Joe Bowers, Vietnam 1967
Joe Bowers, Mike 3/5 Joe was in Vietnam from July '67 to February '68 with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Mike Company. Operations he was on include COCHISE, SWIFT, SHELBYVILLE, BAXTER GARDEN, AUBURN, TET Offensive '68, several "No Names," and countless patrols and ambushes. WIA during the TET Offensive Feb. 8, and 15.
Joe was Brad's squad leader when Brad first got to Vietnam on Sept. 15, '67. They hadn't heard from each other ever since, until last year when we located Joe via the internet. Six months later, we drove from the Redwoods to Oklahoma where they had their first face-to-face meeting after 32 years.
Both were older, but still young Marines inside. Names were hard to remember, but events and actions they were part of in Vietnam were as clear as if it were yesterday. It was a great reunion, long overdue!
(click pictures to enlarge)
Brad and Joe
Vietnam, Sept. '67
Brad and Joe, May 2001
Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego 1966
Platoon #2202
Joe is in the top row, 7th from left
2nd Bn. Recon, early '67
(click to enlarge)
Mike 3/5 base camp
Nov. 1967
Joe (left) and Marines of Mike 3/5
If anyone recognizes any of these guys, please let us know
1st Platoon Mike 3/5, December 1967
1st Platoon Lieutenant (left) and 1st Platoon Sergeant
Montgomery, Workman, Lucibello
David Langston
Marcias
J.P. Swan (back left), Joe Bowers (back center), and Bill Vandegriff.
Frank Coronado is kneeling (right), can't remember the other names.
Elliott Rubenfeld 3rd from left, can't remember the other names
Close call, does anyone remember him?
Ken Fields and Joe
Tools of the Trade
Railroad bridge at end of Anderson West, Feb. '68
Crusader at Danang Air Field, Dec. 1967
This neat little rig Joe is in is an Otter
It has a propeller in the back, and was supposed to be amphibious (only rode in it on land)
(Background and Title by Redeye)