Biographies  A - N

RAYMOND J. BALLOG (From his guestbook entry)

I WAS IN I-3/5 FROM JAN. TO DEC. 1966, I WAS WOUNDED IN HASTINGS, THEN WOUNDED AGAIN IN CHU LAI (DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SPELLING) ON NOV. 18 1966 WHEN THE AMTRACK WE WERE RIDING ON HIT A LAND MINE, WE WERE BLOWN OFF, CAN'T RECALL WHO MAY HAVE BEEN ON IT WITH ME, IF ANYBODY CAN RECALL THEM PLEASE CONTACT ME AT MY BROTHERS E-MAIL ADDRESS AT JORACER@AOL.COM AS I DO NOT HAVE A E-MAIL ADDRESS AS OF YET. THANK YOU BIG RAY BALLOG. 

Bruce Baxter

Can't remember which squad but I was in the 3rd platoon under Lt Michael Carey. Left San Diego with India in Nov of 66. Was with I 3/5 through operation Hastings, was wounded myself in that mess. Was transferred to 1/5 around Sept/Oct 67 and finished my tour with them.

Jim Blankenheim

Like everyone else I'm looking for guys I served with. I was a Forward Air controller attached to India in late 68 to early 69. You guys nicknamed me Napoleon the time we were pinned down on that plateau west of An Hoa in November of 68. We watched a Special Forces unit down in the valley getting the stuffing kicked out of them. I joined you after operation Sussex Bay when the CP got wiped out.

William (Bill) Callahan

Enlisted 11 Nov.69 service #2571052 MCRD San Diego M.O.S. 0331. First assigned to Lima 3/4 (3rd Mar Div) on Okinawa. Trans. to India 3/5 (1st Mar Div-Vietnam) in Feb.71. Rotated home 36 days later and assigned to Security Detail,Marine Corps Museum,Quantico Va. for last 8 months before discharge in Nov.71 as a corporal,E-4.

Mike Carey

I joined I/3/5 at Camp Pendleton as a 2nd Lt in late '65/early '66 and was assigned to the 3rd Plt. We trained together in Okinawa, Camp Fuji, and the Philippines before entering Vietnam as the Special Landing Force battalion in Spring '66, where we did Deckhouse I, Nathan Hale, Deckhouse II and Hastings before being off loaded in Chu Lai. I stayed
with India until the end of '66, when I was reassigned as CO, H&S/3/5 for the balance of my tour. I left in April '67.

I had been "in-country" once before, as a sgt with a detachment from 3rd Recon Bn in late '64, and I went back the third (and final) time as a capt, serving as a field advisor with the RVN Marines in '69 and '70.

I retired in Nov '79 as a maj and now serve as a priest in Guam's prison system.

Blessings and Semper Fi,

Mike Carey

SgtMaj. Billy B. Chapman, USMC(Ret)

