 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marines May
16-19, 2002 Brad and I have just returned (June 5) from our 3rd reunion with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. We are just in awe at what we saw and heard for 4 days and 3 nights! We will be posting pics here as they come in. DR "Battalion Landing Team 3/5 was first activated at 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Philadelphia in 1917. It has participated in both World Wars and a host of conflicts and campaigns, to include the Korean War and Vietnam War. The battalion has been decorated with 20 awards since its inception, including multiple awards of the Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation and several Meritorious Unit Commendations." ~LEATHERNECK Magazine, May 2002 (Click on pictures to enlarge)
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines "If my grandchildren ever ask if I was a hero I will tell them that I wasn't, but I served with a whole bunch of them!" Bill Hendrix, I/3/5
3/5 Ladies
Liz and Mark Biagiotti, Highland Marina Owners Our very special thanks to the staff at the Highland Marina for treating us all so special...again! "Your Reunion is definitely one of the highlights of our year. By the way, in the fish picture with Jim Bisessi, I think the fish was just scared (not mounted) - but I'm not sure - and I'm not telling!!" Mark Biagiotti Also, thanks to these fine folks for their great contributions: Bobby
Priest of Flowers Bakery Company ( Bread products)
Our Welcome Sign (it now hangs proudly in the Northern California Redwoods) "Thanks again for another great reunion. As always, I enjoyed the HONOR of talking and drinking beer with fellow Marines. What a terrific job of making another reunion such a meaningful experience, especially in honoring the Sons, Brothers, and Friends that didn't make it back from Nam..." Mike Mannell (I/3/5)
Brenda Eidson presenting Memorial Wreath for Larry Searight, M/3/5 We were all saddened to hear that Larry Searight passed away 10 May...he was on his way to Georgia from California for his first 3/5 Reunion when he died of a massive heart attack at his daughter's house in Fort Worth, Texas. Bill Vandegriff and Jim Blankenheim presented the Memorial Wreath for Larry to his family at their Memorial in Michigan 24 May. Semper fi, Brother Marine. We will never forget. 3/5 Wall of Honor
Names of our Fallen Brothers from H&S, India, Kilo, Lima and Mike Companies. Larry Searight's Memorial Wreath stands at the left side. (The names on Our Wall are from the 3/5 websites, this Wall is in no way yet complete).
Our 3/5 Colors These were hand made special for us per Marine specifications. All 5 guidons are per Marine regulations and standard. The Battalion flag is per spec by Marine regulations and hand made by the same hands that make all Marine flags for all Marine units today. There is only one company in the world that is authorized to make these for the Marine Corps, and the flags were made for us per marine regulations by this company. There are 20 streamers on the top of the flag that represent the participation of the unit in battle. There are 49 authorized streamer to date that can be flown on a BN. flag and 3/5 owns 20 of these. These streamers are also handmade per Marine regulations.
Company Guidons "I want to thank all you old jarheads for a fantastic reunion. It was great to see old friends and to make new ones with you "old timers." It made me want to put on the cammies again. I really am looking forward to next year. Semper Fi! " Randy Pelt, I/3/5 and M/3/5 Submitted by Chuck Goebel, M/3/5
1.
Jim Bisesi and Mike Wilson, H&S 3/5
1.Fate and Cathy Warren "The pics are great!!! You can take it to the bank that everyone will enjoy looking at the pictures over and over, again and again to recapture the great memories of Reunion 2002!!" JR McElroy (M/3/5)
1.Ed
McCurry (H&S 3/5) and Randy Pelt (I/3/5 and M/3/5) "This recent reunion was one of the outstanding events I have ever participated in during my life. It was a unique event and speaks highly for the organizers as well as the people who travelled throughout the US to come to the reunion. I am already looking forward to next year." JD
Mike
Co. 66-67
Carlos Septien, Jim Cravey, Gen. Ray Davis, Dave Krueger, JD Murray
1.
Ed and Susan Combs, Randy and Judy Cernick, JD and Beth Murray. Submitted by Jim Bisesi, H&S 3/5
Hands
down, Jim Bisesi catches the biggest fish...again...
Gen. Davis, Jim Bisesi, Sgt. Maj. Wright Debbe Reynolds, Ginny and Mike Mannell Submitted by Jake "Butch" Bortscheller
India 3/5, Mike 3/5
Shadowboxes presented on Saturday to: The
Family of "Doc" Harry Bowman, Mike 3/5, KIA 9 May '68
James "Spanky" Norris Family honored I/3/5 Marines of 1st plt. with Norris Family; Dennis Tenety, Ed Mason, Kathy Norris, Paul Smith, Mrs. Wilma Norris, Jimmie Christy, and Roger McCann. "Spanky" Norris was KIA 13 Aug. 69, and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. The Norris Family received a plaque with a newspaper clipping from Roger McCann telling of Spanky's heroic action on the 13th of Aug. 1969... Ed Mason, Wilma Norris, and Kathy Norris.
