Vol. XII • No III 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Voice of the USMC © Vietnam Tankers Box Association Ensuring Our Legacy Through Reunion, Renewal & Remembrance™ our largest yet!

Featuring  Reunion Pictures & Stories p. 22–27

 Button-Up & Move Out! p. 29

 Tank & Grunts in Hue City p. 37

 VA Website List & Articles p. 44

O f f i c i a l Publication o f t h e USMC V i e t n a m Ta n k e r s Association & H i s t o r i c a l F o u n d a t i o n Looking for a reunion T-shirt? Letter from the President Go on line to: http://www.grunt.com OR call Sgt. Grit @ 866-776-2607 and mention the Vietnam Tankers Wow! I am still floating on air over the reunion! If you were unfortunate to not have been in Charleston T-Shirt Offer and use Item #STS227 August 19 – 23, you missed one heck of an amazing and awesome time. Every single attendee who I spoke with told me that the Las Vegas gathering was great but Charleston was unbelievable! The S–XL = $16.95 USS Yorktown was impressive even with the un-Godly hot & humid weather. The recruit graduation XXL = 17.95 on Parris Island proved to me that today’s freshly minted Marines are as good as they ever were. XXXL = 18.65 And those Lady DI’s were a beautiful sight for these old sore eyes! I don’t know how he does it $6.95 for shipping & handling but Bob Peavey’s “Fallen Heroes” program just keeps getting better and better. Someone said to me, “I don’t come to reunions to cry but I do every time a Fallen Heroes program unfolds on the Offer closes November 1, 2009. screen.” Interestingly a good portion of Fallen Hero David Dodson’s family came to the presentation Delivery in 4 weeks after close date. including the daughter who was born 17 days before David was KIA. And her son, Brett, was also in attendance. David’s sister & her husband (a Vietnam Army vet) were so impressed with the program “COMBAT READY” that he is going to the next 1st Cav. reunion and more or less demand that the doggies do the same sort of presentation for their own fallen heroes. The niece and the sister of KIA Ben John Green drove “Combat Ready” is an original from their homes to view the presentation and to begin the process of having “Uncle Benny” be the oil painting of an Marine honoree for our 2011 reunion. M48-A3 tank by artist Tim Hinton, himself a former As I announced in the Membership Meeting in Charleston, the Association is healthy & growing. We have just under-600 members. This is up from 400 members when I became president. Just this year Marine who served in Vietnam we have 55 new members and 30 of these “New Guys” attended the reunion. Thanks to Lt “Fuzz” with the 3rd Marine Division, Henderson’s Third Herd, 19 (mostly new) members were present or accounted for. Many of these Hotel 2/4. The original oil tankers had not seen each other for 40 years! What a great time! canvas art was purchased by One of the methods of making sure that the Membership Meeting is at full capacity at the very start Bob Vaxter, a member of the of the meeting is to offer a chance to win a free room for the reunion. Congratulations go out to Vietnam Tank Association, and Randy Roberts who was the lucky winner of the drawing. was displayed at the reunion in Charleston. Now you can own Early this year I was approached by Bob Vaxter asking if he could run for a director’s seat on the board. Since the board was short one director, I added his name to the slate that the membership a high quality reproduction of voted for during the reunion. Welcome aboard Bob! this magnificent painting. It is available on giclée paper or The VTA website has two features that I’d like more members to read and participate in. There is a on a canvas mount; these are “Tanker Blog” where you are able to write and post to the blog any recollection or story about your time in Vietnam that you want to. Please feel free to contribute as much as you can. The other new limited edition prints (18” x 24” feature is a “Tanker’s Stories” forum. This is for your sea stories no matter how long or how bawdy. signed and numbered) and are Type up your story and submit it to a board member. We’ll see that it gets uploaded on to that part now available to decorate your of our website for all to enjoy. office or living room wall. Each We are still looking for tankers who may, for various economic reasons, be less-fortunate and cannot print comes with a certificate Name afford the annual membership dues. We want to grant them a gift membership. Send their names of authenticity signed by the Address and addresses to me or any member of the board of directors. We want each and every eligible artist. The artist is donating Vietnam Marine tanker as members in the association so they can share in the brotherhood. The City State Zip a percentage of each sale to more the merrier…and the stronger we will be. your organization, the USMC Telephone: E-mail Semper Fidelis, Vietnam Tank Association. Quantity Paper ($195) Canvas ($275) Total John Orders must be received by November 30,2009 “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are gone, Make check out to: USMC VTA All sales are final; no refunds or Subtotal either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.” Send check and order form to: exchanges. Please allow 2-3 weeks Ron Knight for delivery. Shipping/handling $12.50 Ben Franklin 720 Quail Run Ct., Thank you for supporting the Alpharetta, GA 30005-8929 Vietnam Tank Association! Total due

2 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 3 Board of Directors 2007–2009 New Members Meet Your Board of Directors Executive Directors Robert F Baxley Michael L Gilman Ira B McQuade Noel Stubbe A feature that provides some history John Wear, President 12113 Golfside Dr 820 Hidden Harbor Ct 1706 N Pasadena St 701 E North Lake St 5537 Lower Mountain Road; New Hope, PA 18938 Tampa, FL 33612 Chesapeake, VA 23322 Indianapolis, IN 46219 Handcock, WI 54943 about one of your Board members. (215) 794-9052 · E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (813) 931-4746 Phone: (757) 547-8388 Phone: (317) 356-2158 Phone: (715) 249-3295 Robert ‘Bob’ Peavey, Vice President Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: None 304 Abbey Court; Canton, GA 30115 C Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 66 – 67 B Co, 5th Tank Bn - 68 B Co, 1st Tank Bn - 68 - 69 A/B Cos, 1st Tank Bn – 66 – 67 (770) 365-3711 · Email: [email protected] MOS: 1811 MOS: 1802 MOS: 2141 MOS: 1811 Rick Lewis Wife: Delia Wife: Denise Wife: Glenna Wife: Kathy Jim Coan, Treasurer DOB: 5/31/44 DOB: 6/1/44 DOB: 5/13/50 DOB: 9/24/46 5374 East Lantana Drive; Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 Recruited by: Website Recruited by: Website Recruited by: John Wear Recruited by: Doug Ewers (520) 378-9659 · E-mail: [email protected] After graduation from high Marine. Rick retired in Louis C Berger James “Jim” R Gulledge William C “Cal” Moody Claude “Chris” Vargo Ronald C. Knight, Secretary 721 New Bloomfield Rd 720 Quail Run Court; Alpharetta, GA 30005-8920 8918 Melanie Ln 1555 River Road 5054 Civitania Rd SE school in 1965 Rick enlisted with August 1986 as a 1St Sgt. (707) 623-9237 · E-mail: [email protected] Duncannon, PA 17020-9717 Shreveport, LA 71106 Boyce, LA 71409 Mableton, GA 30126 Phone: (717) 834-9880 Phone: (318) 688-9662 Phone: (318) 419-4931 Phone: (770) 739-1572 some school buddies who went Navy, while of Marines. Directors Email: None Email: None Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] he went Marines. He graduated with Plt. Once a civilian he Lt. General Martin R. Steele, USMC (Ret.) A Co, 1st Tank Bn – 68 - 69 A Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 66 - 67 A & B Co, 1st Tank Bn - 68 B Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 67 - 69 16331 Ashington Park Drive; Tampa, FL 33647 MOS: ? MOS: 1811 MOS: ? MOS: 1811 365, 3rd Bn. MCRD San Diego. He was started his own business E-mail: [email protected] DOB: 5/17/49 Wife: Molly Wife: Jackie Wife: Gloria sent to Infantry Training Regiment and as a manufacturer’s representative for the Recruited by: Harvey “Robbie” Robinson DOB: 4/4/45 DOB: 2/28/44 DOB: 1/16/48 in Vietnam being told through personal Carl Fleischman P.O. Box 727; Keyport, WA 98345-0727 Cecil Brown, Jr Recruited by: DAV Magazine Recruited by: John Wear Recruited by: Website then to Tank School at Del Mar. During waste water collections industry and he histories. Craig and Rick also attended the (360) 779-1327 · E-mail: [email protected] 3265 Leatherwood Circle Rd Chris G Hicks Ernest “Ernie” E Perez Robert A Walker his time at Del Mar he met some of the great never looked back. Then, one day many Las Vegas reunion and that’s when Rick Dave “Doc” Forsyth Sidney, OH 45365 4273 Zero Mark Rd 1085 O Farrell Ct 4417 Garcia Ave PO Box 52; Lackawaxen, PA 18435-0052 Phone: (937) 492-0674 Morganton, NC 28655 Salinas, CA 93907 Sarasota, FL 34233 names in Marine tanks: John Cornelius, years later, Rick got a phone call from Dick decided to get more involved. He spoke to (570) 685-2020 · E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: (828) 403-3143 Phone: (831) 757-1644 Phone: (941) 922-7363 E. J. Nations, Dan Wokaty and many Cary. Dick talked about a Vietnam Tankers John Wear about some ideas that he felt B Co, 1st Tank Bn – 66 - 67 Email: None Email: None Email: [email protected] Fred Kellogg MOS: 1811 C Co, 3rd Tank Bn - 68 C Co, 3rd Tank Bn - 68 H&S Co, 1st Tank Bn – 67 - 68 others. These Marine legends were tough Association and did he want to join? Rick could help the VTA. 15013 NE 16th St.; Vancouver, WA 98684-3605 Wife: Janice (360) 609-3404 E-mail: [email protected] MOS: ? MOS: 1811 MOS: 1811 DOB: 5/1/47 DOB: 1/25/48 Wife: Yolanda Wife: Susan Pat task masters. Rick says that he remembers replied, “Not now, maybe down the road. Rick says, “So I have made that Rick Lewis Recruited by: “Robbie” Robinson Recruited by: Jim Knee DOB: 11/12/46 DOB: 2/24/45 falling asleep in his rack reading the tank Please check with me later.” Dick kept commitment to the VTA as a director. 5663 Balboa Ave. #366: San Diego, CA 92111-2795 Donald W Chester Recruited by: Bob Vaxter Recruited by: Tom Clary (858) 297-8909 E-mail: [email protected] Charles E Hiltz gunnery manual. He wanted to be the best calling and in 2002 he finally joined the I will be meeting with the VA to get all 329-A Bayou Blue Rd 1 Stone Park Place Larry G Ray David W Walters Lt Col Raymond Stewart, USMC (ret) Houma, LA 70364 Nottingham, MD 21236 102 S 14th St 259 Teri Lane because after all, we were going to a place brotherhood. Rick was already a member the info I can to pass along to my fellow President, Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation Phone: (985) 851-6471 Phone: (410) 256-7151 Murray, KY 42071 Prattville, AL 36066 707 SW 350th Court; Federal Way, WA 98023 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: (270) 293-1258 Phone: (334) 399-3662 called Vietnam. Later, after spending two of the Marine Corps Tankers Association tankers or any Marine who may be looking (253) 835-9083 · Email: [email protected] B Co, 1st Tank Bn – 66 - 68 B Co, 1st Tank Bn – 68 - 69 Email: None Email: [email protected] years in Vietnam, the Marine Corps sent and had only been to one meeting but felt for help in anyway from the VA. After all, Robert H. Vaxter MOS: 1316 MOS: 1811 Bravo Co, 1st Tank Bn - ? B Co, 1st Tank Bn – 66 - 67 45749 Prairiegrass Court; Belleville, MI 48111-6428 Wife: Natalie Wife: Kathleen MOS: 1811 MOS: 1811 him home…even after he tried to extend out of place in that organization. There was Marines take care of our own. I hope to do (734) 385-6395 Email: [email protected] DOB: 4/9/48 DOB: 6/6/48 Wife: Marilyn Wife: Dorothy once again. Rick did go back to Vietnam a serious lack of Vietnam-era tankers in this either via our web site or S-box by early Recruited by: Tom Clary Recruited by: “Chet” Ruby DOB: ? DOB: 10/26/45 Committees & Chairmen Recruited by: Website Recruited by: Ron Davidson Harvey C Collins Kent S Hughes in 1969-70 but after 6 months 3rd Tank the membership. Then one day his friend next year. I am already looking forward to 1640 Eagle Crest Dr Mike Burnett Bob Peavey 1540 James Rd Richard L Rodriguez James R Williams Pfafftown, NC 27040-9508 Bn was sent to Okinawa. That’s when he Craig Newberry said, “Pack your bags; the San Diego reunion in 2011; the board Awards & Medals Fallen Heroes Ardmore, PA 19003 1050 W Woodward Ave 261 Jones Springs Church Rd Phone: (336) 924-5164 209-383-2261 PST 770-365-3711 EST Phone: (610) 642-9184 Fresno, CA 93706-3544 Ellerbe, NC 28338 came home and started a family which we’re going to the VTA Philly reunion.” has already begun laying plans for this next Email: [email protected] Bruce “Boston” Manns Jim Guffe Email: [email protected] Phone: (559) 266-6481 Phone: (910) 652-24387 made him rethink leaving the military. He So they did and were glad they attended; reunion which should prove to be even H&S Co, 1st Tank Bn – 67 - 68 A Co, 5th Tank Bn - 69 Email: [email protected] Association Archives Jerry Clark Memorial Buddy Fund MOS: ? Email: None 603-448-3305 EST 804-744-1179 EST MOS: 1802 A/C Co, 1st Tank Bn – 65 – 66 H&S Co, 1st Tank Bn – 67 - 68 decided to stay on active duty and now he is it filled a hole that was missing. It was great larger yet.”  Wife: Frances DOB: 3/2/45 MOS: 0353 CWO4 Bob Embesi “Robbie” Robinson MOS; ? DOB: 1/6/46 Recruited by: Ron Knight Wife: Carol proud of his great career as a United States to sit around and hear the history of tanks CRCS/CR Representative National Recruiter Wife: Hortensia Recruited by: Tom Clary DOB: 1/3/50 406-821-3075 MST [email protected] Joseph C Landaker DOB: 2/22/46 John A Cox Recruited by: Tom Clary 409-385-6399 PO Box 2481 Recruited by: Robbie Robinson Lt. Col. Harris Himes 12651 SE 21st Pl Membership Information Changes for 2009 Big Bear City, CA 92314-2481 Matthew W Young Chaplain “Pappy” Reynolds Morriston, FL 32668 Robert “Bobby” L Ruble Phone: (909) 585-4528 1697 Greenbrooke Rd Tucson, AZ 85748 406-375-0097 CST Web Master Phone: (352) 486-3199 1613 – 14th Ave (#F1) Tom Colson Wife: Mary Email: [email protected] Hudson, NC 28638 Terry “Bo” Bocchino 626-574-0094 PST Email: [email protected] Central City, NE 68826 (520) 269-7169 A Co, 1st Tank Bn – 65 – 66 & 68 Phone: (828) 728-5641 [email protected] DOB: 12/25/44 Chaplain, Asst. H&S Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 65 - 66 Phone: (308) 946-3152 MOS: 1811 Email: [email protected] “Boston” Bruce Manns 518-537-2509 EST MOS: 2141 Email: None Jim Crooke Gene “Doc” Hackemack Wife: Laura A Co, 3rd Tank Bn, 68 - 69 Wife: Margaret DOB: 7/28/46 B Co, 1st Tank Bn – 66 - 67 MOS: 1811 / 8511/ 9999 9270 Edgemont Lane [email protected] PO Box 605 Web Site: www.usmcvta.org [email protected] DOB: 4/30/46 Recruited by: Jim Sausoman MOS: ? Wife: Charlotte Recruited by: Website Boca Raton, FL 33434 Doug Hamilton Enfield, NH 03748 The Sponson Box is the official publication for the USMC Vietnam DOB: 3/16/33 DOB: 11/29/41 Tankers Association and the Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Wayne A Eller Otis E Martin Recruited by: Tony Wills (561) 477-7441 [email protected] (603) 632-1295 Foundation. The Sponson Box is published three times a year, more Recruited by: Website 207 Poclain Rd – Box 174 2606 Ave B often prior to the biennial reunion of the Association. No portion of Nederland, TX 77627 Donald L Sanders Email: [email protected] John Heffernan [email protected] the Sponson Box is to be reprinted without prior written permission Perryman, MD 21130 746 Baldwin Ave Phone: (410) 459-6189 Phone: (409) 727-3090 Norman Crowe 701 – 10th Street Dale Reed from the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association. Email: None Elyria, OH 44035 Publishers: USMC Vietnam Tankers Association Email: [email protected] Phone: (446) 366-6157 363 Canterbury Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23451 [email protected] A Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 67 - 68 A Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 68 - 69 Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation Email: [email protected] MOS: 2531/2511 MOS: 1811 Oklahoma City, OK 73130-0246 Charles “Ed” Hiltz Pete Rich Robert Peavey - Editor/Publisher A Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 67- 68 Wife: Patricia Wife: Carolyn Sue E-mail: [email protected] MOS: 1811 PO Box 1071 DOB: 12/26/46 DOB: 12/8/47 Ken Dahl [email protected] Recruited by: American Legion Magazine Recruited by: John Wear DOB: 2/24/45 Dahl Plumbing & Heating Linda Holly Apalachicola, FL 32329 Recruited by: John Wear Fritz Firing, Sr Michael A McCabe 2044 – 7th Street East 563 Alpine Drive – Box 2345 Richard E Sevick 422 Navaho Circle 10593 Merriman Rd David E Smith Summerville, SC 29483-9285 Cupertino, CA 95104-3921 1562 River Bluff Dr West Fargo, ND 58078 Rutland, VT 05701 800 Wavecrest Drive Phone: (843) 875-7291 Phone: (775) 846-1819 Reedley, CA 93654 Fritz Firing Email: [email protected] Orlando, FL 32807-1381 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: (559) 638-8578 C Co, 3rd Tank Bn - 66 B Co, 1st Tank Bn – 66 - 67 Email: [email protected] C Co, 3rd ATs Glen Hutchins Roger Unland MOS: 1802 MOS: 1811 H&S Co, 3rd Tank Bn – 65 - 66 Charles Fischer [email protected] [email protected] Wife: Mary Wife: Joyce MOS: 2141 DOB: 5/23/33 DOB: 10/30/48 DOB: 12/25/43 (845) 626-5494 Col Tom Kelly, USMC (ret) Bruce Van Apeldoorn Sr Recruited by: “Robbie” Robinson Recruited by: John Wear Recruited by: “Robbie” Robinson Doug Fischer (540) 788-4678 (585) 613-6564 Please note: Most of these new members were recruited through a joint effort. The recruiters called or emailed John Wear [email protected] DOB: 5/14/42 [email protected] on the cover: The USMC Vietnam Tankers Association or “Robbie” Robinson and the perspective member had a membership packet sent to them. The packet that was mailed celebrates its 10th year in Charleston, S.C. this past included a sample of the Sponson Box news magazine, a membership application and a letter asking them to join. Anyone MOS: 0353 David Lenox Claude “Chris” Vargo August. Here attendees gather for a picture on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown at Patriot’s Point, S.C who knows a perspective member, please alert either Robbie or John. B Co, 3rd ATs 9854 E 2nd St [email protected]