Joined 2/5 Camp Pendleton for deployment to RVN. Transferred to MCB to organize and set up field training for Staging Battalion for replacement training for RVN. Transferred back to H&S 3/5 as H&S GunnerySgt for deployment. To Okinawa and RVN with H&S for Operations Deckhouse I, Deckhouse II. Transferred to I/3/5 as First Sergeant for Operations Nathan Hale and Hastings. Wrote the recommendations and citations for Bob Pittman’s Medal of Honor; Lt. Sam Williams’ Navy Cross and Lt. Mike Carey’s Silver Star which are posted on the "I" Company web site. Recommended several other awards, all approved, including one that drove me nuts. I searched the Awards Manual from front to back to no avail trying to find an award for one of the most courageous acts I could imagine outside of Hollywood. It was obvious the U.S. does not recognize a person for saving his own life no matter how much guts it takes. But, justice prevailed, was finally able to get Mike Bednar the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/Palm. Mike tells me the scars he collected up on the ridge has paid off great dividends on the beach over the years. After we played games at Chu Lai for a while I was assigned as Staff Secretary, Task Force Xray with General W. Stiles and Col. (later MGen) Fred Haynes. LtCol. Ed Bronars 3/5 CO also moved to the General Staff as G-3. I am told by the historians that I am the only enlisted Marine ever assigned to serve as a Staff Secretary. The folks from 3/5 liked to come to headquarters and use my flush toilet, real coffee pot and arm chairs including one 1stLt. Gary Crowell from "I" Co. When the Chief told me I could rotate the 1^st day of the month if I could find a relief, I convinced Lt. Crowell it would be outstanding for his career to extend in Nam for 6 months and work on the General Staff. He did and I paid later, BIG PRICE, and still paying today. I have to, he is the Secretary of General Services of Pennsylvania. Retired at Lejeune in 72, joined the staff of the National Rifle Association and served as the Field Representative for 9 midwest states, moved to Washington, D.C. and served as the Manager of Public Affairs, Director of Field Operations and finally Director of Membership. Resigned, elected to the Board of Directors and served on the Board and Executive Committee until 1992. Played Marine dependent til 96 and supposed to be retired here in Pa. with my Marine wife, a retired Colonel, JAG officer and former appellate judge. But alas, we run the Judge Advocates Association, the bar association for the Armed Forces, Veterans lawyers and civilian practitioners who practice Military Law. Look us up on the WEB "www.jaa.org" and if we can help you with a problem let us hear from you. When "India" came off the hill in Hastings General Lou Walt told me, "I served as CO of this Company and this Battalion in WWII. I know it’s history from WWI and Korea. I want you to tell your people there has never been a Marine fight under the banner of India Company a better warrior then these men you serve with, I am very proud of them." He was right, I am alive today because of the fighting spirit of my India Company Marines, and Lima and Kilo Company who shed a great deal of blood climbing the ridge to try to assist us. I thank every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Semper Fi.

James Collins

I joined Marine corp in Aug. 65 in knoxville Tenn. did basic at Parris Island Plt. 364 after PI and ITR at Lejune was trained as a machine gunner (0331) along with several others from 364 and assigned to India Company 3/5 at Camp Pendleton in late 65/early 66. I was assigned to 
1st Plt. Lt. Williams Plt. Trained in Okinawa, Camp Fuji Japan and the Philippines before entering Viet Nam in early 66 where I lost several good friends KIA during Hastings and was WIA my self. I was Helo lifted to the USS Repose and then later send to Millington Naval Hospital near Memphis Tenn. After release from Hospital was assigned to 2/6 at Lejune 
then MCB Clarksville Tenn. at Fort Campbell KY. then to Pendleton and back to Marine Corp Engineer Schools at Court House Bay at Camp Lejune where I mustered out in May 73. After the Marines I was caught up in the Motorcycle world riding with several clubs for a while. Finding the Lord I returned to the Motorcycling world but as a Motorcycle Minister. I spend most weekends during riding season tell them how the Lord loved and saved me from the mess I had gotten myself into. I inform then that he will do the same for them if they will just accept it and believe in Him.

Jim Crossin

I was browsing and located your web site. I joined "I" 3/5, in September 
1959 at Camp Margarita and served in the company through February 1961 when 
we returned to the states. I would be honored if you would include me on 
your list of former Company members. I don't know if you are aware that Bn. 
under then Lt. Col. Ken Houghton aboard the USS Boxer was deployed to Viet 
Nam along with a Bn. of 7th Marines in about November 1961. Somebody called 
it off and we returned to Subic Bay.

Medal of Honor recipient J.J. Mc Ginty was my squad leader.

L/Cpl. Jim Crossin 1860915/0311

William Dowling

When I was 7 yrs old and had watched the movie Guadalcanal Diary, I told my parents that when I grew up I was going to become a MARINE. My 18th birthday, after school I went to the Recruiting Office and signed the enlisment papers. July 8, 1968 I was at Parris Island to begin my career as a Marine.

