Operation
DESOTO This is not an official USMC combat operations page, but our attempt to recover as much info as wecan about the operations participated in by the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam. We will be posting recollections and pictures from Marines and FMF Corpsmen who participated in Operation DESOTO. ***********************************************
Operations in the Que Son Basin brought an increase in the base and logistics structure in the area. Here, a Marine CH-46 lands on a newly constructed helicopter platform surrounded by the sand-bagged bunkers at the fortified hilltop position of Nui Dang. Department of Defense Photo (USMC) A42162.
Operation DESOTO occurred as the 1st Marine Division prepared to issue the M-16 rifle to its infantrymen. MajGen. Herman Nickerson, Jr., used a 21 February visit to Operation DESOTO to discuss the weapon with one of the few 1st Division to have one. Maps/picture and caption photocopied from "U.S. Marines in Vietnam - Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967" by Major Gary L, Telfer, USMC, Lieutenant Colonel Lane Rogers USMC and V. Keith Fleming, Jr. One of the "U.S. Marines in Vietnam Operational History" Series. ****************************************************************************** OPERATION
DESOTO
I served with "M" Co. 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from 15 Dec 66 to 24 June 67. Participated in Operations SPOIL, DESOTO, UNION (hospitalized 13-21 May 67), UNION II, and ADAIR (until transferred to 2nd Combined Action Group, III MAF). Had an additional tour as an advisor to VN Marine Corps from 9 Dec 70 to 1 Dec 71. During Operation DESOTO
most of Mike's action was against insurgent Viet Cong forces which utilized
bunker complexes, hedgerows for fighting positions, open rice paddies
approaching their defensive positions; and well-constructed cave hill
sites for logistical support and living areas. Mike Company's action was
in Duc Pho and the immediate surrounding area. ************************************************************* Denny Dinota
I received the Silver Star for actions during DESOTO, early '67. DESOTO was a daily bitch. No real big battles, just a daily grind of low casualties, but every day. ****************************************************************************
"The
Lesson" While on Op DESOTO, I was to take part in a reactionary force in case one of our ambushes got into trouble. On this night, you couldn't see five feet in front of you. When it got dark over there, it was dark like a tomb. Our ambush went out just after the sun went down, I believe. I was with 1st squad, 1st plt. We were told to be ready to go at a moment's notice. Being in someone else's sand box, you play when they want to play. This night was play time, so the game was on. Charlie hit the ambush with grenades and small arms fire, the call came in for help. "Move out!" came down the line, "Be ready to haul ass!" We had been told not to take our gear off other than our packs. Trying to sleep with one's gear on is quite uncomfortable, so I took mine off and laid it next to me. When the word came to haul ass, I had a hell of time finding my gear in the damn dark! Our brothers were in trouble, and here I am looking for my web gear! It only took a very short time for me to find the gear, but it seemed like an eternity feeling on the ground for the gear. When I got to the CP, Gunny Dinota was madder then hell. The way he was hollering, someone was in big trouble, that someone was me. The next thing I saw was these pretty little stars, Gunny D had whacked me alongside the head, damn he could hit hard. My first thought was how dare him lay a hand on me, and him being a staff NCO to boot! For the next two days I felt like putting a bullet in him, who would have known in a firefight. As soon as I got over being mad and had time to think about what had happened, I knew he was right in his actions. The lesson of that night taught me to be ready at all times for anything. A lesson like that stays with you, it served me well in the next ten months! Thanks Gunny, you sure saved my dumb ass!! *************************************************** "Doc"
Dan Link
Pictures taken by "Doc" Jim Clarke of "Doc" Dan Link receiving the Silver Star.
The award was given while he was at 7th Comm. Battalion several months after the fact. He was put up for the star in Operation DESOTO, Feb. 15, 67. Dan came out of the bush on UNION II. He and I grew up together in NJ from kindergarten, joined the Navy on the buddy system, went through Corps school together and wound up in the Nam at the same time. He went with the grunts, and I went to a MASH unit.
Picture
taken same day Doc Link received the Silver Star. ***************************************************
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******************************************************
******************************************************** Killed
In Action on Operation DESOTO Feb. 1, 1967
CPL.
RICHARD P. MC STRAVICK, JR. ********************************** Feb. 15, 1967 LCPL.
THOMAS TAMILIO PVT.
JOSEPH MICHAEL CASSERLY ********************* Feb. 16, 1967
PFC.
STEPHEN ZBIGNIEW BORCZYK *************************** Feb. 21, 1967
PFC.
JOHN DONALD OSSMEN ********************* Feb. 26, 1967
CPL.
LEONARD RAY SAINT CLAIR ************************* See also: 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines website Denny Dinota's
Silver Star Citation FMF
Corpsman Dan Link's Silver Star Citation ************************** |
