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Title
graphic by Redeye
"WE
HAVE BEEN TO THE LAND OF DRAGONS AND RETURNED, WITH A BENT SWORD, A SCORCHED
SHIELD, AND A BURNING FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS" "Sleep
easy tonight, the Marines are on duty"...Sent in by Jim Bisesi H&S
3/5, graphic by Doug Kidd June
10, 2009 Frank Jurney sent us copies of the Leatherneck Magazine
articles on Operations in the Que Valley, including Operation UNION, UNION
II, Operation SWIFT, and Operation ESSEX (Antenna Valley) by LtCol. Otto Lehrack...starting
with Operation
ESSEX, we will be posting them (with permission of Leatherneck
Magazine and Otto Lehrack) in Picture
Gallery 2008...our thanks to Frank, Otto and Leatherneck Magazine that
we can share these with our website visitors. June
9, 2008 We posted more pictures from Steve
Lovejoy to Picture Gallery 2008...if anyone recognizes the Marines
in the pictures, please let us know...thank you for sharing, Steve! June
1, 2008 LtCol Otto Lehrack sent in several copies of Sea
Tiger (Sept-Oct. 1967) articles on Operation SWIFT...look for
them in Picture Gallery
2008...thank you for sharing, Otto! May
8, 2008
We posted Dick
Culver's "Saga of the M16"...Part 1 and Part 2 sent
in by JD Murray in Picture
Gallery 2008...in the email we received, Culver shares his thoughts on
why he did all this research on the M16 used in Vietnam, and provides us with
links to the articles which are in PDF format...you will need Acrobat Reader
to open the files, then you can read or print them out...thank you Dick and
JD for sharing this very interesting information. April
21, 2008 With a heavy heart we report that
Kayla Vandegriff passed away from cancer yesterday...Kayla will always be
an inspiration to anyone who knew her...our hearts and prayers are with her
husband Bill and their family...for more information, see "Remembering
Kayla Vandegriff." April
19, 2008 We posted 3 pictures to Picture
Gallery 2008 from Tom Lindsay of he and Tony
Goodrich at this year's Bataan Death March in New Mexico...Tom goes to the
March each year to honor 2 of his uncles who were captured on Bataan...our
Uncle Ernie Tartar was also on that horrendous Death March...Semper Fi, Brother
Marines...we will never forget. We
also added a picture from Tom Lindsay of Blake
Aston, M Co. 3/5 Killed In Action Sept. 28, 1970...thank
you, Tom...if anyone has any pictures or remembrances they'd like us to add
to Blake's Memorial page, please let us know...we hope these Memorial pages
to our fallen Marines will bring a measure of comfort to their families and
fellow Marines. Mar.
9, 2008 We posted several
pictures to
Picture Gallery 2008 of 2nd plt. M Co. 3/5 that
Steve Lovejoy sent in...we're trying to identify the Marines in the
pictures...if anyone has any information, please let us know...Much
thanks to John Lobur for helping with names and captions. We also
added a remembrance for Blake
Aston, M Co. 3/5 Killed In Action Sept. 28, 1970 from his still
best friend, Bill Horton of Rockwell, TX...thank you for sharing, Bill...we
will never forget. LIMA
3/5's 2008 Reunion will be held July 7-14 in Washington, DC...Home
Base is the Holiday Inn in Crystal City, VA...things to do and events scheduled
are: Evening Parade, Vietnam Memorial, Marine Corps Heritage Museum...make
reservations now (1-800-972-3159)...information courtesy of Lima
3/5. Mar.
8, 2008 We added a Memorial page for Pfc.
Timothy David McHugh, M Co. 3/5...Tim was Killed In Action on
Feb. 7, 1968 when M/3/5 ran into an ambush near Thann Quit village in Quang
Nam...no one realized at the time that it was part of the coordinated attacks
launched by the NVA and VC, later known as the 1968 TET Offensive...if anyone
has any pictures or remembrances they'd like us to add to his Memorial page,
please let us know. Mar.
4, 2008 We added a couple of pictures
to Picture
Gallery 2008 of Steve Lovejoy and John Lobur
who served together with M Co. 3/5, 2nd plt. in 1967 and recently met up together
after 40 yrs. at Camp Pendleton for a very special reunion...thank you for
sharing, Steve! Feb.
19, 2008 Joey Freeman of M Co. 3/5 was Killed
In Action on March 3, 1969 during Operation
TAYLOR COMMON, along with David Johnston and Ron
Christianson...39 years later, Joey Freeman's family gave a picture
of 1st plt., 1st squad M/3/5 that Joey had sent home from Vietnam to fellow
Marine Richard Reed who submitted the picture to us (via Mike Alden)...we
posted the picture to Picture
Gallery 2008. We will also add it to the Memorial pages of Joey
Freeman, Ron Christianson,
David Johnston and
Leslie Thompson...we
are very grateful to the Freeman family, and to Richard Reed and Mike Alden
for sharing this priceless picture with us. Feb.
15, 2008 We added a picture and information from Jim
Spreine, M Co. 3/5 1966-67 to the Picture
Gallery 2008 section...Jim trained with BLT 3/5 and is looking to contact
Marines he served with...thanks for the info, Jim...Semper Fi! Feb.
12, 2008 Arrangements for BLT 3/5 2008 OPERATION HASTINGS-1966
REUNION have been made for September 19, 20 & 21, 2008 at QUANTICO, VA...for
more information, check out the BLT
3/5 Reunion website. Feb.
2, 2008 We added a few pictures from "Doc"
Phil Stern, FMF corpsman with 2nd plt. M Co. 3/5 to Picture
Gallery 2008...Doc Stern was wounded Feb. 6, 1968 during the
TET Offensive, he was also awarded the Silver Star...thank you for sharing
your pics, Doc. Feb.
1, 2008 We added Cpl.
William Buckles' Silver Star citation, awarded posthumously,
to his Memorial page...Cpl. Buckles, 2nd plt. M Co. 3/5, was Killed In Action
Feb. 6, 1968 during what came to be known as the "TET Offensive of 1968"...we
also added a picture from Tony Martinez of Buckles with 2nd plt. M/3/5 Marines,
and a remembrance and pictures from "Doc" Phil Stern who was with
Buckles when he was killed...thank you for sharing these Tony and Doc Stern...Semper
Fi, Cpl. Buckles...we will never forget. Jan.
31, 2008 We
added a Memorial page for Cpl.
Leonard Earl Giles, M Co. 3/5, Killed In Action June 2, 1967
during Operation UNION II. If anyone has a picture or remembrance they would
like us to add to Cpl. Giles' Memorial page, email us your info and we'll
add when we next update. Semper Fi, Cpl. Giles...we will never forget. We also added a link on
our Home page for the 3/5 Reunion
website...the 2008 3/5 Reunion will be held May 15 - May 18,
2008 at the Highland Marina, West Point Lake, LaGrange, GA. Picture
Gallery 2008 is open for incoming pictures and information from
our website visitors...if you'd like something posted, give us a holler. We also added TET
1968, M Co. 3/5 to the Combat Histories section with information
and pictures from historians and Marines and Corpsmen who were caught in the
ambush near Thann Quit village, Quang Nam Province. This is a start-up page
where will be posting more recovered information as it comes in. We also added "Operation
ALAMO"...also known as NO NAME 98...At the start of the
TET Offensive, Jan. 30, 1968, India 3/5 lost many of their brother Marines...we
will never forget. The entire 3rd Battalion,
5th Marines was awarded the Meritorious
Unit Citation for
their actions for Jan. 30-Feb. 15 1968 during the TET Offensive. A
dear friend to us and all Marines passed away Dec. 17..."Doc"
John Colucco served with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in 1966...he
was a true friend to all who knew him...for more information see Christine
Cooley's message in Picture
Gallery 2007...Semper Fi, Doc...we will never forget. Update on
Randy Pelt: Randy
is getting to go home this Saturday. Randy is walking OK by himself. His
wounds are healing well, he still needs wound care daily, but Cherry said
that she can do the wound care at home. She did not mention where his
rehab will be done from home or how often he will go for therapy. Thanks
for the prayers and support for Randy, Semper Fi, Tom. Dec.
1, 2007 We added several pictures to Picture
Gallery 2007 from "Doc" Brad Shetrone,
Sr. Corpsman with M Co. 3/5 1968-69. If anyone recognizes the unidentified
Marines, please let us know...thanks Doc! Update
on Randy Pelt from Tom Lindsay:
Best news we have had in a long time. Randy does not need another graft
operation as we thought he would, he is off the ventilator and the trach
tube has been removed and the opening in his throat will heal well without
complications. He is sitting up in a chair regularly and is able to start
eating normal meals. The doctors have rcommended that he goes on to a
rehab facility, hopefully that will be in Roanoke. Also,
John Young had his knee replacement surgery yesterday,
Sharon called this morning and said that John is doing good, the doctors
were pleased with the outcome and said that he needed the new knee bad.
He will be in the hospital until next tuesday. Nov.