After training at Camp Lejuene, I was transferred to Camp Pendelton awaiting shipment to Vietnam were I was assigned to INDIA 3/5. Joined the unit in AN HOA the day before the "69" TeT Offensive. I was engaged in a number of operations (none of which I can name) Started out as an 0311 until they assigned me as an M-60 Gunner and eventually made me the Squad Leader. Was wounded seriously (3rd Purple Heart) 20 days before rotation back to the World. Spent 15 months in various military hospitals and was released and assigned to the 25th Marines at Boston Naval Shipyard. Was discharged in April 1970.
                                                    SEMPER FI MARINES

Gregory Francesco

I was a squad leader with 3rd. Plt. while the company was training at Camp Pendleton in late 1965. During this same period, I was sent to SCUBA school in San Diego. I stayed with I/3/5 while in Okinawa, and the training at Camp Fuji. I was transferred to B Co. 1st. Recon Bn. just before the Co. went afloat to the Philippines. My recon Plt. was attached to 3/5 for Deckhouse I and II, Nathan Hale and Hastings working off of the Princeton. I had been to VN earlier with K/3/9 landing in March of 1965, serving with Ridge, Reagan, Bartzak, and Lacerte. I finished my tour and enlistment with
recon, working out of Chu Lai. I currently live in NJ, and work in NYC for Goldman Sachs. I have enclosed our Plt. picture from Okinawa, and a later picture of my recon team. Semper Fi to all.

Tom Gainer

Having graduated from high school, I looked around and decided that I really did not know what to do with myself for the near term, let alone for the rest of my life. Already a Naval Reservist since I was 17, I figured that the war was starting to go full tilt and I would certainly be sent to the Nam, I decided that the Navy was not for me. So I requested and received an honorable discharge on the condition that I enlist in the Marines, where I knew the action would be. (I still reflect on that decision, and I would still not change it)

I stayed in a "party mode" during the summer of '65 until my time came to report at MCRD San Diego in September. Upon graduation from Platoon 376 at MCRD, I went to Camp Pendleton for ITR and later assignment to I/3/5. We shipped out for Nam the following year from San Diego via Navy troop ships. Let just say that was one long ride, from San Diego to Oki. They had us stacked like "fire wood" below decks, through good seas and bad seas.

Our company participated in several operations in country, always as a BLT, so it was off the boats, back on the boats, back to the Philippines, back to the Nam. The worst and deadliest fighting came during Operations Hastings, during our battle for Hill 362. That's where Richard Pittman won his CMH, that's where I lost many good friends, buddies and partners. That's where I spent the longest nights of my entire life, then or now. That's where I learned what it met to be a Marine, what it met to sacrifice everything, to be helpless as you listen to your
buddies die, to know that as they are laid into the chopper, that is the last time you will every see them, but you will never, ever forget them, they will will forever live within you.

My final operation took place in early September of 1966. We were securing from that operation, I was second in line from point. Our point man, "Trip Wire", (that's my name for him), tripped a booby trap, jumped off the trail and yelled, but it was to late and I guess I was not listening. The long and short of it, I woke up 2 days later at the Chu Lai hospital, having had Last Rites said over me twice during MediaVac and in the hospital. I even went through the whole experience of dying, going to the bright light, being pulled back. (by the way, this long before it was a fashionable thing to tell people about)

I finished out 71/2 months in the hospital back at Pendleton, completed my enlistment in 1968 and set out to conquer the world. Along the way I attended the dedication ceremonies for the Wall in DC, but never found anyone from I/3/5 during the week I was there. There was a company reunion in 1996 in DC. What a great time, what a bunch of truly great men. We are now planning our reunion for this summer in San Diego, I look forward to it even more than the last one, for the years grow shorter and the time passes quicker and we all learn that true
friends really do stand the test of time and of battles won and of battle loss. Semper Fi

