILLIAM C. JOHNS
*CWO4 FREDERIC T. KREBS USMC (Ret)
*SGT CHARLES A. LIMBURG
*SGT JAMES C. RILEY
*RODNEY D. WALKER PE
REINSTATED MEMBERS
CPL LUIS A. CRESPO JR
LCPL THOMAS N. KNIEP
SGT ROBERT J. PINE
HMC ROBERT T. SENIOR USN (Ret)
* = Life Member; WWII = World War II; CH = North China; KO = Korea; VN = Vietnam; CMC = Cuban Missile Crisis; SWA = Sowthwest Asia (Desert Shield/Storm);
SOM = Somalia; CW = Cold War; PK = Peacekeeping; WOT = War on Terrorism; OIF = Operation Iraqi Freedom;
The Old Breed News
April-May-June 2012
23
Operation Union
T
he 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division conducted Operation
Union, a search and destroy mission, in the Que Son Valley
in Vietnam, in April and May 1967. The operation was a
success, although the regiment paid a heavy price and the PAVN
did not go very far from the area. The objective was to drive the
2nd Division of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), aka the
North Vietnamese Army (NVA), out of the region. It began on 21
April 1967 and ended on 16 May 1967.
Background
24
The Que Son Valley is located along the border of Quang Nam
and Quang Tin provinces. During the Vietnam War it was included in the southern part of South Vietnam’s I Corps Military
Region.
Both Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and the
communists considered the valley strategically important. The
communists considered it as one of the keys to controlling South
Vietnam’s five northern provinces. It was heavily populated and a
great source of food because of its large rice production. At least
two regiments of the 2nd Division of the PAVN had moved into
the area by early 1967.
The 5th Marine
Regiment, minus its
2nd Battalion, an experienced force that had
fought in Vietnam
since their arrival in
the summer of 1966,
was assigned to the
valley in 1967 to support the outnumbered
Army of the Republic
of Vietnam (ARVN)
forces in the area, the
6th ARVN Regiment
I Corps map – Vietnam
and the 1st ARVN
Ranger Group.
Since mid-January 1967 Foxtrot Company, a reinforced company of the 2nd Battalion 1st Marines (F/2/1), had manned an outpost atop Nui Loc Son (Loc Son Mountain), which dominated the
southern Que Son Valley. Initially, the communist forces operating in the valley did not pay much attention to the Marines. The
reverse was not true.
On 15 April, F Co.’s company commander advised the 1st
Marine Regiment’s CO, Colonel Emil Radics, that enemy units
appeared to be preparing for an all-out assault on the outpost.
Radics reacted immediately. He developed a plan for a multibattalion assault and sweep aimed at clearing PAVN units from the
vicinity of the mountain. MajGen Herman Nickerson, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, approved Radics’
plan, which was labeled Operation Union on 20 April and implemented the following morning. That was bad news for the eponymously named Foxtrot Company, which was playing the role of
the prey in a fox hunt.
April-May-June 2012
Operation
F Company left its outpost to sweep toward Binh Son, the
nearest enemy-held village complex. The “fox” was out of its
den and the hunters pounced quickly. The Marines and PAVN
elements made contact around 7 a.m. Their skirmish developed
into a full battle before long.
Things did not go well for F Co. at first. It was pinned down
in a tree line near Binh Son. But, that worked to the Marines’
advantage. They knew exactly where the PAVN forces were
located. The enemy troops became the target of a withering air
and artillery bombardment. The tide of battle turned quickly. F
Co. launched an attack into Binh Son just as the 3rd Battalion
1st Marines (3/1), arrived to support them via a helicopter
assault.
The main body of 3/1 fought into the village to join Foxtrot
in engaging the enemy, while other battalion members landed
from helicopters east of the battlefield to block the enemy’s
most likely escape route. The U.S. Army joined the fray during
the afternoon. Its 175 mm self-propelled artillery and Marine
105 mm howitzers established separate firebases near the battlefield. More reinforcements arrived that evening when the 1st
Battalion 1st Marines (1/1) landed atop Nui Loc Son. They
were too late to save the lives of several of their comrades, however.
Fox 1/1 sustained 18 KIA in the initial stages of the fight,
Book Cost $40.00
$40.00
The Old Breed News
Fox 1/1 sustained 18 KIA in the initial stages of the fight, during which time Pfc Gary Martini earned the Medal of Honor.