12, 2007
We added pictures to Picture
Gallery 2007 from Tony Martinez, Larry Nunez, and Ron Pizano who served
together in 1967 with M Co. 3/5, 2nd plt. Nov. 11, 2007
Our grateful thanks
this Veterans Day to the men and women who have served and protected our
nation in all conflicts, at home and abroad...to them we owe our most
precious gift of all, our freedom. Thank you for your service, and Welcome
Home! Nov.
10, 2007 Happy Birthday Marines...232 years! We will raise
a glass today to all our brothers-in-arms, former and active duty who
are in harm's way...wherever our Marines are, we are with you in spirit...God
bless and Semper Fidelis. Update on
our brother Randy Pelt from Tony Goodrich: "Randy has been
off the ventilator for 48 hours—wow!--and has been talking to everyone,
even talking to Tom Wityak on the phone. They are getting him out of his
bed and having him sit up in a special chair each day. They have also
having him do some swallow tests to see if and when he can start eating
soft food and drinking liquids. He will still be using the feeding tube
so he can get his vitamins and minerals. His next—and hopefully his final--operation
will be sometime next week. Cherry said he’s still having memory problems—i.e.,
he’s unsure of the date and why he’s in the hospital—but he has been cracking
a few jokes and smiling a bit. She also told me that when she mentioned
my name he said I was “a real nice guy” so that definitely tells me that
his memory isn’t quite where it should be, hehehe. He says he can’t see
real well out of his right eye so they’ll be doing some tests on it. They
are hoping that he can move out of ICU soon but that will be decided after
he’s finished his last operation next week. Overall, Randy is doing very
well and his healing and improvements are quite remarkable and moving
right along. Cherry wanted me to pass along her thanks and gratitude for
everyone’s prayers and kind thoughts. Please keep those coming as Randy
still has along way to go in his recovery. Our brother, Tom Wityak, will
be visiting Randy this weekend along with Ronny Tucker. This is a good
time for that visit because Cherry said the docs want people to talk to
Randy and what better person than Tom to do that, eh? One of our other
3/5 brothers, Ed Browder, is going to be bringing Randy some USMC birthday
cake on Saturday to celebrate the Corps 232nd, and he’s also bringing
a couple of active duty Marines to meet Randy, too. Gosh, with Ed, Tom
and Ronny and those other Marines there it should be one heckuva birthday
bash, don’cha think? Semper Fi," Tony Oct.
14, 2007 Jim
Blankenheim and Michael Wears wrote to let us know that the remains of
M Co. 3/5 Richard Fischer (Missing In Action Jan. 8, 1968)
are finally being returned home to be buried in Madison,
Wisconsin on November 19, 2007. It would be a great comfort to Fischer's
sister, Anne and her daughter, for any M Co. 3/5 Marines who served with
her brother "Dick" to attend the funeral services. The Memorial/Funeral
service is scheduled for November 19 at 11:00 a.m. with "visitation"
or greetings at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham
Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Anne has requested anyone able to attend
do a map quest for directions. For
more information, see Welcome
Home, Richard Fischer in Picture Gallery 2007. Oct.
13, 2007 M
Co. Marine Randy Pelt is in the hospital in critical condition resulting
from crashing his personal gyro plane. Tom Lindsay is keeping us posted
on Randy's condition. For more information and address to send Randy and
his family a card, see Prayers
for Randy in Picture Gallery 2007. Oct.
12, 2007 On
Sept. 4, 2007, Marines from M Co. 3/5 gathered at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside,
CA to to honor their brothers-in-arms who were killed on Operation SWIFT
40 years ago. The battle began Sept. 4, 1967 and ended Sept. 15, 1967
leaving 20 from M Co 3/5 killed, 17 of them on the first day. We've been
receiving a lot of pictures from the Marines who gathered and we will
post them as quickly as we can. See Operation
SWIFT REUNION and Memorial. We updated and added
Memorial pages for each of the M/3/5 Marines and the Navy Corpsmen and
Chaplin killed on Operation SWIFT. If anyone has any pictures or remembrances
they'd like to add, feel free to contact us. Mike Alden
and several M Co. 3/5 Marines (and Corpsman) reunited in Pickering,
Ohio on Memorial Day Weekend to pay their final respects to fellow Marine,
David Johnston, Killed In Action 38 years ago on 3 March 1969 on Operation
TAYLOR COMMON. The Memorial and graveside services were a tribute by the
David A. Johnston American Legion Post #283 who were honored to meet the
Marines David Johnston served with. See DAVID
A. JOHNSTON MEMORIAL, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2007. July
9, 2006
We're proud to add a picture page for Howard
Haney, M Co. 3/5...Howard was badly wounded 4 Sept. 67 on the first
day of Operation SWIFT and hadn't been in contact with anyone he served
with till Jan. '06...thank you, Howard, for sharing your pictures and
your remembrance of Operation SWIFT...if anyone recognizes the unidentified
Marines in Howard's pictures, please let us know. We
also added 2 poems: "From
a Corpsman's Point of View" by Doc Hutch (1/5) sent in by Curtis
Batten: and "Monsters
and the Weak" by Michael Marks sent in by Grady Rainbow. Good
stuff! We
were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mike Wilson (H&S 3/5)
on May 11, 2006...Mike aka "Whisky 1" was one of the first 3/5
Marines we "found" via the internet in '98...he was a great
friend and Marine and is dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. We
also received word from Charlie Frewell that his father, LtCol. John B.
Fretwell, affectionately known as “Jack”, passed away on 12 June, 2006.
Jack Fretwell served in Vietnam from May of 1967 to May 1968 with Mike
Company, 3/5. Semper Fi, Brother Marine. We
added Memorial pages for the following Marines: LCpl.
George Spak, Jr. of India Co. 3/5, KIA 6 Sept. '67 on Operation SWIFT;
Pfc. Michael Donvian
Wilson of Mike Co. 3/5, KIA 11 Sept. '68; Pfc.
Richard Daniels of Mike Co. 3/5, KIA 11 Sept. '68; LCpl.
Jerry Don Copeland of Mike Co. 3/5, KIA 11 Sept. '68; Pfc.
Gary Lee Heeman of Mike Co. 3/5, KIA 15 Jan. '69; Cpl.
Bruce Arden Christensen of India Co. 3/5, KIA 9 Feb. '71. If anyone
has any pictures of these Marines, or remembrances you would like to add,
please email us. Semper Fi, Brother Marines...we will never forget. Feb.
8, 2006 The Memorial service for Randy Cernick at Arlington
National Cemetery is confirmed for Friday, Feb 24th at 9am. EVERYONE needs
to be there at 8:30 am at the Administration building. Everyone needs
their own car to get to the admin. building and then the gravesite. Randy's
daughter, Aimee, is planning a brunch/lunch afterwards so if you are planning
to attend, she needs to know ASAP so she can let the restaurant know.
Please email Joe Smith at Tunnelrat68@aol.com
for more info and to confirm your attendance. Jan.
30, 2006 We're sad to report that our 3/5 Family has lost
another of our Marines...Randy Cernick of M Co. 3/5 passed away this morning
from cancer...No services will be held for him in Ft. Lauderdale where
he lived as arrangements are being made for him at Arlington National
Cemetery...we will make details available when we receive them...our hearts
and prayers are with Randy's family...if you'd like to send the Cernick
family a card, please email us and we'll send you their address...Semper
Fi, Randy...we will never forget. July
28, 2005 We added a picture of "Doc"
David Phelps (M Co. 3/5) and a cartoon drawing he made before going
to Vietnam to his Memorial page, sent in by his younger brother Tommy...Doc
Phelps was KIA on 5 Sept. 1967 during Operation SWIFT...if anyone remembers
what happened to Doc Phelps, please contact us as his family is looking
for any information you can share. We also added Memorial
pages for 3 more M Co. 3/5 Marines KIA on 4 Sept. 1967 during Operation
SWIFT...if anyone has any pictures or remembrances of these Marines, please
feel free to send: Pfc.
James McKenzie, LCpl.
Steven Cornell, and Pfc.
Gene Mortensen...rest in peace, Marines. July 23, 2005
Thanks to all who continue
to send in pics for the Picture
Gallery...we added several pics from Jim Cravey (M Co. 3/5 66-67),
including a picture of John Wayne Love (KIA 13 May 1967 on Operation UNION,
see also Pfc. John Wayne
Love Memorial page)...also a few 3/5 Reunion 2005 pics from Mike Alden...we
will continue to add more pictures as they come in. We also added the
following Memorial pages: Pfc.
Antonion Hernandez (India 3/5, KIA 3 Sept. 1968), with much thanks
to Banyon and Karen Ford for their pictures and remembrance...Pfc.