4 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 5 Letter to the Editor the mine with my name on it. That was in supporting them on May 19 1968, just Thanks Tanks! April ‘68. May ‘68 was Allen Brook. Later, outside Khe Sanh. They lost 18 men KIA I was with “L” Co 3 Bn 27th Marines they gave me B-52, the blade tank, and and had approximately 60 wounded. After on Operation Allenbrook in May 1968. Why you should come to a reunion! To John Wear & members, was starting to panic and a Indian/Hispanic sent me to Namo. looking at their web site, I believe this was I’m not sure if you guys were the tanks Hello Rich, Thank you so much for all that you Platoon SSgt (maybe Silva) talked them into I’m volunteering help with a group the third worst day 2/1 had In-country as with us or not, but I know when I was It was great seeing you at the reunion in did for my husband, Fred Hoekstra, in calming down and backing out of the area. that would like to host the Viet Tankers far as KIA. We tankers, 1st Platoon, Bravo down at the river and the gooks opened Charleston. As time flew by with my first his last days and after his passing. The That was a hell of a day right about now 41 reunion here in San Diego in 2011. Company, 3rd Tanks had 11 wounded. I up, I sure was glad to crawl under one of visit with so many guys I wish that I could birthday flowers were beautiful. The years ago. I had forgotten that the area was John T Gardner went to the reunion to get a perspective of those tanks, until he fired, I scrambled have talked more to you and everyone many cards that came to support him in called Goi Noi Island and the tank ferry Sgt. USMC 1968 how they viewed the fight and meet some out as fast as I could, felt like I had there. It was at times so emotionally his illness were much appreciated. The right by Liberty Bridge, where one half of B Co., 1st Tank Battalion of the infantry. Being that we fought and been hit by the tank. When it rained overwhelming and so goddamn rewarding flowers at the funeral home were lovely the bridge had burned . 1st Marine Division supported them, we are also part of their out there, we got in your exhaust to I really cannot put it into words. I never and a comfort to the family at a difficult I’m reading the book ‘Praying for Slack’ Hill 55 south of Danang organization. If you look at their web keep warm and a sniper opened up, a really knew what closure was all about time. I know Fred was appreciating all written by a guy (Bob Peavey) that could 9858 Caminito Laswane site they have us as a supporting unit. See black Gunny or SSgt. used the main until the reunion. Like all the guys I visited, this. He was very dedicated to his military have been me. I was with Bravo Co, 5th San Diego, CA 92131 attachment below about MUC for that day. gun to silence him. I just wanted to say, I wish I had known about the group years background, to honoring veterans Tanks at Los Flores at Camp Pendleton. 858 693-1615 Home Semper Fi, “Thanks to you for the help.” ago so that I could have contributed even and appreciating all their efforts and I had volunteered to go over to Vietnam 858 342-5628 cell Rick Oswood Semper Fi brothers just a little sweat like we did as partners in sacrifices. He had been looking forward and went to Las Pulgas for two weeks of Email: [email protected] Sumner, WA Chuck Spencer comradeship so many years ago. to attending the reunion in Charleston. Staging Bn training. After one week, I went (253) 376-0842 [email protected] I have talked with a dozen guys since Thank you again for everything. back and everyone at 5th Tanks was crazy. John, Bartow, FL Charleston and they wish they could Beverly Hoekstra They all shouted “John, John, we’re going I keep a sharp, Motor-T eyeball open The 12 March newsletter I saw the have been there...but did not go for to Nam!!!”. I explained that I was going for possible candidates... lol heading ONTOS from Capt. Robert John, various reasons. Let’s make it to San From a non-member who reads the and they told me the Captain had told My compliment to the producers/ Bailey, Ret ‘67 that caught my eye. I was surprised and happy with the Diego together. Why the hell not? How Sponson Box: them on Friday that a boat was coming to editors of the latest Sponson Box... Good When I was on I&I staff of 1st Depot beautiful floral arrangement. It was much longer are we going to live? We did John, take them Monday morning. That was the Job!! Mine arrived today... Supply Bn., USMCR in Norfolk, VA. very thoughtful of the USMC Vietnam something that I am very damn proud of Agent Orange finally got me with a boat trip Robert Peavey writes about. If I It is refreshing to read/see the terms/ The CO LtCol. John R Fields had Tankers Association to remember me. for my family, my country and MY GOD! blood disease called MDS (Myellodysplastic hadn’t volunteered, I would have been on descriptions/language used in the me and another member go the Naval It could not have come at a better time. My wife Gloria told me that she enjoyed Syndrome). It’s a leukemia-like problem that same boat trip. After Allen Brook, I different articles... some words/names I Base where a flatbed trailer truck I had lost my little sister on December being there and with chatting with you. in the bone marrow and its inability to went to Namo to guard the bridge. What have not heard in years... lol. Tell it like it and a driver met us at the rail yard to 16th at forty eight years of age after a I think she had a better time than me, if produce red blood cells properly. I go on a a wonderful month... NOT!!! is, applies here... transport a vehicle to our MT garage. six year battle with cancer. I was with that is possible. She really got into hearing chemo regimen next week. I’ve already been I know I saw your name in the book’s I laughed my ass off on the “Crows Nest When we found the rail car, which her the last six weeks of her life, at what we guys went through in Vietnam. to Duke U and their transplant center for chapter on Allen Brook but I can’t find Shitter Burning... it must have looked like was parked next to a warehouse, inside her bedside. I was already going into She knew me well before, during and after consultation. Fortunately the VA is paying it right now. The only names I remember a Roman Candle when it lit up... great the car was an ONTOS we had never that deep dark depression that comes I was in-country but now she can finally for the newdrug... the cost on the outside is were two of my crew Mario Fuentes and story... unheard of till now... heard of this vehicle. The only way to for a lot of Tet 1968 survivors. I was connect the dots between photos and real an unbelievable $30,000 per month. No, Juan Martinez. I also remember Sgt. Fran SF, unload it was through the side door of going into surgery Feb 25th. The night people like you . This brings closure for that’s not a typo... that’s the cost of this stuff. Kopf from Third Platoon, Bravo Co or at Tom Snyder the boxcar, the car was loaded through before, I got a call from South Florida. her as well. Besides, she bought out all the I can’t get compensated for Agent Orange Hill 37. Kopf was the only one who was the end that had a door also. My younger brother had choked on a trinkets at the Slopchute! but they’ll pay for the drug. with me the entire time from Bootcamp John: The naval rail yard could not move piece of roast beef that had gone into Let’s make the next one together!!! Lt Col Jim Walker, USA (ret) to discharge at El Toro. In the States there I, Rick Oswood, am in the picture (on the car so we had to unload from the his lungs. His brain had starved for Tanks in Advance and Semper Fi! Charlottesville, VA was Dick Zuley, Dick Shripka, J. D. Kimble Page 9 of the last issue of the Sponson Box) side and drive through the warehouse oxygen and he was in a coma and on Chris Vargo 2nd Bn 69th Armor Rgt and Lee Aitkens. Last year, Aitkens and I at the 2/1 reunion. LT Col Harris Himes, to the flatbed. The two of us looked life support. I had the surgery at 8:00 (832) 545-7600 RVN ‘66 - ‘68 did the ‘Run for the Wall’ together with over the manual for about an hour then AM, Wednesday, Feb 25th and my P.S. Oh, here is the photo you asked [email protected] 450 other bikers, mostly Vets. I’m glad I did after much; much maneuvering we got brother dies at 5:45 AM, Friday, Feb me for of Soto on B-14 and let me know if Editor’s Note: Anyone have a problem the ‘Run’, I wouldn’t want to do it again. it out and on the flatbed. First time I 27th. There were only the three of you want any more. Lastly, I talked with with this? The VA treats it but doesn’t Riding across the country in formation is ever operated anything like that. us. I never thought that I’d get out of Gunny Al Soto who is in San Antonio. compensate for it? Isn’t it an automatic no fun but the flag waving and salutes were We used it one day for recruiting Vietnam alive or to outlive Maryanne His phone number is 210-882-8763. admission of guilt as soon as they begin worth it one time. display at a football game at Norfolk and Steve. Again thank you for all. You treating it? At Bravo, 1st Tanks, I was an office clerk State University. A few days later it were more help then you know. until I made Sgt. and then I outranked the disappeared I think Headquarters Semper Fi, John, Chief Clerk. They gave me a tank (#?) and FMF Atlantic in Norfolk used it to Tom Clary I didn’t know you were involved with told me not to hurt it. Two weeks later, I evaluate its use for the Marine Corps. Fort White, FL Operation Allen Brook! I was with the ran over a 500 lb bomb and hurt it bad. This was in 1954 - 55 or 56 not sure (386) 497-2453 Bravo Company, 5th Tanks. I remember We were following the mine sweeping Fred Kellogg, Rene Cerda, (Doc) Michael when. P.S. There are two military charities when Ben Greene got hit. We were attached team on the road south of Hill 55 to meet Pipkin, the doc’s wife and myself went to D.E. Wilson, SSgt. that I fully support. The Wounded to the grunts of 3/7 and my tank was not 50 up with a similar team coming from Hill the reunion for 2/1 in November 2008. As 1950 to 1959 Warriors Project which is a God send to yards away when it happened. Ben’s crew 37. It is too bad that the engineers missed you probably know, we fought in a battle America’s wounded sons and daughters.

6 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 7 The other is Adopt a Platoon which all noon chow. Then after evening chow our 120MM cannon toward the Looking For of the work is done by volunteer mothers we’d head to the tin-roofed hooch that Russians. We thought it would have of deployed troops. Several years ago served as the enlisted club to collect been great fun!!!! at a national meeting of the Vietnam our two-beers-a-day ration. When the Fred Kellogg Veterans of America we resolved that beer was consumed, we’d then head [email protected] never again will one generation of over to the doggie’s outdoor movie S/Sgt. James V. Harper Editor’s Note: I hope to have a phone Joe Tiscia has located a Vietnam Ontos veterans forsake another. theater that was up the hill from the Dear John, Dear Mr. Peavey, number by the time this magazine goes to track commander, Dace Smith, living tank park. On one particular evening Thanks very much for your letter My name is Devon Harper. My father press. If you knew S/Sgt Harper, please get in in Ft Worth, TX. Dace was involved in Hunting Trip the movie was “The Green Berets” with and the January - February - March was a tanker in Vietnam and a VTA touch with me if you want to talk to his son the huge ambush of a convoy outside of While serving with Bravo Company John Wayne. We sat on the telephone 2009 issue of Sponson Box. I really member. His name is James V. Harper; who would really like to hear from anyone. Hue City during Tet ‘68. Dace’s Ontos 1/9 in the vicinity of Cam Lo in 1969 pole seats and hooted & hollered at enjoyed reading it, and look forward he served with 3rd Tanks in Alpha Co was in the rear of the column and could we were assigned to a tank patrol. After the horrible acting and the not-so- to future issues. Thanks so much for in 1964 – 65. Unfortunately my father very easily have turned his “pig” around several hours of seeing nothing, the accurate portrayal of the Vietnam War. making that possible. passed away on April 15, 2009. I was Michael Dale Cochran and headed to the safety of Phu Bai but Gunny in charge of the tank frantically Just as the movie was ending the base Even the cover photo brought back surprised to see his Sponson Box in the Looking for anyone that served instead he took the NVA to task and requested an M16. From his perch he experienced about a dozen incoming memories, as it is of my old “Phu Bai” mail because I didn’t know he kept up with my father’s brother, Michael Dale ended up WIA. Dace is currently in the popped off five or six rounds. Of course mortar rounds. We movie watchers stomping grounds. I commanded a with his membership. Cochran, KIA Nov. 1967. Just trying VA hospital and may not pull through. we scattered and set up a perimeter piled into the open trenches that were battery of 105s when we occupied the I found the name of another VTA to put together his past and his part in Joe was wondering if anyone who knows expecting the worse; with a sheepish alongside the outdoor theater until the old ARVN firebase in Phu Bai itself, member in his wallet along with his Vietnam. or remembers Dace, maybe they could grin the gunny informed us he had “all clear” was sounded. As we crawled and we would often tow two or three address. I went on-line to the website Al Cochran either call or write to him and wish him shot a deer. Volunteers were requested out of the trenches, off in the distance howitzers into the surrounding area to and after reading the roster, wrote him to Accochran0777@sbcglobal well. Also anyone in the Dallas - Ft to mount a combat patrol to retrieve “Puff the Magic Dragon” opened up on shoot infantry support fire missions. notify him of my father’s death. His name Worth area could maybe pay him a visit. it. Several of us searched for about a the suspected NVA mortar position. I noted that your upcoming 2009 was Kurt Ross and I spoke with him over half-hour to no avail. On the way back We watched in awe as the stream of reunion will be in Charleston, South the phone. I was elated he helped fill in Ronnie L. Lyons Dace Smith riding on the tank any wild animal was thousands of red tracer rounds tore up Carolina, this year. I attended a the empty gaps and he encouraged me Thanks for all veterans! I would like 5317 Collinwood Ave fair game. With the M79 loaded with the jungle. Shouts of “Get Some!” rang Society of Military History conference to acquire my Dad’s DD-214 which I am to locate anyone who would know my Ft. Worth Texas 76107 buckshot and M16s firing it must have through the air. What a way to watch there a few years back, so I know that currently waiting for. father Ronnie L Lyons, He was a tank Home Phone is 817-886-0147. sounded like a small rolling firefight. a war movie! you will all have a great time - it’s a My mom gave me the okay to convert commander in March 1969, Company C, His wife Carol’s email address is: carol- Fortunately we weren’t hunting for John Wear terrific city. his den to a memento room in his honor. First Tanks, Quang Nam Province. He [email protected] supper because we came home empty- Former Sgt of Marines Thanks again for your letter and It’s become a project of sorts for future was a CPL at time he received the Bronze handed. Upon returning to base a RVN 1968 - 1969 magazine. I really appreciate Col generations to know what role he played Star during this operation. He became DI special formation was called and our Stewart’s recommendation that you send in history and not a social studies text in seventies, at MCRD, rank there SSGT Looking for Asbestos CO informed us that would be the John, me the magazine and your generosity in book account of the war. He wouldn’t R. L. Lyons. All feel free to email myself, I am looking for information about first and last hunting trip we would The first time I went to Cuba (I sending me the Sponson Box. have it any other way. God bless one and all. asbestos used in and around the tanks we participate in. Our unauthorized was at Gitmo twice) we were chased Best Wishes, He never really talked about what he Lea Lyons drove and road in, along with any asbestos hunting trip stands out in my memory into the Bay by a Russian trawler. Jerry D Morelock, PhD endured over there in explicit detail. I Leaort123Qqmail.com we may have come in contact well in veit as one of the few enjoyable times I The trawler kept getting closer even Col, US Army, ret. respected this. What I do know is that nam. If any one has any information or spent in Vietnam. though warned off by the captain of Editor in Chief, Armchair General Magazine. my dad was a Tank Commander and a where I can find information about this William Whitley the US Navy LST via loudspeaker.  Staff Sergeant. His nickname was “I.W.” L/Cpl Clinton Boll please email me as soon as possible. B Co, 1/9 By the time the trawler was so close in the Corps. He was a small man but my My father recently passed away and It may help the doctors I am seeing and ‘67 - ‘67 I could have waved to the crew, a US sister and I view him as a giant. My nieces in his things I found a year book titled - may help me compensation wise. My Email Navy destroyer came racing out of simply called him Grand Pa – a title he “Bravo Company, 1st Tank, 1965-1966, address is [email protected] Two-Beers-A-Day, Gitmo heeling several degrees as the wore with pride along with his eagle, Vietnam” Bless You All In response to all of the letters that ship made a high speed turn to cut off globe and anchor. I didn’t know him well as a stroke James Littman were written about the “Ballad of The the trawler. It eventually got between I have a request if it’s possible to robbed him of his ability to communicate (763) 323-1481 Green Beret” in your last Sgt Grit the trawler and our LST and forced continue my dad’s membership primarily well in 1981. If anyone remembers L/Cpl 313 Belle Aire Dr News, I’d like to weigh in on the topic the trawler to back off. This was to contact anyone that served with my Clinton Boll of the Motor Transport Champlin, MN 55316 as well. Back in the summer of 1968 pretty cool to watch for an 18 year old dad and also I’m curious if I can acquire Crew and has anything to share about [email protected] my tank had hit a mine and we were Marine. Now that I’m older and wiser, a 3rd Tanks patch if that’s even possible. his time in the Marines my brothers and back in “the rear” of the sprawling I realize it woud have not been wise On behalf of my family and myself, you I would love to hear from you. Thank you. Editor’s Note: Wasn’t the loader’s Dong Ha Combat Base repairing the to do what we Marine tankers were have our support and the utmost respect. Sarah Boll-Gamble glove made of asbestos? If there was any mine damage. The daily drill when we demanding of the LST crew. We had Thank you very much. Miss sarah [email protected] asbestos in the tank, Jerry Hodum could were in the rear was to wake at dawn, five M-102 heavy tanks on board in Sincerely Yours, tell us where.  eat morning chow at the 3rd Motor-T the well deck with ramp access to the Devon Harper chow hall, spend the day making butt- main deck. We wanted (demanded) 1 Convent Ave. #41 Do you know Dace Smith? kicking repairs with a break at noon for one be brought up so we could swing New York, NY 10027 VTA member & Silver Star recipient

8 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 9 time his unit submitted its pet monkey for “They just sprayed the jungle with it,” coincides with Patriots Day, which a Purple Heart. The commanding officer she said. commemorates the battles of Lexington S h o t s c r e e n came down to present the award himself, According to Priscilla, Vining received and Concord at the start of the B y K ris O sborn , kosborn @ militarytimes . com looking in vain for a soldier while Vining three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and Revolutionary War. The Office of Naval Research is spending “In theory, this would address one of During several tests in Socorro, N.M., and the rest of his unit tried not to laugh. several other awards during his tours of More than 1,000 family members another $1.5 million to develop an active the real concerns with active protection Shotscreen was attached to steel plates “The major was not pleased that he had a duty, which took place from 1960 until and friends are expected to gather for protection system that tracks incoming systems, which is the risk to nearby to simulate the armor of a tank or LAV. Purple Heart for the monkey,” Duffy said. around 1966. A couple of friends credit the ceremony. To honor Vining, Duffy rocket-propelled grenades and fires a spray personnel and other vehicles. If it can Fifteen RPGs were fired, one at a time, Vining, whom Duffy affectionately him with saving their lives, she said. will be there, as will Vining’s widow; of pellets that can detonate RPGs 15 to 20 work as effectively as interceptor systems, from up to 80 meters away; the pellets called “Gunny” after his military rank, After months of petitioning “the her daughter, Holly Deckler; her son, feet away, Marine officials said. then it ought to be a real competitor for caused 13 of the grenades to prematurely spoke to the Tabor students for 15 years, powers that be,” Duffy said, he was Robert Edwards, and his wife, Karen; and The Corps is considering deploying the active protection role,” said Daniel detonate, company officials said. until his death in 2005. successful in getting Vining into the In three grandsons, Jackson, 8, Kai, 6 and the Non-Lethal Shotscreen RPG-Defeat Goure, vice president of the Lexington “In trumping the potency of the RPG, “He was just a real inspiration to the Memory Program, which has recognized Benjamin, 22. System to protect light armored vehicles, Institute, an Arlington, Va.-based think we believe this removes a psychological kids,” Duffy said. more than 1,800 individuals to date. Vining and Priscilla married in 1983, Corps officials said. tank. Engineers at the Marine Corps burden off the shoulders of our war But the years of talks also led Duffy Today, 123 Americans, including three years after he retired from the “We rely on sensors to tell us how far Warfighting Lab are tracking Shotscreen. fighters, and will provide needed to realize that Vining was a true hero. Vining, will be honored posthumously service, and worked as a tool and die away the RPG is. We release thousands of “It is our understanding that the protection to Marines traveling through When he found out about the In Memory at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in maker until he retired. Vining, who grew pellets in one cloud. There is a very sensitive Marine Corps Warfighting Lab may theater in light armored vehicles,” Program, which honors veterans who died Washington, D.C., for the 11th annual In up in Charlestown, was a fixture at the fuse in the tip of the RPG. We exploit that have been looking at Shotscreen systems said William Marscher, president of prematurely from noncombat injuries and Memory Day. 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church and by throwing out a cloud of pellets at low recently,” said Bill Johnson-Miles, a Mechanical Solutions. “To be able to emotional suffering caused directly by Department of Defense rules do not was a member of the American Legion velocity,” said an engineer with Mechanical spokesman for Marine Corps Systems achieve this with a nonlethal system, the Vietnam War, he knew that Vining qualify these individuals to have their in Wareham and the Benjamin Cushing Solutions, Whippany, N.J. Command. which actually reduces the threat to deserved to be honored. names on The Wall, because their deaths Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Marion. The pellets linger in the air for a few The technology, which began six nearby dismounted troops and civilians, Vining’s widow, Priscilla, said her were not due to wounds suffered in “Once he retired from traveling all seconds, so a single blast can intercept years ago as part of ONR’s Small is an achievement we are very proud of.” husband, who was 65 when he died, had combat zones. But in a ceremony, loved over the world he really was a home guy. multiple rounds. Business Innovative Research program, Mechanical Solutions is working on diabetes, colon cancer and respiratory ones will read their names, and tributes to He loved his home and his dog,” Priscilla An RPG that detonates 12 feet from has just entered a new two-year allowing Shotscreen to intercept RPGs problems that had been caused or them will be placed at The Wall. said. “Big Marine... you think rough and an armored vehicle is unlikely to do much Commercialization Pilot Program fired from above the vehicles, as from worsened because of his exposure to Agent According to the Vietnam Veterans tough. But really, he had a soft heart.”  damage, and even six feet of separation designed to help move the Shotscreen rooftops. Orange, a toxic herbicide and defoliant Memorial Fund, which sponsors the reduces the chances substantially. system to deployment. Permission to reprint story given by Mike used by the U.S. military in Vietnam. program, In Memory Day purposely Detonation four feet from the target cuts The $1.5 million is in addition to Randazzo the penetration by half. $1 million ONR already has spent on E-Commerce Support Specialist Compared with active-protection Shotscreen. The Army’s Picatinny Arsenal Army Times Publishing Company systems that fire interceptor rockets, one has helped with development, which has analyst said, this could reduce risks to included a handful of static test shots READ Most Important Latest Findings READ nearby friendly forces. using an early Shotscreen prototype. Showing A Correlation Between Prostate Cancer Reoccurrence Among Veterans Post Radical Prostatectomy

