JULY, AUG, SEPT 2015 - 1st Marine Division Association

Transcription

Vol. LXiV w No. 3
July - August - September 2015
The Official Publication of the 1st Marine Division Association, Incorporated
O Guadalcanal O New Britain O Peleliu O Okinawa O North China O
O Korea O Vietnam O Kuwait O Somalia O Afghanistan O Iraq O
The 1st Marine
Division Association
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES 2015
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
All Elected Officers Are Members
Of Executive Committee
President
Vincent Rios
2024 Greenway Crossing, Haslet, TX 76052
Home (817) 847-9937 Cell (817-304-3596
Email [email protected]
Vice President
(Open)
Deputy Vice President, East
(Open)
Deputy Vice President, Central
(Pending Review)
Deputy Vice President, West
George A. Sager
1025 Lupine Rd.
Healdsburg, CA 95448-3436
Ph: Home (707) 433-2044, Cell (707) 696-0504
Secretary
Pierre A. Sims
841 W Birchtree Lane
Claymont, DE 19703-1604
Ph: (302) 792-1497; Email [email protected]
Treasurer
(Open)
Legal Officer
James T. Allison
475 N. Highland St. Apt. 7B
Memphis, TN 38122-4530
Ph: (901) 324-2231; Email [email protected]
Chaplain
William (Denny) Weisgerber
195 Casper St.
Milpitas, CA 95035-4842
Home (408) 262-1776 Cell (408) 221-6607
Sergeant At Arms
Lee Rux
15111 Sun Spur
San Antonio, TX 78232-4624
Home (210) 499-0707 Cell (210) 213-3453
DAL-East
Robin L. Montgomery
12 Yankee Drive
Brookfield Ct. 06804
Cell (460-4817) Office (203) 740-4110
DAL-Central
(Open)
DAL-West
Bud Eckert
3884 Oakes Dr. Hayward, CA 94542-1742
Cell (510) 538-2382; Email [email protected]
Association Staff
• June Cormier- Executive Assistant
• Heidi Lamb- Administrative Assistant
1902 Wright Place Ste. 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 918-5801 FAX: (760) 918-5803
Email jmailto:[email protected]
hmailto:[email protected]
2
w w w
Editor, The Old Breed News
Arthur G. Sharp
895 Ribaut Rd., #13, Beaufort, SC 29902
(860) 202-3088
Email: [email protected]
Publisher
Finisterre Publishing Incorporated
3 Black Skimmer Ct., Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 521-1896
Email: [email protected]
Departments
President’s Message ..................................................................................................3
Blue Diamond Team/Southern Cross Team............................................................5
Reunion Calendar......................................................................................................7
Feedback/Letters to the Editor ..............................................................................14
Quests & Queries ....................................................................................................19
Chapter Scuttlebutt..................................................................................................20
Contributions to the First Marine Division Association ........................................22
Welcome Aboard......................................................................................................28
Official 1st Marine Division Association PX ..........................................................30
Taps..........................................................................................................................31
News & Notes
From the President Elect ..........................................................................................4
Lieutenant General Frank Petersen dies at 83..........................................................4
1st Division Marines With Explosive Hearts............................................................6
The 68th Annual Reunion ........................................................................................8
Wall of Remembrance Proposed at Korean War Memorial ..................................10
Re-designation of MARSOC as Marine Raiders ....................................................11
A Salute to Lt. Haggerty..........................................................................................12
Korean War Veterans Visit Korea ............................................................................15
A-1-5 (And a few other Marines) March 110 Miles ..........................................................16
Defense Secretary Ash Carter visits Camp Pendleton ............................................17
Member Enjoys Honor Flight ................................................................................17
Special Reunion After Sixty Years ..........................................................................19
VMM-166, Infantry Marines conduct predeployment training ..............................24
Marines Rain Fire on the California Desert ..........................................................27
Lieutenant Cahill ........................................................................................29
Is There Room For One More Monument On The Mall? ....................................29
Hmmm, Just a Little History of the Hymn............................................................31
Cover:
James Gallant with his family aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 25, 2015. (Photo By:
Cpl. Carson Gramley)See story on page 6.
The
Old Breed News
The Old Breed News (USPS 599-860) ISSN: 0745-287X is published four times a year during the months
of March, June, September, and December by the 1st Marine Division Association, Inc., 1902 Wright
Place, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008; Phone: 760-918-5801; FAX: 760-918-5803. Email:
[email protected]; Web Site: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org.
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Old Breed News, 1902 Wright Place, Ste 200, Carlsbad, CA
92008. Periodical postage paid at Carlsbad, California and at additional mailing offices.
This publication may be quoted without permission if the 1st Marine Division Association is credited. The
Association requests a copy of any such use.
Directors at Large – 2015
Steve (Doc) Lakernick
162 Knittle Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530
Home (215) 850-8313
Lee Rux
15111 Sun Spur, San Antonio, TX 78232-4624
Home (210) 499-0707 Cell (210) 213-3453
Jerry Johs
4057 W. Hwy 21, Paige, TX 78659-4221
Cell (503) 784-7697
The Old Breed News
President’s Message
AJ Burn
T
his is my farewell letter. In fact, at the
reunion Vince Rios took the reins as
President of the 1st Marine Division
Association. I thank all the officers and
members who worked with me to make a
great organization better.
I take this last opportunity to say thank
you to all the members of the FMDA. It has
been an interesting and exciting experience
for me. I have learned many things and met
many new friends. As a lad growing up
around 1st Division Marines and hearing the
tales of Australia, New Zealand, and
Pavuvu, I never dreamed of leading this
great organization.
As my letter in the last issue of the OBN
James Fossos, 1st Division CG Gen Daniel Yoo, and AJ Burn (L-R) at FMDA reunion
Check your label
Check your name and
address ( Apt./Bldg/Lot
No.). Notify the
Membership Chairman
if you find an error. If
your zip code does
not contain 9 digits
(zip+4), your address
is not correct according
to the USPS. Contact
your local Post Office
for proper format.
Membership Dues Expiration Date:
Month and Year (Life = 0000)
Your Unit & Service Era
*************************************AUTO**5-DIGIT 12345
I-3-5 WWII
0215
JOHN Q MARINE
1234 MAIN STREET
YOURTOWN US 12345-1111
DELIVERY POINT BARCODE
MEMBERSHIP REPORT 09-01-2015
Life
7,202
Annual
1,182
Assoc. Annual
86
Friend
8
Total
8,478
Deadlines OBN Material
The new quarterly publication schedule dictates that we change deadline dates by which
we must receive material. Here is the schedules for the next issue:
ISSUE
PERIOD
DEADLINE
1st Quarter
Jan/Feb/Mar
1 February
2nd Quarter
Apr/May/Jun
1 May
3rd Quarter
Jul/Aug/Sep
1 August
4th Quarter
Oct/Nov/Dec
1 November
Please submit your material to OBN Editor, 895 Ribaut Rd., #13, Beaufort, SC 29902
(860) 202-3088, or email it to [email protected].
The Old Breed News
stated, there were
some
important
changes being proposed
by
the
Reorganization Committee formed at meetings last February. The job description for the
Executive Director was reworded to comply
with other nonprofits and place an emphasis
on fundraising. A search was made for qualified applicants and five people were interviewed by the committee. Of these, three
candidates were brought before the
Executive Committee for review.
The ExComm voted 9 to 1 to accept the
new CEO job description and hire Courtney
Hilborn as CEO. There was a lack of a quorum for the Directors Meeting, but the proposal was overwhelmingly ratified at the
membership meeting.
Mrs. Hilborn is a former Family
Readiness Officer on Camp Pendleton and
the wife of a combat wounded Marine from
1st LAAR Battalion. This lady was impressive in the interview, and I am sure she will
be a great addition to our office staff of June
and Heidi. With this team in place the office
structure should be secure for years to come.
We should all be thankful for the wisdom of
the membership to support this action at the
annual meeting.
The reunion this year in San Diego was
great. As usual the Division Headquarters
did a fantastic job taking care of our needs
during our stay. We had the 1st Division
Band for the ceremony at the banquet on
Saturday evening. Our guest of honor was
BGen Yoo, Commanding General of 1st
Division. The 1st Regiment provided Colors
for the Memorial Service on Friday and
again on Saturday evening.