Charles Lee (India 3/5, KIA 11 June 1968), thanks again to Banyon
and Karen Ford for their remembrance...if anyone has any pictures or remembrances
of these Marines they would like us to add, please feel free to send. June
19, 2005 We
are very sad to report that we have lost 2 of our India 3/5 Marines on 17
June...John Crowe and Tom McCracken...these Marines will be dearly missed,
our hearts and prayers are with their families...if you want to send cards
or messages to the families, let us know and we will let you know where to
send...Semper Fi, Marines...we will never forget. We
added a picture page for
"Doc" Bob Aloisio, M Co. 3/5 FMF Corpsman in 1968-69...Doc
Bob received the Navy Achievment Medal for actions during Operation MAUI
PEAK in Oct. '68...if anyone recognizes the other corpsmen in his pics,
please let us know. We
added several new pics to Picture
Gallery '05 and have many more we'll be uploading real soon! We
added a Memorial page for SSgt.
JimBob Bickle, India Co. 3/5, KIA 21 May 1968 during Operation ALLENBROOK...his
son JimBob, Jr. would like to hear from anyone who served with him...much
thanks to him for sending in pictures and his Dad's Navy Achievment Citation...also
thanks to John "Gunny" Gundersen for his remembrance. We
also added pictures and remembrances from Dennis Rudnicki and TP Johnson
to Cpl. Leonard
St. Clair's Memorial page...grateful thanks to these Marines! We
posted a remembrance from Jack Swan about his friend, Pete
Schrader, to Pete's Memorial page...Pete Schrader was 1st plt. radioman
for M/3/5, KIA during Operation ESSEX. Thank you, Swanie. We
also added a Memorial page for 2Lt.
Albert Nelson, Jr. of India 3/5, KIA on 21 May 1969...if anyone wants
to add a remembrace or pics, please let us know. We
also added Memorial pages for Pfc.
Phillip Slaughter and Pfc.
Owen White of M Co. 3/5...both Marines were KIA on 11 Sept. 1968...Pfc.
White received the Silver Star, posthumously, for his actions of that
day...if anyone wants to add a remembrance or has pictures of these Marines,
please let us know. Feb.
19, 2005 Well, this computer has been down more than up since
we moved last May...but we are finally settled into a little place in Oklahoma...we
have a very slowwwwwwwww internet connection, but at least we are up and webbing
again! Thanks to All who continue send in pictures and info to post, we are
hard at it to get them added to share with our website visitors. We were sad to hear
that our India 3/5 brother Rick Spaniol passed away Jan. 24...our prayers
are with his family...Brenda Eidson posted a Memorial to him on her 3/5
Reunion site...Rest easy Marine. We added a group remembrance
from Joe Walters, Dan Hignight, Eugene "Doc" Whitbeck and Jim
Quinn to Cpl. Ricky
Almanza's Memorial page...Ricky served with M/3/5 and received the
Silver Star for his actions on 3 Sept. 1968...Joe Walters also sent in
a remembrance for his former radioman, Pfc.
Thomas Steele, KIA on 11 Sept. 1968... We added a poem called
A Bear in the Woods,
written by our friend Sarge Lintecum...he wrote this poem for a friend
of ours we called "Bear"...an Army Corpsman who was haunted
day and night by nightmares of the young men he fought so hard to save
in Vietnam...he passed away in 1993, a few days after visiting his fallen
friends at the "Travelling Wall"...Thank you Sarge, for this
tribute to Bear. This last August,
JD Murray and several Marines he served with in 66-67 returned to Vietnam
to find the battleground sites they fought on...JD was on a special mission
when he split from the group to find a creekbed in the DMZ where Denny
LaNore and several other M/3/5 Marines were wounded and killed during
Operation HASTINGS...JD brought a Memorial to Denny LaNore and several
gold crosses made by Kevin Kelly to lay at the place where their friends
were slain...did he find the creekbed after all these years and fulfill
the promise he made to the LaNore family? Check out JD's
DMZ Visit, it was a tough journey, physically and emotionally...thank
you JD for sharing this incredible adventure! We added remembrances
from the family of "Doc"
David Phelps, KIA 5 Sept. 1967 on Operation SWIFT, they are interested
in hearing from anyone who remembers Doc Phelps...please let us know if you
have any info or pics to share and we will forward to the family. Sept.
26, 2004 Our thanks to former USMC Capt. John Tucke of
Golf Co. 2/5 for his remembrance of Operation
ESSEX (posted with the 2/5 information right after the 3/5 KIAs),
we encourage anyone from 2/5 and 3/5 who served on ESSEX to feel free
to send in their remembrances ...not many survivors left to tell about
this bloody battle in Antenna Valley, Nov. 8-13 1967. We received an email from
one of our 2/5 brothers, Steve Ruggiero (H&S), with his remembrance of
Hill 1192, being sent
in to aid M Co. 3/5 who had run into an NVA Base Camp on Havian Pass May 8,
1968 and were pinned down for more than a week...the losses were heavy for
M/3/5...and for 1st plt. India 3/5 who was first to get to M/3/5...our hearts
go out to the many Marines and FMF Corpsmen who died in that action...and
to the 3/5 and 2/5 Marines who came in to aid the pinned down Marines. We added several more
Memorial pages: for Pfc.
Darrell Pruett (M/3/5), KIA 8 Nov. 1967 on Operation ESSEX...for
Pfc. John Fiffe (M/3/5) and Pfc.
Richard Seng (M/3/5), both KIA on 8 May 1968 on Hill
1192; also for Cpl.
Roger Inscore (M/3/5) and LCpl.
Robert Goddard (M/3/5), both KIA on 26 May 1967 on Operation
UNION II...with much thanks to Billy Meyers for recovering Roger Inscore's
posthumous Silver Star citation; for LCpl.
Jack Sanders (M/3/5), killed in an accidental explosion, his sister Erica
would like to hear from anyone who remembers him: we also added a picture
to the top of the Memorial page for Pfc.
Forrest Bartram (M/3/5), killed 16 May 1968 while cleaning Brad's 3.5
rocket launcher..much thanks to his sister Brenda Carrington for sending it;
and for LCpl. Robert Reker
(M/3/5), KIA 13 June 1969...if anyone remembers LCpl. Reker please email
us as his nephew would like to hear from anyone who served with his uncle. We also added a page for
WEBRINGS, links to other
USMC and military websites for your browsing pleasure...enjoy! August
23, 2004
We added 4 more Memorial pages for M/3/5 Marines KIA 3-11
Sept. 1968, a week of heavy battle during Operation MAMELUKE THRUST IV:
Cpl. Ricky Almanza, KIA on 3 Sept. '68, received the Silver Star, posthumously...thanks
to Billy Meyers for recovering a copy of Ricky's citation; Pfc.
James Hoyez, Pfc. Armando
Lopez and Pfc. Thomas
Steele (Lt. Joe Walter's radioman, and friend)...all KIA on 11 Sept. '68.
If anyone remembers these Marines and would like to add a remembrance, or
picture, please email us. We
added a song written by Hank Oliver (I/3/5) called "NOBODY
TOLD US WELCOME HOME"...we can't share the music, but have posted
the words...thank you for sharing, Hank! Also added a few more poems...SWEET
ELLA, a beautiful poem written by Rock Giambrocco for Curtis and Ella
Batten when Ella was so sick this last year...it won the 2003 Publishers'
Award from the International Society of poetry, and has been an inspiration
to us. We also added The Living Wall, by
DR (Debbe Reynolds). August
9, 2004 On July 29, 2004 a bridge in his home town in
Pennsylvania was dedicated to 3/5 FMF Corpsman Charles "Charlie"
Mariskanish, KIA 9 May '68 when M Co. 3/5 ran into an NVA Base Camp on
Haivan Pass. Doc Mariskanish was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously,
for his bravery tending to wounded Marines. Pictures of the Bridge Dedication
are posted on Doc
Mariskanish's Memorial page...thanks to his sister, Catherine Planisky
who finally got to meet the Marines, and Doc Wood, who were with Charlie
when he was killed. We added a Memorial
page for LCpl. Joseph
Lloyd Freeman, Jr., KIA on Operation TAYLOR COMMON, with thanks to
Michael Alden for his tribute...we also added Michael's remembrance to
Sgt. Leslie Thompson's
Memorial page...also KIA on TAYLOR COMMON...thank you for sharing
your remembrances, Mike. We added a poem by
Fate Warren (M/3/5 68-69), "NEED
MORE BE SAID"...written for all those who turned their back on
our troops in Vietnam...thank you for sharing, Fate...we also added a
poem called Please
Protect My Son, Lord by Adrain (Dee)
Desaire...beautiful, Adrian...thank you! July
27, 2004 We added a picture of Richard
Giebe (M/3/5) to his Memorial page, thanks to Tom Hoying who was his
best bud...Richard was KIA 9 Nov. '67 on Operation ESSEX. We also added
a picture of Donald
Kretsinger (M/3/5, also KIA on Operation ESSEX) to the top of his
Memorial page, thanks to Donald's nephew, David Zellers. We posted Michael
Alden's remembrance of David
Johnston (M/3/5 KIA 3 Mar. '69 on Operation TAYLOR COMMON) to David's
Memorial page... ..thank you, Mike! July
22, 2004 We're
honored to add picture pages for Hank
Oliver and for Michael
Alden...Hank served with India 3/5 in 1967, was WIA on Operation UNION
from the same explosion that wounded 3/5 Commander, Dean Esslinger...Hank
retired from the USMC in '82 just after duty in Lebanon...thanks for the great
pics, Hank! Michael served with Mike 3/5 68-69, got to M/3/5 in late May,
a couple weeks before Brad stepped on the mine...Mike was WIA on Operation
TAYLOR COMMON...great pics, Mike! We added 2 more Memorial
pages: LCpl. Ronald
F. Christianson (M/3/), KIA 3 Mar. '69...much thanks to Mike Alden
for the picture and his remembrances; Pfc.