Dr. Martha Terris, Chief of Urology, aggressiveness--was eight months farmers, forestry and chemical plant Wareham Vietnam vet to be Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center versus more than 18 months in non- workers, who also have increased honored posthumously today in Augusta recently stated: “There is exposed veterans. cancer risk. Dr. Terris is investigating B y JENNIFER LADE, jlade @ s - t. com something about the biology of these After surgery to remove the whether the veteran’s degree of cancers that are associated with prior diseased prostate, the PSA should exposure is related to the severity April 20, 2009 6:00 AM But over time, Vining softened, at first and later, actually looking forward to the Agent Orange exposure that is causing be zero, but any prostate cancer cells of their cancer. Everyone has some WAREHAM — When Dick Duffy grudgingly agreeing to speak to students, talks he delivered each semester. Duffy them to be more aggressive.” left behind continue to make PSA, a dioxin exposure, even if one never set first met Francis E. Vining Jr. in the late believed that the talks were A study of 1,495 veterans who red flag of recurrence, Dr. Terris said. foot in Vietnam, says Dr. Terris. She is 1980s, he saw an intimidating man — 6 therapeutic for the retired underwent radical prostatectomy to The PSA often “percolates along” so now measuring levels in the body fat, foot 2, 220 pounds and extremely tight- Marine, who “had six tanks remove their cancerous prostates physicians tend to watch it for a while which is a repository for what the body lipped about his experiences as a gunnery blown out from under showed that 206 exposed to Agent to determine if additional therapy is has been exposed to, to determine any sergeant with the Marines in Vietnam. him,” took an AK-47 shot Orange had nearly a 50% increased needed. However in patients with correlation with cancer severity. And when Duffy, a history teacher at to the face, was exposed risk of their cancer recurring, despite Agent Orange exposure, radiation or Source: T. Baker, Medical College of Tabor Academy, first approached Vining to Agent Orange and once the fact that their cancer seemed hormone therapy to kill remaining cells Georgia, School of Medicine one Sunday after Mass at St. Patrick’s had to give combat orders relatively nonaggressive at the time may need to be done sooner rather Church in Wareham, asking if Vining to a relative, which led to of surgery. And, their cancer came than later. NOTE: For the full 4-page article please would be willing to share with Tabor the man’s death. back with a vengeance. The time it Dioxin, the known carcinogen go to our website. Occasionally, there were took the prostate specific antigen in Agent Orange, is also found in students stories of his three tours of duty, (More Medical Information he quickly was rebuffed. lighter stories, such as the (PSA) to double --an indicator of herbicides and pesticides used by on page 32) 10 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 11 Above & Beyond We are extremely grateful to the following members who reached deep into their packets and To the Great Tank Park in the Sky made a financial contribution to the USMC VTA. Thank you very much. If we inadvertently missed someone who also participated in the financial well being of our organization we humbly apologize for the omission and ask you to please notify us of our oversight. Fred John Silvester Mark Anderson Doc Forsyth George Palmer in Beloit until moving to Janesville in service in the Marine Corps Reserve. He April 26, 1950 - June 22, 2006 1978. He was a laborer for McDonald’s taught history at Hattiesburg High for one Jack Arena Dennis Fresch Larry Parshall Fred John Silvester, 56 of Gustine, died Trenching until retiring in 1989. He loved year while earning a graduate degree in Thursday in Livermore. fishing, talking, reading and spending time history at Southern. He thereafter entered Tom Barry Jim Guffey Jimmie Patrick Fred was a native of St. Paul, Minnesota with family, especially his grandchildren. law school at the University of Mississippi. John Beck Doc Hackemack Richard Peksens and had lived in Gustine for 7 years. He Upon earning his J.D., Woody accepted was a Crane Operator for 25 years and a regular commission in the Marine Corps, Mike Belmessieri Tim Hackett Barnett Person Niezurawski, Donald J. serving as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and staff Niezurawski, Donald J. - Bay City, judge advocate with tours at Camp LeJeune, Mike Bollenbaugh Gary Hall Joe Petro Michigan, age 57 years, died at his home NC; Okinawa, Japan; Camp Pendleton, Ed Boyette John Harper Jim Raasch Friday, March 24, 2006. Died as a result CA; Cherry Point, NC; and Headquarters of Agent Orange Lung Cancer. Served with Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. In his last Max Brazeau John Heffernan Lloyd Reynolds Bravo Co, 3rd Tanks, 1967/1968. active duty assignment, Col. Bond was Deputy Counsel for the Commandant of the Marine Hank Brightwell Rod Henderson Peter Rich Corps. He retired in 1990. Dennis Brumitt Doug Hightshoe Randy Roberts

John Byrne Fred Hoekstra rip Tom Roberts Clinton Anton Boll Richard Carmer John Hughes Maria Rodriguez Clinton Anton Boll, 62, of Jerome, Fred & Gary passed away Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. Frank Carr Terry Hunter Frank Slovik Clinton was born Nov. 23, 1946, in was recently employed at Sheedy Company Minnesota. Later, his family moved to Bill Carroll Glen Hutchins Paul Tate he previously was employed with Hatton Southern California, where he spent most Rene Cerda Clyde Knox Charles Thatcher Crane Company and San Jose Crane of his childhood. After high school, he joined Company for many years. He also was a the Marines and served time in Vietnam Jim Coan Tom Kelly Richard Tilden Bear Trainer with the Hathorn Circus. He during the war as a motor transportation was a Vietnam Veteran who served in the specialists with 3rd Tank Bn at Chu Lai. Ben Cole Roger Kropke Richard Traiser United States Marine Corps from 1968 - After serving with the Marines, he moved James Cowman James Langford Dave Tweden 1976. He was an avid animal lover. to Alaska. During his time in Alaska, he He is survived by his mother, Betsy Ross suffered a severe stroke in his mid-30s which John Cox Harlan Langlitz Bruce Van Apeldoorn Silvester of Gustine; brother, James Fred left him disabled. Silvester of Sacramento; sisters, Sandra Col. Giles Wood Bond, Jr. Gary Cummings Rick Lewis John Voss Clarisse Saugen of San Col. Giles Wood Bond, Jr., USMC Ron Davidson James Littman Jerry Wahl (Ret.), 68, of Brandon, MS, went to be GOODBYE OLD FRIEND with Jesus on April 21, 2009, after finally “Is this Doc Forsyth?” The voice on the Justin Donnelly Joe Liu David Walters Robert John Wright winning his 11-year battle with cancer. phone was not familiar to me and my mind RB English Jake Mahoney Jan Wendling Robert John Wright, 61, of Janesville, Born in Hattiesburg, MS, Woody was was not prepared for a female referring WI, died Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, at a graduate of Hattiesburg High School. to me as Doc. “I got your number from Cappy Everhard Geary McCleery Dan Wokaty University Hospital, Madison. He was He received B.S. degrees in history and Gary Mefford. I think you patched up my born on June 23, 1947, the son of Theodore political science from Mississippi Southern, husband in Vietnam. His name is Fred, Fred Dan Farrell John McGuire Guy Wolfenbarger and Katherine (Russel) Wright in Beloit. now known as USM. Upon graduation, he Hoekstra?” Ah yes, I remembered my friend Fritz Firing Mike Matzenbacher Wally Young He was a member of the United States was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Gary sharing some Christmas photos with me Marine Corps, where he served his country the U.S. Marine Corps. that had included a shot of Fred and his wife Michael Fischer Larry Mobley with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine After serving in Vietnam with the 3rd Beverly when they had visited Gary and his Division in Vietnam from 1968-1969. Tank Bn., 3rd Marine Division (Rein) and Wife Margie in Texas. Bob Fornwalt Rick Oswood He married Deborah Olson on Aug.. 1, earning several personal awards for valor, Other than Gary Mefford, I had not 1975, in Janesville, and the couple resided Captain Bond left active duty but continued kept in touch with anyone from Nam, it was

12 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 13 just one of those things. I wanted to shed all was scheduled for a series of very aggressive they would like to contribute to this Sponson had talked about an Alaskan cruise for 25 “Freedom Bird.” We exchanged addresses and Monday, July 20th. He had known who we of that experience but even so, Mefford and chemotherapy sessions that would put him Box Memorial. Here are some of the responses. years but were somewhat reluctant to go due vowed to remain in touch. were each time we visited him during our I exchanged Christmas cards every year and in the hospital for three days at a time while to economic and time restraints. But, we are so Fred and I maintained contact and each four days there. He seemed disappointed and that had been the extent of my staying in being infused. After the second round and Knowing Fred Hoekstra pleased Fred talked us into pulling the trigger year exchanged Christmas cards and caught saddened when I told him we needed to leave. touch. Now, there were three of us. Now there for the first time in my memory, he became By: Sgt. Gary D Mefford and going – it was a fantastic experience up on what the year had brought. Fred was We became emotional during our goodbyes was Fred. discouraged. The pain was such that he was which we cherish. in Massachusetts; Doc in either Florida, as we knew this would be our last time to see It took some time but eventually Fred and becoming depressed and the medication, I first met Fred in 1968-shortly after TET. Fred was a mover and a shaker. He was into California, or New York; and we now lived in each other. He commented on our getting all I began to communicate, albeit sporadically, including Morphine, no longer helped. We I was transferred from 1st Tank Bn to assume “let’s get R done” long before Larry the cable Texas. Fred and Bev came to visit us in 1989- “choked up.” On our return trip to Texas, I and that communication evolved into a full cancelled the scheduled two week hike that the role of Charlie Company Communications guy coined the phrase. Fred’s favorite phrase what a great reunion after 20 years of not had a dream Tuesday night that he had died. on renewed friendship. Fred was very involved we’d been looking forward to doing and called Chief. Fred was a tank mechanic at our was “Let’s not dilly the dally!” and he believed seeing each other! Then, the three of us decided Around noon on Wednesday, Doc called, we in Community service, especially the Marine it a temporary delay but I think we both cantonment at the end of the MSR just South whole-heartedly in its meaning. He was always to meet in Washington DC the summer of were in Roanoke, VA. And told us that Fred Corps League. He was the head of the “Honor knew otherwise. But being the sort of man of Marble Mountain. We were both Corporals trying to move things and people along. 2000 and visit “The Wall” together. Doc had died during the night. We are so pleased Guard” for his chapter and attended ceremonies that Fred was, being the Marine that he was, at the time. I had just lost a good friend who In Nam, having transportation to get to had been many times but Fred and I had we were able to make it up to see my good at the Soldiers cemetery near his home in this Spring he suggested that we do a canoe was a radio communications operator with our platoons was always a hassle as Charlie never been. What a tremendous reunion and friend and enjoy one another’s company one Agawam, Massachusetts or wherever he was trip instead of a hike. And so we packed up a recon unit during that TET season in company had few jeeps. So, I believe it was emotional visit. Fred was able to visit a buddy last time. needed. Fred was the consummate outdoors our gear, Fred’s wife Beverly, my dog Buster 1968 and I needed a good friend to lean on Fred who went with me to liberate one of of his on the wall, and I was able to visit my I bid you “ farewell” my good friend, man and thoroughly enjoyed camping, and my girlfriend Deb and we headed for the for support. Fred became that person. We those many “extra jeeps” the Army always good friend Russell Wilcox (Waynesfield, Oh) Fred. But, I do have to tell you that you were canoeing and hiking and had intended to hike Adirondacks. Although very sick, the trip was became good friends very quickly. We hit our seemed to have from the Army Supply Depot who’s name is also engraved in granite on that wrong! You don’t have “ just acquaintances” the Appalachian trail from bottom to top. He just what the doctor “should have” ordered. first disagreement early on. When we talked in DaNang. It was so easy to just drive into somber beckoning wall of stone. How awesome in the Marine Corps and Viet Nam. These did do pieces every now and then to get himself Fred was in his element and we canoed and about friendships, he made the statement, the depot and find one. I chose one, hopped in to have the support of two dear friends at this past 40 years have proven that. You are and prepared for the ultimate long journey and he camped for several days and had a wonderful “You don’t have friends in the Marine Corps and drove out with Fred following me. No key emotional experience. We jointly decided will always remain a good life-long friend, always kept me up to date on his progress. Then time. For the most part one would never have or Viet Nam – you only have acquaintances.” needed-just the flip of a switch, lots of guts and it would be appropriate to meet in DC for Fred. I will miss you and I thank God our one afternoon he called and said “Doc, they know Fred was ill. He laughed and told the We disagreed and discussed that at length- a convincing story at the guard gate acting Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday paths crossed and that I had the opportunity just told me I’ve got Prostate cancer.” He had terrible jokes for which he’d become famous. many times! In later years, he told me that I like I knew what I was doing! We rushed back so we began that tradition 2001. to know you all these years and be able to call surgery and afterwards a long and sometimes For all intents and purposes he was good to go. became infuriated each time he said it. towards Marble Mountain and headed down I joined the VTA and was able to find you “friend!” bumpy recovery but his spirits remained intact Two or three days after returning home Fred and I became good buddies and the MSR towards Charlie Company never another person I had searched for years – Sgt. Your buddy, and he continued to hike and to perform his however, the doctors did a spinal tap and we spent lots of time together. We each had looking back. Since Fred was a tank mechanic, Clyde Hoch. Now, Clyde became part of the Gary duties to his family and to his beloved Marine found that cancer cells had invaded his different responsibilities that took us in we set it up on tank road wheel sprockets and group to reunite annually in DC. Later our Corps League. cerebral - spinal fluid. A week later he was different directions in our work and travels. stripped it down. We removed all the Army XO LT Peksens and Todd Phillips joined us From Todd Phillips: Not long after Fred’s surgery, very hospitalized and a couple weeks after that He mostly worked at company on tanks, but paint, insignias, and numbers and painted it as well. Fred and Doc were both diagnosed Doc , unceremoniously, I too learned that I had his wife called to let me know he had been did get sent out to platoons often to resolve with 1st Tk stencils and duplicated a number with cancer around the same time and both So sorry to hear about Fred. I didn’t know cancer and was to undergo a lengthy series of moved to Hospice care. I called our friend tank problems. I had communicators assigned on another jeep in company. Fred and I then battled it courageously. We were all planning or remember Fred from Nam , though I’m Radiation treatments. During my treatments Gary Mefford in Texas, and “E” mailed Todd to various platoons and needed to travel to had our own jeep to come and go as needed- to attend the VTA reunion in Charleston sure our path’s crossed on more than one Fred stayed in close touch. He was a great Phillips and Clyde Hoch and let them know take radios, train crew members, or relieve even though it was known as “C-28’s jeep.” in August, however Fred continued to have occasion. Fred was a company Marine and I support and although we were both very sick, what was going on. In a matter of days, Gary assigned communicators with replacements. Others also enjoyed the benefits of having “our setbacks in his battle and it became clear he was in the field with only the occasional stop we always managed to share laughs and plans drove up from Texas, Hoch and I came from Fred was an organizer. I saw it first own” jeep including Doc Forsyth, Sgt. Hoch, would not be able to make it. Then, we got in the Co. area. I met and was reintroduced for hikes. Then Fred learned that his cancer PA but unfortunately, due to being in the hand when he overhauled the entire tank and more. word that Fred would only have 1 to 2 weeks to Fred at the USMCTVA Philly reunion had returned and that he was to begin a series middle of moving from Michigan to Vermont maintenance record keeping system at Charlie I decided to extend 6 months in country to live. Margie and I decided to change our and we met again in D.C. the past couple of of Radiation treatments also. He started his and having his communications temporarily Company-it was in total disarray until Fred and talked Fred into it also. We had both plans and go to Massachusetts to see Fred years. From that short time I can tell you that Radiation therapy on August first, the day I down, I was not able to reach Todd Phillips in organized and streamlined it. I was impressed gotten in country in December of ’67 and since one last time – instead of going to the VTA “Esprit de Corps “ and “SEMPER FI” were finished mine. The next year was somewhat of time and he did not make it. with the personal filing system he maintained the Marine Corps had a 12 and 20 program, reunion. We (wife Margie and remodeling more than just words to Fred, they were a way a bust in terms of hiking but our friendship Gary, Clyde and I, along with Fred’s wife, when we went to visit them in Massachusetts we would have the honor of spending two helper/”adopted son” Michael) towed our of life! We will all remember him fondly and flourished and we never gave up on our plans. brother, daughter and his ninety four year July 4th of 2000. He pulled out various folders Christmases in Viet Nam. After experiencing camper up that 1,933 mile journey to see my be grateful for the time we shared Then, after more than a year had passed we old father, Russell, were all at his bedside to which contained letters from those of us with TET of ’68, I wanted to spend Christmas good friend – Fred. We had 4 days to visit. S/F managed to hit the trail. Fred worked hard see him off. In his usual style, he rallied and whom he had corresponded including every of 1968 at home. Extending for 6 months The first day we saw him (Friday) and last Todd Phillips at getting in shape for the grueling ordeal was able to talk to us and to laugh and joke Christmas card and letter I had sent since enabled us to go home for Christmas in day (Monday) were not particularly good and I joined him for a few days of his ten day with everyone, although with great difficulty. we started in the 1970’s. He arranged White 1968. We both did and both got telegrams, for Fred. He was groggy from the meds and From Lt. Richard Peksens journey as he passed through New Jersey into We stayed the weekend and Gary was the last House and Congressional tours when we at home, extending our Christmas vacations. pretty non-responsive. However, Saturday As a platoon leader with Charlie PA. It was an arduous but wonderful hike of us to leave on Monday. Fred passed away visited Washington DC. Later, he arranged a Returning to RVN in January of 1969, we and Sunday were both blessings. He was alert, Company, I had the pleasure of knowing Fred and when we finished we almost immediately on Tuesday. He is and will be sorely missed. trip for several of us to visit the Marine Corps continued our friendship. My time in country responsive, joking and we had a great time. from Vietnam . He was a person of engaging began planning our next trek. But cancer was His humor and sense of decency were a credit Museum at Quantico, and VIP seating for came to an end August ’69. I received orders Doc and Clyde both made it in that weekend charm and humor who never seemed to take not through with Fred. to him as a man and to the Corps he loved. Veterans Day ceremonies at the wall. Finally, to MCRD San Diego as a communications and we had a great reunion at Fred’s beside at his situation seriously. According to Doc Early in 2009 Fred learned that his When I returned from his Memorial and he talked us into and arranged an Alaskan instructor in C&E Bn. Fred and Doc took me the VA hospital. Forsyth, he was still laughing at his terminal condition was most probably terminal as they Funeral service the following week, I contacted cruise that he and Bev and my wife Margie to the airstrip in “my” jeep – how appropriate It was difficult to leave but we had to had discovered cancer cells in his bones. He the guys from Charlie company and asked if and I took in May of 2008. Margie and I to have two good friends take me to the return home, so we bid Fred good bye on (Continued on page 21)