On Thursday there was a trip to Camp
Pendleton that was spectacular. We visited
the Infantry Immersion Training as well as
1st LAAR, 5th Marines, and 11th Marines.
Lunch was served at the Area 41 Mess Hall,
the newest chow hall on the base. Many of
our members remarked how it was just like
they remembered.
Many thanks are due to BGen Yoo and
SgtMaj Sowers for their support and assistance to the FMDA.
AJ Burn
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From the President Elect
Vince Rios
T
he First Marine Division Association is
on the cusp of rebirth.
We will soon move aboard Camp
Pendleton into our own spacious office for
staff to conduct Association business. I am
delighted to be the one chosen to lead the
Association members back to our roots.
Camp Pendleton retired and active duty
Marines aboard the base are working feverishly and in concert on the paperwork to
make the move happen. The Division
Command with SgtMaj Marty Vasquez is
We will soon move aboard Camp Pendleton into our own
spacious office for staff to conduct Association business.
eager to see the Association go on board.
They have passed the task to the civilian
space allocation group for getting the finishing touches on a draft agreement. The
Association members will soon feel the sense
of comfort that comes with having a place to
call home to come to.
Active and inactive Marines always bond
Reunion Photos Available Online
If you missed ordering your photos at the FMDA 2015 reunion, President Vince Rios
encourages all to view and order photos by going to www.picturephoenix.com. If you
have any questions or problems you may contact the photographer direct at 602-4041353.
Thanks and Semper Fi.
well. Not only will
the bond make it a natural draw for
Association membership, but the young
Marines will know and feel the presence of
their mentors and heroes close by.
Logistically, the mutual support will be a
tremendous asset and a big draw to bring
back members who have drifted away. They
like being among the young active duty
Marines. And, with them, will hopefully
come much needed operating cash donations.
Welcome home, First Marine Division
Association members. We have openings on
the Executive Board to fill, step forward and
help us out; take one of these positions. Call
me (817-847-9954)-and Ooh Rah!
Vince Rios, [email protected]
Lieutenant General Frank Petersen dies at 83
By Sgt. Terry Brady, Defense Media
Activity
Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, Jr.
(ret.) the first AfricanAmerican Marine Corps aviator and the first AfricanAmerican Marine Corps general, died Aug. 25, 2015.
Petersen served during the
Korean War in 1953 and
Vietnam in 1968. During his
career, he flew more than
350 combat missions and
more than 4,000 hours in
various military aircraft.
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. —
L
4
t. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (ret.), the
first African-American Marine Corps
aviator and the first African-American
Marine Corps officer to be promoted to
brigadier general, died Aug. 25, 2015.
“[He was] a pioneer and role model in
many ways, a stellar leader, Marine officer
and aviator,” said Gen. John M. Paxton,
Jr., the 33rd Assistant Commandant of the
Marine Corps.
Born March 2, 1932 in Topeka,
Kansas, Petersen was commissioned in
the Marine Corps in 1952 after serving
two years in the U.S. Navy. Petersen
served during the Korean War in 1953 [he
flew 64 combat missions in Korea and
was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross] and Vietnam in 1968. [He also flew
over 200 missions in Vietnam, where he
was shot down, ejected, and was wounded
from AA fire over the DMZ.]
During his career, Petersen flew more
than 350 combat missions and more than
4,000 hours in various military aircraft.
Petersen was promoted to brigadier
During his career, Petersen flew more than 350 combat missions and more than 4,000 hours in various military aircraft.
general on Feb. 23, 1979, becoming the
first African-American to hold that rank in
the Marine Corps.
Petersen retired as a lieutenant general
on Aug. 1, 1988, after serving as the
Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. His
commands held include Marine Fighter
Attack Squadron 212, deactivated March
11, 2008, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
314, and served as the commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development
Command.
Petersen’s military awards include: the
Navy Distinguished Service Medal,
Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion
of Merit with valor device, Distinguished
Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and the
Meritorious Service Medal.
His actions were recorded in the
Congressional Records as part of the
archives of the House of Representatives
on July 28, 2014, where they will be preserved forever.
The Old Breed News
Blue Diamond Team
MEMBERS
Burton Anderson (F)
Edgar D. Aronson (F)
Robert Arron (D)
James J. Barry Jr. (FD)
John Bastian (F)
Chester T. Bened (FD)
Bob Boardman (FD)
A.J. Burn (F)
Bill Call (F)
Mike Carone (F)
Marshall N. Carter
Joseph Cashen (F)
Joe Clapper (F)
Coleman Coughlin (F)
Jack Coughlin (FD)
Herb Crawford (F)
Robert Croll (FD)
Larry Davis (F)
James A. Dearie Jr.
\John L. Decker (F)
Ralph M. Delaney (F)
Russell Diefenbach (F)
Willie DuFour
David M. Ebbitt (F)
L. Glynn Ellis
Glendal R. Ellis
Mike Enos (FD)
Robert D. Evans (F)
Tom Evans (F)
LCpl Felix Farias (D) KIA
Joel Forman
David Franklin (F)
Preston Garris (F)
Hoover Ginn (F)
Walter Girod (F)
Andrew Goodwin Jr.
Byron Gourley (F)
John Gose (F)
Leo Graham (F)
Steve S. Grandusky (F)
T.J. Hanley (F)
Elmer F. Hawkins (F)
Kenneth G. Haynes (F)
Len Hayes (F)
Harvey Hipple (FD)
Ward A. Holcomb (F)
Louis A. Imfeld (F)
Darrell Jensen (F)
Jerry Johs (F)
Andrew C. Jones (F)
Tom Kelly (F)
Steve Lakernick (F)
James T. Larkin (F)
LeRoy H. Lilly
Charles S. Lindberg (F)
Frank Lindstrom (FD)
Don J.L. Long
Bill Lynne (FD)
Bill Maker (F)
Gary Marshall (F)
John R.Massaro
Stormy Matteo (F)
Guy R. Maxwell (F)
William McLaren (FD)
William McClendon (F)
Garland McCollough (FD)
William McCroskey (FD)
Andrew B. McFarlane (F)
Tom McLeod (F)
George Meyer (F)
Larry Meyer (F)
Neal Mishik (F)
Bob Montgomery (F)
Harvey Newton (F)
Eugene L. Norheim (F)
Sgt. Byron Norwood (D) KIA
Robert Palmer (F)
Dick Partee (F)
H. Phil Pearce (FD)
Donald L. Penfold (F)
Stephen Percy (F)
Frank E. Pulley (F)
Jerry Reed (F)
Don Reid (F)
Norman E. Robichau (F)
James L. Robinson (F)
Joe Ryan (F)
George Sager
Walter Schmick
Henry R. Schramm
Ed Schroeder (FD)
Bernard Schutzman (F)
Blaine Scott (F)
Rick Scurich
James Shumaker (F)
Mike Sisk (F)
C. Russ Smith (F)
Charles C. Snow (F)
Lewis B. Spivey (FD)
John Stevens F)
Ed “Tex” Stiteler (F)
Zack Taylor (F)
Don Tennenbaum (FD)
Michael Trueworthy (F)
Bill Turner (F)
Dale Turner (F)
Robert A. Vertacnik (F)
Tom Vetter (F)
Myrl Wallace (F)
George Waselinko (FD)
Bernard Wehby(F)
Denny Weisgerber (F)
Tom Whetzel (F)
Gary Wilkins (F)
Lt. Ron Winchester (D) KIA
Jess Wise (F)
Paul Wojahn
John M. Worthy (F)
Tom Zangrilli
CHAPTERS
Alamo Bodfish California Delta
Central Florida Chicago
Colorado River Dallas
Desert Cities
Mitchell Paige MOH (F)
Golden Gate
Hawaiian Islands Houston
Liberty Bell
Los Angeles County
Minnesota
Northeast Florida
New York State
West Orange County
Oregon
Columbia River
Redwood Empire
Rocky Mountain
St. Louis
Wisconsin
A-1-7 MCA Korea 50-53
1/5 VietNam Veterans
The Blue Diamond Team is closed to new members and the pin has been retired. We express our deepest appreciations for those that answered the call to become
members of our Blue Diamond Team.