The number of KIAs grew as the battle continued. Another
nine members of F Co. lost their lives on 21 April 1967. Three
more were killed in action by the morning of 22 April 1967.
during which time Pfc Gary Martini earned the Medal of Honor.
The number of KIAs grew as the battle continued. Another nine
members of F Co. lost their lives on 21 April 1967. Three more
were killed in action by the morning of 22 April 1967. The
PAVN was battered far worse.
Outcome
By the morning of 22 April, the Marines had driven the
PAVN forces out of Binh Son. They withdrew to the north. That
did not end the battle, though. Between 22 April and 14 May,
when Operation Union ended, the Marines and the 1st ARVN
Ranger Group relentlessly pursued the PAVN. The two sides
engaged in a series of deadly battles that were costly to both,
especially the PAVN, which sustained hundreds of casualties. In
fact, the PAVN 21st Regiment was rendered unfit for combat as
the result of its casualties.
Historians believe that as a result of Operation Union and its
successor, Operation Union II, the PAVN suffered over 3,000
casualties. Despite their significant losses in both personnel and
territory around Nui Loc Son, the communists remained in control of much of the rest of the Que Son Valley, and reinforcements continued to pour in.
The 5th Marine Regiment sustained over 300 casualties in the
combined operations; the entire regiment received the
Presidential Unit Citation (US) awarded by President Lyndon
Johnson. That honor did not gain them any respite.
On 26 May, the 5th Marines, which had assumed control of
the latter stages of Operation Union, began Operation Union II.
They proved the adage that there is no rest for the weary.
Life Member Donation
Contributions #2 = 53; Total = $ 455.00
• 1STLT JOHN H. ADAMS
• COL GEORGE M. BROOKE USMC (Ret)
• CPL RON K. CHRISTY
• SGT JOHN C. COLE
• ANDREW R. DUDON
• JOHN C. EDWARDS
• PFC ROBERT A. EDWARDS
• SGT PATRICK R. FORD
• CAPT JAMES P. GLENN
• CPL DAVID A. GOODFIELD
• SGT J.W. GUTZLER
• 1STSGT CHARLES E. JAQUES USMC (Ret)
• SGT JACK P. MCGREEVEY
In Honor of Chinwantao Marines
• GYSGT BERNARD (BERNIE) R.. MELTER USMC(RET.)
• CPL ROBERT J. THILMAN
The Old Breed News
12th
1st
8th
5th
10th
22nd
5th
7th
10th
5th
4th
5th
21st
4th
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35
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2nd
6th
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15
Medal of Honor
MARTINI, GARY W.
Rank and organization: Private First Class,
U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion,
1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Place and date: Binh Son, Republic of
Vietnam, 21 April 1967
Entered service at: Portland, Oregon
Born: 21 September 1948, Lexington,
Virginia
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. On 21 April 1967, during
Operation UNION, elements of Company F conducting offensive
operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy
force and immediately deployed to engage them. The marines in
Pfc. Martini’s platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to
within 20 meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic
weapons, and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and
wounded 18 marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon down
behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, Pfc.
Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area
within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously
exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he
rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a
trench line. From this position he observed several of his wounded comrades lying helpless in the fire-swept paddy. Although he
knew that 1 man had been killed attempting to assist the wounded, Pfc. Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a serious wound
received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion lying
wounded only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he
reached the fallen marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the marine toward
his platoon’s position. Observing men from his unit attempting to
leave the security of their position to aid him, concerned only for
their safety, he called to them to remain under cover, and through
a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he
could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his
wounds. Stout hearted and indomitable, Pfc. Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save 2 of his comrades and insure the
safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage,
valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected the
highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
April-May-June 2012
25
Feedback/Letters to the Editor
Reference your article on General O. P. Smith’s
recent memorial/tribute, Jan/Feb/Mar 2012, p. 5:
Your readers should be interested in knowing that General
Smith’s granddaughter, Mrs. Gail B. Shisler, has written a wonderful biography of him. The book, For Country and Corps: The
Life of General Oliver P. Smith, was published by the Naval
Institute Press in 2009.
General Smith has to be the most under-recognized legend in
the Corps. Certainly, his tour as CG of the 1st Marine Division
establishes him as the finest division commander in our history.