14 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 15 Steel and Blood: South Vietnamese Armor and the War The last issue of the Sponson Box had two trivia questions. for Southeast Asia Name That Tanker The answer to the mystery tank was the Russian T-35 Book Review By Ha Mai Viet, former Colonel, ARVN. Lt C ol R aymond S tewart, U S M C ( ret ) This issue’s mystery picture is of a tanker and not shown below. There was also a “Find the famous person” Published by the Naval Institute Press. 460 pages a tank. We think the picture was taken in 1964 in challenge on the back inside cover of a platoon graduation Okinawa. Can you ID this person? The first correct photo. The winning answer was Gunny R. Lee Ermey of Full answer will receive a 10” USMC Vietnam Tankers Metal Jacket fame and the host of TV’s Mail Call and now NVA enemy and ARVN In Part II, “Military History”, Col. Association patch worth $30. Lock ‘n Load. In the picture he was an assistant DI and was alike placed on the use of Ha Mia Viet’s attention to detail and a corporal. Call Bob Peavey with your answer: 770-365-3711. armored vehicles in general in-depth research provides the reader and tanks specifically. Just one the historical background of the ARVN example – by 1975 the NVA in general terms and, more specifically, had an estimated 600 T-54s traces the establishment, growth, and in or on the border of South deployment of the Armored forces Vietnam supplied by three (ARVNAF). While certainly not the 6” well-concealed fuel lines “grabber” that one finds in page after with sophisticated pumping page of Part I, Part II is of significant and fueling stations that ran value in understanding the development, through Laos and Cambodia structure, employment, logistics, and hundreds of kilometers from administration of the ARVNAF in Haiphong in the north. terms of equipment. The Colonel also In battle after battle – from provides interesting information on the the Plain of Reeds through the background and training – not only of the three front General Offensive armored personnel but accounts – quite and battles for the Central candidly – of the ARVNAF leadership. Highlands to the final assault To follow the battles, I found the on Saigon itself, Col. Ha Mai paucity of maps – there are just 2 small- Viet provides the reader with detail maps – made the reading (and the often heart wrenching enjoyment) of the book somewhat more candid and unwashed details difficult to than need be. This, of course of bloody victories and even can be overcome by the acquisitions of more horrific defeats. He does a few larger scale maps early-on. Also, not embellish the value of the command structure, order of battle, and ARVNAF in its successful TO&E diagrams, of which there are Col. Ha Mai Viet provides his fights nor does he minimize the faults none, would have greatly helped in better 2009 Reunion Poster meticulously researched, impressively of senior leaderships’ failed decisions understanding of the material. written, and well presented 2-part book contributing to catastrophic defeats. Col. Ha Mai Viet states unequivocally There have been a number of requests for copies of the official Charleston about South Vietnam tanks in “Steel The author keeps to the rapid movement that South Vietnam could have defeated color reunion poster unframed. Here’s how to order (print clearly): and Blood”. Part I details the combat of armor and the battles in which tanks the VC/NVA on the battlefield had Name history of the Army of the Republic of participate by extracting related details the U.S. made good on its agreement to Vietnam (ARVN) Armor (AF) from and placing them in “Notes” There are 80 support the South after the withdrawal of Address “Ferocious Battles, 1963-68” through pages of notes which add an impressive American ground forces. “Vietnamization, 1969-74” to the final dimension of understanding of ARNVAF This thoroughly researched book – a City State Zip days of the Republic in 1975 – “The leadership – or lack of it. ten year effort – relies on both personal 16 x 20 - $39.00 (includes handling and shipping) Qty. Total $ Capture of South Vietnam”. His is a For further background, two of the boots-on ground knowledge and riveting account of tank battle after tank Central Highland Battles on which interviews of hundreds of former ARVN 20 x 24 - $49.00 (includes handling and shipping) Qty. Total $ battle pitting the ARVNAF’s M-41 and the Colonel elaborates – The Battle as well as VC/NVA soldiers and Officers Send check, made out to USMC VTA M48 tanks against the NVA enemy’s of Kontum and the Battle for An Loc of all ranks and MOSs. To obtain a more T-54, T-59, T-34, and PT-76 tanks. – are written about in some detail by balanced view – and with an armored to Ron Knight, Somewhat of surprise to a Marine Army helicopter pilots http://www. slant - of the war that took more than 720 Quail Run Court, Corps Vietnam Tanker – and possible thebattleofkontum.com/graphics/ 58,000 Americans’ lives, this book is a Alpharetta, GA 30005-8920 Army Armor as well – and for certain index.html and a U.S. Army Advisor to highly recommended read.  to those who declared that Vietnam was the ARVNAF http://www-cgsc.army.mil/ Phone #: 770-623-9237 not “tank country” is the numbers and carl/resources/csi/willbanks/willbanks.asp, Oder must be received by November 17, 2009. Allow 3-4 weeks after cutoff for types of armored vehicles employed by respectively. They independently confirm delivery. This is a limited time offer. Poster comes unframed. both sides and the importance the VC/ the Colonel’s accounts.

16 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 17 difference between “chicken salad” and marker shared by the majority of our heroes. your clothes on! And that’s true regardless “chicken shit” and aren’t afraid to call either Look for the marker that says “Michael J. if you are a grunt, datadink, sparkchaser, for what it is! Mansfield, PFC, U.S. Marine Corps. stewburner, wiredog, buttplate, remington A Great Speech I like the fact that Marines have never You see, Senator Mike Mansfield, like raider, rotorhead, legal beagle, fast stick, B y C olonel J ames M . L owe failed the people of America and that we each of us gathered here tonight was prouder cannon cocker, track head, skivvie stacker, don’t use the words “can’t”, “retreat”, or “lose”. of being a Marine than anything else in his dual fool or a boxkicker. And if you don’t I like the fact that the people of America incredible life of national service. believe it - you will! Trust me! From that elegant introduction, 3. Never enter an hour-long firefight with seriously about making the Corps a career! hold Marines in the highest esteem and that There is one thing I have learned for sure Why is that? Because each us fought you may or not have picked up on 5 minutes of ammo. So what is it that I like about Marines? they know that they can count of us to locate, over the last 28 years. The years fly by, names to gain the coveted title “Marine”, it wasn’t the fact that I have had 5 tours in 4. This one is really important for all of This is the easy part! close with and destroy those who would change, the weapons and the gear change, given to us. We earned it. And on the day Marine divisions, serving in all 4 divisions you born North of Washington, DC. Never, I like the fact that you always know were harm them! I like Marines. And being political leaders and agendas change, national we finally became Marines, an eternal flame and 3d MarDiv twice. I have made 8 Marine never kick a cow chip on a hot day. you stand with a Marine! With Marines, around Marines. priorities and budgets change, the threats to of devotion and fierce pride was ignited in expeditionary unit deployments, served with 5. If you’re not shooting, and I can see there is no middle ground or gray area. There I like the fact that a couple of years ago an our nation change. But through it all, there our souls. the special operations command and have by your marksmanship badges that some of are only missions, objectives and facts. elected member of congress felt compelled to is one abiding constant ---- the basic issue, do- Charlie Company, let’s not fool ourselves. been to every level of PME possible in order you are challenged in this area, you better I like the fact that if you are a self-declared publicly accuse the Marine Corps of being or-die Marine. You know it and I know it. You have some to hone my war fighting skills. be communicating or reloading for another enemy of America, that running into a Marine “radical and extreme”. I like the fact that He or she will do damn near anything challenging times and emotional events Utilizing your great deductive abilities, Marine. outfit in combat is your worst nightmare, and our Commandant informed that member asked, under terrible conditions, with better ahead of you. I am not talking about intellect and experience as Lieutenants, you 6. There are three types of leaders. Those that your health record is about to get a lot of congress that he was absolutely correct results and fewer complaints than any tomorrow morning’s headache. I am talking should have questioned the Corps’ collective who learn from reading, those who learn thicker or be closed out entirely! I like the fact and that he passed on his thanks for the civilized human being should have reason about the fact that the world is a dangerous judgment when they decided to make me a from observation, and those who still have to that Marines are steadfast and consistent in compliment. to expect. And we, who have the privilege place and as leaders of Marines, you will be Base Commander! I sure as hell did and I touch the electric fence to get the message. everything they do. Regardless of whether I like the fact that Marine leaders --- of of serving them and leading them, make walking point on world events. still do! 7. Anything worth shooting is worth you agree with them or not; that Marines every rank--- know that issuing every man our plans and execute crucial missions based Make sure you keep that flame that I Look up “base” in the dictionary. shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. hold the term “politically correct” with and woman a black beret --- or polka-dotted primarily on one fact of life. That the basic mentioned earlier burning brightly. It will According to Mr. Webster: “lowest part 8. And finally, you might want to write nothing but pure disdain; that Marines stand boxer shorts for that matter--- does absolutely Marine will not fail his country, his Corps keep you warm when times are hard. It will or bottom. Having or showing little or no this one down: Never slap a grown man who tall and rigid in their actions, thoughts and nothing to promote morale, fighting spirit or and his fellow Marines. That they will provide light in the darkest of nights. Use it honor, courage or decency; mean; ignoble; has a mouth full of chewing tobacco deeds when others bend with the direction of combat effectiveness. overcome any threat. If allowed to do so. and draw strength from it, as generations of contemptible; menial or degrading; inferior Now that I’ve put that check in “proper the wind and are as confused as a dog looking I like the fact that Marines are Marines Think about that and remember that leathernecks have done since our beginning. in quality; of comparative low worth”. So... military instruction” block, are there any at a ceiling fan! first. Regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, for 228 years it has worked and it has kept Before PCS’ing to Quantico, I completed After 28 years of focusing on locating, closing questions? Of course not! What a stupid I like the fact that each and every Marine national origin or how long they served or the wolf away from America’s door. I like a 24-month tour with the 31st MEU aboard with and destroying, I’ve got that going for question to ask a bunch of Lieutenants so considers the honor and legacy of the Corps what goals they achieve in life! Marines, because being a Marine is serious the USS Essex. Some of the Marines here me! That’s OK! Go ahead and laugh! There close to graduation! Now that I think of it, as his personal and sacred trust to protect and Let me give you one example: a young business. We’re not a social club or a fraternal tonight were with me. The Essex is a great is at least one future base commander sitting my TBS class stopped asking questions after defend. man enlists in the Navy in WWI. When organization and we don’t pretend to be. ship and one of six to bear that name in among you right now! the first two weeks. I like the fact that most civilians don’t the war is over, he ships over and joins the We’re a brotherhood of “warriors” -- nothing defense of our nation. Seriously, I am honored to return to the I have a few minutes left; so let’s talk about have a clue what makes us tick! And that’s Army. He next enlisted in the Marine Corps more, nothing less, pure and simple. In 1813, the first Essex was commanded Basic School as your guest, at this, one of our something I like, Marines. Up front, let me not a bad thing. Because if they did, it would and served from 1920-1922. There was no We are in the ass-kicking business, and by a tough skipper named Capt. David most time honored traditions. I have been tell you how much I admire you. Why is scare the hell out of them! Air Force back then, so I guess he felt he unfortunately, these days business is good. Porter. By all accounts, Capt Porter was the asked to speak on my insights and experiences that? Unlike the vast majority of your fellow I like the fact that others say they want had put all the checks in the block! When But don’t worry about that. What you need type man you did not want to see at Captain’s as a leader of Marines. Basically, I was told to citizens, you stepped forward and committed to be like us, but don’t have what it takes in he served out his time in the Corps, he went to remember is that the mere association Mast. He was tough, but he was a true talk about what I have learned over the last 28 yourself to a greater cause without concern the “pain-gain-pride” department to make it after an education: receiving various degrees of the word “Marine” with a crisis is an warrior. On one particular mission, the Essex years of leading Marines. Well, I have only for your personal safety or comfort. And you happen. in engineering, history and political science automatic source of confidence to America, was ordered to sail alone to the Pacific and learned eight things, and it will only take me did it knowing that you would gain nothing I like the fact that the Marines came into from UCLA and Montana State University. and encouragement to all nations who stand attack Great Britain’s Pacific whaling fleet. about 60 seconds to share them with you. in return. Except the honor and cherished being in a bar, Tun Tavern, and that Marines He entered politics and served for 11 years with us. As Marines, our message to our Obviously, Captain Porter knew the fleet Now that I think of it, if I had been invited privilege of earning the title of “Marine still gather in pubs, bars and slop chutes to in the House of Representatives. Next, he foes has always been essentially the same. was well-guarded by British men-of-war and to speak to you the day Charlie Company Officer”. Individually, you are as different share sea stories and hot scoop. tackled the Senate where he served for 24 “We own this side of the street! Threaten my he knew his job would be a tough one and that formed up, I could have probably saved you as apples and oranges, but you are linked for I like our motto: Semper Fidelis, and the years, as both the Democratic whip and later country or our allies and we will come over to he would be severely out gunned in his task. six months of TBS training. I thought I eternity by the title “Marine” and the fact fact that we don’t shed it when the going gets as the Senate majority leader. He was then your side of the street, burn your hut down, Prior to sailing, Capt Porter addressed would get this structured portion out of the that you are part of the finest fighting force tough, the battlefield gets deadly or when we appointed as the ambassador to Japan where and whisper in your ear “can you hear me the assembled crew of sailors and Marines on way up front so I could talk about anything I that has ever existed in history. hang up our uniform for the last time. he served for 11 years. now?” And then secure your heartbeat. the deck and explained the task at hand. He want to, so here goes. If you haven’t picked up on it, I like being I like the fact that Marines take care of This gentleman went from snuffy to Now I must tell you that I had an asked for volunteers only and told his men 1. Seek brilliance in the basics, always a Marine and I like being around Marines. each other. In combat and in time of peace. national and international prominence. And opportunity to review your MOS to “take seven steps forward” if they would do the right thing, and have a plan to kill Like most of you are probably thinking, I I like the fact that Marines consider the when he passed away in 2001, he was rightly assignments. I remember that time in my life willingly go in harms way with him. He then everyone you meet. came into the Corps to do four years and term “Marines take care of their own” as buried in Arlington. If you want to visit his well as a real group tightener! Regardless of turned his back and waited. 2. If you are riding at the head of the herd, four years only. But a strange happened. I meaning we will give up our very life for our grave, don’t look for him near the Kennedy what MOS you now have, if you don’t already After a few moments, he turned to face look back every now and then and make sure was having so much fun that I simply forgot fellow Marines, if necessary. Eternal Flame where so many politicians know it, being a leader of Marines is about it is still there. to get out. Hell, at this point, I am thinking I like the fact that Marines know the are laid to rest. Look for a small, common as much fun as you can legally have with (Continued on page 28)

18 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 19 Veterans Information PTSD Update 29 What Members Are Doing PTSD is a recognized anxiety disor- This amendment takes into consideration inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy der that can follow seeing or experiencing the current scientific research studies relating and Management, Room 1063B, between an event that involves actual or threatened PTSD to exposure to hostile military and ter- 08-1630 M-F (except holidays). Call (202) death or serious injury to which a person rorist actions. It is intended to acknowledge 461–4902 for an appointment. In addition, On March 16, 2009 was the first the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps our Marie Corps as America increases our responds with intense fear, helplessness or the inherently stressful nature of the places, during the comment period, comments gathering of Bravo Co., 1st Tanks of the Carlton W. Kent. The Commandant and combat presence in Afghanistan and begins horror, and is not uncommon in war. Feelings types, and circumstances of service in which may be viewed online through the Federal Deep South Texas. Retriever man Pete “The the Corps Sergeant Major were introduced to reduce our involvement and presence in of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but fear of hostile military or terrorist activities is Docket Management System (FDMS) at Hulk” Limanek, Mario “Squirrelman” by fellow detachment member and, President Iraq’s An Bar Province. if the feelings don’t go away or get worse, a ongoing. With this amendment, the eviden- www.Regulations.gov. For further informa- Fuentes, loader, B-52, and Freddy Martinez of the Marines Memorial Association After the Town hall meeting the Veteran may have PTSD. The VA published tiary standard of establishing an in-service tion contact Thomas J. Kniffen, Chief, Reg- TC, B-52, met in Linn, Texas at La General “Mike” Myatt USMC (ret.). Also Commandant and SGT. Maj. MC along a proposed regulation 24 AUG in the Fed- stressor would be reduced in these cases. ulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Madrilena Ranch for a week of relaxing and in attendance was former Secretary of State with some of our detachment members eral Register to make it easier for a veteran This amendment is additionally intended to Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Admin- a good time. One day was spent fishing the George Shultz As one would expect the attended a dinner to honor those who fought to claim service connection for PTSD by re- facilitate the timely VA processing of PTSD istration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Laguna Madre Bay in the Gulf guided by Commandant and Sergeant Major of the at the battle of Midway. Because of the huge ducing the evidence needed if the stressor claims by simplifying the development and 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, Freddy Martinez’s son, Ryo. MC. provided all present with and interesting response to attend the dinner all detachment claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hos- research procedures that apply to these DC 20420, (202) 461–9725. VA is bolstering While enjoying the food prepared by insight and some great information regarding members could not do so. As a result some tile military or terrorist activity. This amend- claims. Comments must be received by VA its mental health capacity to serve combat Noemi Martinez, we found time to renew detachment members ment would eliminate the requirement for on or before 23 OCT 09. Written comments Veterans, adding thousands of new profes- our friendships and reflect on how just who did not attend the corroborating that the claimed in-service may be submitted through www.Regulations. sionals to its rolls in the last four years. The fortunate we are to live in this country. dinner gathered at the stressor occurred if a stressor claimed by gov; by mail or hand delivery to Director, Department also has established a suicide Semper Fi clubs Leatherneck Steak a veteran is related to the veteran’s fear of Regulations Management (02REG), Depart- prevention helpline (1-800-273-TALK) and Freddy Martinez hostile military or terrorist activity and a VA ment of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., their Web site www.suicidepreventionlife- house and Lounge to psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or line.org/Veterans is available for online chat socialize with members claimed stressor is adequate to support a di- by fax to (202) 273–9026. in the evenings. [Source: RIN 2900–AN32 & of the Commandant’s agnosis of PTSD, provided that the claimed Comments should indicate that they VA News Release 24 Aug 09 ++] Belmo Hangs With Who? supporting staff. stressor is consistent with the places, types, are submitted in response to ‘‘RIN 2900– On 6 June members from the General and circumstances of the veteran’s service AN32—Stressor Determinations for Post- J.C. Breckenridge Detachment along with and that the veteran’s symptoms are related traumatic Stress Disorder.’’ Copies of com- other Bay Area Marines and their supporters to the claimed stressor. ments received will be available for public gathered at the Marines Memorial Theater to attend a town hall meeting with the 16th Commandant of the United States Marine Report Sees Agent Orange By JANIE LORBER Corps General James T. Conway and, Published: July 24, 2009 Link to More Illnesses New York Times An expert panel reported on Friday that son’s disease, said those benefits could help evidence of a link to prompt benefits for two more diseases may be linked to expo- dig him out of tens of thousands of dollars some conditions but not for others. sure to Agent Orange, a defoliant used by the in debt. The group Vietnam Veterans of America American military during the Vietnam War. Mr. Tillman has not worked since March plans to write a letter to the secretary of vet- People exposed to the chemical appear, 2007 and now lives on loans from relatives, erans affairs, Eric K. Shinseki, asking for ex- To the Great Tank Park... at least tentatively, to be more likely to de- including his son. “It sure has messed my life tended benefits, said Bernard Edelman, the (Continued from page 15) had forgotten my flak jacket or helmet, he many veterans know, you don’t have to die in velop Parkinson’s disease and ischemic up,” said Mr. Tillman, who said he was sure organization’s deputy director for policy and would gladly have offered his saying that his combat to be a hero. Fred will always be a hero heart disease, according to the report. The he became ill after exposure to Agent Orange government affairs. predicament only days before pain and disease head was too thick to allow penetration of an to me and sadly, there will an empty chair report was written by a 14-member commit- while serving in Vietnam. “I don’t know how The report notes that its conclusions took his life. I have always judged people AK-47 round anyway. when we visit Arlington this November. tee charged by the Institute of Medicine with to explain it. It won’t be long till I’m living un- about ischemic heart disease, a condition according to my foxhole rule. In other words, Thirty years after Vietnam, Fred persuaded Dick Peksens, 2nd LT, USMC determining whether certain medical condi- der a bridge. I am confident that that’s where that restricts blood flow to the heart, causing under combat conditions, whom would I me to meet him and a few other Charlie For those who may be interested and/or so tions were caused by exposure to herbicides it came from, but there’s no way to prove it.” irregular heartbeats and deterioration of the choose to share my foxhole? Neither Al Gore Company companions in Washington , DC , inclined: It was his request that donations used to clear stretches of jungle. Since 1994 the Institute of Medicine com- heart muscle, are still tentative because it is or John Kerry (former Vietnam vets) would to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. For be made to either: The results, though not conclusive, are mittee has found 17 conditions associated difficult to separate confounding risk factors be allowed access but Fred would have been the last three years, I got together with Fred The Appalachian Trail Conservancy an important first step for veterans groups with exposure to the chemical, 13 of which like age, weight and the effects of smoking. welcomed with open arms. He would probably and his original group in a hotel adjacent to 799 Washington St. working to get the government to help pay qualify veterans for service-connected dis- The link between Parkinson’s disease be carrying, along with his M16, a few cans of the Marine Corps Memorial. Fred had been Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 for treatment of illnesses they believe have ability benefits provided by the Department and Agent Orange is also uncertain because, appropriated beer and, perhaps, a few candy diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, Or roots on the battlefield. Some other condi- of Veterans Affairs. while new studies have strengthened the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141 tions linked to Agent Orange already qualify. In its latest report, the committee found connection between the condition and cer- bars that he had won in a recent card game. but it never deterred him from enjoying what Marine Corps League Claud Tillman, a 61-year-old veteran from “limited or suggestive evidence” linking the tain chemicals, there is still no data on veter- He would, of course, bring his lexicon of stories remained of his life. He accosted every new 71 North Elm St. Knoxville, Tenn., who lost his job repairing herbicide to Parkinson’s and ischemic heart ans and the condition. and bad jokes to keep me entertained between Marine he met and charmed them with his Westfield, MA 01069 guns after he received a diagnosis of Parkin- disease. In the past, that has been enough incoming mortar rounds. If in my panic, I gregarious nature and love of the Corps. As