Southern Cross Team
MEMBERS
DANIEL W. ABBOTT
ROBERT K. ALLEN
JOHN R. ALLISON
RALPH C. AST
JOHN N. BASTIAN
MARK BAYUK
ROBERT L. BETSCH
RONALD BINION
AJ BURN
RODNEY BURNS
WILLIAM N. CHEW
MICKEY A. CHRISTIASON
RALPH M. DELANEY
WILLIAM J. DENNIS
DONALD D. DENTON
GLENN E. DENTON
WILLIE P. DUFOUR
JAMES M. FAIRBAIRN
DAVID M. FRANKLIN
MICHAEL L. GALYEAN
ANDREW GOODWIN JR.
JOHN (DUKE) HALL
STEPHEN S. HANWAY
NILE H. HOLMES
ELMER J. HAWKINS
BLAIR HUNTER
LOUIS A. IMFELD
JAMES IRELAND
RON E. JABAUT
JAMES E. JANUARY
ALFRED R. JORDAN
DAVID E. KEENE
THOMAS A. KELLY
STEVE LAKERNICK
JOHN J. LEONARD
DON J. L. LONG
REX W. LYNCH JR.
ARTHUR J. LYON
BILL T. MAKER
THOMAS M. MASTERSON
ROBERT C. MAXWELL
TOM R. MCLEOD
PERRY V. MCMULLIN
GEORGE F. MEYER
LARRY D. MEYER
ROBERT R. MONTGOMERY
RICHARD B. MOONEY
KERRY B. MOSS
JESS O. MULKEY
LOUIS E. NORDYKE
DEROLD (MICK) OLSON
JESSE L. PACHECO
R.A.”SKIP” PARADINE
CHARLES W. PARKER
RICHARD A. PARTEE
JAMES N. PERINGER
VICTOR E. PETRIS
DONALD F. REID
RICHARD ROUSSEAU
LEE RUX
JOSEPH D. RYAN
GILBERT J. SANDOVAL
WALTER C. SCHMICK JR.
EDWIN E. SCHROEDER
JAMES C. SHUMAKER
MICHAEL D. SISK
CHARLES W. SMITH
ROBERT H. SMITH
CHARLES SNOW
HOWARD C. SNOWDEN
JOHN R. STEVENS
ROGER A. STEVENS
JAMES SULLIVAN
HENRY L. TASSINARI
ROBERT THARP
ROBERT TOMPKINS
THOMAS M. THOMPSON
DALE L TURNER
WILLIAM E. TURNER
DUANE VAN FLEET
JOHN J. VANO JR.
ROBERT A. VERTACNIK
MYRL A. WALLACE
HAROLD E. WEBB
DENNY WEISGERBER
CARL WENHOLD
DAVID F. WEST
WALTER R. WEST
ROBERT WILHELM
TOMMY J. WOOTTON
JIM WYBENGA
BYRON J. WYLIE
JIM ZALPIS
CAMP HAMILTON
VETS MEMORIAL PARK
CHAPTERS
DALLAS
GOLDEN GATE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
BODFISH CHAPTER
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
MARYLAND
SAN ANTONIO ALAMO
If you would like to become a supporter and member of the Southern Cross Team, please see details in this issue, or call the office at (760) 918-5801
The Old Breed News
5
1st Division Marines With Explosive Hearts
James Gallant with Marines of 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 25,
2015. (Photo By: Cpl. Carson Gramley)
6
CAMP PENDLETON, California — Marines with 1st
Explosive Ordnance Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and
members of the Make-A-Wish Foundation came together to help
make a young boy’s dream a reality at Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, California, July 25, 2015.
A brave young man, James Gallant of Poway, California, has
recently been diagnosed with brain cancer and thanks to his family, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a group of 1st MLG
Marines; he got to realize his dream of being one of the few.
James is soon to be 16 years old and looks optimistically
towards serving his country. His parents say he has always been
interested in the military.
“James has loved the military since he was two years old and
always wanted to be a part of it,” said Sarah Silverstein, James’
mother.
James also enjoys being outdoors. His mother said he loves to
go camping and swimming and he likes to collect shoes.
Sarah said that James’ diagnosis has made a huge impact on
the family, but left opportunity to make family their biggest priority.
“Things have changed a lot since he was diagnosed, we spend
more time as a family doing board games, watching movies and
swimming in the pool,” said Sarah. “During this whole thing we
really just learned how to live in the moment and enjoy our time
together.”
A brave young man, James Gallant of
Poway, California, has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer and thanks to his
family, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a
group of 1st MLG Marines; he got to realize
his dream of being one of the few.
This time he spent a day with his family and a group of EOD
technicians, exploring what they do and some of the equipment
they use to complete their mission. The EOD Marines met James
and his family at the front gate and picked him up in an EOD
response vehicle, complete with flashing lights and a siren.
“We wanted to show James some of the things that we do as
EOD [technicians] and let him experience it all first-hand,” said
Staff Sgt. Kacie Worley, an EOD team leader.
About 25 Marines came to volunteer and were excited to be a
part of making this wish come true.
When he arrived, James was presented with a set of Marine
Corps desert utilities, complete with name tapes, so he could be
in the proper uniform for his experience.
To start with, the EOD technicians toured James through their
library of ordnance and tools they’ve accumulated over the years
The Old Breed News
and answered any questions he had. He was particularly interested in the tools used to keep the EOD Marines safe, like their iconic bomb suit and TALON robot.
After the library tour, James got to see some of the vehicles
that Marines use in deployed environments, specifically the Mine
Resistant Ambush Protected truck. After a few laps around the
complex in the MRAP, they had a mission for James.
He was given a crash course on how to operate the bomb disposing robot and instructed to use it to move a faux Improvised
Explosive Device to a safe location. He operated the robot like
he’d been training for years.
James’ father said his son was particularly interested in EOD
during his two years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
and this has been a unique experience for him.
“This is the area he was really focused on and now he has an
inside perspective,” said Josh Silverstein, James’ father. “I think
this is going to drive him more towards what he really wants to
do in life.”
After his experience of being an EOD technician for a few
hours, the Marines thought it was only right to present James
with his own EOD badge. Called before the commanding officer
in front of a formation of Marines, James was read his citation
and presented his badge, which was pinned to his uniform by his
mother.
James’ mother expressed deep gratitude for the efforts the
Marines went through to make this happen and said her son
called it the best day of his life.
“I think it was all amazing … he really enjoyed being a part
of something and I’m happy for him,” said Sarah.
In hopes of changing a young man’s life; the Marines themselves learned a lesson on determination and strength and walked
away with a sense of pride.
“The experience was incredible; he has an amazing family and
just seems like an awesome kid,” said Worley. “I hope he had a
great time and we were able to show him what we do.”
James has a tough road ahead of him, but that’s never stopped
a Marine from trying before and there’s no inclination he will be
any different.
Reunion Calendar
Mail your info to OBN Reunion Editor, 895 Ribaut Rd., #13, Beaufort,
SC 29902 or email it to [email protected]. Include Unit,
Date(s), Place, and Contact’s name, address, phone #, email address.
Entries are posted “first come, first served.” The OBN is not responsible
for the accuracy of the information published. NOTE: Submissions may
be edited for space considerations..
2015
C-1-7 (Korea 1950/53), 15-18 Oct., Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX. Mike/Joanne
Patrick, 214-796-7980, [email protected] or MRP, 817-2513551, [email protected]
2016
(All wars & peacetime), 27-30 Apr., Myrtle Beach, SC. Dennis Deibert,
6007 Catherine St., Harrisburg, PA 17112, 717-652-1695
7
The Old Breed News
68th Annual Reunion – First Marine
Here are a few randomly selected photos of the people and events at the recent FMDA Reunion in San Diego,
California. The reunion was a great success with everyone enjoying the activities and camaraderie.
See ya’ next year!!
Unidentified FMDA members
Unidentified FMDA member
8
Color Guard
Unidentified FMDA members flank a modern Marine
Bob and Rita Montgomery
Gen. Yoo and AJ Burn
USMC helicopter on display
Marianna Mishik and Neal Mishik standing behind
Anthony Mishik and Debbie Mishik
Henry and Mary Lou Tassinarri
The Old Breed News
Division Association
Marty Vasquez
Marine Corps Band
Pres. Rios, Mrs. Rios, General Yoo
Tex and Laurie Stitler
The Old Breed News
Ignacio and Irene Martinez with unidentified couple
Ladies Luncheon
San Diego, CA
John Mullan (L) and unidentified FMDA members
FMDA member John Mullan
Gen. Yoo, unidentified WWII FMDA members
Heidi Lamb, Pres. Rios, and June Cormier (L-R)
Carl and Mrs. Wenhold
Gen. Yoo, Robert Jeff Roberts, and SgtMaj
9
Wall of Remembrance Proposed at Korean
War Memorial
William Alli, a Korean War veteran with 2/1/1 (1951-52),
FMDA member, and Honorary Member of Türkiye Muharip
Gazilerinin Derneği (Turkish War Veterans Association), is
spearheading a movement to build a Wall of Remembrance at the
Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C.