Read the book: you’ll agree.
Gordon D. Batcheller, (USMC, Ret.), P.O. Box 1307,
Franklin, WV 26807
EDITOR’S NOTE: The book is available through the Naval
Institute Press website, amazon. com, etc.
Because of O.P. Smith…
It’s good of you to put the “Old Man’s” photo on the cover of
the 1st Qtr 2012 OBN. It should be there more often. You do not
have to have a special reason for it.
General Smith’s efforts not only saved the First Marine
Division, but also the spirit of the United States. Because of him
I am able to write this message.
Henry J. Vanelli (F-2-7), 329 No. Felton St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19139
What Really Happened At Hoengsong?
26
In response to the question, “What Really Happened At
Hoengsong, Korea?”, in the July/August/September 2011 edition:
I was serving with Weapons Company, First Battalion, First
Marines at that time. We were attacking on the west side of that
road, while I believe the Seventh Marines were attacking on the
east side, going north.
I well remember leaving our positions at Hoengsong and traveling north along that road. After a while, we rounded a bend in
the road. There, before us, was a long convoy of vehicles that
must have stretched out at least a mile in front of us. Shortly
thereafter, we recovered several wounded Army survivors of the
massacre who had been staying in a Korean hut. The site became
known later as “Massacre Valley.”
The Soldiers had been left behind by the Chinese because they
were all wounded in the legs and could not walk. The whole thing
was a terrible sight to see. There were hundreds of dead
Americans. Sadly, although I saw hundreds of American bodies
all along the route, I do not recall seeing even one dead Chinese
soldier all along that road.
Later, I was included in a picture of the site. The photographer
filmed me waiting to carry one of the survivors, Percy Bennett,
over to the roadway so that he could be evacuated. A man sitting
behind our interpreter is another of those we recovered.
The caption with the photo read:
April-May-June 2012
CHINESE RELEASE GI. Cpl. Percy Bennett of Chicago (upper
left), released by the Communists after 11 days as a prisoner,
has wounds treated by a Navy Corpsman. The Chinese allowed
about a dozen wounded Americans to escape on one occasion,
apparently in response to a gesture by Marines.
I asked Percy what had happened at this scene. He told me that
the Chinese just went down the convoy, truck by truck, shooting
and capturing American troops. Percy told me that every
American soldier who had been captured and could walk was
marched away north.
Jack M. Witter, 3629 U. S. 23
Oscoda, MI 48750-9567
More On Hoengsong
I remember the first time we drove through the site of the massacre as I was taking the daily ammo report to 1st Mar Div headquarters and seeing fingers and toes alongside the road. I don’t
recall whether there were still any damaged vehicles in the area,
but there could have been.
What a tragedy, especially for those involved. It’s no wonder
news did not leak out for quite some time.
Bob Hall, Bellingham, WA, rdhall1925@yahoo.com
First Night In Combat
Operation Killer was my introduction to combat. We were
mopping up and taking fire as we entered Massacre Valley. The
scene was devastating.
One doctor went into Hoengsong with a white flag. He found
the body of an Army Master Sergeant there who had been treated badly.
It was a devastating introduction to combat.
Frank Petrowski, 910-346-8748
fski2828@earthlink.net
Meeting General Gayle
I was sitting here in the comfort of my home and reading
about the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on
Hiroshima! It all seems like a nightmare!
I was a Corpsman who served with the 5th Regt., First Marine
Div. at Peleliu and
Okinawa. I’m now
88 years old and I
either write or email a few Marines
and Corpsmen of
that era. Two or
three Corpsmen and
Marines who had
Parkinson’s disease
Beryl Bonacker (L)
and BGen Gayle in
Washington DC
The Old Breed News
have since passed on. Another Corpsman is still fighting the disease and still another one is fighting cancer. This Corpsman
received the Medal of Honor at Okinawa.
It’s been said that life is not fair! Our prayers go out to these
old Marines and Corpsmen who are still hanging on to life!!
This past June (2005) I visited the WWII Memorial in
Washington DC. What a beautiful sight! I wish that more of the
old boys could have seen it! While there I received a bonus: a
visit with BGen Gordon Gayle, who was the commanding officer of the 5th Reg. (He was a Major at the time). We had a very
nice visit at the Memorial and the Marine Barracks as well.