Dave Gurbal

MY NAME IS DAVE GURBAL -2150401- I WENT THROUGH BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO IN SEPT. OF 1965. I WAS SENT TO B.L.T. 3/5 IN JAN. OF 66, WITH THE LUCK OF THE DRAW I WENT TO 'I ' CO. THAT WAS THE GOOD LUCK, THE BAD LUCK WAS I ENDED UP WITH JOE HOLT, ONLY KIDDING JOE! WAS ON ALL THE LANDINGS THAT " I " CO CONDUCTED. MY DAYS WITH " I " 3/5 WERE NUMBERED WHEN WE RAN INTO THAT TERRIBLE AMBUSH ON OPERATION HASTINGS ON JULY 24th 1966,I WAS WOUNDED IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF MINUTES BY MORTARS,WAS WOUNDED AGAIN THAT NIGHT WHEN THEY DROPPED MORTARS AMONG THE WOUNDED. STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY I ONLY GOT ONE PURPLE HEART, OH WELL IT'S ONE TOO MANY ANYWAY. WAS TRANSFERRED OUT TO FIRST MARINE REGT. IN AUG. 66, HAD SURVIVORS GUILT SO VOLUNTERED FOR A C.A.P. UNIT, WAS THERE UNTIL I RETURNED TO C.O.N.U.S. IN APRIL OF 67. SPENT THE REST OF MY ENLISTMENT AT MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD IN VALLEJO AS AN M.P. . DISCHARGED AS SGT. E-5 .
SEMPER FI!
DAVE GURBAL
2150401

Tom Hoey

YO CURTIS, THIS IS UNREAL, ALL THESE NAMES RUSHING BACK. BUTCH BORTSHELLER, THE BEST 60 GUNNER I EVER KNEW OR SAW, HE IS A LEGEND I'VE TOLD MANY ABOUT, I'M GLAD HE MADE IT. THE LT, BOB MOWERY, AND YOU. MAHALO NUI LOA BRAH. HERE'S SOME MORE INFO, 

THOMAS J. [TJ] HOEY JR. 2228505 PI JULY 66, 0311

PO BOX 93 KURTISTOWN HI. 96760

HOME OF RECORD JACKSONVILLE FLA.

YOU CAN POST IT ALL CURTIS, AND IF ANYONE VISITS HAWAII THEY BETTER VISIT ME WHILE THEY ARE HERE, I HAVE THE ROOM AND I LIVE IN PARADISE [ A NO FIRE ZONE ] 

I HAVE SEEN GEORGE COLLETTI IN NY, HE'S PRETTY MUCH A RECLUSE WITH A WONDERFUL BRIDE WHO IS HIS GIFT, HE'S CLEAN AND SOBER BUT STILL VERY ANGRY.

I SAW ED GUALT IN OAKLAND ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO, NO CONTACT SINCE THEN

I SAW RUSS MACINTOSH FROM LIMA CO IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, HE IS IN AGNESS OR. AND SEEMS TO BE DOING ALL RIGHT. HE VISITED ME ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, I HEAR FROM HIM ONCE IN A BLUE MOON BUT CAN FIND HIM.

AFTER I GOT HIT I WENT TO PORTSMOUTH NAVAL HOSPITAL FOR 3 MONTHS AND THEN WAS RETIRED. A MARINE FOREVER, SEMPER FI. 

I'M YOUR TYPICAL NAM VET, 3 MARRIAGES, 3 DIVORCES ONE 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, NOW LIVING ALONE, HAVE A NICE GIRL FRIEND, A WIDOW OF ANOTHER NAM VET, WHO GIVES ME MY SPACE. IN 69 MY FIRST WIFE AND I MOVED TO MARIN CO CA. DIVORCED. IN71 I VISITED MY SURFER BROTHER IN HAWAII AND FOUND A NEW HOME. I MOVED HERE IN DEC.71 WITH MY PARTNER, A TIN CAN SONAR MAN NAME OF GREG NIELSEN, IT TOOK ME 3 WEEKS TO TALK HIM INTO THE TRIP BUT THE SWABBIE FINALLY WENT FOR IT. GOT MARRIED AND DIVORCED AGAIN, MOVED TO A 3 ACRE LOT ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII AND BUILT MY HOME WITH THE HELP OF MY BROTHER AND MANY FRIENDS. GOT MARRIED, HAVE A WONDERFUL DAUGHTER NAMED DARIA, GOT DIVORCED, DID SOME VET COUNSELING, WORKED FOR THE P.O. FOR 3 YEARS BEFORE JUST GOING POSTAL. NOW I'M ON OWCP FROM THE P.O. AND AM HAPPILY TAKING THEIR MONEY. I'M RETIRED AND MY MY HOBBIES ARE DIRT TRACK RACING [ BLIND SQUIRREL RACING TEAM ],SHOOTING IPSC, SCUBA DIVING AND FIXING MACHINES. I LIVE IN A RAIN FOREST [ 150 INCHES AVERAGE RAIN FALL ] AND TRY TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE. MY 15 MINUTES OF FAME CAME WHEN I BROUGHT THE MOVING WALL TO HILO. AWESOME. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE I'M STILL HERE, THAT I STILL THINK I'M 19, AND THAT THE VA SAYS I'M CRAZY WITH PTSD WHEN I FEEL I KNOW MORE ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH THAN ANY SANE PERSON ALIVE.
SEMPER FI TO YOU ALL, ALOHA TJ