Sgt. Maj. Glen Wright and Wilma Norris (James "Spanky" Norris' mother) with 3/5 Battalion colors "Kathy and I were just in awe at the things we saw and the people we met... the families of our fallen Brothers and how the Marines treated them. Marines take care of their own you know! And Kathy and I just fell in love with Mrs. Norris (Spanky Norris' mom). She was such a sweet Lady." Jimmie Christy
Doc Bowman's sisters, Pat and Judith, escorted by "Doc's Marines," Rock Giambrocco, Jerry Lomax and Curtis Batten Durig Saturday's presentations Sgt. Maj. Wright and Gen. Ray Davis honored the family of "Doc" Harry Bowman. Doc Bowman was KIA 9 May '68 on Mother's Day when M Co. 3/5 ran into an NVA Base Camp up on Haivan Pass. Doc Bowman was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously. M/3/5 Marines met Doc Bowman's family for the first time. > Ronny Tucker's Family Honored Left:
Chaplain Rogers, Ronny Tucker (Donny's twin), Tom Wityak (Donny's friend,
M/3/5) Our Battalion Colors being brought in and presented (at our informal awards ceremony)
Informal Awards Ceremony
Some very special guests, Datha Corbitt and Betty Bowen
We were honored to have Datha Corbitt and Betty Bowen with us. Datha's brother, 2Lt. William Gray Ross, was KIA 15 June '68 on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST. Betty was his girlfriend at the time. It was the first time they met India 3/5 Marines who served with 2Lt. Ross (pictured here with Betty and Datha are Ted Duckworth, Eddie Garcia, Kay Groves, John Gunderson, Mark Rader, Larry Vaught). 2Lt. William Gray Ross Memorial page "Honoring those who work so hard all year long to make the Reunion and our websites a success"
1.Woody
of Highland Marina
1.
Ed McCurry 3/5, H&S and Mike 3/5, and India 3/5 webmaster
1.
Kelly Wilson and friend for honoring our 3/5 Marines at her school last
Memorial Day
Personal awards 1.
Bill Vandegriff, honored by the M/3/5 Marines he served with, presented
by Craig Sullivan and Jack Swan
JD Murray's "award" JD Murray receives award from Byron Hill, Steve Lindblom and JR McElroy for wound after being ambushed by a tent stake
1.
Jim Bisesi, H&S 3/5
1.
Mike "Gomer" and Bev Pyle, 3/9
1.
Ed McCurry, H& S 3/5
1.
Art and Marina Diabo, M/3/5
1.
Curtis and Ella Batten, M/3/5
1.
Britt and John Costello, I/3/5
1.
Joe McNinch, I/3/5
1.
Dana and Mike Wilson, H&S 3/5
1.
Milan "Chunky" Stonebreaker, I/3/5 "Wasn't the reunion greatttttttt---Ella and I are already planning for the next one. It was simply awesome, to see everyone again " Curtis Batten, M/3/5 Pictures, Albums, Memorabilia, Mess Hall, Entertainment
Jim Bisesi's impromtu raffle, guess who won?? Submitted by Randy Pelt (M/3/5)
Former Mike Company CO's JD Murray, Randy Pelt, and JR McElroy Submitted by Joe and Mitzi Boydell (FMF Corpsman M/3/5)
1.
Joe and Mitzi Boydell
5.
"Pappadoc" Joe Boydell...our only FMF Corpsman this year Submitted by Roger "Nick" Nicholson (M/3/5) Steve Walker-Haygood and Nick
M
Co 3/5
Color guard presenting 3/5 Battalion colors "Thank you for your hospitality on May 18th, 2002. I served on the Color Guard Detail with Sg.t Krempin, Cpl. Spinard and Cpl. Zeirke. It was our distinct pleasure to be at your service yesterday. Semper Fidelis," Cpl. Nathan W. Foster
Gen. Ray Davis, our distinguished guest, Mike "Gomer" Pyle (3/9) in back Submitted by Jimmie Christy (I/3/5)
India
3/5, 1st Platoon, 1969 1.
3/5 Battalion colors presented by Albany Marine Logistics Base Marines
Our distinguished guests, Gen. Ray Davis and Sgt. Major Glen Wright and his wife > Doc Harry Bowman's sisters, Pat and Judith, receiving shadow box of his Silver Star and other medals 1.
Sgt. Major.Wright and Gen. Ray Davis along with I/3/5 Marines Paul Smith
and Dennis Tenety
Eddie Garcia, I/3/5
1.
Dennis Tenety, Kathy Christy, Curtis Eidson (I/3/5)
1.(M/3/5):
Ed Combs, Bill Vandegriff, Jack Swan, Roger Nicholson, Craig Sullivan,
Ken Fields, Steve Walker-Haygood Bill Vandegriff (M/3/5) 1.
and 2. Jack Swan (left) and John Costello getting down! WebbeDebbe having a blast!
One of the Marina's staff, aka, Snake Handler Submitted by Craig Sullivan, M/3/5 "The reunion was Great. It is going to be extremely hard to top this one. I bet we double in size again next year." Craig Sullivan Mike
3/5 1.
Frank Ambrose (M/3/5) and Bill Vandegriff (M/3/5) with Battalion Colors Ed Combs and Craig Sullivan "Ed was the 1st plt cmdr, on SWIFT, seriously wounded, and we located him about 1 month before the reunion. That's why Sully was so excited to see him. We did not think he would survive." JD Murray "Ed Combs, Bill Vandergriff, and Rob Whitlow, the Air Observer over us during portions of the Sept. 4th battle1967." JD Murray Swanie entertaining the troops 1.
Color Guard from Albany Logistics Base presenting our Battalion Colors
on Saturday M
Co 3/5 Operation SWIFT Sept. '67 "I thought the reunion was one of the highlights of my life. I'm just one of those guys also trying to piece together the puzzle left us by Vietnam. I am always looking for attachments. I have always needed to know who Mike 3/5 was before me, and after." Paul O'Connell Brad and Debbe Reynolds (M/3/5) Paul and Deb
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