Talmadge F. Carnell (M/3/5), KIA 12 Sept. '67 during Operation SWIFT...thanks
to Elliott Rubenfeld for his remembrance of what happened that day. We also added Vernon
Ford's account of what happened to 1st
platoon M/3/5 on 12 Dec. '66 on Hill 71 when they were attacked by
superior numbers of VC...a tribute to the Marines who were NOT overrun,
but stood their ground fighting to the last...thank you, Vernon! April
30, 2004
We are proud to add a picture
page for Michael "Turk" Wears, M/3/5 67-68...we also thank him
for helping recovering pictures of Cpl.
Vernon "Randy" Randolph (M/3/5 KIA 7 Feb. '68) from Randy's
family for his Memorial page. Grateful
thanks also to Joe Smith, M/3/5, for helping recover a picture Pfc.
Terry Lee Parsons (M/3/5 KIA 20 June '68) from his nephew, Steve Parsons...Semper
Fi, Brother Marines...we will never forget. Jan.
26, 2004 We
added a Memorial page for our friend, Hans
Haupt, he would have been 71 years young today. Please feel free to email
pics and remembrances and we will add as soon as possible. Semper Fi, Hans...we
will never forget. We
also added JD Murray's maps/graphics and in-depth recollection of the VC
Attack on 1st Plt. M Co. 3/5 on Hill 71, on 14 Dec. 1966. He includes
background maps and info leading up to the attack, M/3/5 had just come off
of Operation CORTEZ. JD has asked that anyone who remembers this action feel
free to send in any pics/info they would like added. Many Marines were killed
on Hill 71, we will not let them be forgotten. Mike
McFerrin and Elvin "BJ" Jones sent in their remembrances of 3-11
Sept. 1968, a week of heavy battle during Operation MAMELUKE THRUST IV,
with high casualties for M Co. 3/5. This is an ongoing effort to recover pictures
and info regarding that action. We
are proud to add Picture Pages for the following Marines: Nolan
Nunnery (served 2 tours, first with D/15 and B/1/7, second with I/3/5);
Ron Carson (India 3/5
1967-68); Dennis Heon (Mike
3/5 1967-68); Dan Praytor
(Mike 3/5 1966-67); Richard
Moya (Mike 3/5 1967); Ed
Combs (Mike 3/5 1967); Terry
Workman (Mike 3/5 1967-68). There are many pictures on these pages of
unidentified Marines, please let us know if anyone recognizes them. Jan.
21, 2004
We have been offline the last couple months tending to family and health concerns.
We are headed to Napa, CA to attend funeral services tomorrow, 22 Jan., for
our dear friend and fellow Marine, Hans Haupt (H&S 3/5 CO 1966) who passed
away suddenly and peacefully 7 Jan. Thanks to All who have sent in pictures
and info, we have much to post when we return. Nov.
10, 2003 HAPPY 228th USMC Birthday!
We are with you in spirit as we celebrate our USMC pride with brother Marines
and FMF Corpsmen throughout the country, and with our troops protecting and
defending our freedom all over the world... at 5pm (West Coast Time) we will
raise a special glass to our Fallen Brothers...God Bless and Semper Fi, we
will never forget. We
added a Memorial page for Pfc.
James William Blake and Cpl. Lawrence Allen Hayes (M/3/5),
Killed In Action 3 August 1969 during Operation DURHAM PEAK. Much thanks to
Chris Hamner for the Sea Tiger article, and to Barbara for the picture James
Blake sent her from Vietnam. Also, to James' family for their remembrances.
James Blake's sister Susan wrote: "Thank
you for the words of comfort and sharing with our family that so many of the
fine young men Jimmy served with hold him in remembrance. What a fine job
you all have done in putting together such a wonderful memorial. I have many
photos of Jimmy and would love to share them with all who knew him. I'll work
on getting them together and will be in touch with you soon. Sincerely, Susan." We also added
a beautiful poem/tribute called "Standing at The Wall" to Cpl.
Donald Kretsinger's Memorial page (M/3/5, KIA on Opertaion ESSEX Nov.
9, 1967) written by his niece Michelle...grateful thanks to Michelle for
sharing her feelings. Thanks also to Kretsinger family member David Lee
Zellers for his remembrances and pictures...means much to Brad and I and
the Marines who served with "Krets." Sept.
24, 2003
Kudos to Randy Pelt, M Co. 3/5, for relentlessly pursuing two long overdue
awards for M/3/5 FMF Corpsmen Joe Boydell (Bronze Star) and Michael
Kempel (Silver Star, posthumously).
There will be an Award Dinner/Ceremony with the Kempel Family in Cuyahoga
Falls, Ohio Saturday, October 25, 2003 through Sunday, October 26,
2003, details are posted on the Message
Board. Info on Award Presentation for Joe Boydell coming soonly. Also,
the family of Denny LaNore (KIA 22 July 1966 on Operation HASTINGS) is planning
a Celebration of Denny LaNore's Life
JULY 10TH (SATURDAY) 2004
in Muskegon Heights, Michigan...more
information inposted on the Message
Board...please contact Denny LaNore's sisters
Judy
Schalk & Debbie Null as soon as possible if you are planning to attend. We
added a Memorial
page for Gen. Ray Davis at the request of Frank Pacello, please
feel free to email any pictures or remembrances you'd like to share about
this truly legendary Marine. We
also added a Memorial page for Pfc.
James Martin Klopmeyer, Pfc. Murray Dean Vidler, Pfc. John Franklin Riegel
Killed
In Action 19 DECEMBER 1967 while serving with M Co. 3/5. We thank Bill Duran
and Michael "Turk" Wears for their remembrances of these young Marines. Sept.
7, 2003
We
were saddened to hear that Medal of Honor recipient Gen. Ray Davis
passed away 3 Sept. of a heart attack...he was 88. Ed McCurry posted
a recap of Gen. Davis' brilliant USMC history on the 3/5
Message Board. A full Marine Corps Military funeral, with honors, will
be held for General Ray Davis at the First United Methodist Church at 921
Main St., Conyers, GA. 30013 at 1400 Monday 8 September 2003. Burial will
follow at Forrest Lawn Memorial Gardens, College Park, GA. (Map to the cemetery
will be provided at the church. We were honored to have Gen. Davis as our
honored guest at our 3/5 Reunion 2002. Semper Fi, Brother Marine. We
are honored to add a picture page for Gordy
Seablom, M Co. 3/5. Gordy was in most the major battles of '67,
receiving the
Bronze Star for Operation UNION and Navy Commendation for Operation UNION
II.
Thank you for sharing your pics and USMC history with
us, Gordy! Thanks
to All who continue to send in their great USMC pics and info, we will continue
to post as soon as possible. July
14, 2003 We
added a Memorial page for LCpl.
Dennis Merryman, M Co. 3/5, Killed In Action 5 March 1969 during Operation
TAYLOR COMMON...with grateful thanks to his brother, Paul for the pictures...and
to the Marines who served with him for their remembrances. If anyone remembers
the Marine with Dennis Merryman in the second picture, please let us know.
And feel free to send in any remembrances you'd like added. We
also added a Memorial page for Cpl.
Roger Inscore, M Co. 3/5, Killed In Action on 26 May 1967 on Operation
UNION II...with picture courtesy of his high school friend and fellow Marine,
Danny Hogue. Please feel free to email in any remembrances. July
9, 2003
Warren Wilson, 1stMarDiv Combat Photographer in Vietnam, sent us Dept.
of Defense photos with captions of 3/5 Marines...we are trying to ID the
Marines in the pics, if anyone has any info, please let us know...thank you,
Warren! We
also added an article called "India
Company and a hill called 362" by Chet Diestel, Lodi News-Sentinel’s
city editor, about the Operation HASTINGS Reunion last month in Las Vegas...Chet
attended the Reunion to meet the Marines who served with his high school friend,
Tom Presby, KIA on HASTINGS...what he saw and heard, he will never forget...thank
you for sharing your feelings about this historic reunion, Chet! July
8, 2003
We thank you for the many pictures and remembrances sent in for Denny Dinota,
we have put together a Memorial
page for Denny where they are now posted...we will continue to add them
as they come in. Ed McCurry also posted his remembrance of Denny's
funeral services on his H&S and Mike 3/5 website...thank you, Ed! June
16, 2003
Denny Dinota, M Co. 3/5, passed in his sleep last night about 2300, services
will be in Jacksonville on Wed. viewing service and than to the grave site.