20 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 21 Parris Island 2009 Charleston Reunion MCRD Visit by D oc H ackemack

0600 on this August 21, 2009 Friday was recognized, but many could not Checkered” utilities would never be worn is WAY TOO DAMN EARLY to catch understand it because of the distance in combat – this was his uniform for a bus for the 90 minute drive from our from the PA system, which created an MCRD. Check-in was a snap this year Carriage rides in historic Charleston lovely SHERATON Hotel in historic “echo effect”. As we continued our tour, our next stop North Charleston, SC - to Parris Island! Did you notice how well the Marine was the museum and then to the Chow That means that we have to get up at least Band played the United States Navy’s Hall. It was an impressive Cafeteria-Style by 0555 – Ouch! “Anchors Aweigh” and then the Marine setup, however some of the comments But just think of those poor, damn Corps Hymn? I heard about the food was less than miserable maggot recruits at Parris Island, After the ceremony was complete, desirable! South Carolina MCRD. HOLD IT! - family members rushed out to embrace After one last stop at the MPX, we AFTER THIS DAY, they will no longer their UNITED STATES MARINE! boarded our busses for the ride back to the be “Boots” – they will have earned the However, this was not their very first Sheraton – every last one of us glad that title of “United States Marine”! And we encounter since boot camp was entered. we had the choice to return to civilian life! were there to witness this – some of us “Family Day” now takes place on the Anyone wishing to revisit the for the first time from the sidelines of the Thursday before graduation. ceremonies that day in depth can go online The Third Heard on the flight deck Bob Vaxter out of control... It was really hot! parade field! I know that every single one In a way, we were all mentally to www.thebootandjetstream.com. After of us were so glad to see graduation day transported back into time, as this was opening, click on Archives, then click on roll around – even this FMF Corpsman. a poignant reminder of the day we all Boot, then get the online calendar to open Hey, I asked Bob Peavey if he was SURE graduated. But I did hear scattered up on Friday, August 21, 2009. that he wanted an FMF Corpsman to comments like, “…hey, where are my old I cannot finish this report without do the Parris Island report, and without barracks – they’re GONE!..” and “…this commenting what a small world it is. First hesitation, he gave me his utmost 8404 place sure doesn’t look the same…”. Time let me say that I did this report while on Marine Corps blessing. changes everything. the road in Lancaster, PA. When I called As we walked past Golf Company, 2nd As we continued our tour, we were all Parris Island MCRD Public Relations Recruit Training Battalion and November pleasantly surprised when the bus stopped on my cell phone from my travel trailer Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion at a covered training area, and we were (for some additional information), Staff Harris and the boys “Have you done the gift shop yet?” Learning about the USS Yorktown and saw their faces in the endless lineup, allowed to get up “close and personal” Sergeant Tracie Kessler immediately we could almost feel the tension they were with the recruits in training. Apparently asked, “…is this THE Gene Hackemack feeling. As they marched onto the parade training has changed somewhat as we from Columbus, Texas?” I was field, we were fortunate to witness two were told that a certain amount of martial flabbergasted! Yes, I used to live near units of Women Marines graduate, which arts is now part of the curriculum. We Columbus, Texas when my (deceased) occurs only “about once a month”, as we also learned that on graduation day, wife Barbara and I used to operate the only were told by our guide. With reviewing “none of the Marines has yet thrown a German restaurant between Houston and official Maj. Gen. John M. Croley grenade”, which is now part of an advance Austin Texas. S/Sgt Kessler used to be one observing, their precision march out onto training regimen. I was also able to speak of my customers!!! the Parade Field was an inspiration to briefly with the Navy Corpsman who us all. Special recognition was given to was assigned to this training area. He the honor graduates. The USMC VTA assured me that his “Camouflaged Blue Our largest grossing Auction! Maria & Mart bidded on everything Oil paintings too!

22 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 23 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island A revisit for many, memories for all

The D.I.s were prettier than I remembered! We got a rare look into hand-to-hand training

We were very fortunate to have witnessed a double graduation of men and women’s training series at the same time

I said put your FEET in my yellow footprints! Hopefully it’s the last meal in a mess hall! Mr. Nice Guy – probably NOT!

24 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 25 The Final Dinner 2009 Fallen Heroes

The 2009 reunion saw the addition of Fletcher, and her husband of 30-plus From the Dodson Family: two more tankers to our Fallen Heroes years, Steve Fletcher. Bob, good morning, table; there are now 11 pictures of men The second honoree was Cpl. John Just want to let you know how much we have honored over the past 4 reunions. Rodriquez. John attended his first we appreciate all you did in preparing for This year saw seven members of the reunion in 2007 and passed away just the program Saturday night. Again, it same family attend the final dinner and seven weeks later. Maria Rodriquez and was awesome! ceremony for L/Cpl David Paul Dodson. her sister Martha attended the dinner and We drove up to see my mother yesterday. The two Fallen Heroes for 2009 David was with 1st Tanks which made a ceremony. Also present was John’s tank I did not show her the presentation. I knew landing north of the Cua Viet River just commander, Garry Hall who presented it would upset her, plus I didn’t think I was below the DMZ in January of 1968 where the framed picture to Maria. Garry had ready to see it again. I did tell her about he was killed by an RPG. Also present a few funny stories about John’s ability to our experience and showed her pictures at the dinner was his best friend and sleep in the most nervous of moments. from the weekend. I also stopped by the our newest VTA member, Roger McVay. Also in attendance and a first for cemetery to place new flowers on the graves Roger was involved in the recovery of the Fallen Hero program was Tammy of my dad, brother Jimmy, and David. David’s body after the attack. Johnson. She was the niece of Sgt. Ben David’s looked mighty nice when I added Bob Peavey worked with David’s sister, Green who came to visit with several the Marine Corp and American Flag to it Sharon Barfield, for 6 months developing of his platoon members. She wanted to (table setting from Saturday night). David’s story. What made it so touching witness a Fallen Hero program before Linda told me yesterday that she had was the fact that the story starts with committing. Ben was killed in early May forgotten how much she had truly loved Mart, Garry Hall and Maria Rodriquez Our guest speaker was Pulitzer Prize winning author Jim David’s grandson, Brett Owens, who had during Operation Allenbrook. Needless David and that she still does. For so many Sheeler who wrote the powerful newspaper story and book, a homework assignment entitled, “My to say, Tammy is onboard for the 2011 years I had felt he’d just been pushed aside The Final Salute. He shared with us the behind the scenes National Treasures”. Brett wrote that it reunion and will be working with Bob for and forgotten. Now I know he hasn’t. We story of what happens after The Knock On The Door was his grandfather’s Purple Heart and several months.  have finally received closure. the flag that accompanied his casket None of this would have happened, home that he considers his national had it not been for you, again, thanks for treasure. Also attending the dinner was everything!!! David’s widow, Linda Dodson now Linda Sharon and family

From the Rodriquez Family: Bob, Our colorguard for the evening Once again thanks, it was great. My sister Martha and I had a great time, God willing we’ll see you in San Diego. My boys John Jr. and Joseph look forward to meeting you and their Dad’s tanker buddies. Keep up the great work you guys do. The one and only reunion that John attended meant a lot to him. Once a Marine wife, always a Marine wife. Semper Fi, Maria Rodriguez Friends of Cpl. John Rodriquez Roger McVay presents a tapestry to the sister of his best friend, David Dodson, who KIA on 1/25/68 with 1st Tanks L/Cpl David Paul Dodson Cpl. John Rodriquez

26 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 27 Charlotte? Charleston? What’s the Difference? Button it Up B y L loyd “ Pappy ” R eynolds and Move Out Well where do I begin? I guess it all morning. Now a Greyhound Depot is not one’s) some one said “Let’s pass the hat for By Pete Ritch started when I got my reunion notice. My a place you want to hang around without at Pappy.” Well the hats were passed and when wife couldn’t go this time so I contacted least a squad of armed Marines, especially they were emptied at my table I thought I John about sharing a room. Once that was at night. On the sidewalk outside the depot was at the final table of the “World Poker settled, the next thing was to book a flight. I called my wife again to tell her of my woes Tour”. It came out to $622.00. I couldn’t While looking through photographs we decided to “limp” back to a safer buttoned up with no perimeter security, So I got on the Internet and booked a round (good thing she didn’t go, I’d still be in the believe it. What a great bunch of Marines. from my tour in Vietnam in preparation locale to repair the track. As soon as we ready to shoot at anything that moved. trip flight to (yep you guessed it) Charlotte. Charlotte Emergency). The taxi drivers hung The overage of $342.00 was turned in to Jim for our Reunion in Charleston, I was were clear, the ambush site was hit with We had flare ships up all night keeping I even looked on a map and thought “That’s around like vultures. Then it started “I’ll take Coan our Treasurer. I was warned not to try surprised by the number of shots that artillery fire from a nearby fire support us in “daylight” and making an enemy awful far from Parris Island, why are we you to Charleston for $350.00, another said this as a fund-raiser in San Diego. included tanks with damaged track. It got base. We buttoned up the slipped track attack less likely. At first light, a Marine staying there? Well you know, men never $340.00. The bidding had started. No bids For the rest of the reunion I got a lot of me thinking about instances during my and returned to our base camp. A search infantry platoon, who had humped ask for directions. were submitted after it reached $280.00, so I attention, like: “Don’t let Pappy on the first tour in Vietnam where we either hit a land of the ambush site found 9 NVA, KIA’s. all night to get to us, set up perimeter My flight left right on time. I transferred said let’s go. I loaded up for the three hour two bus, we’ll wind up in Charlotte.” “Which mine or slipped a track and had to button Hitting land mines became part of my security and we repaired the Retriever. planes in Houston and arrived in Charlotte hundred and seven mile taxi ride. The driver way is it to Charlotte?” “The next reunion is it up and move out. Vietnam experience while supporting The Retriever Commander, SSgt. on time. Got my luggage and went to get a and I got to know each other pretty well by in San Diego, do you know how to get there?” In mid-January 1969, B-32, B-33 and the 2nd ARVN Regiment in the April Harold Riensche fired every weapon at shuttle to the hotel. Told the driver I wanted the time we got to Charleston. “Are you the one doing the Map Program?” B-35 were providing road sweep security 1969. In a 75 minute span, B-33, B-35 his disposal to protect the exposed crew, to go to the Sheraton North. He said “You When we got to the hotel a cheer went up And on it went until “How are you going to and day light patrols in support of F Co., and the Bravo Company Tank Retriever resulting in seven NVA KIA’s, one of want to go where?” So I showed him my from those that knew me, “Hey Pappy’s here, get home?” I had a lot of input for that one. 2nd BN, 3rd Marine Regiment, south of each hit a land mine. We were returning them, on top of the Retriever, near the Schedule of Events. He says “We don’t you finally made it.” Then “why did you take But again a Marine Tanker stepped up to the Rt. 9 between Dong Ha and Camp Carol. to Gio Linh, just south of the DMZ, Commanders hatch. SSgt. Reinsche go there. Your a city, state and about two a taxi, they have a shuttle from the Airport?” plate. Russell Tingle “Tang” from Louisville, The rainy season was just ending and the when B-35 hit a mine. We radio’d the was awarded the Navy Cross for his hundred miles north.” After I checked my Then as I was peeling off fifties to pay the KY volunteered to drive me to Charlotte on dirt roads and trails were pretty slick. Army Major in charge of the joint actions. By noon all three vehicles were skivvies for unwanted residue I decided on cabby some one said “That much, where did his way home. Then I had to break the bad While on patrol with a Marine Infantry Army, Marine and ARVN operation operational and we moved out. plan “B” even though I didn’t know what you come from?” The driver said “Charlotte.” news to him. My flight left Charlotte at 0600 Platoon, we took small arms fire from a tree and requested that the ARVN set up a In May 1969, while supporting an that was. I called my wife to give her the The cat and my stupidly was out of the bag! and we would have to leave around 0130 to line across an open field. B-32, B-33 and security perimeter around the damaged infantry platoon from 3/3 at Ocean news and a good laugh at my expense. Then Might as well own up to it. As soon as Wally make it on time. To his credit he didn’t bail B-35 rushed the tree line and opened fire. tank. In spite of his affirmative response, View, the northeastern most base in I reviewed my options. Can I get a flight to Young found out, I knew it was over. out on me. I caught my flight on time and When the firing ceased, we found 5 NVA the ARVN infantry kept moving right I-Core, B-31 was crossing the dunes Charleston, should I try to rent a car, can I At the first meeting I just had to get up made it home. Much to my wife’s relief. She KIA’s. The infantry platoon commander by us toward the Gio Linh. With B-33 and approaching the hard-pack shore go Greyhound, (didn’t thing of a one way U and give everyone the straight scoop, as I would have killed me if I had wound up in was ordered to bring the NVA bodies to providing the only security, the crew line. We hit a land mine. Several grunts Haul). I went for the Greyhound. A $25.00 knew being Marines it would get blown San Francisco. a small village just outside our base camp. of B-35 set a world record for repairing riding on the tank were injured and one cab ride got me to the Greyhound Station. up all out of shape. But also as Marines, Semper Fi Marines and thank you. We loaded the bodies on the fenders of track. We moved out and could see the required a tourniquet (my web belt) to Next bus didn’t leave until 0800 the next they take care of there own (even the stupid Pappy B33. As we worked our way back to the ARVN ahead of us moving in the same stem the bleeding from his right leg. village on a steep and slick foot path, B-33 direction. In less than half a click, B-33 As we medivac’d the injured, the tank “slipped” the track on the right side of the hit a mine and again we requested ARVN crew repaired the track. Once again we A Great Speech thank you for your life-long commitment as a places with you in a minute to do it all over tank. The crew repaired the track and we perimeter security while we repaired buttoned it up and moved out. United States Marine. again.” Sooooo, if you’re interested in giving buttoned it up and moved out. Repairing the damage. Again, an ARVN security Tank crews were well trained in (Continued from page 19) For those of you who are wondering, “Am up a platoon in order to be a base commander, the track was the easy part. Repairing the perimeter was no-where to be found. It the repair of our Iron Horses but their his crew and noticed no holes in the ranks. I up to it?” forget it. You will be magnificent, see me at the bar! track with bodies on the fender and blood was nearing dusk and I radio’d for the resourcefulness in repairing damaged The ranks looked just as they had and not a just as Marine officers always have been. I One last thing. When you check into running down the hull of the tank, was B Company Tank Retriever to come tanks under threat of attack was awesome. single Marine or sailor stood to the front of realize that many of your young Marines are your first unit and start the fantastic voyage the hard part. to our assistance, in case we could not Driving the damaged vehicle out of the the formation. It is reported that he went going to be “been there, done that” warriors that only Marines will ever know, kick some In February 1969, while supporting repair the damage and drive out on our situation was a matter of pride. And being on a tirade and screamed, “What is this? and that they will wear the decorations to serious ass. Because it is a full time job and a land clearing operation just east of own. The B-33 crew worked on the track towed was not an option. So, we buttoned Not a single volunteer among you?” With prove it. But you need to know, that they there is a lot of that activity that must occur Con Thien, B-33, B-35 and two APC’s with B-35 providing the only security. them up and moved out. this, an aide leaned over and whispered in respect you and admire you. You need for America and her allies to survive. loaded with grunts from K Co., 3rd BN, The Retriever was headed toward us. Just Porter’s ear, “Sir, the whole line has stepped to know that they want and need your “Long live the United States. And success 3rd Marine Regiment, were ambushed as we finished the repairs on B-33, the Pete Ritch was platoon leader of 3rd forward 7 paces.” leadership. All you have to do is never fail to the Marine Corps!” by an NVA platoon firing machine guns Retriever, less than 200 yards from our Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Tank Bat- I think of this story often. And when them in this regard and everything will turn Colonel James M. Lowe, Commander and small arms. In the lead tank, B-33, location, hit a mine and was ambushed. talion, 3rd Marine Regiment- Vietnam I do, I think of Marines like you. Charlie out great. Hold up your end of the bargain Marine Corps Base, Quantico I accelerated through the ambush, spun I dispatched B-35 to assist the Retriever. 1968-1969. Company, on behalf of the generations of and they will not fail. Submitted by Jim Coan after attending a re- around 180 degrees and opened fire. We buttoned up B-33 and hooked up Marine lieutenants who have gone before I am pretty sure I can speak for the entire union of his Basic School class at Quantico, It wasn’t until we quelled the ambush with the other two damaged vehicles as you, thank you for taking the “7 steps group of distinguished guests here tonight Virginia where Colonel Lowe delivered this that we discovered that we “slipped” a darkness fell. The three of us, B-33, B-35 forward”, thank you for your love of country, when I say, “We admire you and would trade speech to a graduating class.  track. With several Marines wounded and the Bravo Retriever spent the night