As he notes, “I am the Chairman of the Legislative Liaison
Committee of the Korean War Veterans Memorial
Foundation....For the memorial on the National Mall in
Washington DC, we are proposing a glass Wall of Remembrance,
on the same level as the Mural Wall that honors Korean War service. Nothing is proposed to be erected over anything else.
“The figure of Korean War KIAs that we are using is 36,574.”
Unfortunately, the pace of approval is glacially slow. Alli is
soliciting support from people for his project. Until recently, the
House of Representatives was working alone to approve the project through H.R. 1475 (see below). Recently, the U.S. Senate
joined the effort when Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and
Benjamin Cardin (D-DE) introduced a companion Senate Bill
(S.1982) on our Wall of Remembrance legislation (HR-1475).
Significantly, the number of co-sponsors in the House has
reached 157 HR 1475 co-sponsors! But, significantly higher
numbers are needed in both the House and the Senate.
Alli asks FMDA members to throw their support behind the
effort to get the “Wall” erected. After all, 424,000 Marines served
during the war. Of these, more than 4,500 were KIA and 26,000
were WIA
If anyone wants more information, contact Alli at 240-4419611.
114TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1475
To authorize a Wall of Remembrance as part of the
Korean War Veterans Memorial and to allow certain private contributions to fund that Wall of Remembrance.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 19, 2015
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas (for himself, Mr. RANGEL,
and Mr. CONYERS) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To authorize a Wall of Remembrance as part of the
Korean War Veterans Memorial and to allow certain private contributions to fund that Wall of Remembrance.
10
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
Proposed Wall of Remembrance
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Korean War Veterans
Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act of 2015’’.
SEC. 2. WALL OF REMEMBRANCE.
Section 1 of the Act titled ‘‘An Act to authorize the erection
of a memorial on Federal Land in the District of Columbia
and its environs to honor members of the Armed Forces
of the United States who served in the Korean War”,
approved October 25, 1986 (Public Law 99– 572), is
amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘Such memorial shall include a Wall of Remembrance,
which shall be constructed without the use of Federal
funds. The American Battle Monuments Commission shall
request and consider design recommendations from the
Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. for the
establishment of the Wall of Remembrance. The Wall of
Remembrance shall include—
‘‘(1) a list by name of members of the Armed Forces of the
United States who were killed in action in the Korean War;
‘‘(2) the number of members of the Armed Forces of the
United States who, in regards to the Korean War—
‘‘(A) were wounded in action;
‘‘(B) are listed as missing in action; or ‘‘(C) were prisoners
of war; and
‘‘(3) the number of members of the Korean Augmentation
to the United States Army, the Republic of Korea Armed
Forces, and the other nations of the United Nations
Command who, in regards to the Korean War—
‘‘(A) were killed in action; ‘‘(B) were wounded in action;
‘‘(C) are listed as missing in action; or ‘‘(D) were prisoners
of war.’’
The Old Breed News
Public Affairs Guidance
Re-designation of MARSOC as Marine Raiders
Purpose. To provide Public Affairs
Guidance to the MARSOC Commander,
for use by MARSOC key staff/personnel
and other key stakeholders when responding to public queries (internal and external) regarding the re-designation of
MARSOC’s subordinate commands as
Marine Raiders, and use of the Marine
Raider moniker for all of MARSOC.
Background. The Marine Raiders
were formed in 1942 as the war in the Far
East was reaching a difficult phase and
senior leadership sought to replicate the
special operations missions conducted by
the British Commandos and other Special
Forces units within the Pacific theatre of
war.
In June 2003 the Marine Corps Special
Operations Command, Detachment One
was activated. Upon activation, the unit
was deployed to Iraq as part of a Navy
SEAL task group. As part of the task
group, the Marines labeled themselves
Task Unit Raider in honor of the Raiders
who had served so honorably 70 years earlier. Three years later in February 2006,
MARSOC was established as a standing
unit and the designation would not include
the moniker of Raider.
The Raider Association approached
MARSOC to adopt the Raider moniker in
order to keep their legacy alive in the
Marine Corps. There had been a proposal
previously to adopt the name which a previous Executive Off-site (EOS) disapproved. MARSOC has complied with
CMC’s direction to not use the Raider
name and patch; however, during a recent
EOS, the use of the Marine Raiders
moniker has been approved, and MARSOC is now officially authorized to redesignate MARSOC as Marine Raiders.
Public Affairs Posture. The PA posture for this topic is proactive. We need to
formulate a strong message for both internal (members of MARSOC and Marine
Raider Association) and external (media
and the public). MARSOC Public Affairs
is prepared to provide thorough, timely,
accurate responses to queries from the
public or civilian media within security
guidelines. The PA Plan is to write a story
internally and provide interviews with the
The Old Breed News
MARSOC Commander and Key
Stakeholders to requesting media.
PAO will also use this PAG to send to
MARSOC personnel and other internal
and external key personnel for proper
messaging.
Press Statement. The following statement is authorized for use by key MARSOC personnel (recruiters, key staff and
the PAO) in response to query only:
United States Marine Corps Forces,
Special Operations Command is proud and
honored to adopt the name Marine Raider,
carrying on the rich heritage and legacy
passed along to us by the Raiders of World
War II. As with every Marine Corps unit,
MARSOC desires a moniker that creates its
own unique identity while still recognizing the
significant contributions of those who preceded us. While monikers such as
Commando or Spartan were considered, the
term “Marine Raider” was chosen for two
reasons: (1) During recent Marine Raider
reunions, the Raider Association has
expressed their strong desire that their legacy not be forgotten and that the term “Marine
Raider” be carried on by another Marine
Corps unit; and (2) the Marine Raiders of
World War II performed similar type missions, and this comparable mission set provides us with a logical historical link. By
incorporating the term “Marine Raider” we
help tell the story that the Marine Corps is
not necessarily new to the world of special
operations.
Key Themes/Messages. The following
talking points are approved for use in
order to focus in on key themes and are to
be used in response to query only:
(Legacy and Heritage) The Marine
Raiders have expressed their strong desire
for their legacy to not be forgotten and to
be carried on by another Marine Corps
unit. They requested MARSOC to be the
unit to carry on that legacy and the
Commandant of the Marine Corps concurred. We feel we owe it to those Marine
Raiders still alive, as well as their families, to make every attempt to do so.
Additionally the Marine Raiders performed special operations type missions
during World War II and this provides a
logical historical link to MARSOC. It
helps tell our story that the Marine Corps
is not necessarily new to the world of special operations.
(Unity) The term Marine Raider will
unify all assigned to MARSOC. Using
the legacy of Marine Raiders and the label
as an organization creates an umbrella
under which all MOSs fall. This unifying
concept provides operators and those who
support them with a common cohesive
term and prevents elitism from fostering
within the command. Marines are
Marines, and no one MOS or occupational
field is more special than the other. Each
Marine brings a unique set of skills that is
essential for the collective capability, and
it is this collective capability that is
MARSOC’s center of gravity and distinguishes it within the SOF community.
(Identity) The Raider moniker also
provides SOF and USMC leadership with
a way to identify MARSOC Marines in
different forums. Within the SOF community, our sister SOF services are labeled as
Navy SEALS, Army Green Berets, Army
Rangers, and AFSOC Commandos. When
it comes to Marines, there is often a struggle to find the right label and the term
Critical Skills Operator (CSO) is often
used, which tends to confuse people.
Marine Raider ties together ‘Marine’ (who
Continued on page 26
11
A Salute to Lt. Haggerty
By Cpl. Albert William Mikel
P
12
eleliu, September 15, 1944. All
along White Beach, death was
falling from the sky upon the
Marines of the Third Battalion, First
Marines, First Marine Division. Our
amphibious tractor driver had done a
fine job of getting us to shore safely.
