SAN RAMON VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY November 2018 Caught Up In War - Our Local Soldiers and how lives were affected in our Valley was the topic at the September 20th Dinner Meeting Carl Camacho spoke about Service Flags and family members who served in WWII Bill Green spoke of his service in Vietnam My name is Carl Camacho, and I would like to thank Jerry Warren for having me speak tonight. I would like to start with my grandparents, Ramon and Nicolasa Camacho, who were born in Puerto Rico, and met and married in Kauai in 1902. They moved to Danville in 1915. They lived here for over 50 years, it is where they raised all my uncles, aunts, and my dad -14 children in all, two that died in childhood. The first house I remember was on El Pintado, which is now where the El Cerro overpass is. From there they moved to Diablo Road, right across the street from Vista Grande Elementary School. Of the seven boys, six served in World War II: Agnes Moore - Rosie the Riveter will be the subject of the November 15th Dinner Meeting The cultural icon of women during WWII was Rosie the Riveter! Join with the San Ramon Valley Historical Society to meet a real Rosie the Riveter - Agnes Moore. Along with many other women she supported America’s war effort by working in Richmond’s Kaiser Shipyards in the 1940’s. As her skills increased she earned the rank of Master Welder! Her stories will delight you as she relates how she helped open the doors for women to enter into the American work force long closed to them. A 1942 song “Rosie the Riveter” popularized the roles these hardworking women played as women crossed a major turning point in our society. This was a pivotal change in our history The San Ramon Valley Historical Society will meet in the party room of the Black Bear Diner. We will gather at 6:30 pm, begin dinner at 7 pm, and then enjoy our speaker! The Black Bear Dinner is located adjacent to the Best Western Motel in Danville at I-680 and Camino Ramon (Use the Sycamore Valley Road exit from I-680). The dinner cost is $23.00 per person. Dessert is extra on your tab. Please make your reservation and share a great evening with us! Over 48 Years Looking Back! Page 2 San Ramon Valley Historical Society November 2018 Carl Camacho, Service Flags and WWII Service (Continued) John Camacho served his entire working career with the Merchant Marines from the Atlantic, which during WWII was often in harm’s way. Ray Camacho served in the Navy aboard the USS Minneapolis, a cruiser, and also the USS Harris, an attack transport ship. He was also called back up in October 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the USS Edmonds, which was a destroyer. Manuel Camacho served with Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe. Pete Camacho, being flat footed, did not want to go into the Army, so he went to Oakland in December 1941 and enlisted in the Navy. He was on the USS Montgomery, which was originally a destroyer and later became a minelayer. Alex Camacho enlisted in the Navy. For April 10, 1942 we found we have a roll call showing both Alex and Ray abord the USS Harris at the same time. Last, my dad Joseph Camacho enlisted in the Navy in January 1942 and his first assignment out of training was the USS South Dakota, a battleship. The South Dakota was in six major battles and would often find herself in dry dock in Guam. I have heard stories of Pete, Alex and my dad meeting up in Guam. He also served, and finished his career, on the USS Massachusetts. Here’s some movie trivia: Too Young the Hero was a made-for-TV drama war film staring Rick Schroder. It premiered on March 27, 1988. The film tells the true story of a 12 year old boy who forges his mother’s signature to join the United States Navy during World War II. One of his deployments was on the USS South Dakota. The first time my grandmother was presented with a Service Flag it had 5 Blue Stars, and was given to her by George Mathieson of the Danville Legion Post with my Uncle Ray present, who was home on leave. Then after my dad Joe Camacho joined that made the sixth son serving in WWII. She, Nicolasa Camacho was now a mother who received a 6 Blue Star Service Flag. You know I’ve met 1 and 2 Blue Star moms, and I know there are 3 and 4 Blue Star moms out there. Even the mother of the Sullivan brothers was a 5 Blue Star and 5 Gold Star mom, but you would have to say that a 6 Blue Star mom is very rare, and I’m proud of this Camacho