Joe Holt

I joined the Marine Corps is August of '65. Just as basic training started, it was changed from a twelve week program to an eight week program. Lucky me. After ITR I was trained as a machine gunner (0331) at BIT, then sent to Mike Company 3/5 at Camp Pendleton. About two days before we shipped out aboard the USS Renville I was transferred to India Company. I could talk all day, but to make a long story short we trained in The Phillipines, Japan, and NTA Okinawa. When we made our first amphibious assault south of Quang Nai in June of '66 we were the last stateside battalion to enter as a unit. We were quite a team. Deckhouse I. We were pulled out and spent some absolutely monster liberty in Subic Bay before we were again called for an assault just south of the DMZ, Deckhouse II. This progressed to Operation Hastings in the mountains of the DMZ. Long story here...later. When we eventually got back to our ship, the USS Pickaway, we were sent to Chu Lai. A month or two later I got transferred to C 1/5. A very upsetting experience for me. I was assigned to 60mm mortars. A very fun gadget to work with. I rotated back in April of '67 to C 1/28 in Camp Pendleton. I'm happy as a clam to say I never rated a purple heart. Three or four months later I had orders to go to the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii. I wasn't all that very thrilled about my prospects there so I managed to get a quota to Sea School, San Diego. As a Corporal. I was stationed aboard the USS Hornet in the Marine Detachment. Much great liberty in the home port of Long Beach, then an eight month cruise to Vietnam...or thereabouts. Thirty days at sea then three or four in port. Great liberty again. Singapore, Hong Kong, Sasebo, Yokosuka, Hawaii. I actually recieved the same combat pay aboard the Hornet as when I was gruntin' the paddies yet the Hornet never even came within sight of Vietnam! But I could shine the hell outa my shoes! When we returned to Long Beach after our cruise we found that the Hornet had been selected to recover the first moon astronauts, and President Nixon would be aboard. Very cool. Also many stories to leave for later. When we got back to Long Beach I ended my enlistment in August of '69 as an E-5. The most intense four years of my life, yet if I live to be a hundred (it'll never happen. I exist on red wine and twinkies) my time with India company will have been the most meaningful. I remain Semper Fidelis.

After I got out of the Corps I went to college some, partied some, was horribly bored some. The Green Machine was a tough act to follow. I slowly got civilianized and met my terrific wife, and we had three exceptional kids. My youngest is 20 now, and it occurred to me that I appear to be the biggest nonachiever of the family, but I'm content in being so. I've worked for the local utility company for almost 29 years. I've become a home care, gardening, TV watching kinda guy. I'm as happy as I can expect to be.