He is greatly missed, already. Semper Fi, Brother Marine. June
8, 2003
We're sad to report that Denny Dinota (M/3/5) is fighting the battle of his
life with cancer...please feel free to drop him a card and let him know he's
not alone...he is currently at Onslo Memorial Hospital Room #323, 317 W. Blvd.,
Jacksonville, NC 28546-6338. The family has requested that there be no phone
calls, please. Our best to you Denny, we are with you all ways! UPDATE:
Denny has been moved to another facility, we will post an address where to
send cards soon as available. May
2, 2003
It's an honor to add a picture page for Col.
Dean Esslinger, former 3rd Bn, 5th Marines Commander (pictures and info
courtesy of JD Murray). Also for 1st
MarDiv Combat Photographer Warren Wilson, great pics, and his remembrance
of Operation SWIFT with M/3/5. We
also added a Memorial page for Cpl.
John Francis, Fox 2/5, Killed In Action on Operation UNION II along with
27 of his fellow Marines. Also, John Gundersen's remembrance to
2Lt. Gray Ross' (I/3/5) Memorial page. Semper Fi, Brother Marines...we
will never forget. Mar.
18, 2003 It's an honor to add the poem, "Fallen
Sparrows" by Clancey Fields, Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima survivor and
father of Ken Fields, M Co. 3/5. Powerful words here from a combat Marine
who knows firsthand about our young people being sent into battle and the
horrors they face then, and for the rest of their lives. We thank you, Clancey,
for sharing this with us...and to Ken for sending it in. Please keep your
prayers coming for our young troops who are now putting their lives on the
line for all freedom lovers. We
added a picture page for Betty Bowen, former girlfriend
of 2Lt. William Gray Ross, India 3/5 (KIA 15 June '68)...although he did
not return to her, Betty's love for her Marine is eternal, and she has recently
been in touch with his fellow Marines and his family who have helped her recover
precious pictures and information about him in Vietnam. Thank you, Betty,
for sharing this very special part of your life with us. We
also added a Memorial page for LCpl.
Albert Peterson, India 3/5...KIA 21 May '68 on Operation ALLEN BROOK...Albert
Peterson was 2Lt. Ross's radioman. If anyone has a remembrance they would
like us to add, please feel free to email us. Our
India 3/5 Brothers have been hard at it "finding" their people...keeping
webmaster Ed McCurry busy adding them to the I/3/5 website roster...keep your
eyes on India
3/5's What's New page for more additions. We
also added to the Picture
Gallery a picture from Terry Welcher, I/3/5, of "Beer Call"...India
3/5 men just off of Operation SWIFT which we will also be adding to the Operation
SWIFT page...and a picture from Robert Fulford, I/3/5...he and the Marine
in the picture, Michael Ishop, hadn't heard from each other since this pic
was taken after both were wounded in Summer '68...both have been "found"
are are back in touch again!! The
current CO of India 3/5 has sent our I/3/5 brothers a list of names of the
Marines who are oversees ready for battle...all you Marines remember what
it was like to get letters from home...if anyone would like to write these
young Marines, please email us and we will fix you "write" up with
names and where to send! Mar.
4, 2003 We
are honored to add a picture page for Tom
Lindsay, M Co. 3/5 70-71...Tom has many great pics and we will add more
soonly...if anyone recognizes the Marines in the pics, please let us know...thank
you, Tom...see you in Georgia!! We're
counting down to 3/5 Reunion in Georgia 15-18 May...for more info visit
Brenda Eidson's 3/5 Reunion site at: http://www.usmcvietvet.org/Index.htmlWe
will also be posting incoming Reunion info here: 3/5
Reunion 2003. Feb.
24, 2004
We are honored to add a picture page for Carlos
Delgado...Carlos served with M Co. 3/5 in 1970...thank you, Carlos, for
sharing your great pics...looking forward to seeing you and your family again
at our Reunion in May! Feb.
23, 2003 It was 34 years ago today my friend
Tommy Price was KIA in Vietnam...I
never knew what happened to Tommy or who he served with till 3 years ago India
3/7 Marines Tom Smith and Jimmy Smith found my internet posts and wrote to
tell me they served with Tommy...they also told me what happened to him, and
through fellow Marines Jimmy La Chappelle and Vic Vilionis, sent me pictures
of Tommy in Vietnam. I will always be grateful to these Marines for contacting
me...and I will always remember 23-24 Feb. 1969 when Tommy and several of
his fellow I/3/7 Marines made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you, Brother
Marines, we will never forget. Feb.
22, 2003 We added a Memorial page for LCpl.
Craig Ward, M/3/5, KIA 28 Nov. 1970. We thank Carlos Delgado and Tom Lindsay
for sharing their pictures and remembrance. Semper Fi, Brother Marine...we
will never forget. We
also added Memorial pages for
LCpl. Blake Aston, M/3/5, KIA 28 Sept. 1970...and for Pfc.
Peter McCoy, M/3/5, KIA 23 May 1970. If anyone has any pictures of
these Marines, or a remembrance they would like to add, email us and we'll
add as soon as possible. Jan.
30. 2003
Three years ago today, we published the very first pages of this site...it's
been an exciting 3 years meeting so many Marines and their families and friends.
We never dreamed we'd recover all the pictures and info that have come in...and
we thank you All who have contributed! Each
30 Jan., we honor Billy
Bolton and Robert
Peterson and their fellow India 3/5 Marines Killed In Action during Operation
"Alamo" at the start of the '68 TET Offensive. We also remember
1Lt. John Manning,
brother of our friend, Karen Manning Armstrong. Semper Fi, Marines...we will
never forget. We
are proud to add a picture page for Terry
Otell...Terry served as M Co. 3/5 radioman on some of the same operations
as Brad...looking forward to many more reunions, Terry! We
added Fred Riddle's Combat
History pages to his picture page, and a brief remembrance he wrote honoring
Father Vincent Capodanno, KIA on Operation SWIFT. We
added a Memorial page for HM3
Charles Mariskanish. "Doc" Mariskanish served with India Co.
3/5, he was Killed In Action 9 May '68 during Operation HOUSTON II while assisting
wounded Marines of M Co. 3/5 when they ran into an NVA Base Camp on Haivan
Pass. He received the Silver Star, posthumously, for saving 2 wounded Marines.
"Doc" Harry Bowman
was killed in the same action, also receiving the Silver Star for his heroic
actions trying to save the wounded Marines. If you served with "Doc"
Mariskanish, please feel free to send in a brief remembrance and we will add
to his Memorial page. Semper Fi, Doc...we will never forget. 3/5
Reunion 2003 in La Grange, Georgia will be held 15-18 May....if you served
with 3/5, you won't want to miss it! Till later... Oct.
31, 2002
We
are honored to add a picture page for Ed
Browder, Force Recon and M/3/5. Ed recently had a mini reunion with
M/3/5 Marines Joe Coyne, Danny Hovanesian, Randy Pelt, Ted Lewis, Paul
O'Connell, Jim Treadwell, and Tom Mahlum...thanks for sharing the great
pics, Ed!! We
also added a great pic of
JR McElroy (M/3/5) aka "The Judge," courtesy of JD Murray
(M/3/5)...mighty fine looking Marine!! We
added a Memorial page
for Cpl. John Rogers, M/3/5...Cpl. Rogers was KIA on Operaton UNION II.
He is remembered by his fellow Marines, including his friend and Gunny, Denny
Dinota. Semper fi, Brother Marine, we will never forget. Oct.
24, 2002
We added a Memorial page for Pfc.
Everett Currence (M/3/5), he died of malaria during Operation HASTINGS.
Thanks to Carlos Septien for his remembrance and picture of this young
Marine. JD
Murray (M/3/5) sent in a series of Operational
maps of Operation HASTINGS...he plotted the day-by-day troop movement
of BLT 3/5 using the Combat After Action Report for HASTINGS, his own recollections,
and info from other 3/5 commanders. This is a great addition to the Operation
HASTINGS page...thank you, JD! We
also added the 7th Marines
Combat After Action Report to the Operation ALLENBROOK page. ALLENBROOK
began as a 7th Marines Search and Destroy operation...it took a terrible toll
on 7th Marines...and 27th Marines. 3/5 lost many also...this page is a tribute
to those who fought, and for those who died, on ALLENBROOK during "Bloody
May" 1968. It is just a start-up page, please feel free to send in any
related pics/info to add. Oct.
7, 2002 We
are proud to add a picture page for Greg
Francesco, India 3/5 and 1st Recon Bn, B Co. We also added a Memorial
page for his friend, and fellow 1st
Recon Marine, Bill Crawford. Thank you, Greg, for sharing your pictures
and remembrances! We
also added the 3/5 Combat
After Action Report for Operation HOUSTON II (May '68), thanks to John
Gundersen (I/3/5). Also, we added Memorial pages for Randolph
Sterns (M/3/5) and Michael
Micunek (M/3/5) KIA on HOUSTON II. Please feel free to email us if you
want to add any remembrances for these Marines. JD
Murray has sent us a series of maps of M/3/5's day-by-day troop movement during
Operation HASTINGS using
info from the Combat After Action Report and his own remembrances of HASTINGS.