We disembarked quickly, but not
quickly enough. Two or three of us
were hit by shrapnel as soon as we hit
the beach. We picked a spot about 30
yards forward and started to dig in. This
turned out to be a good position. We
were protected by a slight rise to the
front and 4 or 5 fallen trees that kept us
safe from machine gun and rifle fire. A
knocked out amphibious tractor gave us
cover to our right flank. But it was the
sand that gave us the most protection.
The Japanese shells that landed close to
us threw up more sand than shrapnel,
and we were able to dig deep in a very
short time.
There were about twelve of us. We
mostly made up the 3rd and 4th gun
squads of the 81mm Mortar Platoon of
the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. We had
two mortars, but no ammo, and most of
us were armed with only .45 pistols. I
couldn’t help but think what a way to
enter a war.
Soon, we began to realize we were
nowhere near the position we should
have been. This became clear to us
when we noticed that all the dead
Marines around us had K-3-1 stenciled
on the backs of their jackets. We
recalled that on our maneuvers on
Guadalcanal, K Company was on the
left flank of our lines and our mortars
were on the right.
We knew we should do something,
but what? The next hour seemed like an
eternity. Lt. James J. Haggerty appeared
behind us. I can still see him as if it
were yesterday. He stood there with his
legs apart, hands on his hips, and a blue
New York baseball cap on his head. He
spoke very calmly and with complete
confidence.
He said, “You people pick up those
mortars and follow me.” Having given
Lt. Haggerty had gone up and down the beach under
heavy Japanese shelling, gathering our mortar men as he
went. He had been bringing us together so that we could
become an effective fighting unit.
that order, he turned and walked toward
the ocean, where he led us to the left.
One by one we crawled out of the safety
of our foxholes and followed him.
We were trying to keep as low as
possible to avoid Japanese fire, but Lt.
Haggerty was walking like he did so
many times when he took us for those
long hikes around Pavuvu. His eyes
looked straight ahead, not veering to
the left or right. Most of all, he never
looked back to see if we were following
him.
We followed him past what was
called the “Tank Trap.’’ Finally, 100
yards down the beach, we came to the
place that Lt. Haggerty decided would
be a good mortar position. Most of our
platoon was already there.
Lt. Haggerty had gone up and down
the beach under heavy Japanese
shelling, gathering our mortar men as
he went. He had been bringing us
together so that we could become an
effective fighting unit.
When we finally got organized, we
learned we had lost 1 mortar—and 17
men were missing. We set up our three
guns while our ammo men gathered all
the mortar shells they could find along
the beach. (Mortar ammo came packed
three shells into a unit, which we
referred to as a “cloverleaf.”)
Col. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller came
ashore to see for himself why our front
lines were not moving off the beach. He
set up his command post next to our
mortar position, which was part of the
3rd Battalion’s front line defense. Col.
Puller could see instantly that the
Japanese held all the high ground and
that we were in a very perilous position.
He ordered three tanks to fill in holes in
our lines.
Meanwhile, Lt. Haggerty had our
mortars lay out harassing fire that
whole first night. All this was done in
case of a Japanese attack. For some reason, the attack never came. I feel the
Japanese failure to take advantage of
their position cost them any chance
they might have had for victory.
By the morning of the second day, L
and I Companies had improved our
beachhead and it was clear to Col.
Puller that K Company needed help to
hold the point on our left flank. It was
feared that if the point fell, the 3rd
Batta1ion’s position on White Beach
would be in jeopardy. (This scene is
well depicted in a book by Capt. George
P. Hunt, the Commanding Officer of K
Company, titled “Coral Comes High.”)
Col. Puller and Lt. Haggerty decided
to move our mortars another fifty yards
farther to our right flank so we could
give K Company more accurate mortar
support. When Lt. Haggerty was satisfied that our mortars were ready, he
rejoined K Company, where he and two
of our O.P. men had spent the first
night.
On the second day the Japanese sent
tanks against our positions, but they
were stopped easily by Marines armed
with flamethrowers, bazookas, and
BARs. That evening they renewed their
attack on the point, but we were ready
for them.
K Company’s 60mm mortars were
joined by our 8lmm mortars and rockets
that were mounted on a Navy LCI ship.
Lt. Haggerty directed the deadly fire,
and the surprised Japanese suffered
heavy casualties. With the point
secured, that ended any chance of a
Japanese victory.
I recall that we were firing only 200
The Old Breed News
to 250 yards. Our mortars were almost
pointing straight up. In fear that the
mortars might fall backwards, we
placed sandbags on the barrels of the
mortars. The gunners and assistant gunners applied pressure on the sandbags
with their hands as the shells left the
tubes.
Our 3rd Battalion suffered almost
60% casualties in 8 days before being
relieved by part of the 8lst Army
Division. What our regiment was supposed to take in 2 or 3 days took the 8lst
Army Division and the 5th and 7th
Marine Regiments almost 2 months to
secure.Our Mortar Platoon suffered
three men killed: Howard Chism,
Charles Stringham, and Danny
Sullivan. Fourteen men received Purple
Hearts.
Most of the credit for holding the
point must go to those brave men of K
Company. Many of them gave their
lives so we could take that damn island.
But credit must also go to men like Lt.
James J. Haggerty, who brought order
out of complete chaos to assure yet
another victory over the Japanese.
Even though history will tell you
that Peleliu played no role in the eventual defeat of Japan, this is not how
Peleliu is remembered by most of the
Marines who fought there. When we
hear the name Peleliu, there is not only
the heartfelt memories of our friends
who died there, but also a proud feeling
of knowing that we did our duty in
accordance with the high standards set
and expected by the United States
Marine Corps.
There were many heroes on Peleliu.
It is time we put their stories in writing
before all the veterans who fought there
are gone. Where does America find men
like these?
Puller. My gun captain, Ed Molen, and
I were preparing our mortar for firing
when Puller asked us how much ground
we had gained. He meant how much
farther we were from the point.
Our answer was about 50 yards.
Then, like a dummy, I said, “Sir, we
didn’t gain any ground. We just moved
sideways.”
He replied, “Son, this is what is
called a strategic withdrawal.”
At least he called me “Son,” like he
always greeted each Marine on his
morning walks on Pavuvu.
3. Most of the men of K Company who
were on the point with Capt . George P.
Hunt agree that holding the point position was made possible by their 60mm
mortars under the direction of Sgt. Joe
Lacoy, with the support of our 8lmm
mortars and the rockets from the LCI.
4. The bravery and leadership by Lt.
James J. Haggerty under heavy enemy
brought about order out of complete
chaos. I feel that he played a great part
to assure the success of the invasion of
Peleliu.
George P. Hunt
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Home of record: Haverford Pennsylvania
George Hunt became the Managing Editor of Life magazine after World War II. He was the
author of “The Coral Comes High,” published by Harper & Row in 1946.
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
Navy Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross
to Captain George P. Hunt (MCSN: 0-8763), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for
extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, First
Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the
assault on enemy-held Peleliu, Palau Islands, from 15 to 17 September 1944. A bold and
aggressive leader, Captain Hunt led his men in a daring assault against the enemy who
were firing from concrete pillboxes on a coral point. Knowing the great danger the seizure
of the point would incur, but realizing the immediate necessity for its capture, he quickly
and skillfully maneuvered his company and, with two platoons, captured the point after a
fierce struggle during which five hostile concrete pillboxes, numerous coral pillboxes and
lighter emplacements were destroyed and over one hundred of the enemy were killed.
Isolated from the rest of his Battalion for a period of twenty-six hours with only thirty-four
men remaining, Captain Hunt expertly organized a defensive perimeter and, successfully
defending his position against three hostile counterattacks, repulsed all three of them and
annihilated four hundred and twenty-two Japanese. By his outstanding leadership and
cool judgment in the face of grave danger, Captain Hunt contributed materially to the success of our forces during this critical period, and his gallant conduct throughout was in
keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Just a few notes on my story:
General Orders: SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00597
1. The LCI mentioned in the story had a
rocket launcher mounted on its deck.
Lt. W.A. Young, Jr. commanded a small
group of Marines. Our O. P. Sgt., Chuck
Reeves, directed the firing. They used a
broom handle for a aiming stake. The
LCI.hit a mine on the third day.
