Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War
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JACK ATWOOD

Scot,

Thank you for sharing Pat's 2nd tour combat history,and the e-mails from Gen. Brandtner. I appreciate it.

I knew he saw a lot of action, but I had no idea how much. He never let on to anyone as far as I know. I also did'nt know that he extended his 2nd tour.

Some guys gave so much more than others. Pat was one of those. When he visited me in Seattle a few years ago (the last time I got together with him, and much to my regret now), I asked him why he went back into the corps (most of us used to count the days till our time was up). He told me that "there was something left undone". When we were both there in`65/`66 it was quiet (at least in Danang where I was) compared to what was going to happen shortly. He told me that during his 2nd tour, "there was enough for everyone". As I mentioned on the phone, he was still very deeply affected by his experiences. From the info you sent it's easy to understand why.

In reflection, for various reasons, I think a lot of us thought about going back in after our Marine Corp obligation was up and we were back in civilian life, but few of us had the real desire, the will, or the nerve to do it. To my mind, only the real Marines stayed in Vietnam, or volunteered again to go back. Pat was a member of this special breed, and I admired him greatly for doing it. Not to sound melodramatic, but it's men like Pat that have allowed this country to become what it is today by being willing to fight it's battles.

Pat certainly took care of "the things left undone."

I'm proud to be able to recall him as a friend. I will always remember him.

 

Jack Atwood