Beryl A. Bonacker, 90 Charles Lane
Eagle Point, OR 97524, 541-826-8810
EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was postmarked 11 Aug. 2005.
Somehow, it slipped through the editorial cracks. It is still worth
printing.
2012 REUNION CALENDAR
Mail your info to the OBN Reunion Editor, 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky
Hill, CT 06067, or email it to sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net. Use this
format: Unit, Date(s), Place, Contact. Provide as much info as possible
regarding the contact, e.g., name, address, phone #, email address.
Entries are posted on a “first come, first served” basis as space allows.
AUGUST
3rd Bn/7th Marines (Korea), in conjunction with First Marine Division
Assoc.’s reunion, 13-19 Aug., Portland, OR. Tom Tompkins, 1533
Broadview Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722, 563-355-6912, sondra_t@hotmail.com
C-1-7 (Korea, 1950-53), 16-20 Aug., Washington DC. Bill Farrell, 203318-1889, willydoro@sbcglobal.net
Chosin Few (Korea 1950), 22-25 Aug., San Antonio, TX. Jack Nolan,
(903) 595-0556
SEPTEMBER
Plt. 529, 2nd Bn., Parris Island, Dec. 1952. SSgt. W. S. Johnson was
Senior DI. Planning a 60th reunion to be held at Parris Island. Contact Chris
Vail, 770-321-5018, greenmtchris@comcast.net
USS Hornet (CV-8, CV-12, CVA-12, CVS-12) U.S. Navy/Marines, 11-16
Sept., San Mateo, CA. San Mateo Marriott Hotel. Carl & Sandy Burket, PO
Box 108, Roaring Spring, PA 16673, 814-224-5063, hornetcva@aol.com,
Reunion Web Site: http://www.usshornetassn.com/
K-3-7 and attached units (Vietnam), 20-24 Sept., Oklahoma City, OK.
William Rolke, 262-780-0993, k37usmc@att.net
OCTOBER
Korean War Recon Marines, 3-6 Oct., Houston, TX. James Sauser, 281332-5725, jimsauser1@gmail.com
A/1/7 Marine Corps Assn., (Korea) 7-11 Oct., Charleston, SC, HolidayRiverside, Leonard R. (“Shifty”) Shifflette, 25 Emery Street, Harrisonburg,
VA 22801-2705, 540-434-2066, CaptShifty@comcast.net
G-3-1 Korea Assn., 8-11 Oct., Oklahoma City, OK, Best Western
Saddleback Inn, 800-228-3903. Bob Harbula, 412-462-8537, bobbyjuly@yahoo.com
Msgr. Walter Cornelius Murphy
National Chaplain, 1st Marine Division Association
Chaplain, 1st Marine Division Association, NY Chapter
Aug 11, 1929 – Apr 23, 2012
W
e regret to inform members of
the passing of Msgr. Walter C.
Murphy, our 1st Marine Division
Association Chaplain, spiritual
leader, and friend to thousands of
Marines across the country.
Msgr. Murphy was born August
11, 1929 in Ridgewood, Brooklyn
to his parents, John and Marylyn
Murphy. He attended St. Brigit’s
School, Cathedral Prep and St. John’s University, where
he majored in Public Accounting. Following graduation,
Msgr. Murphy joined the United States Marine Corps. He
served as a 1stLt while deployed in the Korean War with
“Item” Company, 3rd Bn, 7th Marines in the Punch Bowl
region from January through September of 1952 as an
0302 Infantry Officer. Following his tour in Korea, Walter
joined the USMC Reserves and achieved the rank of
Captain.
He worked in the civilian sector as an accountant for
Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell before entering Our Lady of
Angels Seminary, Niagara, NY. Father Murphy was
ordained by Bishop Bryan McEntegart on May 31, 1958
at St. James in Brooklyn, NY. He was an assistant at Our
Lady Help of Christians, Midwood, 1958-1960.
After further studies at Catholic University, he was
assigned to the faculty at Cathedral Prep, Brooklyn 1961,
and joined the initial faculty at Cathedral College,
Douglaston, in 1967. In 1970, he became administrator of
Sacred Heart, Fort Greene, where he was named pastor in
1979.
He retired in 2000 to Bishop Mugavero Residence,
Douglaston. He also acted as assistant vicar for senior
priests. Msgr. Murphy served as moderator of the
Catholic Accountants Guild and as a member of the
Council for Administration of Church Property.