2. When we moved our gun position
farther to our right along the beach, I
had the honor to talk to Col. Chesty
Action Date: September 15 - 17, 1944
The Old Breed News
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain
Company: Company K
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 1st Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division
13
Feedback/Letters to the Editor
Who Would Be In The Brig Today?
14
I always enjoy your efforts in the organization to which you
operate, mostly as “editor.” I have a couple of comments regarding the most recent edition of our publication, Vol. LXIV #2:
After returning from Vietnam in 1967, I was assigned as Base
Maintenance (now Facilities) Department, as Operations Officer,
a billet I held until I retired in early 1971. Page 17, concerning the
1st MarDiv Assn Reunion, states that Camp Pendleton “covers
over 250,000 acres and approximately 200 square miles of terrain.” While the base is generally about 10 miles deep and about
20 long, the statement of 200 square miles is about correct.
However the acreage is about half what is stated, or about 125,000
acres.
There are 640 acres in a square mile; accordingly the actual
acreage would be 128,000. Of course some property has been
given up, such as the nuke plant and the state park at the extreme
north portion of the base.
I also have a “drummed out” story, but quite a bit different than
the one submitted by Ben “Doc” Wolfe. I had recently reported
aboard the 1st Pioneer Bn. as a newly promoted captain. LtCol
Jim “Rip” Harper was the CO and he assigned me to C Company.
Shortly after taking over the company, the 1stSgt (R. O. Lewis)
told me that a Marine was coming out of the brig and had been
court-martialed and given a bad conduct discharge. The jeep
drove up and I had the gunny form the company. The young man
stood in front and I approached him and with a razor blade,
removed any identification that reflected “Marine Corps,” including the buttons and the pocket of this utility (‘dungaree’) jacket. I
told the gunny “Give the order!”
Jerry Ringer yelled “About face!” and the company did so. The
former prisoner was loaded in a jeep and taken to the Christianitos
gate and removed from the base.
When I hear there is no such thing as an ex-Marine I correct
them and tell them of this person who qualified as an ex-Marine.
I think if I were to have done such today, I’d be the one in the brig!
James “Jim” Murphy, Major, USMC (Retired)
2405 Tierra Dr., Los Osos CA 93402
Editor’s Note: I was present at only one “drumming out” ceremony. That was in 1961, shortly after I returned from a “Med
Cruise.” The Marine had been convicted of stealing money on multiple occasions from our 81mm platoon members, so dismissal from
the Corps was justified. He was also the recipient of a “blanket
party” from members of our platoon aboard ship before his courtmartial ever got underway. (I am betting that those, too, have gone
by the wayside.)
The “drumming out” was a somber ceremony, to put it mildly. I
wonder how many Marines swore that day that they would never do
anything to violate the UCMJ and risk being a “drumming out” victim. The procedure may have been humiliating to the accused, but it
may also have been a deterrent to a lot of us. I know that I swore
that day to stay on a steady path to an honorable discharge—a goal
that I achieved.
Just for the record, the UCMJ (some people consider the
“Military Justice” part an oxymoron) was passed by Congress on
May 5, 1950 and signed into law by President Truman the next day.
It took effect on 31 May 1951. Prior to that the USMC operated
under a system referred to as “Rocks and Shoals,” under which
“justice” was swift and often harsh.
The Positive Effects Of “Drumming Out”
As to the article on the aforementioned article, “Drummed Out
Of The Corps,” I saw two in 1959 at El Toro and Court House
Bay, Camp Lejeune. In those instances, the prisoner was wearing
his greens and the buttons and rank insignia’s were physically cut
off before he was marched to the gate and booted out.
This was more instructive/frightening to us young Marines
than all the classes on UCMJ could ever hope to achieve.
David. M. Franklin, 1958-1986,
[email protected]
It Was Not A Retreat!—And A Must Read
NOTE: This is an edited version of an email conversation
among Warren Wiedhahn, Pete McCloskey, and John Mixon. It is
intended to highlight the role of tanks at the Chosin Reservoir,
which is not often covered in the history of the battle.
Art and John - I just read your articles in the OBN. Careful and
thoughtful dialog! As a “Chosin” vet, the phrase I love to hate is
the “Marines retreat from the Chosin Reservoir.” Anyone who
was there knows full well that there were more Chinese in front
of us, as we fought our way to the sea, than behind us. It sure as
hell was no “retreat,” which is defined as moving “away” from the
enemy. We “attacked,” albeit in a different direction!
A must read regarding the Chosin “debacle” is “For Country
and Corps,” by Gail Shisler, the granddaughter of General O. P.
Smith. It’s outstanding, since she had access to letters the general
wrote. They were held by the family and were not previously
available to researchers.
It will make your blood boil when you read some of the asinine
decisions of Generals MacArthur and his henchman, Ned
Almond, regarding their “obsession” with getting to the Yalu
River before Christmas. Thousands of good men were killed or
wounded unnecessarily, in my opinion, because of “terrible”
strategic and tactical decisions by this pair!
Please note (below) that John Mixon and his brother Don
served in “the same tank” in Korea, contrary to all regulations. As
I recall, [they] were some of the few brothers in combat together.
John - Will you please help Congressman (Ret) “Pete”
McCloskey, also a California Marine? I’m afraid my knowledge
of the 1st Tank Bn. in Korea is limited to the great support we
received from them.
Warren Wiedhahn, [email protected]
The Mixon Brothers In Korea
You are right, My brother Don and I did serve in the same tank
The Old Breed News
(B-12). We both had prior service, so when we were recalled and
screened for previous duty we chose armor, as he had been in
tanks in China.
Even though our serving together was in violation of the
Sullivan Act, the argument went something like:
• If you separate us, what if the other tank gets hit?
• Wouldn’t it be better if both had stayed together?
• And, if we are separated, we might worry about the other
instead of paying attention to our own peril. Anyway, everyone
looked the other way. I drove; Don was assistant driver and bow
machine gunner.
After the war, Don became a professor at Napa College, but
was killed in an auto accident in 1967.
On November 29, 1950, “B” Co. went up that god-awful
mountain road to Koto-ri and became the rear guard of that fateful
Task Force Drysdale. “D” Co tanks led the column of 900 or so,
with soft vehicles in between with us in the rear. That was a recipe
for disaster.
At about eight miles north of Koto-ri the trucks and personnel
came under intense enemy fire, and they bailed (I didn’t blame
them) and effectively blocked our ability to move forward. “D”
Co and the 41st Royal Marines, plus some other people, continued
on their way, finally arriving at Haga-ru. They left about 300
killed or captured behind.
LtCol Milne, battalion commander of the 1st Tank Bn., was so
critical of “Chesty” for this composition that it cost him his career.
We were stuck behind the stalled vehicles and warded off the
Chinese that swarmed us, including climbing upon our tanks. We
were firing point blank into their ranks with our 90mm. At daylight, we returned to Koto-ri and waited for the 5th, 7th, elements
of the 11th, and what was left of the Army’s 7th Division to fight
their way back to Koto-ri.
On or about the 10th, the division began the breakout from
Koto-ri to the sea. We were rear guard once again, and left Kotori late in the day. As the column moved down that narrow winding
road at a “go-stop” snail’s pace, we were finally overrun at the
Funchillin pass, where the power plant was. We lost seven tanks
north of the treadway bridge, and our tank crew was among the
last people to cross the temporary bridge before it was blown.
After that, it was clear sailing on down to Hungnam.
The Army did have a couple old M-4 tanks which I saw at
Koto-ri. I was surprised, because they were obsolete. We had M26s, which were awesome.
I must say that the First Marine Division withdrawal could
have only been accomplished by Marines. To this day I weep
when I think of the heroics of my beloved Marines. No more than
30° below zero, no more 120,000 Chinese trying to kill 15,000
Marines.
As Lt Colonel Murray said, “Were going out of here like
Marines, or we’re not going at all.”
John Mixon, [email protected]
Editor’s Question: Who was LtCol Milne? To whom did he
express his displeasure? How did he express it, e.g., in writing, verbally...?
Korean War Veterans Visit Korea
USMC 1st Mar Div veterans of the Korean War (Marine
House USA members) visited Korea 22 June 2015. The visit
included Pusan, Geojedo P.O.W. Camp, Naksong River, Camp
Mu Juk, Pohang, ROKMC 1st Division, bullet train to Seoul,
Seoul City, ROKMC Hq and Yeoncheon.