Excellent work here, JD! We
also added a Memorial page for Cpl.
Richard Currier (I/3/5), KIA on Operation HASTINGS...Semper fi, Brother
Marine. Sept.
27, 2002
We
have added several more Memorial pages for Marines KIA on Operation
HASTINGS: SSgt.
Johnnie Smith (I/3/5) and Pvt.
Frederick Youmans (I/3/5)...with much thanks to Tom Gainor for his
remembrances. Also for: Cpl.
Robert Johnson (I/3/5) and Pfc.
Thomas Presby (I/3/5)...with thanks to Dick Weber (I/3/5) for his
pictures. Also for: Pfc
John Perich (I/3/5)...thanks to Greg Francesco (I/3/5) for his picture
and remembrance. We
added a Memorial page for LCpl.
Richard Crawford (I/3/5), KIA on Operation
SWIFT, with tributes from fellow Marines, John Costello and Joe Klinger.
Also, a Memorial page for Pfc.
Charles Townsend (I/3/5), KIA on Operation
AUBURN, with thanks to Ric Lee for the picture and his remembrance. An
amazing thing happened this past week: because of John Gundersen's (I/3/5)
efforts to recover a copy of his friend LCpl. Jeffrey Goss's (M/3/5, KIA)
Silver Star citation, the machine gunner Jef saved that day and Jef's family
are now iin touch...Gundersen stayed in touch with Jef's family over the years,
and said many times they had asked if he knew who the machine gunner was and
wondered if he might still be alive. He is...and has written his account of
7 Feb. '68 when a brave, young Marine named Jef Goss saved him and a fellow
Marine...you can read it and his Tribute
to LCpl. Jeffrey Goss on Frank Ambrose's picture page...thank you Gunny
for bringing about this incredible reunion! We
are very grateful to JD Murray for his contributions to the Operation
ESSEX page...for recovering the 2/5 After Action Report and putting together
a day-to-day set of maps plotting M Co. 3/5's troop movement from 6-16 Nov.
'67. These maps, along with the AARs and JD's personal observations are greatly
apreciated by those who have been trying to recover information about ESSEX...we've
also "found" many of the Marines listed on the Nov. '67 MPR (82
now...including, sadly, a few who are deceased)...with grateful thanks to
Hans Haupt (H&S 3/5) and Jack Swan (M/3/5) for hours and hours (and more
hours) of searching, and endless phone calls...an incredible team effort!
If you were on ESSEX and have information you'd like to submit, please feel
free to email us. Sept.
16, 2002
We added a Memorial page for Pfc.
Stephen Kittle (I/3/5), KIA on Operation HASTINGS...much thanks to
Dick Weber for use of his pictures, and to Marko Whitely for his poem
"Sgt. Andy" in honor of his friend and fellow Marine. We
also added remembrance
and picture from Vernon Ford to LCpl. James Derek Reynolds' (M/3/5 KIA on
Operation UNION), Memorial page...Vernon was James' former squad leader...thank
you Vernon, maybe one day James' family will get to read your remembrance
and know that he is honored and remembered, still. Connie
"Markel" Strong sent in pictures of her brother, Ron
Markel (M/3/5) to add to his Memorial page...Ron was in rockets with Brad...he
was KIA during Operation HOUSTON II when M/3/5 ran into an NVA base camp up
on Haivan Pass. Ron had sent pictures home, maybe someone can identify these
Marines? Thank you for sharing these great pictures, Connie! We
also added a picture and remembrance to LCpl.
Jeffrey Goss's (M/3/5) Memorial page from his niece, Angi...and his Silver
Star citation for actions 7 Feb. 68 (TET), courtesy of the Goss family, with
thanks to John Gundersen for sending a copy. Aug.
28, 2002
We are honored to add a picture page for Elliot
"Recon" Rubenfeld, 2nd platoon M/3/5...Elliot was on several
operatons including Operation SWIFT and ESSEX with M/3/5, sent back to
Force Recon after being wounded on ESSEX. Thanks for the pics, Recon! We
added a page for Operation
ALLEN BROOK to the Combat Histories section...it's just a start with 27th
Marines Combat After Action Report and brief remembrances from Marines who
were on ALEN BROOK...please feel free to email us with pics/info you'd like
to add. Also
added a Memorial page for SSgt.
Howard Rogers (M/3/5) KIA on Operation ESSEX and for Cpl.
Al Santos (M/3/5) KIA on Operation SWIFT. Aug.
18, 2002
We
are honored to add a picture page for our friend, Fred
Riddle, H&S 3/5. Fred served on most the major battles of 67-68.
He's got some great pics, and remembrance of UNION II, 26 May '67. Thank
you for sharing, Fred...see you at 3/5 Reunion 2003! Aug.
16, 2002
We
are proud to add a picture page for Vernon
Ford, Mike 3/5. Vernon served on M Co.'s earliest operations including
DECKHOUSE I and II, NATHAN HALE and HASTINGS. He has many pictures of
"Ford's Horde," and of friends lost in battle. Still trying
to remember many names that we will add when known. Thank you, Vernon,
for sharing your great pics and remembrances! Aug.
13, 2002
Brad
and I are proud to add a picture page for Ric
Lee, India 3/5. Ric was on several of the same operations as Brad,
including SHELBYVILLE (Sept. 67), ESSEX (Nov. 67) and AUBURN (Dec. 67-Jan.
68). Thanks for the great pics, Ric! We
also added 2 more Memorial pages for our 3/5 Marines KIA on HASTINGS:
LCpl. Walter Brown (I/3/5) and Pfc.
Randy Brosnan (M/3/5). Rest peacefully, Brother Marines...we will never
forget. Aug.
11, 2002
We added Memorial pages for these India 3/5 Marines KIA on Operation SWIFT,
if anyone remembers them and would like to write a brief remembrance to
add, just let us know and it will be done: Pfc.
Lewis Proudfoot III; Pfc.
Gary Hibbard; HN
"Doc" James Cazares; and Pfc.
James Pepper. Semper fi, Brother Marines...we will never forget. Aug.
5, 2002
We
added some great Operations
Maps of DECKHOUSE II/HASTINGS, COLORADO and MUSTANG to the M Co. Operations
page from JD Murray (M/3/5)...and the SWIFT
Operations Map that Fred Riddle (H&S 3/5) carried...great additions...feel
free to download any of them...thank you Skipper and Fred! We
also added a Memorial page for LCpl.
Gary Bartlow (M/3/5), Pfc.
Michael Rex Smith (M/3/5), LCpl.
Robin Arnold (I/3/5), Killed In Action on Operation HASTINGS.
Also, a Memorial page for
LCpl. Leonard Saint Clair (M/3/5) KIA 26, Feb. '67...with pictures and
remembrance from Vernon Ford (M/3/5). Semper
fi, Brother Marines, we will never forget. It's
great to report that Hans Haupt (H&S 3/5) and Jack Swan (M/3/5) have "found"
41 M/3/5 Marines from JD Murray's unit rosters...that's just this month and
many more to go...thank you Marines, you've done a real good thing here...keep
'em coming! July
21, 2002
We are proud to add a picture page for Jim
Cravey who served with M/3/5 in '66...then transfered to CAP Kilo-4.
Thank you for sharing your pics and info, Jimmer! We
added a Memorial page
for Denny LaNore (M/3/5) who was KIA on Operation HASTINGS. Vernon
Ford wrote his remembrance of Denny...the other tributes are from Denny's
family and friend, Bev Bouchard. If you knew Denny and would like to add
your remembrance, feel free to email us. July
15, 2002
We
are honored to add a picture page for Art
Green, India 3/5...glad you "found" us, Art! We
also added 2 Memorial pages: Sgt.
Howard Swann...served with H&S 3/5/81s on HASTINGS, transfered to
CAP Kilo-4...much thanks to Jim Cravey and Stan Watson for their pictures
and remembrances... Pfc.
Tommy Haley (M/3/5) KIA on Operation UNION. Semper fi, Brother Marines...we
will never forget. July
11, 2002
We
added a Memorial page
for Pfc. Roy Jackson (I/3/5), KIA 1/30/68 on "Operation
"ALAMO" at the start of the 1968 TET Offensive... much
thanks to John Gundersen for sending in pictures of Roy. July
9, 2002
We're pleased to announce that Brenda Eidson has opened a
3/5 Vietnam Veterans Reunion website...new info on the 3/5 Reunion 2003
will be posted there when available (and info on previous reunions) ...you
can find their link in our LINKS section. We
added Memorial pages for 3 Marines KIA on Operation HASTINGS...Pfc.
Oscar Bell (M/3/5) and Pfc. Russell
Pesewonit (M/3/5), with much thanks to Carlos Septien for pictures of
these Marines...also a Memorial page for Pfc.
Lawrence Daniels (I/3/5) with remembrance from his nephew, Ray. Semper
fi, Brother Marines. We
also added a poem written in Vietnam by 2Lt.