Sister Eileen Neary, RSM came to know Msgr. Murphy
over a 30-year period and stated, “He helped out in any
parish whenever he was asked. He came with a great love
for the people and was dedicated to the poor.”
Father Murphy often said that the joy of being a
Marine almost equaled the joy of being a priest. Father
Murphy was buried in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle
Village.
Please support our advertisers
Hopefully, our readers will buy their products so we can retain our curent advertisers, attract new
advertisers, and use the revenues to underwrite the costs of producing The Old Breed News.
The Old Breed News
April-May-June 2012
27
28
April-May-June 2012
The Old Breed News
29
The Old Breed News
April-May-June 2012
Orlando JROTC Steps Up
BIGTIME!!!
Orlando JROTC drill
team in step with
Operation Helmet
What Is Operation Helmet?
Operation Helmet provides helmet
upgrade kits to troops in Afghanistan
and other dangerous areas—free of
charge. These helmet upgrades provide four primary functions:
1. Protection: shock-absorbing
pads minimize helmet movement or
contact with the skull by reducing
flexure of the Kevlar shell directly to
the skull via its padding system. It is
believed that this decreases the
chance of brain injury from explosive
blasts, falls, or vehicle accidents.
G
regory Woods, JROTC commander in Orlando FL, a ‘broken down old Marine’ by his
description, is sending $3,000 his kids
rounded up as a donation to support 2nd
Bn 5th Marines request for helmet liners through Operation Helmet. He
responded via a request from the 1st
Marine Division Association in its
efforts to assist the BN with these
enhanced helmet liners.
LtCol Greg Woods (ret.) and his unit
members, with support from the high
school principal, Dr. Armbruster, and
Cafeteria Manager Joe Eisenbise, began
conducting unit fundraising on campus
at the beginning of the school year to
further the unit’s goal of making a pos-
2. Comfort: from first account testimony, Marines feel that this system
is far superior in comfort to the issued
model.
itive impact in the community.
The daily dedication of numerous
cadets provided the ability to join with the
1st MarDiv Association in assisting our
Marines overseas with Operation
Helmet. Coordination with the Orlando
Chapter’s head, Mike Galyean, and
Operation Helmet’s Doc Meaders ensured
that 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines was outfitted with equipment worthy of their mission and reputation.
Thank you for support for our Marines
in harm’s way: we proudly join ranks
with you in this effort.
Semper Fi,
LtCol Greg Woods
SMI, UHS MCJROTC
Quests & Queries
Donald J. Spatafore
30
Donald J. Spatafore, a relation of mine
who served with the 1st Marine Division,
was killed in Vietnam. I am searching for
a picture of him for an online memorial. I
will give due credit. (I found a USS
Kearsage album of that period which had
pictures of a USMC guard-but no identification!)
Donald was born on 23 December
April-May-June 2012
1946. He died on 13 March 1969. He was
a graduate of Riverside Heights High
School, Dearborn Heights, MI, Class of
1967. He served aboard the USS
Kearsage (CV-33).
Donald was a Private with “G” Co.,
2nd Bn., 5th Mar. Regt. He was killed at
Quang Nam.
Philip Fazzini,
phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com
3. Stability: this system keeps the
helmet on firmly and out of the user’s
eyes.
4. Durability: lasts considerably
longer than the issued version, which
may require replacement on a monthly basis.
For further details, please see
Operation
Helmet
website:
(http://www.operation-helmet.org/)
The FMDA National Office desires
to make this an enduring program in
order to support the 1MARDIV units
that deploy to support OEF. If your
chapter or an individual would like to
support the current or upcoming units,
please contact the national office for
further details.
E-MAIL from page 7
What are the financial tradeoffs?
By using e-mail, you can eliminate
long distance call charges and postal costs
(for you and the parties you communicate
with).
Why not look into it?
If you need help or more information,
call the national office at 760-967-8561.
NOTE: For those of you who are using email today, please be sure that you are correctly registered on the Association site at
www.lstMarineDivisionAssociation.org.
The Old Breed News
31
1st Marine Division Association
403 North Freeman Street
Oceanside, CA 92054
PERIODICAL — TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL

OldBreed Mar-Apr 2005.qxd - 1st Marine Division Association

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