Legacy. Thank you. Carl Camacho with aunt Winkie Camacho and presentation displaying Nicolasa Camachoʼs 6 Blue Star Service Flag and other clippings and memorabilia Thank you Carl Camacho for writing this for our Newsletter! November 2018 San Ramon Valley Historical Society Page 3 Bill Green spoke of his Vietnam Service Americans were not enraptured by the Vietnam War. It was started by politicians. Bill is also on the speaker’s Bureau. With Mike Martin, they have spoken to over 82,000 students. Bill offered some statistics about Vietnam. According to the Department of Defense (DOD), the war started February 28, 1961 and ended May 7, 1975. There were people in Vietnam during the Eisenhower Administration. There were people there before it was considered the Vietnam war. Many of those serving were women. Most were nurses. There were over 15,000 civilian women that served in Vietnam. They served in recreational services, the Red Cross, and as Candy Stripers in the hospitals. Over 303,000 Americans were wounded in the war. Only 25% of those serving in Vietnam were draftees.; 75% of the 2.5 million volunteered. Some 88.4% of those serving were Caucasian; the Spanish were listed as Caucasian. Bill Green with Jerry Warren Some 10.6% were black, and 1% were other. Bill talked about his path to Vietnam. In May, 1967, he went to enlist in the US Army Special Forces Airborne Infantry. He was refused for enlistment because he checked a box that he had Asthma. In July, 1967, he received his draft notice. He was sent to Fort Lewis, Texas. He asked about serving in the infantry. The Sergeant said to volunteer for airborne. Bill passed the physical. Later, Bill didn’t like the Army and taking orders. He refused to jump out of an airplane. He was sent to Vietnam. On January 13, 1968, he landed in Vietnam. That was two weeks before the TET Offensive of 1968. He was part of the 198th Light Infantry. Equipment they had to carry weighed 100 pounds. This group walked everywhere they went and were the Marine Corps of the Army. He was sent to the mountains along the Laotian Border. Bill had training in reading maps. He was assigned as a point man. He walked the points for his first six months in Vietnam. One responsibility was booby traps. These caused casualties and slowed down movement. Another responsibility was to avoid an ambush. The area had high mountains and thick jungle. The sun was blocked during the day, and the stars at night. In June, 1968, Bill was a Sergeant in charge of a squad. His Platoon leader ordered Bill to pick another man for the point man job. Bill lost the first man selected to an ambush, and the second man selected to a booby trap. During his tour in Vietnam, Bill contracted Malaria, Dysentery, Jungle Rot, and another fever of unknown origin. He was wounded twice in Vietnam and has the Purple Heart. He received two bronze stars for his field actions. There are no beds or showers in the jungle. When heavy rainstorm would occur, he would grab a bar of soap and strip down. The wildlife in Vietnam included snakes. There was a king cobra and another cobra species. Bill had a pet mongoose on his shoulder to deal with snakes.. Bill encountered tigers twice in Vietnam. In December, 1968, Bill took his R and R. in Hawaii. His girl friend Peggy also flew to Hawaii and they were married. After their honeymoon, Bill returned to Vietnam. Last night at the Peasant and Pear in Danville, they celebrated their 50th anniversary. (continued on page 4) Page 4 San Ramon Valley Historical Society November 2018 Bill Green Vietnam Service (Continued) Bill discussed the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors. A question was asked about evacuation of wounded personnel. A Medivac or dust off would be called in. They were often under fire, and sometimes were wounded as well. These were unarmed helicopters. In the thick jungle, Claymore Mines were used to wrap around the base of trees and detonated, knocking the trees down. The choppers then had a hole to come down and pick up the wounded people. The Veterans Memorial Building in partnership with the Town of Danville has announced a Veterans Day Open House Honoring All Who Served 50th Anniversary of the Tet Offensive 100 years since the WWI Armistice Friday & Saturday November 10th & 11th 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Monday November 12th 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with a Centennial Observance Program on 11/11 at 11 a.m.