William Gray Ross (I/3/5) to his Memorial page...with grateful thanks
to Betty Bowen for sending. July
4, 2002
HAPPIEST INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL! We rejoice in our celebration of the precious
freedom our servicemen and women have bought for us, and we will never forget
the high price they paid. Our grateful thanks to All who have served, and
continue to serve throughout the world. On
Jan. 30-31, 1968, at the start of what's now known as the TET OFFENSIVE, Marines
of India 3/5 lost 7 of their men in the battle they call "Operation
ALAMO." We added a page to honor these Marines, along with individual
Memorial pages for all 7 KIAs. If anyone has pics/remembrances they'd like
added to these Memorials, email us and we will add as soon as possible. We
also added pictures to 3 Memorial pages: "Doc"
Harry Bowman (M/3/5), James
"Spanky" Norris (I/3/5) and Donny
Tucker (M/3/5)...with much thanks to Brenda Eidson for sending the
pics. June
22, 2002
Added several pictures to the Operation
HASTINGS page, courtesy of Carlos Septien, M/3/5. Much thanks to Carlos
for these great pictures of "early" M Co. 3/5. June
21, 2002
We added a Memorial page
for Larry Searight, M/3/5. Larry was on his way from California to Georgia
to attend his first 3/5 Reunion...on 10 May, he had a massive heart attack
at his daughter's house in Texas. We put up a special Memorial wreath for
him at our 3/5 Wall of Honor at the Reunion...Bill Vandegriff and Jim Blankenheim
presented the wreath to Larry's family at his Memorial in Michigan 24 May.
Semper fi, Brother Marines, we will never forget. We
also added several pictures to
2Lt. William Gray Ross (I/3/5) Memorial page, courtesy of his family...
and former girlfriend, Betty Bowen. At our recent 3/5 Reunion Betty and Gray
Ross's sister Datha met the I/3/5 Marines Gray served with for the first time.
Also
added a picture of Sgt.
Leslie Thompson (M/3/5, Silver Star recipient) to his Memorial page, courtesy
of his nephew, Leslie Thompson. June
14, 2002
Brad and I are proud to add a picture page for Brad's first Skipper, JD
Murray, former XO and CO of M/3/5. JD's great pics are of M Co. ('66-'67)
incuding operations HASTINGS, DESOTA, and SWIFT. Much thanks to Gary Bolen
(M/3/5) for enhancing and putting the pictures on a CD for us. June
9, 2002
We're finally home from our latest cross-country adventure...had a blast!
Our 3/5 Reunion in Georgia was way bigger than last year, and if folks
want to do it again next year, it will be bigger still. We're putting
up the pics sent in while we were gone, there are many more coming in
this week and we will post them and your comments soon as we can. There's
still some names we haven't added yet, so please don't be offended if
we got it wrong...but let us know so we can fix ASAP. Enjoy!! May
3, 2002
Today we leave for our 3rd 3/5 Reunion in La Grange, GA...this will be our
last update till we get back sometime in June. Our grateful thanks to Curtis
and Brenda Eidson and their planning group who have made it possible for us
to gather together once more with the Marines and Docs we have "found"
these last few years via the internet. It's gonna be too awesome for words...we
look forward to sharing it all with our visitors when we return. Brad
and I are honored to add a picture page for Steve
Cottrell, M/3/5 radio operator 66-67. Steve was on some of the operations
Brad was on, including ESSEX for which he was awarded the Navy Commendation.
Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and remembrances, Steve...Semper
fi and Welcome Home Brother Marine! We
added several Sea Tiger articles to Frank
Jurney's picture page, articles on UNION, UNION II, and SWIFT...and we
also added a beautifully written letter from Frank to Michael Callahan's sister,
Dierdre, to Michael Callahan's
Memorial page. Thank you for sharing, Frank. We
also added a start up page for Operation
HASTINGS...any info/pics/remembrances is greatly appreciated, and will
be posted soonly after we return from our Reunion. April
26, 2002
We added a Memorial page for Cpl.
David Lee Jones, M/3/5, KIA 8 November 67on Operation ESSEX...grateful
thanks to his friend, Steve Dengler for the picture of David, and to Craig
Sullivan and Nick Nicholson, and Jack Swan for their kind words to David's
niece, Amber. Semper fi, Brother Marine, we will never forget. We
also added several pictures and news article from the Philadelphia Inquirer
to Michael Callahan's
Memorial page...Michael was also KIA on Operation
ESSEX and M/3/5 Marines Steve Cottrell, Frank Jurney, Kevin Kelly, Jack
Swan and Chuck Goebel are now in touch with Michael's sisters, Dierdre and
Sheila...a very special Memorial is being planned for Michael this November,
please check out the news article for more info. We
are proud to add a picture page for Frank
Jurney, M/3/5...with much thanks to good buddy Steve Cottrell for helping
getting the pictures iin web format. April
11, 2002
We added a Memorial page for 1Lt.
Ronald D. Layton, he was flying an A-4E out of Chu Lai with VMA 211. He
and his wingman were "hotpad" launched (emergency) in the early
afternoon to provide close air support for ground forces 17 miles SW of Danang.
His sister, Barbara Scheibel, is looking for information about his death on
4/4/69 from the troops he was flying close air support for. Please email info
to Scheibel711@aol.com. Also
added a great tribute to M/3/5
Gunnery Sgt. Denny Dinota from his former Skipper, J.R. McElroy, to the
Operation UNION page...you got a great way with words, Skipper! M/3/5 was
very fortunate to have Denny...can't wait to see you all together again next
month at our 3/5 Reunion in Georgia...1st plt. M/3/5 will be proudly represented,
for sure! April
8, 2002 We
added Memorial pages for the following Marines: Pfc.
Phillip Pierce, Jr. (I/3/5) KIA on Operation HASTINGS, remembered by Tom
Gainer who recently presented the Pierce family with Phillip's dog tags and
medals. Sgt. Leslie Thompson
(M/3/5) KIA during Operation TAYLOR COMMON with remembrances from his
nephew Leslie Thompson and from fellow Marines Paul O'Connell, Mike McFerrin
and Ed Browder. 2Lt. William
Gray Ross (I/3/5) KIA on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST with picture and remembrance
from Betty Bowen and India 3/5 Marine Jerry Bain. 1Lt.
Amos Craige, SSgt. Theodore Rowley and HN3 Michael Borg (K/3/5) KIA 12
Oct. 70. Semper Fi, Brother Marines, we will never forget. Feb.
9, 2002
We added a remembrance from Steve Lovejoy to Pfc. John Wayne Love's
Memorial page. Steve and John went through boot camp and both ended
up in M/3/5, 2nd plt. Thank you, Steve! Also, we added a copy of The
Wall name rubbing for Pfc. Michael Callahan,
M/3/5, to his Memorial page...thanks to Chuck Goebel and his sister,
Mary K. Johnson. Feb.
8, 2002
We added two more Memorial pages for India 3/5 Marines Killed In Action
on 13 August 1969: Pfc
James W. Davis and Cpl. James W. Castor.
Their names stand proudly next to Sgt.
John Ben Valdez and LCpl. James "Spanky"
Norris who were also killed that day as India Co. battled the 90th NVA
Regiment. We pray the Marines who survived that terrible day, and the families
of these fallen Marines will take some comfort knowing their loved ones
are honored and remembered still. Feb.
6, 2002
Brad and I are very honored to add to more picture pages: for Steve Howsmon (M/3/5)
and for Steve Lovejoy (M/3/5).
Steve Howsmon was in rockets with Brad, best buddies...we've been looking
for him a long time!! He has pictures/info that he will be sending in soonly
to add to his page. Steve Lovejoy also has a bunch of great slides he's
getting scanned to send, and we will share them soon as we can. Thank you
so much for sharing your pics and remembrances, Brother Marines...and Welcome
Home!! We
also added two more Memorial pages, friends and fellow Marines of Steve
Howsmon: for LCpl. Ron
Markel (M/3/5) and Pfc. Forrest Bartram (M/3/5).
If anyone has any pictures or remembrances you'd like us to add, please
feel free to email us and we will add as soon as possible. Semper fi, Brother
Marines. We will never forget. Jan.
30, 2002
This is a special day for this webmistress, it was two years ago today
I first launched USMC Combat Wife website. I never dreamed we would
receive so much info in such a short time...and I thank EVERYONE who
contributed info/pics/memoirs, and thanks for your patience through
my many trials and errors. I set Jan. 30, 2000 as my deadline to launch
my website in honor of two very special Marines killed on this day during
the 1968 TET Offensive. The first two Memorial pages were put together
for: Cpl. Billy Bolton
(I/3/5) for his friend, Curtis Eidson; and for 1Lt. John Manning (1st Bn.
MP) for his sister, Karen Armstrong. Since then, we have added many
Memorial pages for our combat Marines and FMF Corpsmen in hopes that
family members and friends will receive a measure of comfort knowing
their loved one is honored and remembered still. Today
we added a Memorial page for Pfc.
William Pangle (M/3/5) KIA during Operation HOUSTON in April '68, with
much thanks to Theo Perry for his remembrance. We also added Cpl. Jack Swan's
remembrance to his friend Cpl.