For two veterans this was their first trip back since August
1950.
One highlight of the trip was a visit to ROKMC Hq, where we
were greeted individually by Commandant LtGen Lee, Sang Hue
and received a VIP welcome, with a parade of troops, a performance by their Drill Team, and a Command Brief. After that
Commandant Lee hosted us to an outstanding lunch.
Commandant Lee, Sang Hue
(standing, center) and staff in
back row. Marine vets Chuck
Wiley, Ray Moreno, Zack
Taylor, Chairman Yong Chu
Park, MajGen William
Groeniger III, Marty Vasquez,
Ray Roulette (sitting, L-R) on
visit to Korea
The Old Breed News
15
A-1-5 (And a few other Marines) March 110 Miles!!
By Wayne Bonkosky
I
16
was in A-1-5 from November, 1956
until my release from the Marine
Corps in July, 1958. I signed up for
two years active duty, one year active
reserves, then three years inactive
reserves.
As far as I know, the Marine Corps
only had that two-year enlistment package
available for about one year: January, ‘56
to January, ‘57. The usual tour of duty is
three or four years and so many guys
joined for the two-year enlistment that
they had to give “early outs” to some of
those enlistees in mid-’58. What’s more,
the reserves were full when I got out.
No reserve meetings. Just four years of
inactive reserves, then Honorable
Discharge. There is one particular episode
that occurred during my time in the company and Corps that made a lasting
impression on me: the 110-mile hike the
whole 5th Marine Regiment made in
about February or March of 1958. One
hundred and ten miles in four days of hiking. Fifty-five miles in two days from
Camp Margarita inside Camp Pendleton,
then the home of the Fifth Marines, south
to the vicinity of Camp Matthews near
San Diego. Then a well earned one-day’s
rest made complete by a couple of large
refrigerated beer trucks to replenish the
liquids lost on the hike - as good an excuse
as any! Then 55 five miles over the next
two days back to Margarita.
Our fearless leader, Regimental
Commander Colonel Schmuck (really),
thought he would replace the mortal danger we weren’t facing in battle with the
acute physical discomfort of walking 25
or 30 miles a day with rifles, belts and
bayonets, helmets and a light marching
pack.
Several incidents that occurred during
those five days stand out in my mind even
now that over forty years of other experiences intervene. The first two days actually weren’t all that bad. We hiked thirty
miles the first day. While we were all
tired, the weather had been good and we
still had the feeling of this being something of an adventure. It was a feeling, I’m
sure you’ll understand, that wore very thin
by the end of the week.
I forgot to mention that we hadn’t been told that the beer
trucks would be there for us on the third day. Most of us
had brought very little money.
I forgot to mention that we hadn’t been
told that the beer trucks would be there for
us on the third day. Most of us had brought
very little money. Well, truth be told, my
PFC/Rifleman pay was $83 a month, so I
really didn’t have a lot of money to bring.
But the beer was cheap and the “five for
ten” loan shark guys were doing a brisk
business. And there were pretzels and
chips available to make sure we had plenty of salt for the return hike but causing an
immediate and beneficial(?!) thirst for
more cold liquids.
Colonel Schmuck, bless ‘im, always
had our best interests at heart.
The hike back toward Pendleton started
early on the fourth morning with a lot of
guys in less than ideal physical and mental
condition...a lot of guys. Grunts and
groans and muttered bitching constituted
the majority of the conversation that
morning. After several hours of walking, a
sort of stupor set in. For the first time, a
few stragglers were noticed. The adventure apect was definitely gone. This was
becoming way too close to actual work
and grim effort.
Then it began to rain lightly, and none
of us were looking forward to dealing with
the mud at our camp in an open field that
evening.
And I remember that camp. Our shelter-halves and sleeping bags had been
trucked ahead for us. We set up in the
damp and mud, got our mess gear together, and had a hot meal. I went back to my
shelter-half, undressed and, while still sitting up, wiggled the lower half of my body
into the sleeping bag. Then I started to lie
back to settle in and while my head was
making that two-second journey from sitting up to prone.
I fell almost completely asleep and
actually startled myself awake. Whoa!
Jeez, am I going comatose here or what?
My guess is, walking thirty miles with a
hangover was at least partly responsible
for that drowsiness.
Our return to the gates of Camp
Pendleton Friday afternoon was met with
a band playing martial music and quite a
few photographers and smiling family
members. I don’t remember that enthusiasm being met with many smiles from us.
We were all pretty tired and relieved that
the ordeal was nearly over. We really
wanted nothing more than a hot shower, a
hot meal, and rejuvenating, deep sleep.
But I will cheerfully admit I’ve been
rather proud of that hike ever since; I will
quietly smile to myself when some soldier
or fitness hiker talks about walking 10 or
20 miles. And I have a personal point of
reference when I read in a book about a
military unit marching a long distance,
e.g., A. P. Hill’s 17-mile, 7-hour forced
march from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg
during the Civil War. Or even Marine Lt.
O’Bannon’s 600-mile march in 1805 to
attack the Barbary pirates in Tripoli with a
sergeant, six privates, a Navy midshipman
and 140 mercenaries. But it did take him
about eight weeks.
But, keep this in mind, gentlemen: I
have read many first person accounts of
Marine Corps combat from Belleau Wood
to Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and the
other vicious island campaigns to Pusan,
Inchon, Chosin, Hue and Khe Sanh. And I
want to assure you veterans that I am in no
way comparing our 110-mile exercise to
your gallantry. The two experiences are
not comparable. I offer it up only as a
hopefully interesting example of our duty
as “Cold Warriors.”
As a matter of fact, let me take this
opportunity to thank you Combat Marines
for the hard-earned and well deserved reputation for endurance, determination,
devotion and bravery that all of us peacetime Marines enjoy as well.
Very well done, gentlemen—sincerely.
Thank you.
Wayne Bonkosky, 1116 Navarro, Santa
Rosa, CA 95401
The Old Breed News
Defense Secretary Ash Carter visits Camp Pendleton
By Cpl. Seth Starr,
I Marine Expeditionary Force
CAMP PENDLETON, California- —
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, visited Marine
Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27
to observe amphibious landings and meet
with senior military leaders and servicemembers.
Carter’s visit started with an amphibious
raid that targeted a small compound, roughly
500 feet off shore. Amphibious assault vehicles carrying Marine riflemen departed the
USS New Orleans, an amphibious transport
dock. The Marines assaulted the beach head
as the Secretary observed the scenario from a
nearby bluff.
Marines set the pace as the sound of simulated machine gun and rifle fire filled the
air. They quickly eliminated simulated
threats and took charge of the area.
During the raid, Marines and Sailors
demonstrated the joint Navy-Marine Corps
partnership by conducting ship-to-shore
operations, a capability synonymous with
Navy and Marine Corps teams.
Carter noted during the raid that as current
situations in the world continue to develop, it
is important to keep ahead with an everchanging battlefield.
“Carrying these service members, mission into the strategic future after 15 years of
extremely aggressive effort on fronts in both
Iraq and Afghanistan, we realize the need to
change the full spectrum of how we
approach these new conflicts,” said Carter.
“This means changing and adapting the way
the Navy and Marine Corps team trains so
that we can face these new conflicts around
the world head on.”
With change on the horizon, training,
equipment, vehicles and other tools become
more important aspects for innovative
change for both the Navy and Marine Corps,
with the U.S. building focus on Asia and the
Pacific. For example, the 1971-era AAVs that
Marines currently use to deploy during
amphibious operations are becoming
increasingly difficult to maintain, operate
and sustain.
Carter explained that development of the
new Amphibious Combat Vehicle provides a
much more robust and flexible capability
solution for the evolution of amphibious
The Old Breed News
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, the honorable Mr. Ashton Carter, congratulates a young reconnaissance Marine on a job well done following a combined arms raid aboard Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27, 2015.
operation.
The implementation of these kinds of
changes and innovations directly affects the
mission of the Navy and Marine Corps,
enabling both to be a critical maritime power
and crisis response team.
Following the raid, Secretary Carter
opened up for questions from service members and media outlets about what the future
holds for the nation’s maritime forces in
addition to innovative solutions toward antiaccess and area denial measures.