Bill Hendrix

I joined the Company shortly after Capt Ski was killed. Unfortunately, I didn't have much to offer the company since I was a former Supply Officer who had volunteered for an 03 billet because of the shortages there. I was both the XO and lstPlt Cmdr and Garcia was my PltSgt. even though I had to can a couple of senior NCO's to keep him in that billet. I soon came to calling Garcia "Cpl Patch" because he had a tendency to get drunk and pick fights whenever we were in the rear. Will never forget the day that he cranked off six rounds from an old revolver right behind a Mike Co formation where their CO was getting a Silver Star pinned on him! They scattered like doves and it took a lot of talking to keep him out of jail! Was badly wounded on 10Sep68 and spent thirty nine days in the intensive care unit at NSA. After many months of recovery I was assigned to the RTR and San Diego as a Company Commander. While there I had the pleasure of
giving the deciding vote for meritorious SSgt to one of India's former
radio operators. He was the CO's operator most of the time and I can't remember his name. 

In 1970 I was reverted to MSgt. (was a temporary officer) and became the lstSgt of the Range Company at Edison Range at Camp Pendleton. Stayed there until 1972 when I retired. Came back to upstate NY and worked for the Remington Arms Gun Company until I retired again. Have been very active with the Marine Corps League and enjoyed life immensely. Lost my oldest daughter to cancer and my wife to a heart attack within the past few years. Am now retired and, on 3 March, will be moving to Las Vegas with my new wife. Will eventually have it worked out so that we spend the summers in New York and the winters in Vegas.

Let me close by saying that, in my twenty one years in the Corps, I never met a finer group of people than I did in India Company! You guys were the best and I love you all!

Doug Howell

Joined up with I 3/5 at Camp Margerita at Pendleton in '65. Went south with the original SLF group aboard the Pickaway/Alamo/Princeton ,stopping off at Hawaii, the Phillipines, Japan and Okinawa along the way. After operation Hastings many of us were transferred. I went to Lima 3/1 and finished my tour there.

Joe Klinger 

Raised in San Antonio, TX. Went to MCRD in Feb 67, 0311, assigned to I 3/5 in Aug. 67. Was a new guy that barely survived Sept 6, 1967 during Operation Swift. I was next to Curtis Eidson during much of that horrific event so we share many of the same memories. LT Corr (my hero to this day along with Capt. Kolakowski!) sent me to NCO school in Okinawa during Dec 67, while 2^nd platoon was up in Danang. Upon return, I was a Squad Leader and escaped without serious injury until June 8, 1968, when I was seriously injured when our CH-46 was hit repeatedly (Rodney Johnson was in the same chopper!) after a successful RECON response mission just North of An Hoa. I was sent back to the states after a couple of operations and I was thrilled to get out of Nam.

Bill Maseman

I served in "I"3/5 from 64 to 65 when the unit was sent to Nam and changed to "A"1/3/3 at DeNang
I was in Wpns, 60 gunner at Margreta.Will answer anyones mail that cares to write.
Other units served in: "B"1/7-66, "D"1/5-66, Marine Det/London/67/68, "E" 1st Recon Bn/68/69,  HHC 2nd Div/70/7, VMCJ-1, Japan/Philippines/Nam/71/72, HQ Co,FMFLANT.
Left the Corps in Sep.73
Joined Army Jan 74
Retired Sep 84

Roger McCann

Entered USMC out of High School, '68 - Went through Parris Island then ITR. When to 'Nam in '69 right after basic.. Went to India Co. and was there for nine months... Wounded 3 times and sent home..Went to Camp Lejeune for about 2 months and then to 8th & I Marine Barracks, Wash.DC.. Assigned to Presidential Retreat @ Camp David. Decorated with Silver Star at Iwo Jima Monument in Arlington Cemetary in July. '70..Out of Corps in July '71.. Went to work for Metro PD in Wash, DC and then U.S. Secret Service until 1980. Came back 'home" and was Police Chief for 12 years and retired 4 years ago.. Am currently a Local Criminal Court Judge, Licensed PI and Director of Security for small College. Am waiting for youngest daughter to graduate, then I'm "outta here".......Will spend time playing golf and "drowning worms"........

  John T. McGaughey Jr.