28 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 29 HE GAVE HIS LIFE Marines FOR HIS COMRADES I like the fact that if you are a self- battlefield gets deadly or when we hang matter - does absolutely nothing to FALLEN LI MARINE AWARDED NAVY CROSS declared enemy of America, running up our uniform for the last time. promote morale, fighting spirit or into a Marine outfit in combat is your I like the fact that Marines take care combat effectiveness. By NEIL GRAVES worst nightmare...And that your health of each other... In combat and time of I like the fact that Marines are record is either about to get a lot thicker, peace. Marines first... regardless of age, race, or be closed out entirely. I like the fact that Marines know the creed, color, sex, and national origin, or I like the fact that Marines are difference between ‘Chicken Salad’ and how long they served, their former rank, steadfast and consistent in everything ‘Chicken Shit’ and aren’t afraid to call or what goals they achieve in life. they do... regardless of whether you either for what it is. I like Marines...and I love the fact HAILING A HERO: agree with them or not. I like the fact that the people of that I am humbled to walk among the Jordan Haerter, who died stopping a suicide I like the fact that Marines view the America hold Marines in the highest ranks of other Marines. bomber in Iraq, is receiving the Navy Cross. term ‘politically correct’ with nothing esteem and that they know that they can I like the fact that you always know but pure disdain. count on us to locate, close with, and where you stand with a Marine. With I like the fact that Marines destroy those who would harm them. Marines, there is no middle ground stand tall and rigid in their actions, I like the fact that people think we or gray area. There are only Missions, February 17, 2009 - throughout the entire seven-year War respected out of all the armed services,” thoughts and deeds when others bend are cocky.... yet we know that we have Objectives and Facts. A young Marine from Long Island on Terror. said the father. with the direction of the wind and confidence in everything we do and the In closing...if you aren’t a Marine, had only seconds to act when a fanatic “I know the Marines will stand tall Shortly after the attack, Chris Haerter are as confused as a dog looking at a fact that they don’t know the taste of the next best thing is to have a Marine driving a truck bomb came crashing that day,” said JoAnn Lyles, Haerter’s was watching CNN. ceiling fan. that makes them look at us as if we are for a husband, wife, and father, mother, through barricades and aimed straight for grieving but proud mom. “The anchor said two Marines were I like the fact that each and every arrogant. brother, sister, son, daughter, best a building where 30 fellow Leathernecks The explosion was horrific. killed in Ramadi and in my heart, I knew Marine considers the honor and legacy I like that fact that we know the taste friend, or friend. and 25 Iraqi cops were just waking up. “We heard the SAW go off and we one was Jordan,” he said. “He might as of the Corps as his personal and sacred of freedom and would give our very lives SAEPE EXPERTUS, Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, of turned our heads to see what they were well had been talking to me.” trust to protect and defend. for it. And that it is a taste the protected SEMPER FIDELIS, Sag Harbor, and fellow Marine Cpl. shooting at,” said Lance Cpl. Benjamin The elder Haerter then went out for I like the fact that most civilians will ever know. FRATRES AETERNI Jonathan Yale, 21, of Burkeville, Va., Tupaj. “About two seconds after that, the a walk, but “the minute I stepped on the don’t have a clue what makes us tick and I like the fact that Ronald Reagan knew they had to stop the truck at any truck detonated. There was a shock wave. sidewalk, I saw two Marines in full dress, that’s not a bad thing. Because if they said... ‘Some people spend an entire Often Tested, cost - and didn’t hesitate. All I saw was a giant fireball two stories getting out of a car. You never see Marines did, it would probably scare the hell out lifetime wondering if they made a Always Faithful, On Friday, the Marine Corps will mark high.” Lance Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos said, in Sag Harbor.” of them. difference... Marines don’t have that Brothers Forever their ultimate sacrifice by posthumously “I saw the fireball and then the whole area Next, he saw someone else step from I like the fact that others say they problem!’  awarding each the Navy Cross. was filled with dust and smoke.” the car, his ex-wife, Lyles, and he knew want to be like us, but don’t have I like the fact that we are brothers The bomber, who struck April 22, 2008 Xiarhos also saw the two young men that what he had felt in his gut at seeing what it takes in the Pain-Gain-Pride to the end...and that no matter what Ontos Members in Ramadi, was carrying a ton of explosives who had saved his life. “They were out the TV news story had turned real. department to make it happen. happens in life, we know that we have as he wove through a series of serpentine there [in the rubble]. The corpsmen The ceremony, presided over by Navy I like the fact that the Marines came one another’s ‘six’. We really try very hard to include you barricades, bouncing off the barriers as the reached them immediately and started Secretary Donald Winter in Quantico, into being in a bar, named Tun Tavern. I like the fact that an elected member in everything we do, but we can’t do it truck hurtled toward the building. giving them aid.” Va., will be attended by dozens of friends, And the that Marines still gather in of congress felt compelled to publicly alone. If you want to see Ontos articles The two heroes strafed the truck with Haerter was already gone, and Yale relatives and fellow Marines. pubs, bars and slop chutes to share sea accuse the Marine Corps of being in the Sponson Box, then we need fire from M16s and a light machine gun would hang on for only a few minutes. “It’s truly an honor,” said Lyles. “Of stories and hot scoop. ‘radical and extreme’. And I also like the you to submit your stories. If you want called a squad automatic weapon, or SAW. “I think Jordan would think he was course, I’d trade it all to have him back.” I like the fact that Marines do not fact that our Commandant informed more inclusion at the reunion, we need The truck detonated against two other doing what any Marine in his position [email protected] consider it a coincidence that there are that member of congress that she was someone to step up and represent your buildings, reducing them to dust - and would do,” said his dad, Chris Haerter. 24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a case. absolutely correct and that he passed on group. We are doing the best we can killing the heroes. But all the Marines and He said his son learned to fly a plane Because Marines know there is a reason his thanks for the compliment. with an organization made up of mostly cops in the targeted building survived. at 16, and the dad was surprised Jordan for everything that happens. I like the fact that Marine leaders tankers, therefore we rely on you for Only 22 Marines have been awarded didn’t enlist in the Air Force. But the I like our motto... SEMPER - of every rank - know that issuing input. Please send stories, pictures, etc. the Navy Cross - the second-highest youth believed that the Marines “was FIDELIS, And the fact that we don’t every man and woman a black beret - to Bob Peavey – [email protected] award for valor after the Medal of Honor the hardest service; it was the one most shed it when the going gets tough, the or polka-dotted boxer shorts for that

30 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 31 kin, promised Congress he was work- report had read too much into the conclusions from the current study US Can’t Back Cancer Assurances to Marines ing to improve on any shortcomings. Camp Lejeune health assessment and of fetal effects before deciding the Military families “have suffered it should not be used as the basis to claims. April 30, 2009 needlessly because of the agency’s deny disability benefits. © Copyright 2009 Associated Press. Associated Press flawed work,” Rep. Brad Miller, D- According to the Navy’s legal office, All rights reserved. This material may N.C., said Tuesday. which handles claims, 1,500 people not be published, broadcast, rewritten In an about-face, the government has comed the government’s reversal on A table in the document stated un- Health officials wrote to Veterans have filed claims for $33.8 billion in or redistributed. disavowed a 12-year-old federal re- the report. equivocally that adults faced no in- Affairs last month warning that a VA damages. The military is waiting for port that found little or no cancer risk “We are in Day 99 of change, and creased cancer risk from the water. for adults who lived at Camp LeJeune, by God we’re starting to see it,” he Elsewhere, the report said cancer was N.C., where drinking water was con- said, meaning the change promised not likely but more study was needed. taminated for three decades. by President Barack Obama. The re- Cibulas voiced concern that the re- Up to a million people could have port in question dates to Bill Clinton’s port was misinterpreted by Veterans been exposed to toxins that seeped administration. Affairs and others as saying: “No way, from a neighboring dry cleaner and Officials said that some sections of no how, would any person who drank Jokes industrial activity at LeJeune, federal the document were still valid, includ- contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Camp Lejeune Historic Water Update officials say. Now, a report that mini- ing those dealing with past concerns be expected to suffer any adverse National Academies’ NRC Study Released The Old Sergeant Major mized the cancer threat for adults has about lead in water and contamina- health effects, be they cancerous or A weather-beaten and about to retire been discredited. tion of fish, and analysis of pesticide non-cancerous. Sergeant Major sat down at a Starbucks “We can no longer stand behind hazards in soil. People now will have “The science is just not that good Dear Registrant: ing water modeling as part of an in Oceanside, CA. and ordered a cup of the accuracy of the information in that to contact the health agency in Atlanta for us to make that determination,” he On June 13, 2009, a committee ongoing study to determine if coffee. As he sat sipping his coffee, a young document,” William Cibulas, director via e-mail or phone to obtain that in- said. of the National Research Council past exposure to VOCs from con- woman came in and sat down next to him. of health assessment for the Agency formation now removed from the Web The 1997 assessment said chil- (NRC) released a report on its in- taminated drinking water at Camp She turned to the man in uniform, “Are for Toxic Substances and Disease site, a spokeswoman said. dren’s cancer risk was unknown, but dependent review of the available Lejeune is associated with certain you a real Sergeant Major?” she asked. Registry, said at a meeting in Atlanta. Among its problems, the document it cited studies showing potential can- scientific and medical informa- birth defects and childhood can- He replied, “Well, I’ve spent my whole “We know too much now.” omitted mention of the cancer-causing cer dangers from solvent-tainted wa- tion to determine whether adverse cers. After the water modeling for life in the Marine Corps, breaking in recruits Sick veterans, who became known chemical benzene, which military sam- ter for fetuses. That led to an ongoing health outcomes are associated this study is complete, ATSDR will and second lieutenants, been in two wars, as “poisoned patriots,” and their ad- pling found in a base well in 1984. Re- study by the agency into whether ba- with past contamination of the wa- re-analyze and update the PHA. have been shipped all over the world, I’ve vocates never believed the report’s searchers should have mentioned its bies whose mothers drank the water ter supply at Camp Lejeune, North Persons interested in reading the been a tanker and have been really tanked, I conclusions. Their families have filed high levels and tried to verify whether were born with elevated leukemia or Carolina prior to 1987. The report 1997 PHA may request a printed have read more orders to men in formation claims for $33.8 billion in damages. A it reached the drinking water, said birth defects. assesses the strength of evidence copy by contacting the ATSDR Re- than I care to guess, lesser ranks avoid me study continues on whether fetuses Cibulas. He said Ensminger recently The agency estimated as many as associating exposure to trichloro- cords Center at (770) 488-0707 or wherever I walk, so, I guess that makes me a might have been harmed. brought the omission of benzene to his 1 million people at the Atlantic-sea- ethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethyl- by email. Sergeant Major. The agency, charged with protect- attention. board base could have been exposed ene (PCE), benzene, and other vol- The Marine Corps is dedicated She said, “I’m a lesbian. I spend my ing public health around toxic sites, Additionally, the contaminating sol- to the toxins; the Marines have esti- atile organic compounds (VOCs) in to taking care of our Marines, Sail- whole day thinking about naked women. said it was rescinding the 1997 as- vents that officials focused on have been mated 500,000. drinking water to adverse health ors, civilians and their families. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think sessment on health effects of water characterized by new science as even Levels of one solvent, known as effects in prenatal children, chil- Thank you again for your service about naked women. When I shower, I that residents of the base drank and more likely to cause cancer, he noted. TCE, were the highest ever measured dren, and adults. to our Nation. think about naked women. When I watch bathed in, because of omissions and Cibulas also cited findings, reported in a U.S. public water supply, accord- To download the “Report in This email was sent to you by TV, I think about naked women. It seems scientific inaccuracy. That study found in a 2007 Associated Press investiga- ing to an agency scientist. Brief,” view the full report, or to the United States Marines Corps. that everything I do makes me think of the water contamination began in the tion of the water contamination, that the “We keep coming up with more and download a free copy of the ex- To ensure delivery to your inbox naked women.” 1950s and continued until wells were study underestimated the extent of the more stuff,” said Allen Menard, a for- ecutive summary, please visit the (and not bulk or junk mail folders), The two sat sipping in silence. shut down in 1987. contamination on the base due to inad- mer Marine on the community panel National Academies website. add [email protected] to A little while later an inquisitive twelve The agency offered no new health equate information from the Marines. who suffers a rare non-Hodgkin’s Additionally, on April 28, 2009, your address book. year old boy came in with his father and conclusions but will pull the flawed His unusual announcement came lymphoma that his doctors linked to the Agency for Toxic Substances sat down across from the old Marine. The document from the Internet while in- at a meeting of the health agency, part chemical exposure. and Disease Registry (ATSDR) an- young child’s eyes scanned the many corporating new science to rewrite of the Health and Human Services De- “They knew about the benzene,” he nounced that they were removing ribbons on the old man’s chest. His eyes what Cibulas called “troublesome” partment, and its community advisory said. “Why didn’t they tell us?” the 1997 Public Health Assess- then went to the three chevrons and sections. panel that works on follow-up to Camp The reversal comes at a sensitive ment (PHA) for Camp Lejeune rockers with a bomb burst in the center. Jerry Ensminger, a retired Ma- Lejeune’s past water problems. time for the toxic substances agency, from their website. According “Are you really a Marine Sergeant rine who has spent years digging Members of the panel have long crit- following a blistering report last month to ATSDR, the PHA should have Major?” the little boy asked. through military and health docu- icized the health document’s failings. by congressional investigators who mentioned benzene contamination The old face slowly turned to the boy ments at Camp Lejeune and believes Lawmakers who heard the Marines’ accused it of obscuring or overlooking and stated the extent of exposure and replied, “I always thought I was, but his daughter Janey’s leukemia death stories last year dubbed them “poi- potential health hazards at toxic sites. to benzene was unknown. a little while ago I found out that I’m a at age 9 was due to the water, wel- soned patriots.” The agency’s director, Howard Frum- ATSDR is currently conduct- lesbian.” 

32 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 33 President Bush has expanded the involved with BAMC in 2006 when program is really two parts: medical care Defense Department’s healthcare funding fundraiser and avid proponent of military and personal care.” Scars Are Not Forever by more than 200 percent since 2001, and and veterans’ causes Bill White invited Katz donated the first $1 million to ‘ B y S taff S gt. E than E . R ocke ’ the military has made many advances the Katzes to San Antonio. Katz donated fund Operation Mend and helped raise Headquarters Marine Corps,12/31/2008 in military medicine and healthcare the lead gift at that time to a privately- more than $10 million more. The private infrastructure since the War on Terror funded project that brought to Fort Sam funds cover the costs of the surgeries as began. But until recently, the military Houston in January 2007 two new Fisher well as travel expenses for patients and Los Angeles - It was an ideal. A mantra. Mankin’s mother, Diana Phelps, and toward this dry, crusted earth. I rolled could not provide extensive reconstructive Houses, which house families of wounded their families, lodging, a living allowance One of those romantic assertions that nodding with a smile. “I do, really.” trying to get the fire out but couldn’t do it. surgeries to its members. service members receiving treatment at and any extra medical expenses. The grabs hold the heart and muses in the soul This is Mankin’s twelfth surgery under I was exhausted, and I just closed my General James F. Amos, assistant BAMC. military’s health insurance provider, the question: What if? Miller’s hands - “magic hands,” say some eyes and was ready to die. That’s when I commandant of the Marine Corps, is “My wife and I visited the burn ward Tricare, covers the cost of hospitalization “Scars are not forever” was conceived of his coworkers and patients. The lofty, heard the shouts of my fellow Marines among senior leadership at the Pentagon at Brooke, and we were particularly for patients. for one Marine in the months of soothing melody of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly saying ‘Put him out! Put him out!’” that has been at the forefront of the distressed by the number of facially “Although it’s expensive at our end, it’s rehabilitation that followed an IED blast Me to the Moon” wafts in the operating The incident left Mankin with 25 military’s recent efforts to address the disfigured service members,” Katz says. a blessing to be able to use these funds to in Iraq, which left him badly burned room as Miller makes a precise and gentle percent of his body burned. His genetic shortfall. A pivotal moment in Operation make such a difference in the lives of these and disfigured. Since then, the spirit of sawing motion with his tiny scalpel, a predisposition to generate unusually high “We’ve made great gains in recent Mend’s conception occurred when Katz soldiers and Marines,” Katz says. that ideal has evolved into an innovative handful of doctors and nurses looking amounts of scar tissue caused his facial years in expanding our continuity of care and his wife watched Mankin, whose Volunteers within UCLA’s medical partnership between military and civilian on. He trims away unnecessary flesh from features to gradually contort, eventually for wounded warriors, but change comes charismatic personality and affinity for community also provide patients with medicine that is actualizing, for some, beneath Mankin’s nose - the nose he built twisting and fusing his nose and mouth slow,” Amos says. public speaking has attracted media what Katz calls “buddy families.” Katz’s that once rhetorical question: What if? with cranial bone and skin from Mankin’s area so much that his mouth shrank to But in October 2007, the military’s attention and thrust Mankin into the son Todd, his wife Dana and their children Aaron Mankin lay still on an operating forehead. a tiny, taut opening about an inch below slow, steady trend in healthcare limelight, on CNN in an interview with are the premier buddy family, providing table, bright halogen bulbs spilling light That was the first step. Now Miller an asymmetrical half-nose that, without advancement got sent into overdrive in Lou Dobbs in November 2006. friendship and support to Mankin, his over every bit of his fire-scarred face: needs to thin it out, make it better resemble its natural tip, displayed irregularly large the field of reconstructive surgery. “Lou asked Aaron, ‘What’s next wife Diana and their children during closed eyes placid with unconsciousness, Mankin’s old nose, the one he had before nostrils and an upturned look. The catalyst was an injection into the for you?’” says Katz. “And Aaron said, Mankin’s 12 trips to UCLA. relaxed jaw peeking out from the fissure an explosion in Iraq left him badly burned “Initially, Aaron’s face looked normal,” system from outside the government. ‘They’ve gotta’ fix the beautiful part . get Dana also oversees and coordinates the between rich, disfigured lip tissue, an about his arms and face - the nose from says his mother. “There were no visible The prospect was revolutionary: One me back to good looking.’ That really buddy family program. incision on the right side of his nose the pictures of the handsome, slender wounds. And then it began to draw in and of the nation’s top hospitals offering up struck us.” “Everyone is compelled by the cause,” stretching the length of it. Arkansas boy with that coy twinkle of tighten up. I had to use a small funnel to the services of its world-class, plastic Katz says Mankin’s image and words Dana says. “The CEO of UCLA Medical The ordered bustle of the operating charisma. Miller takes to the task with the feed him.” reconstructive surgeons - no charge. It that day were the beginning, but a final Center, called us and said, ‘Can we be a room lay outside, far above the anesthesia. enthusiasm of an inspired artist. Phelps helped care for her son for was exactly what the military needed to call to action came when the Katzes buddy family?’ When the CEO wants to There, Dr. Timothy Miller, chief of “(These service members) have given the first eight months he was a patient quickly bridge the gap between function attended in January 2007 the opening be a buddy family, that’s not your typical reconstructive and plastic surgery at the a tremendous amount of their lives to at Brooke Army Medical Center at and aesthetics for its disfigured warriors. ceremony for the Center for the Intrepid, bureaucracy.” University of California, Los Angeles me and my family,” Miller says. “If I can Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where all The man carrying the torch to the a state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation UCLA nurse Priscilla “Patti” Taylor, Medical Center, looks down at Mankin’s give something back to them, it’s very of the U.S. military’s burn victims go military was philanthropist Ronald A. center for amputees and burn victims a retired Army nurse, also leads a face and focuses. gratifying.” for treatment. “BAM-C,” to which it is Katz, a successful inventor and UCLA adjacent to BAMC, and the new Fisher community group of military veterans Coolly marking Mankin’s face with a The thin, boyish features Mankin often affectionately referred, is one of the Medical Center board member. Houses, which Katz’s donations helped who sew “quilts of valor” for incoming pen earlier, Miller had described the goals inherited were supplanted May 11, 2005. nation’s premiere trauma centers for burn “The concept was simple,” Katz says. build. There were many disfigured service patients. of the procedure, Mankin acknowledging Then Lance Cpl. Mankin was a victims, both military and civilian. “Why couldn’t we provide to these members at the ceremony. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter with a characteristic smile and nod - a Marine combat correspondent assigned The hospital has cared for more than wounded service members not only the “Seeing Aaron planted the seed, but W. Chiarelli and Gen. Amos, the Corps’ gesture of enduring trust in the man whose to cover Operation Matador, a roughly 4,043 service members wounded in best medical care the military had to offer seeing how many Aarons there are was the second in command, have both scalpel has been to Mankin’s face what da weeklong mission to root out insurgents the War on Terror, and the Army Burn but the best the country could offer?” key,” Katz says. “At that point, we decided visited Katz and other UCLA officials in Vinci’s brush was to his Mona Lisa. near the Syrian border north of the Center there has treated 731 of those, Military leadership at BAMC and we should connect military commanders recent months to talk about expanding “I take your pictures home with Euphrates River. Mankin was riding in according to hospital officials. the Pentagon agreed, and a partnership and my connections at UCLA.” Operation Mend. me, ya’ know?” Miller said during the an amphibious assault vehicle when a Mankin underwent about 40 surgeries was forged between the military and Katz says it took about six months to “Programs like Operation Mend have examination, referring to the dozens massive explosion from a roadside bomb at BAMC, including myriad skin grafts UCLA Medical Center, which U.S. marry up the bureaucracies of BAMC shown us that sometimes the private of photos he uses to track and plot the rocked the 26-ton vehicle. and an operation to open his mouth back News & World Report ranks as one of and UCLA, and as the details of the sector can inject a capability into the evolution of Mankin’s face before and The violent blast threw Mankin down up so he could eat normally. the top three hospitals in the nation and partnership were worked out, Katz’s system that we don’t have,” Amos says. after operating on it a dozen times. inside the vehicle. When the instant haze But, according to Phelps, the limits of the top hospital in the western U.S. The resolve and passion for the program Katz says it is his hope that Operation Mankin reached to his throat to close of chaos and concussion cleared, Mankin the medical center’s capabilities became partnership has since become known as became infectious within UCLA’s Mend will expand beyond plastic the airway of his tracheostomy and push opened his eyes. He was on fire. apparent when the care required became Operation Mend. medical community. reconstructive surgery. the air from his lungs up through his “The instinctive reaction at that point a matter of aesthetics rather than physical In October 2007, Mankin became “Once the program was announced, “Fortunately, UCLA has extraordinary damaged vocal chords. is to just gasp,” recalls the 26-year-old rehabilitation. Operation Mend’s first patient. He was the byproduct was a wellspring of talents in many areas,” he says. “Our hope “Oh yeah?” he said, his soft, raspy voice father of two. “That’s how I sustained “The doctors at Brooke are fantastic, also, in large part, the inspiration for the enthusiasm from people within the contrasting smiling, wide eyes. most of my trachea injuries. I saw light but their focus is on function, not program, according to Katz. hospital to do something extraordinary “Oh yeah,” Miller said, looking to at the back of the vehicle and just dove aesthetics,” she says. Katz and his wife, Madelyn, became for these service members,” he says. “The (Continued on page 41)