Donald Kretsinger (M/3/5, KIA during Operation ESSEX. Maybe one day
his family may come across it and know he is honored still by his Marines. Jan.
22, 2002
We added a Memorial page for Timothy
Shanower (M/3/5) KIA during Operation MAMELUKE THRUST, Sept. 3, '68.
Tim was a close friend of Larry Walters who was there when Tim was killed.
Much thanks to Lonie Addis who was in Tim's Boot Camp Platoon for sending
in Tim's Boot Camp picture. We
are also proud to share a very special tribute from one of our favorite
Seabees, Art Roe..to "his" Marines and
Corpsmen. You speak so well for many of us, Art...thank you for sharing! Jan.
14, 2002
We added a Memorial page for another of our Brother Marines...Cpl. Thomas Fisher (M/3/5),
KIA on Operation SWIFT, awarded the Navy Cross, posthumously. If you
remember Cpl. Fisher and would like to add your remembrance, email us and
we'll get it posted soon as possible. To
the Combat Histories section, we started a page for Operation MAMELUKE THRUST,
one of the longest running operations of '68...starting in June and terminated
late October. There will be many pages added here, our thanks to John Gunderson
(I/3/) for sending in the 3/5 After Action Reports...they will all be posted
soonly. If you were on MAMELUKE THRIST and would like to submit your pics/remembrances,
feel free to email them to us and we'll get them posted soon as we can.
This is definitely an ongoing project here and will be updated often. Jan.
11, 2002
We posted several more pictures to MSgt.
Craig Sullivan's picture page...excellent job on the scanning, Sarge!
Sully was M/3/5 platoon sergeant when Brad first got to Vietnam. Much
thanks to Chuck Goebel (M/3/5) for "finding" J. D. Murray, Brad's
first Skipper. Ed McCurry has added him to the M/3/5 roster...we're
looking forward to seeing pictures soonly. Welcome Aboard, Skipper! And
we thank Larry Walters II for "finding" us, his Dad Larry was
with M/3/5 68-69. His name has also been added to the M/3/5 roster. We
added Memorial pages for two Marines and one FMF Corpsman KIA on Operation
SWIFT: 2Lt. Dennie Peterson
(2/11 attached to I/3/5)...Dennie received the Navy Cross for extraordinary
bravery under fire, posthumously; Pfc.
Charles Frederick Martin (M/3/5), with remembrances from his family;
HN David Phelps (3/5)...with
thanks to Craig Sullivan for sending in the picture of this young Doc. And
a Memorial page for another of our Docs, HN
Edward "Dan" Drohosky (I/3/5) KIA on Operation UNION II...with
grateful thanks to his brother, Michael, for sending in pictures of Doc
Drohosky in Vietnam. If anyone would like to add a remembrance to these
Memorial pages, feel free to email us and we'll post it for you. We
also added "Hill 310," poem by Doug
Maier, M/3/5...his perspective on that hellacious battle...thank you
for sharing, Doug! And Doc John Colucco, 1/5,
sent in a poem of his thoughts on this New Year...powerful words here,
Doc...thank you for sharing! Dec.
31, 2001 HAPPIEST NEW YEAR TO ALL! It's been an incredible year for Brad and I..."finding"
our 3/5 people, and their families and friends. It's just awesome to know
you ALL. As we reflect on the good friends we have, we will also be remembering
so many who cannot be here with us. We will never forget our fallen brothers,
or are troops who are now defending our precious freedom. We
added more of Curtis Eidson's
(I/3/5) pics and Jerry Bain's (I/3/5), including
some of Jerry's visit to The Wall on the 226th USMC Birthday...thank you
both for sharing! We
also added Memorial pages for Cpl.
Donald Kretsinger (M/3/5 1st plt.) and Cpl.
Richard Giebe (M/3/5 2nd plt.) both KIA on Operation ESSEX. Also for
Cpl. Roger Gaughan (M/3/5
3rd plt.) KIA during Operation UNION, with thanks to Dennis Tylinski
for the pictures and remembrance. And for
LCpl. Thomas Tamilio, Pvt. Joseph Casserly, Pfc. Kenneth Titsworth, and
Pfc. Stephen Borczyk (M/3/5) KIA during Operation DESOTO. Dec.
4, 2001 We
added two more Memorial pages: for Pfc.
Michael Callahan, 3rd plt. M/3/5, radioman, KIA on Operation ESSEX.
Thanks to Kevin Kelly for remembering. Also for LCpl.
James Navarro, 2nd plt. M/3/5, also KIA on Operation
ESSEX...much thanks to his brothers David and Neal for their picture
and remembrances. Nov.
16, 2001
We are proud to add two more picture pages: for
Kevin Kelly, 3rd platoon M/3/5, 66-67 and for Dennis
Tylinski, 3rd platoon M/3/5, 66-67. Thanks for the great pics, Brother
Marines! Nov.
13, 2001 We
are honored to add a Memorial
page for HM2 Michael Kempel (M/3/5). Doc Kempel was KIA trying to save
his Marines and fellow Docs. Thanks to Randy Pelt, Doc Jim Bachelder, Doc
Joe Boydell and Curtis Eidson for their remembrances/pictures. Semper fi,
Doc...we will never forget. Nov.
9, 2001
Tomorrow we celebrate the 226th USMC Birthday, we will be thinking of all our Marines and Docs
and their families. Finding so many of our combat family the last few years
means more than I can say...thank you ALL for your service and sacrifices...and
for helping us recover priceless pictures and info of our fallen brothers.
We will never forget. We
added a Veterans Day Tribute from our friend, Bev
Bouchard...Bev is a friend to ALL veterans...and a combat wife I am
very proud to know. Thank you so much for sharing this message with us! Also
added a picture of Kevin
Kelly (M/3/5), and his Bronze Star citation to the Operation DESOTO page.
Thank you so much for sharing, Kevin. Added
a Memorial page for M/3/5
Marines Killed In Action 14 December '66, with much thanks to Nick Nicholson
(M/3/5) for his remembrances of what happened that day. Any further info
would be greatly appreciated. Oct.
30, 2001
We added 2 more Memorial pages for our India 3/5 brothers: Sgt.
John Ben Valdez, KIA Aug. 13, '69, with much thanks to Jimmie Christy
and Willy Williams for their remembrances of their platoon sergeant. Also,
for "Doc" James
O'Reilly, I/3/5, KIA on the first day of Operation SWIFT, with grateful
thanks to Sgt. "Hap" Hazzard for remembering, and to longtime
friend, Patrick Trainor for his poems in memory of his friend, "Jimmy." We
also added 2 Memorial pages for our Mike 3/5 Marines: Cpl.
Richard Duncan, KIA Nov. 8, '67 on Operation ESSEX, Navy Cross recipient.
My grateful thanks to this hero as his courageous actions that day helped
save my Marine, and many others of 1st plt. M/3/5. Grateful thanks to former
schoolmate, Velda Solomon, for her remembrances and pictures. Also, for
Cpl. Dan Dennis, KIA May
13, '67 on Operation UNION, with much thanks to former friends Rudy
and Jean Kantu, and Cheryl Greenwalt. Oct.
25, 2001 We
are proud to add picture pages for 2 more of our "Grunt" Docs:
SENT
IN BY DOC ELLIS 3RD BATT. 4TH MARINES H&S CO 72-73
Our
prayers are with our troops who continue to protect our freedom, here and
abroad.
Jan.
16, 2008 We added a couple pictures and information
about Richard "Dick" Fischer's Funeral services in Madison, Wisconsin...several
M Co. 3/5 Marines who served with Fischer were there to be with his family
as his remains were finally laid to rest after 40 years...for more information
see Ken Field's write-up for Richard Fischer in Picture
Gallery 2007.
Remember our brothers in your prayers, Semper Fi, Tom
LCpl.
Jack Albert Berry, Lt.
Vincent Capodanno-MOH, LCpl.
Stephen Cornell, Pfc.
Dennis Fisher, LCpl.
Thomas Fisher-Navy Cross, Pfc.
Tony Gabaldon, LCpl.
Andrew Giordano, LCpl.
Richard Guerrero, Pfc.
Raymond Hengels, HN
"Doc" Armando Leal-Navy Cross, Pfc.
James Calvin McKenzie, Pfc.
Charles Frederick Martin, Pfc.
Gene Mortensen, Sgt.
Lawrence David Peters-MOH, Cpl.
William Young, LCpl.
Albert Willard Santos, Pfc.
Steven James Wright, HN
David Clayton Phelps, Pfc.
William Franklin Miller, Pfc.
Talmadge Carnell.
June 27, 2007 We are grieved
to hear that Craig Sullivan's beloved wife, Barri, passed
away Sun. June 24 at her home. This beautiful lady fought for her life
with ovarian cancer for 3 years. Barri
will be remembered always by our 3/5 family...Memorial services will be
held 5:00 PM Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church that Barri was
a member of...for more information, see "My
Loving Wife, Barri" sent in by Craig Sullivan...God bless you
and your family, Sully...Semper Fi.
we thank these Marines for their tribute to their fallen comrades.
