Grady Rainbow when he made Corporal in Nov. '69. Officers are Lt. Shaffer (Aide-de-Camp) and BGen. Charles S. Robertson. This was his Combat Meritorious promotion after he got out of the hospital and was stationed at Division HQ.
Grady Rainbow, Mike 3/5 I joined Mike Company as a PFC in March '69 at the end of Operation Taylor Common. I was wounded in a night ambush, walking point, on April 1st. I participated in Operations Muskogee Meadows and Pipestone Canyon.
My second Heart came June 23, 1969, and I was medevaced to Da Nang the 1st part of July. I left the hospital in September '69, and was assigned to the CG's Staff 1st Mar Div. I extended my tour, and after making Sergeant transferred to MP Company, 1st Mar Div. I came home in August 1970.
I reenlisted, and served until 3 August 1984 when I was discharged for disability. I acquired nerve damage to my spine from injuries, and have no cartilage in either knee from running (the Corps got REAL big on running). I left the Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant, and was on the promotion list for 1st Sgt.
I served with "L" 3/3, 5th MAB, "L" 3/7 1st MarDiv, Recruiting Duty RSS El Paso, "G" 2/5 & H & S 2/5 1st Mar Div, Recruiting again RS Oklahoma City, HQ CO HQ
BN 1st Mar Div (Company GySgt), Comm Co HQ Bn (1stSGT), Detachment GySgt/Guard Officer USS Long Beach CGN-9, OP's Chief LFTC PAC, Company GySgt H&S 3/3 1st Brigade.
I have a wonderful wife (a former WAC, USA), two grown daughters (one a former Marine). I now live in Oklahoma City, and work as a Group Manager in Examination for the Internal Revenue Service.
I am a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (the national convention is in Oklahoma City this year 1999), a Charter founder of the Second Amendment Task Force, NRA, and a member of the NRA.
I have written my memories of Viet Nam & Mike Co. for my children and would welcome any input from anyone that knew me.~Grady Rainbow
Promotion to Sergeant with Colonel Noble Beck (5th Marines Regiment CO) and Brigadier General William F. Doehler, 1st Division ADC.
Division Hill, Danang
Left: 11th Motors coming back from a body ID detail to Da Nang, Corporals Boren, Fargo (aka "Flower Child"), Labaday and Tyson. Tyson was KIA shortly thereafter.
Right: Cpl. "Smitty" Smith. "He saved my butt the first time I got hit in April, 1969."
Center: Kit Carson Scout Da', taken on Operation Pipestone Canyon. He and his family were murdered by the VC in 1970.
Grady Rainbow's Mike 3/5 Memoirs
"Daddy, why do you where green?"
Danielle Rainbow's poem for her Dad
This little darlin' is Skylr Ethan Taylor, newest addition to Grady Rainbow's wonderful family. A new generation...you have been blessed again, Brother Marine. We share your pride, and send our best to All!
Semper fi, Brother Marine. You were sure blessed with some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Thank you for writing, and preserving this important part of the history of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam~DR
(Background and title by Redeye)