I was an artilllery scout sergeant (0846) attached to India off and on from July 1969 to July 1970.  My radio operator was R.L. Martin, Jr.  I enlisted in August 1968 and went to "boot camp" at MCRD San Diego.  Bob enlisted in 1966 and went to Parris Island, he served his first tour with B 1/9 in 1967 to 1968.  I was commissioned in 1974 and was a cobra pilot until I retired in 1994, Bob works as a caterpillar mechanic.  I live in Virginia and he lives in Connecticut.  You should add "Spanky" Norris to the Navy Cross list. He was KIA in August 1969 in the "Arizona" while charging a NVA machine gun.  Semper Fi

(Editor note:  We have Norris on Our Wall as a Navy Cross awardee).

Bob Morris (Okie)

I enlisted in July of 69 and went through boot camp at MCRDSD, ITR, BITS, & Recon school at Pendleton. I got to India 3/5 in Feb of 70. The first few patrols I was the tail, but after the first fire fight I told the Lt. I needed to be somewhere that I could know what was happening. So I humped a radio. After I was there a month, some guys came to me wanting me to hump a party pack on patols for anyone who got hit. They said that I was the only one in the plt. who didn't smoke it and the only one anybody could trust. For the next two months the party pack was taped in plain sight to my radio, even when I was in the rear and nobody bothered it. It was a huge honor. Only bad part was when a man was wounded and I was called to his side for what might be his last enjoyment in life. In May I got drunk and got into a fight and busted a guy up. He was medivaced to the states and I had my hands slapped and sent to Recon. Was shipped out so fast that I didn't have a chance to say bye to the few friends I had. Finished my tour as point & team leader for team Cayenne. I spent the next 2 1/2 years at MCAS Yuma, Ariz. as a brig supervisor. Discharged in July 73.

Mike Mannell

 I joined the Marine Corps 14 days after High School in June of '71 in hopes of making it to Nam before the war ended.My cousin(Tim Votaw) lost his legs in 66 and was the person who inspired me to become a marine. A real Guts up guy! I served in the Gulf Of Tonkin in '72 and flew in country (Hue RVN) with the(9th Marines)(ComPhipGrpOne7thflt) Brass in the spring of '72. The South Vietnamese Marines were doing all of the fighting. When I returned to the States I got orders to 3/5. I served a year and a half with 'I' Co as the 2nd squad leader in the 2nd Platoon.We were on red alert in the spring of '74 after Desert Warfare training to go to the middle east,but they called it off. So close...yet so far.... I just wanted to say thank you for all of your sacrifices. God Bless all you guys........Semper Fi

Nolan Nunnery

I first landed in Nam in March 1966 with Delta 1/5 (who is also having a reunion next month). I was with Delta 1/5 from June 1965 until May of 1966 when I was transferred to Bravo 1/7. In Delta 1/5, I was point man and scout swimmer for the first platoon. In Bravo 1/7, I had point fire team with Second platoon and temporary squad leader at different times. I was put in for the "Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry," but don't know what happened. I rotated stateside around the Monsoon Season in late November 66. I came back to Nam from the MAP's station at Tuns Tavern (where the Marine Corps first started) barracks and brig at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. I signed a waiver to return to Nam, played war games in Calif. (for the FNG's that was going) for a month before leaving. When I return to Nam in June 1967, I was placed in 3rd MP's in Danang until we went out on our very first night patrol. It was crazy and I thought if I'm gonna get killed, it would be better in a grunt outfit. That's when I joined India with another MP by the name of Thomas. I was an ammo carrier until "OP SWIFT" and found myself reassigned to machine gunner. As I now understand it, I was attached to first platoon under Lt. Duckworth after we had been reorganized after "SWIFT." We all know what the times were like then (in the Corps and that which was going back home). And unfortunately, we were caught in a strange world that affected of us all in some way.

Anyway, that was a brief synopsis of me in Nam and maybe I'll maybe hear from some you guys like I have from Ric Lee. I was in every major "OP" India was in until after "Tet." I used to know how many "OP'S" I had been, but time has erased so much and a lot of parts of my memory are missing. 

I'm trying to get better both mentally and especially physically and if God be willing, I'll be at the next reunion. Hope everyone has a good time and that there's lots of pictures to check out.

Semper Fi,

Nolan Nunnery