34 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 35 tanks and grunts in hue Submarine E dited by J ohn W ear

This is the story of the men in Alfa A major in charge of the tanks had just suburbs of the city, they began to come under Pay Company, 1st Bn, 1st Marine Regiment received permission to return to Phu Bai but increased sniper fire. By Ken Zabal and their love/hate relationship with four after talking with Capt Batcheller, agreed to Capt Batcheller: At this point the street Marine tanks during the fighting to liberate accompany them to the MACV compound reminded me of an old western town with the City of Hue from the invading NVA in at Hue. The company dismounted from the building fronts right up against the street February 1968 (Tet). trucks and began sweeping both sides of so that it was like going down an alley. We Third Platoon, Alpha Company, Third found a more navigable exit and got onto An Tan and the Song Tra Bong followed Roger “Berg” Blumberg (Greenville, the road. A short time later Lt Col Edward were firing from the tanks ahead and to Tanks had been operating in and around the other river bank without incident. We by a bunch of happy grunts in 6x6s. MI): When we left Phu Bai that morning LaMontagne, 3rd Mar Div Embarkation the sides and receiving incoming fire from the Chu Lai TAOR since arriving with were then joined by some grunts and took At the fording site we pumped up the we didn’t take enough ammo, canteens or Officer observed that the column was not the buildings, including RPG rounds or BLT 3/3 in May. During that time we our turn providing cover while the other turret seal and entered the river with the enough of anything because we thought that moving fast enough so he suggested that they something similar. had been up, down and across Highway 1 tank crossed. When both tanks were other tank and some infantry providing we were only going to be gone for an hour mount up in the trucks and on the tanks and John Ligato (Philadelphia, PA): A cluster many times but had yet to cross the Song formed up again we got back on Hwy 1 fire support. Going down river on the or two at the most and be back for morning move out with the tanks in front. of hooches appeared in what seemed to be a Tra Bong River at An Tan village north and drove to the by outside Hill 69. sand bar was different this time. Now the chow. All we knew was that a CAP unit had As it turns out the tank column suburb of sorts. Then it happened! At first a of Chu Lai. This was before the floating Kilo 6 was a mustang named Capt Jay water is working it way up to the support been hit. We had no idea in the world what commander was Major Bruce “Mac” mortar rounds and sniper fire then a barrage bridge causeway was available. Daub who had been in Korea and was rollers and Milo is having a hard time we were going to run into. I was the gun MacLaren. Just before the initial contact of rockets and mortars. I watched the tank in Kilo 3/3, with a section of tanks led by widely respected by his company and us. with the bow wake. Over the intercom team leader at the time and had just given Major MacLaren turned over the four tanks front explode with a direct mortar or rocket S/Sgt Joe Wilder in direct support, was Our Platoon provided direct support to he tells me the water is up to his waist in my gun to Andy. to 2nd Lt James Georgaklis to take them to hit. It seemed like slow motion as I saw ordered to seize, occupy and defend Hill Kilo many times on “the rock” and many the driver’s compartment. Hang in there Alfa company continued north along the Hue boat ramp and the Major took the my friend Pat Farleigh and the radio man 69 and then conduct combat operations more since arriving in country. Our tanks I tell him. Further on I notice the water Route 1 and as the convoy reached the rural rest of his column of vehicles up Route 1 to (Williams) being blown off of the tank. in and around the adjacent area. During arrived at the base of Hill 69 and the Capt is almost at the fender, Milo then tells me fringes of Hue it met up with a column of Quang Tri. He missed the battle by an hour Pat Farleigh (Poughkeepsie, NY): I 1966, Hill 69, would become a more says to S/Sgt Wilder “I want your tanks the water is up to his chest and his MPC four tanks from the 3rd Tank Battalion who or less!!! never liked being around tanks much. For significant complex and rear area. Since to run all over the hill to set off any anti- is floating around. I’m now on the radio had been en route, administratively, to get on Edward “Andy” Anderson (San one thing you can’t hear anything that’s this was the first time tanks had been personnel mines.” I tell this to the crew; letting S/Sgt Wilder know the situation Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) at the ramp Francisco, CA): We came to a little village going around you. But we were told to get this far north, it took us a while to find Milo, Tony Pinnetti and Jim Bailey and when Milo says the water is up to his neck outside of Hue and be transferred up to the on the left side of the road with a rice paddy on them and they’d take us the rest of the a fording site. Eventually we found one a they’re not too thrilled since we all know and he’s standing/crouching in the driver’s 3rd Marne Division at Dong Ha. The tanks on the right. I got off of the lead tank and way into Hue. bit west of Hwy 1down a water buffalo we’ll be doing some heavy labor on the compartment trying to drive. About that had come upon a South Vietnamese unit was flanking up through the village. I was William Purcell (New York, NY): The trail behind a small hamlet. Because this suspension real soon. Note, this was time the air intakes ingest water and we that had been ambushed. about 50 yards parallel to the lead tank and lead tank crossed the bridge over the canal was “injun” country, the plan was for well before AT mines became prevalent. come to a stop. The whole time I’ve been Capt Gordon “Batch” Batcheller (Boston, was really scared. It was so quiet that you and it was like going into a downtown one tank with infantry to provide fire Anyway, we drove back and forth across looking around for signs of enemy activity could almost hear a pin suburb, two and three story buildings all the support from the river bank while we the hill for a while before the Company and haven’t seen any. Now I’m now feeling drop...All of a sudden way down the main street. After they crossed forded. Our grunt buddies could use the Gunny (GySgt Breeze) comes up and tells like a really big green target all alone in the tank started firing the bridge, the shit hit the fan. There was fire Hwy 1 bridge but because of our 52 ton us to secure. the middle of the river. at something down the coming from everywhere. The lead tank weight we could not. We dug revetments and stayed on Hill It didn’t take long for a retriever to road. I remember seeing gunned it, went flying up the road then was We began fording the Song Tra Bong 69 supporting daily patrols and providing show up on the opposite shore. The tracers going down hit by a rocket. Then our tank gunned it and with K 3/3 coving us from both banks. a blocking force for some small operations 2141 in charge walked-swam out to us Route 1. Then we started started going over the bridge. We’re thinking The river rose steadily above our road before the rainy season came. After the with a cable that we eventually hooked taking fire so I rolled “Damn, he saw what just happened and wheels to half way up the hull and we monsoon arrived navigating Hill 69 up to one of the front towing pintles so into a trench. It was full we’re going right into it” and your stomach were going nice and slow. Milo Plank was became a problem. Going down we usually we could get pulled out of the drink. Bn of human shit but I had kind of turns into knots. So we go flying over 32’s driver and he was known to be cool slid a ways but it was controllable. On the maintenance quickly decided 32 has to to stay there because of and I couldn’t fire the machine-gun because under fire as well as being an outstanding other hand, going up, didn’t work well at go to FLSB (pronounced foosie bravo). the incoming. There was the position I was in I would have broken driver. Milo had the bow wake under all and we actually got stuck once or twice. We get the tow bar hooked up and off this new guy behind me my arm against the turret. Everyone else was control and we were looking good. In the After a month or so the word come down we go riding our dripping wet, dead tank who was freaking out firing into the buildings and then the tank middle of the-river we drove onto a wide to move back to the 3/3 CP. This was in behind the retriever. At FLSB we pull because of the maggots got hit twice on the right side up front. I don’t sand bar and continued across it to our preparation for 3/3 to join the 3rd Marines the pack and begin to clean up. All the Boat Ramp we were lying in. I told know if it was a rocket, a mortar or what but exit point on the far shore. However, we at Hue. We we’re pretty happy since our ammo comes out, the 90, .50 and .30 - the MA): All I saw was a tracked vehicle of some him to stay down but he jumped up and got soon found out the sand bar had a pretty bunker was a mess and we had been in mud batteries come out and it looks like we’re sort in the street, with the head and upper shot in the neck and killed. The tanks finally steep decline so we backed out and went and crud for too long. So we pack our trash torso of a South Vietnamese soldier lying on got moving again and we cleared the village. up river looking for better exit. We soon and move out to Hwy 1 headed south to (Continued on page 40) the deck of the vehicle. As Alpha 1/1 approached the southern (Continued on page 37)

36 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 37 You Can’t Beat Luck One Soldier’s Viewpoint B y R obert V a x ter B y T om J ones J uly 4 , 2 0 0 8

It was an early morning on May 19th, that blocking force. As we came out of Ralston and he gives us the okay to try 1968. I was the driver on Charlie 3-1, Third the woods near the entrance to the base, my suggestion. But before I can drive onto Tank Battalion, Third Marine Division. the tanks and the grunts got on line and the bunker, a North Vietnamese soldier, Below are my final thoughts on it were not there, I said, we would go back soldier finally won the hearts and minds The crew consisted of myself (Bob Vaxter began pushing towards the base. taking advantage of the lull, comes out of Vietnam. If you are sensitive to two words to the city and I would be satisfied that we of the people. aka “Lurch”), Tony Simms (the loader) I had been in country for four months the bunker! He is tall, clean shaven, and that are not PC, do not read this. “Gosh” tried. I was a 19 year old lieutenant platoon Tom Freeman (the gunner), and Darrell by this time and was feeling pretty salty, wearing what looks like a new uniform— and “Golly” just do not describe the As we neared the mark, the guide leader of a Combat Engineer platoon Clock (the tank commander). We had for during that time I had been shot at I can still picture him pulling the strings moment. turned around and said, “John, we are when I left Fort Riley Kansas for Vietnam with us one of the motor transport drivers and mortared at least a dozen times. But at the end of the wood-handled grenade. Governments, in their efforts to win near 1.5 Kilometers.” To which I said, in 1966. What would be a 12 month tour for our platoon who had two days earlier now I am driving towards my first actual He throws it towards the tank! wars, may fail. Diplomats, in their efforts “Turn around and look out the window.” turned into 18 months that changed the brought up our supplies from Quang Tri. fire fight with my tank— hatch open and I am really scared but since I am to negotiate a settlement to save face, There in front of us was a right hand course of my life. As things had been quiet for several days, my head and shoulders sticking out! sitting unbuttoned and high-up out of may or may not have success. But, the turn, we took the turn, and immediately From Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho our platoon commander, Lt. Ralston, had We began taking small arms fire but the driver’s hatch, I can see that grenade American soldier, the instrument for turned a sharp left...and there in front of 150 miles, but a five hour drive away authorized him to ride with us. We spent nothing appeared to be coming close to is going to sail over the top of the tank government policy, will get it right. When us was the ever lovin’ friggin’ bridge that and two hours from Cambodia, people the night at Bridge 35 just off Highway 9 the tank. Tom Freeman, our gunner, was and miss us. The next thing I know I hear left to his or her own desire to be human forever changed my life. This bridge was everywhere went out of their way to say on the access road that led into Khe Sanh. firing the .30 and Sergeant Clock was a rattling noise as the Chi Com grenade in war, the American soldier will prevail not mine, but one that replaced a 287 “hello” to three visiting Americans. We were sitting on the tank having firing the .50. As I look back on it now, slides down the front of the turret, hits my and find a way to make peace one person foot bridge built by 11 men and myself in Children from kindergarten to third coffee waiting for the morning road it played like a John Wayne movie— the right shoulder and lands in my lap! “Holly at a time. seven days, defended from attack for three grade stopped us. “Hello, where are you sweep and convoy to come by. Tony enemy was shooting, the grunts were shit!” is all that I can think as I scramble I came away from my one week trip to nights, in the middle of what use to be a from?” they asked. When we said we Simms and I had already finished the shooting, tanks are advancing firing both to grab the damned thing. By the time I Vietnam convinced that the American thatched hut hamlet. were from the United States, “Oh, what morning PM on the tank and we’re just guns, and it is a beautiful sun-shiny day. grabbed it and threw it out of the tank, soldier has won the war. Allow me to The “hooches” have been replaced by state?” they would inquire. And, these kind of taking it easy. After what seemed like a long time I realized it was a dud. I finally wised up, start at the ending before going to the tin and wood buildings, but, this was MY kids would strike up a short conversation We started hearing what sounded like but was probably not more than five or my mama didn’t raise a total idiot, and I beginning. bridge and the turning point in my life in in near perfect English. They smiled; bumblebees flying over our heads. First ten minutes, our advance came to a stop. dropped the driver’s seat and closed the On June 28, 2008 after a 41 year 1966-1968, my 18 months in Vietnam. their parents smiled and looked prouder just a couple, then it seemed like an entire To our immediate right front, about 10 hatch— better late then never! I found absence, I rediscovered the effects of the After taking pictures, I noticed I was than any parents I have ever seen of their swarm; it went on for a couple of minutes. or 15 yards away, was an enemy bunker; out after the fire fight that the grenade American soldier on a hamlet. We were being watched by a number of people. I children. They are required to begin We soon realized that the “bees” were the grunts were having trouble taking that had my name on it had actually returning from a visit from Can Tho, got my “Kodak moment” photos I had taking English in Pre-K and through most actually bullets from a far off firefight it out. “Stop the tank!” came Sergeant bounced off of Sgt. Clock’s chest before Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City. We were taken 41 years ago out of the van and of their school years, which are almost that was taking place somewhere between Clock’s voice over my comm-helmet. rolling down the turret and into my lap! looking for Tan Tru and the base camp began showing them to folks. identical to ours. Here in the states, our us and Khe Sanh. We sit and watch the grunts trying to I pull forward and drive the tank on of the 1st Platoon, Company C, 15th These pictures were of children who kids take Spanish for a couple terms in Sergeant Clock radioed back to LZ take out the bunker. The grunts directed top of the bunker. The weight of the tank Combat Engineers, 9th Infantry Division were ever present as we constructed the High School, a language that isn’t even Hawk and advised Lt. Ralston as to what their fire towards an opening in the wall starts to collapse it so I make a hard left supporting the combat operations of the timber trestle bridge. Children were in the dialect of Hispanics entering our was going on. Lt. Ralston radioed back a the bunker. One of the grunts moves turn and drive off the top of the bunker, 2nd/60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. everywhere at that time. And, as the folks country. few minutes later and advised that he was forward and throws a hand grenade into collapsing it underneath the tank. The The guide stopped several times to ask were looking at the pictures, many let out I asked our guide why the children on his way to our location with a couple the opening. As he turns and runs away, grunts then tossed in a few grenades for directions to bridges Americans built 40 with a gasp, began laughing hard, calling were going out of their way to talk with of more tanks and some grunts. The the grenade comes flying back out of good measure. years ago ( I knew the way from memory, their friends, passing the pictures around us. He replied, “They want to practice morning road sweep out of Khe Sanh had the entrance and explodes. The process A few minutes later we were advised to but I don’t think our guide wanted to as fast as people came to see what the their English.” He went onto say that triggered an ambush and was in need of is repeated a couple of more times with pull back as there were fast movers coming take a chance on my memory). We found commotion was all about. many Vietnamese see the United States help. By the time the lieutenant and his the same results. Sergeant Clock asked in to bomb and strafe the area. We had just a bridge still standing and while I was These men and women of 40-55 were as a great country and they want to reaction force arrived at our location, we permission from Lt. Ralston to fire the pulled back when the jets came in. They elated, proud, ecstatic that it was one built looking at themselves in 1967. They come here. He also hoped his 14 month were ready to go. main gun into the bunker but Ralston made one pass firing rockets and guns. by my platoon, it is not the one I had set pointed to a picture of me 40 years younger old son would one day visit “the United We headed towards the sound of the advised that we were too close and that On the next pass they dropped several out to find. Way out in the boonies, we I had shown them, and I acknowledged States of America”. gunfire; we were advised by Lt. Ralston there were too many grunts around. We bombs followed by a third and final pass turned around to head back 50 kilometers that it was me. They covered their mouths, I would like to wax philosophical of the that it appeared there were several hundred unleash the .30 with little results followed dumping several canisters of napalm. to Ho Chi Minh City when I asked the smiled, and hugged me. I was mobbed. loss of humanity in war and the conflict we North Vietnamese soldiers engaged with by the .50, again with no effect. As we move through the bombed guide to take a right, go 1.5 kilometers, The governments of South Vietnam soldiers face in killing the enemy who “is the road sweep team. A blocking force I suggested to Sergeant Clock that out area I could see scores of dead NVA turn right and take an immediate left, and the USA may have screwed it up, but below human” but forging relationships had been set up just outside Khe Sanh I drive across the top of the bunker and and then come to a halt as there would be the American soldier got it right. Forty with children and older people we meet to and our job was to push the enemy into collapse it. Sergeant Clock contacts Lt. (Continued on page 40) a river, a tributary of the Mekong River. If years later, I now realize, the American restore our own individual humanity and

38 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 39 find hope amidst the insaneness of war. The reverence at that site was awesome. Airman, Nurses, we have been there, we As loader, my training really kicked in But, this trip exceeded my expectations As we prepared to leave the next day have done that, and I can assure you after as I kept loading and our gunner and TC of what we accomplished in Vietnam and (July 2), I hiked the city from our hotel 40 years, we got it right. We’ll Wait on the kept firing. I have no place in my heart right now to back to the Consulate. A very wide four The person who provided for the trip After what seemed hours…but was talk of war. lane boulevard divides the Consulate and whom I accompanied summed it up only a few minutes…the gunfire ceased as When the American soldier took a grounds from hundreds of people waiting far better than I: “We will win Vietnam Other Side By Jerry White quickly as it had began. I went up top side “pause for the cause” to reach out and across the street to queue up to apply for in this generation because of the way the and saw our Marine infantry had caught touch an individual> Vietnamese, by God a VISA to visit the USA. I began taking people were treated by the American up with us and they were busy securing and all things righteous, 40 years later we pictures of the Stars and Stripes unfurled Soldier 40 years ago. Those kids (now the the area. There were several dead NVA “won” the cause. and waving from the original flagpole of adults we met) have not forgotten and they torn apart through out the campsite. I am not one to wear flag lapel pins. I the Embassy. will want their children to live better.” it was august of 1966 and i was have to take our tanks across the paddy Looking back on it over 42 years later paid my dues and if my actions don’t show I became absolutely chilled by the There’s so much more I would like to with bravo co, 3rd tanks on hill at a high rate of speed so we wouldn’t it seems like a dream. I know it really my patriotism, no pin will add to it. I was goose bumps all over my body and they write, about the people and how they live 55 (da nang). get bogged down. He said, “Once we got happened. I find myself wondering if never more proud to be a citizen of the never disappeared. I have them now as and especially WORK (everyone works), It sure is a funny thing about there, we will wait for you and your men there is anybody else out there that was United States as I was the morning of the I write this. Here I was 40 years after the growth of the country, the changes, memories. Some things are as clear as to catch up.” also a part of that mission. None of last day in Vietnam. Tuesday, July 2 is a leaving Vietnam, once again on foreign but my Flag in Vietnam and the looks yesterday and others have faded. I say Off we went with our engines roaring. our guys were hurt that day. One thing day I will never forget. soil, standing before OUR flag waving on the faces of the Vietnamese men and that because I remember the action but Since I was the loader, I got to sit on top of happened as a result of that battle, our The day before, we were given a tour proudly as hundreds of people waited women all over the country and especially not my tank crew mates. That is except the turret with the TC. What happened tank became known as “Ho Chi Minh’s of the U.S. consulate. With reverence to get in. at THE bridge confirm my belief that for tank commander 2nd LT. Alvarado. next is burned in my memory: When Nightmare.” we stood on the very grounds where our Keep your flag pins. I will forever while governments quibble, the American He had just been promoted from Gunny. we arrived on the other side of the rice The next month I was sent back to The Embassy had been. We were at the spot in remember that engulfing moment of Soldier is the human equation in the We were out on a search and destroy paddy and moved into the wooded area, World, as it was the end of my enlistment. being damn proud to be a citizen of the inhumanity of war. This is the Greatest the Wall breached by the VC in January mission with a platoon of grunts. There to my amazement I saw men in uniforms (Former) PFC Jerry White USMC United States of America. Country in the World. If you can’t believe 1968. This breach was a microcosm of were 3 tanks including ours and we had running every which way. We had driven Lake Havasua City, AZ I was finally waved off by a Vietnamese that, why were there hundreds at the what would come. We wiped out the VC just come out of the jungle to a huge rice into a North Vietnamese campsite! (928) 505-5453 soldier guarding the Consulate. But, he American consulate while in front of the infrastructure throughout the country paddy. I would say the flooded paddy was Well of course all hell broke loose. [email protected] that week. But, that “Victory” for us was too late. I had my pictures and I had French consulate, there was no one? at least a 1/2 mile wide. On the other side Three tanks have a lot of firepower as we brought in the NVA and American public captured the moment. Remember what I Finally, the beginning –the trip came was a wooded area. Lt. Alvarado told the know. All of our guns were blazing, the opinion. Our victory that week was the said in my article before I left? From the from a person who has seen the movie “Pay ground-pounder sergeant that we would .30 cal., the 50 cal. and 90 mm. beginning of the end. movie, “Beyond the Sea”, “Memories are It Forward” one too many times, perhaps. The Vietnamese government has a 10 like moonbeams. Once you have one, you And fellas...Tiger beer and, bah,bah, bah foot monolith on the street at the breach. can do whatever you want with it.” If you (333) beer are still there and as good as Inside, we have a simple plaque to the see me smile when the flag is raised, you ever at the end of a hot day. .  ‘Scars Are Not Forever’ four soldiers and single Marine who died will know, that along with 2.5 million (Continued from page 35) January 31, 1968 defending the embassy. American Soldiers, sailors, Marines, is that we will involve ourselves with other “We are more than ready to embrace that the way I’m going to look for the rest of DoD hospitals that care for patients other willingness and build a partnership. my life, and, with that, I’m not going to than burn victims. If they need certain “The Marine Corps and the DoD are let my physical appearance keep me from You Can’t Beat... terrible morning but it sure wasn’t funny before but we’re in the rear and he’s nice expertise that we can provide, we think fully committed to providing world-class being who I am and reaching the goals I (Continued from page 38) then! Now it never fails to put a smile on enough to come by to check up on his UCLA has a lot to offer.” care to our wounded warriors, but there is set for myself. my face whenever I revisit that moment. troops. The Capt gets us all around, pulls In the meantime, Katz says Operation always room for improvement, and there “That mindset evolved when individuals soldiers. It first appeared that many had I learned a valuable lesson that day. You out a piece of paper and begins to read Mend currently has the funding may, in certain areas, be limitations to from the other side of the nation opened been killed by the explosives but as I drove cannot beat luck!  the Marine Corps Order on submarine and resources to continue providing what military medicine can provide.” up their hearts and their homes and said further it suddenly was obvious that the pay. Lt Glover turns red and is really mad reconstructive surgeries to any service Operation Mend has provided 43 to me, ‘This is a reality we can give to you.’ majority had been toasted by the napalm. now. The Capt is in a good mood, tells us members who need them, and he hopes surgeries to seven soldiers and Marines And for them to seek me out and ask, ‘Can I opened the hatch on the driver’s we don’t qualify for sub pay, shoots the to see other hospitals follow UCLA’s lead. since October 2007, and 10 more patients we do this for you?’ is an overwhelming compartment; it was beginning to bull for a while then shakes our hands “We’re not the only place in the world are currently scheduled to undergo blessing and I think speaks to the true stink inside. It smelled like sweat and and leaves. Nice visit, kind of took the that has extraordinary capabilities and surgery in 2009, according to UCLA spirit of the American people.” something else but I couldn’t quite place Submarine Pay edge off things except our Lt is really talents,” he says. “I think in the next officials. Choking up, Phelps echoed her son’s it. It didn’t take long to realize that it was (Continued from page 36) steamed and we’ve still got a ton of PM year or so, there is a possibility that this Mankin and his mother tried to sentiment, “There’s not a deep enough me! It seems that when the Chi Com from the day we sunk 32.  could expand to other medical centers of express what those numbers mean to the place inside me that could explain the grenade landed in my lap, my sphincter going to spend forever cleaning it all. excellence, and if they need guidance, we people whose lives they affect. gratitude for what they’ve given and what muscle must have had enough. I shit my Out Platoon Leader, Lt Jeremy Glover, can transport that to them.” “Early on in my recovery I adopted the they’ve done and what they’re doing, not pants! I was really glad I had an extra pair is not happy with us to begin with and Amos says if other hospitals in the notion that ‘scars are not forever’ just for Aaron, but for everyone. There’s of trousers to change into. Forty years of then the Company Commander shows private sector are willing to further as a mindset,” Mankin says. “It was an not a deep enough place.”  time now brings out the humor of that up. Not sure I’ve ever seen of met our CO expand the care the military can provide, articulation of my acceptance that this is

40 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 41 Tanks and Grunts... inside of the MACV compound so that him the location of the sniper. He raised Charles McCammon (Columbus, OH): drag him away but he missed my arm. As I shoulders and bring them back. He was on (Continued from page 37) Marines could move around easily and avoid the turret, fired and just fried the sniper. As When they brought up the tank, some NVA started to turn the tank hit me and since I of the heroes of the day. Here we were trying the horrendous sniper fire coming from the sickening as it may sound, we stood on the sniper was actually shooting at it with a was in the direct center of the tank, when I to dig foxholes in the cement and he was buildings across the road. wall and applauded. rifle. You could hear the bullets ping off of fell, I fell on my face with my arms out. As walking around like nothing was going on. the guys on that side were hit pretty bad. Jack Rushing (Nacogdoches, TX): When (Note: The tank commander of the flame the tank. The tank turned its turret toward the tank backed up it ran over my left elbow. Donald Helton (Seattle, WA): I was The tank just popped smoke and he hauled we finally made it to the Perfume River (that tank was LCpl Charles West and his driver the sniper and blew half the building away. Then the tank pulled forward and again short so they assigned me to supply. We not ass. Someone yelled to bail off the tanks; we separated the two parts of the city of Hue) all was PFC Brad Goodin.) We charged in the building but never found backward with my arm under the tread the only dropped off supplies but we picked up jumped off and grabbed the wounded with hell was breaking loose. Tanks were brought On the same day the grunts went to a trace of the sniper. The guy couldn’t have whole time. The tank pulled back down the severely wounded Marines as well. We came us. The tank went wobbling up the road and up and I’ll never forget this. A young boy recover the body of a sergeant that had been been too bright anyway. He must have been road about 25 yards and I tried to get up but up on a convoy of trucks that were stopped crashed in a building. driving one of the tanks got shot through killed the day before. a new recruit. couldn’t. Someone yelled to me to stay there but there was room to go around them so we This time the convoy only advanced the neck. Now you’ve got to get him out or Gregory Holmes (Rochester, MN): Terry “Doc” Ohlhauser (Huron, SD): and play dead. Being as I didn’t have a better did. As we started around them we looked up about 200 meters before enemy snipers again he’s going to die, so we set up an LZ and they Along with a tank, we started out due-east Around four o’clock on the afternoon of idea, I thought “That sounds good to me,” and there was this tank coming at us going forced them to stop. Enemy soldiers were called for a medevac chopper to come in. The toward the stadium. We caught some sniper the 8th we moved into the soccer stadium. I lay there for what seemed like a lifetime like a bat out of hell! We stopped. There on both sides of the road with a machine- chopper asked the boy on the radio what was fire on the way…As we got close to the We broke into some lockers, put on soccer (about 45 minutes). All the while there was wasn’t quite enough room for the tank to get gun bunker on the west side of the road. our last field of fire and the boy said anywhere sergeant’s body the tank was about 30 yards uniforms and went out, horsed around on shooting going on all around me. I thought by. I bailed out the right side and the driver A B-40 rocket (seemed to have) killed the you want to point except behind us. The behind us when…I saw a gook spider-hole the field. We had two tanks with us and for sure I was going to get hit. About five tried to get out but about three inches of tank commander in the lead tank. Sgt chopper pilot said “The ceiling is too low, in front of a house across the intersection… they drag raced around the track on the field. minutes before they brought a tank back up the tank track hit the left side of the Mighty Gonzales (later to be awarded the MOH I’m not coming in.” A young Army warrant Lt Donnelly sent a fire-team out to retrieve Guys were betting on the tanks. We must a bunch of civilians come running across the Might before he could. He broke his arm hen posthumously) on the east side of the road officer intercepted the message and asked the the body of the sergeant while we laid down have horsed around there for about an hour. street and one of them stepped on me. They it got pinned between the steering wheel and with some men of his platoon, crawled to a same question. “Where is the heaviest field a base of fire. Just as they got to the body It was a great time. We almost forgot what thought I was dead. The tank pulled in from the windshield. Sutton didn’t get hurt any dike directly across form the machine-gun of fire come from?” We told him and he said the NVA opened up with AK-47, .50 cal was going on around us. of me so I was able to grab on and pull myself worse than he already was and eventually we bunker. With his Marines laying down a that he’s be coming from the south side of machine-gun and B-40 rocket fire…Finally 1st Lt Ray Smith (Shilder, OK): As we up. Once I got up I ran like hell. did get him to the aid station but it got pretty base of fire, Sgt Gonzales jumped up and the river and be there in three minutes. We the tank pulled up and we were ordered to moved past the stadium and started across Richard “Chunky” Pettitt (Stafford, hairy there for a few minutes. threw grenades into the bunker, killing all looked up and here comes this Huey chopper pull back. The next day we were approaching the intersection we ran into them! The AZ): Gunny Canley picked me up (I As a post script, I want to end this story the occupants. with his nose about two inches off of the the Saint Joan of Arc School with 3rd Plt on point man got hit and the man who went weighed about 190 at the time), lifted me with some humor: Vincent Kemerer (Greensburg, PA): water. He’s taking in rounds and throwing our left flank, one block over, moving toward to his aid also got hit. I had the gun tank over his head and put me on top of the tank. Rick Mann (Covington, KY): The first I saw a couple of gooks shooting at us from rounds. They’re just chasing his ass all the the southeast. We had two tanks with us, a and the flame tank inside the stadium. The About this time another tank got hit, backed weeks in Hue there were guys who wouldn’t the third floor of a house. One of the tanks way up the river. He swung around, set it gun tank and a flame tank that had a barrel sergeant commanding the tanks had been up and hit the corpsman who had pulled me even take off their helmet, bandoleers or flack turned his turret toward the house and as he down in the LZ, they throw the wounded but no flame equipment. It did have a .30 very reluctant to go into harm’s way the first back. Then I was medevaced out of there. jackets let alone even think about taking did so the gooks jumped out the windows. Marine tanker on, the pilot and I made eye- cal. Machine-gun, and that gave us a lot of few days but by the 9th he had become a real Paul Patterson: When the tank got hit we of their boots. It became a superstition. I They must have thought they had a better to-eye contact and at the same time we gave moral support. We used them for cover a lot. tiger. When he heard what was happening got pinned down and were unable to get to developed this superstition that I wasn’t chance jumping out of a third story window each other a thumbs-up. He went right back Instead of using the street we began to go he drove into the fire to provide a protective the wounded. going to take off my boots till I got back to than getting hit with a round from the tank. down the river the same way he came in, through backyards with tanks blasting holes block for the wounded. As soon as he got to Gregory Holmes: We had two tanks with Phu Bai and maintained that throughout Jimmie Cook (Bartonville, IL): Doc Ker, with bullets following him every inch of the through the garden walls. them the tank was hit by a .57 mm recoilless us and as we tried to cross the intersection Hue. The night before we were to leave Hue who seemed to be all over the place, said that way. That pilot was one heroic son of a bitch. Paul Patterson (Seattle, WA): Fox 2/5 rifle firing from an old gas station at the that triggered an ambush. The first tank I was in a room with eleven other Marines, there were two or three guys in one of the I often wonder if he ever made it. needed some help, so we went over with corner. The tank ended up burning inside was well out into the intersection and was which was nice because, with twelve of us, tanks that we had to get out. He was looking The next day the grunts are hold up our 106 mm recoilless rifle. Being so big it’s and the driver lost control, running over being used for cover by Gunny Canley, the it made each of our watches shorter. When right at me so me and another guy jumped (like the Alamo) in the MACV compound carried by four men. As it began to fire into the corpsman before abandoning the tank. corpsman and several others when the tank it came my turn to stand watch I decided to up and headed for the tank. and are receiving a large amount of sniper the enemy position the enemy fired back The sergeant ran back to the stadium to get got hit by probably a 57 mm recoilless rifle. finally take my boots off. I got one boot off Donald Floyd (Shawnee, OK): I saw Doc fire from any and all of the buildings that with rockets hitting the 106 and wounding the other tank and return to evacuate the When that thing hit it went ka-blam! And and these other eleven guys sat up. Someone Ker jump up on the tank that had been hit to surround the compound. the gun crew….We waited as a tank was wounded. (I wrote him up for a Silver Star of course, everybody got down. It was an hollered out, “My God, I think there’s a dead try to pull the wounded driver out. He was Dennis “Walrus” Dunlap (Chicago, IL): brought up and fired into the building that day, buy I don’t think he ever got it. I armor piercing round that burned through body in here!” pulling the guy out while bullets were flying No one could tell where the sniper fire that where the sniper was. After the tank fired heard the tank battalion commander was and blew up the electronics. With the Then someone else said, “No, it’s just all around him and I thought “Doc you’re hit the lieutenant in the face was coming several rounds the enemy fire ceased. After very upset because he lost the tank!) We were driver pulled back on the operating handle Mann; he finally took his boots off.” going to get yourself killed; get the hell out of from. Every time we’d get sniper fire the guys evacuating our dead and wounded we moved able to pull back and regroup. and threw it in reverse. The corpsman was Reprinted with permission from the book, “Ma- there.” But he got the guy out and over to the on the wall, which was about ten or twelve to the hospital and spent the night there. (Note: Lt Smith later became a Major ducked down behind the tank and the tank rines Under Fire – Alfa 1/1 in Vietnam: From side of the road. feet high, would fire into the windows across We realized that without our supporting General by the end of his Marine Corps ran over him. The same time they opened Con Thien to Hue to Khe Sanh” – by Kenneth About that time Golf 2/5 came up the street. The sniper fire would stop, but an weapons we would be lost. career.) up with all kinds of small arms fire, both .30 N Jordan, Sr. For an autographed copy of his from Phu Bai with several Army quad .50s hour later it would start again. The sniper Gary “Woody” Giarrusso (Des Plains, Terry “Doc” Ohlhauser: We were behind and .50 cal making guns. There were green book he can be reached at kjor908@sgcglobal. mounted on trucks and two 40 mm “sky wasn’t doing a lot of damage, but he certainly IL): As I remember it, we came under some a tank, using it for cover. There was me, I had and red tracers going everywhere. net or by calling (440) 946-0020.  dusters” and the reinforced grunts fought was annoying. Then someone spotted the heavy fire that had us pinned down. We my back to the tank, the wounded man and Clement Labine (Newport News, VA): their way to the MACV compound on the sniper. He wasn’t in any of the buildings he called for help and they sent us a tank. Boy, Gunny Canley. All of a sudden the tank got After the tank got hit, I looked up and saw south side of the city. The Task Force X-ray was tied in a tree. At about the same time were we glad to see that. I think that we hit with a rocket and the driver must have this big black dude (Canley) trudge up the commander, Col Gravel had one of the one of our flame tanks was coming down cheered. The tank got off a couple rounds pulled back on the stick. Gunny Canley street, like nothing was going on, pull two tanks knock holes in some of the buildings the street on the way to the river. We told then was hit itself and put out of commission. was able to grab the wounded guy’s arm and guys out of the tank, throw them over his

42 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 43 HSR&D Home Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams Ionizing Radiation VA Website Reference List Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA M10 for spouses and children M10 Part III Change 1 M21-1 Table of Contents Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass Mental Health Program Guidelines this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence to ask so the right doors open for you -- and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the My Health e Vet process, and press for your rights and your best interests. National Association of State Directors National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Appeals Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings Board of Veteran's Appeals OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) CARES Commission Online VA Form 10-10EZ CARES Draft National Plan Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders and, Center for Minority Veterans Center for Veterans Enterprise Peacetime Disability Compensation Center for Women Veterans Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service Persian Gulf Registry Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005: ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232> Directory of Veterans Service Organizations Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress Due Process Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress Duty to Assist Phase I PGR Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care docs/fedben.pdf> Policy Manual Index Environmental Agents Power of Attorney Environmental Agents M10 Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility Prosthetics Eligibility Evaluation Protocol For Gulf War And Iraqi Freedom Veterans With Potential Exposure To Depleted Uranium (Du) book1303122304.DOC> and Public Health/SARS Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet Publications Manuals Evaluation Protocol For Non-Gulf War Veterans With Potential Exposure To Depleted Uranium (Du) GW130340304.DOC> Records Center and Vault Homepage Fee Basis, Priority For Outpatient Medical Services And Inpatient Hospital Care Records Center and Vault Site Map Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDS asp?formName=3288-form.xft> General Compensation Provisions Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002 Geriatrics and Extended Care Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG Research and Development Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance Gulf War Subject Index Title 38 -Index Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As Parts 0-17 Hearings Homeless Veterans

44 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 45 Part 18 Title 38 Part 3 Adjudication Subpart Aa"Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief (also A 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here) Title 38 PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGS Title 38 A 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual. PART 4a"SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart Aa "General Policy in Rating U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Order of the Tank Commander VA Fact Sheet Unveiled for the first time at the Charleston reunion was a rough Corgi tank model that is no longer available. You get to pick which VA Health Care Eligibility prototype of a unique award that would make any Vietnam Marine model you prefer: 3rd Tanks or 1st Tanks (w/ sky mounted .50). The VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF) tanker proud. We have been working with a design company to engraved front plaque calls out the Order of the Tank Commander VA Life Insurance Handbook a" Chapter 3 create a display that will generate the attention and respect of all as well as the recipient’s name, years in Vietnam and what units he VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans that view it. We now have a way of recognizing those people that was with. VA MS Research want to step up and contribute to the organization and at the same The complete award is given with a donation of $1,800. It can be VA National Hepatitis C Program time give them a stunning award in return. The award has three paid for in one of three ways: fixed monthly payments; 3 separate VA Office of Research and Development levels which add more to the display as each level is earned. payments; or one grand donation. For the fixed monthly program The new program is called theUSMC VTA Order of the Tank and the 3 step program, you will be shipped the pieces as you reach VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War Commander. It is a beautiful display surrounded by the three gold each plateau. There are three steps to the display as you hit each goal. VA WMD EMSHG flags that will have each battalion’s logo etched in black along with Instead of us always asking for donations, you now have an easy VA WRIISC-DC the Marine Corps flag. The base has a large VTA logo that is hidden way to help the organization and get something in return as well. VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address by the next level of donation and is replaced with a much larger We need members to sign up! Please use the form below to choose Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service VTA logo on a back wall. There is also a 3” brass USMC medallion which payment method you would prefer. Send the below form or a Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page on the back wall. The award is about 19” side to side and about 18” copy of the form to Jim Coan to get started on this unique program. Veterans Legal and Benefits Information high. It is an eye-catching display and incorporates a finely detailed Keep in mind that any donation made to the VTA is tax deductable. VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives USMC VTA Order of the Tank Commander VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page Sign me up! Note: This is a VHI Guide to Gulf War Veteransa(tm) Health Name “work in progress” Vocational Rehabilitation Street Address prototype that Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence was created for VONAPP online City State Zip the reunion. The WARMS - 38 CFR Book C Circle the payment plan you would like final version will have black Wartime Disability Compensation Monthly Plan Tri-Payment Plan Lump Sum Plan etching into the War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey $50 $600 $1,800 over 36 months in 3 Installments 1 Installment brass flags and Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site engraved front What VA Social Workers Do Make your payment check to: “USMC VTA” Enclose your first payment with the return of this card. Send to: plate. Current WRIISC Patient Eligibility USMC VTA picture shows only C/O Jim Coan one flag with dark 5374 East Lantana Drive etching. Flags will Sierra Vista, AZ 30005-8920 be finished with a Remember that any donation made to the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association is tax deductible ball on the end.

46 Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 2009 • July • August • September 2009 • July • August • September Sponson Box / USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 47 USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 5537 Lower Mountain Road • New Hope, PA 18938

Being one of the last four people to leave the Charleston reunion site on Monday, August 24th (my flight out was at 1600 hrs) I experienced a mix of emotions that took weeks to regroup from. There was this quiet hush that enveloped the Sheraton as we left... it actually became tomb-like late Monday morning. Chuck Garrison

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