The day’s events demonstrated the need
to sustain and upgrade the AAV fleet while
developing the ACV in order to modernize
our ship-to-shore capabilities, as well as give
senior leadership an opportunity to voice
their opinions on how to keep the U.S.
Marine Corps and Navy America’s number
one fighting force.
Member Enjoys Honor Flight
I
enjoyed a flight to Washington D.C. on 10 May 2015. It was sponsored by The Talons
Out Honor Flight of Michigan. I thank the nice companies and people who gave their
time and funds to make the flight possible.
The organization chartered a 757 aircraft for the trip. Most of the participants were in
the 87-95 year old age range. The trip marked a late-in-life pleasant day for many of them.
I served in the S.P. from 1943 to 1946 at New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Pavuvu,
Okinawa, and North China. I spent two years overseas from the time I enlisted until the
time I was discharged. I never had a
furlough—or even a 24-hour pass.
To learn more about Talons Out,
go to http://talonsouthonorflight.org/
Gordon D. Siggins,
4951 Oakway Ct., NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Gordon Siggins salutes during the
wreath laying ceremony at Arlington
National Cemetery
17
18
The Old Breed News
Quests & Queries
Looking For Medals, Especially From Fr. Capodanna
I was separated from active service at El Toro, Santa Ana,
CA, 3 December 1967. I received the National Defense Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic Vietnam CMd1. I’m
sure I was awarded other medals, but I was separated from service before they were entered into my records.
I’m sure the Division was awarded the Presidential Unit
Citation and Navy Unit Citation for Operations Union I and II.
Perhaps I should have received other medals and awards, such as
Combat Action, since my discharge from service. How can I find
out?
My utmost concern is a medal regarding Father Capodanno. I
received a St. Christopher Medal from the padre. On the back
was embossed Vietnam 1967. I wore this medal for over twenty
years, but I lost it twenty years ago.
I would give just about anything to have another one. My
hope is to be buried with the medal around my neck. I’ve contacted the Capodanno Guild to no avail.
Perhaps you could run a short article in The Old Breed News
asking other 5th Marines if they have an extra medal or know
where I can obtain another original blessed by the Padre or ...?
John R. Stuertz, 2612 Lafayette Avenue
Lincoln NE, 68502, [email protected]
Special Reunion After
Sixty Years
R
etired Marine Corps Captain John Decker and his executive
director, 1st Lt Don Healy, had a special reunion last month
when Don and his friend Daphne visited John and Ruth. It was
the first time the two retired officers had seen each other since
they served in Korea together with E-2-7 in 1955—sixty years
ago.
Don, currently living in New Jersey, spied John’s name in a
Marine Corps magazine about four years ago. Since reconnecting, they have stayed in touch and were able to finally have the
reunion visit.
As Don explains it, “We try to get together every sixty years.”
John Decker (L, in both photos) and Don Healy, then and now
19
The Old Breed News
Chapter Scuttlebutt
News from the Chapters of the 1st Marine Division Association
ALAMO [TX]
PHOENIX [AZ]
The chapter presented checks at the annual reunion for
$6,000.00 to the General Fund and $9,100.00 to the Scholarship
Fund.
On 29 April several members deployed to MCAGCC 29
Palms CA for a “Special Op.” The purposes were to present the
Oscar P. Austin (MOH) Award to a Marine and a Corpsman of
Alamo chapter delegate Val E/2//7 and host a “Steak Fry and Beer Bust” for the company
upon returning from their latest deployment. The award consists
Yuergas, FMDA President
AJ Burn, Treasurer Jim
of an engraved Ka-Bar and a certificate of appreciation.
Zalpis and DVPC Tex Stitler
The awards were presented to Lance Corporal Zackery S.
at check presentation
Kioshi and HM3 Louis B. Nazareno III by Captain William
Kerrigan, CO E/2/7, with assistance from First Sgt. Idris Turay.
These individuals were selected by their brother non-NCOs.
We plan to have a challenge coin presentation prior to the
company’s next deployment. Captain Kerrigan and First Sgt.
Turay presented our chapter with a magnificent plaque for our
efforts in supporting E/2/7.
DALLAS [TX]
Members attending were Wayne Baldwin, John Templeton,
On 14 May we presented the 5th annual “Joe Walker” Award
Alex
Romero, and Gene Wuestenfeld. Also attending were memat the annual WT White High School Marine JROTC awards cerbers’
wives Helen Baldwin, Mary Romero, and Barbra
emony. The award is named in memory of the Chapter’s Past
Templeton,
who manned the “chow line.”
Treasure - Joe Walker. Joe was an education advocate and played
Our
thanks
to Captain Kerrigan, First Sgt. Turay, and GySgt
an instrumental role in orchestrating the Chapter’s Marine
Jeffery
Wright
for their assistance in hosting this event. Also, a
Reading Raider Program conducted at local Dallas elementary
grateful
thank
you
to Shamrock Foods for their donation of 250
schools.
steaks,
as
well
as
to
Hensley Beverage Company (Budweiser) for
When Joe passed, the chapter wanted to memorialize his spirit
donating
the
adult
beverages.
and recognize the Cadet who best demonstrates the Corps’ ethos
Upon our return, Alex Romero presented a plaque of appreciof courage, honor, and commitment. The 2015 “Joe Walker”
Award was presented to Cadet Captain Lucero Villalobos, a grad- ation to Shamrock Foods. Wayne Baldwin did the same to
uating senior who has been accepted to El Centro College in Hensley Beverage Company.
Dallas. She will be pursuing a degree in architecture.
Our color guard participated in the Memorial Day ceremonies
at
the
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. This
Walter C. Schmick, Jr.
is
an
annual
event that our chapter attends. Our color guard conc/o Kiewit Infrastructure South Co.
sisted
of
Bob
Lentz, John Templeton, Bob Boland, and Wayne
13119 Old Denton Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76177
Baldwin.
Office: 817-337-7004, Cell: 817-932-0821
[email protected]
Later this year (TBD) the chapter will present E/2/7 with a
Korean War-era M1 Garand. Wayne Baldwin took it upon himself to “take point” for this endeavor. Semper Fi Wayne. This
event pays tribute to Easy Company, 1st Battalion 7th Marines
who fought in Korea. Details to follow.
Robert E. Wuestenfeld, [email protected]
ROCKY MOUNTAIN [CO]
20
Nora Walker (widow of Joe Walker), Cadet Captain Lucero Villalobos,
and Dallas Chapter President LtCol Walt Schmick, USMC (Ret) (L-R), at
award presentation
We (aka “The Mountain Breed”) continue to be active in 2015
with a bimonthly business meeting alternating with a bimonthly
social or community event.
On 11 April our business meeting was held at American
Legion Post #1 in Denver. The agenda included a report on our
participation in the Denver St. Patrick’s Day parade and planning
for future social activities, as well as our support of the Marine
Memorial in Golden, CO.
Bob Brockish told of his participation in Oral History Day at
Thornton High School. He talked to three classes about growing
The Old Breed News
up in Denver, serving in the Korean War, and his education and
work after the war. After the last class a female student asked if
Bob might have known her grandfather, who was a Marine in
Korea. As it turned out, her grandfather, who died before she was
born, was Julio Lucio, a BARman in Brockish’s squad in C/1/1
in 1951. It is a small world.
Group from Rocky Mountain chapter at Wings Over The Rockies
Museum
Julio Lucio (L) and Bob
Brockish in Korea in
1953
ter activities. Recent
veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan are needed to contribute their
current experience to
the chapter. Any
Marine who is interested should contact Bob
Brockish,
Chapter
President, at [email protected].
“The Mountain Breed” can be found at https://ca.groups.
yahoo.com/neo/groups/MountainBreedFMDA/info.
Robert (“Bob”) Brockish, 303-499-9629
[email protected]
2015 Reunion Images
Tex Stitler (L)
and SgtMaj
Sowers
Members and guests of Rocky Mountain chapter at picnic
On 9 May members toured the Wings Over the Rockies aviation museum at the former Lowry AFB in Denver. About 20
members and guests came out on a rainy day to see the collection
of vintage war planes and have lunch at the museum’s Beer
Garden.
In June the business meeting at Legion Post #1 was concerned
mainly with details for our July picnic. On 11 July 35 or so
Marines and guests enjoyed brats and burgers and all the fixings
at the Mountain Breed annual picnic at American Legion Post
178 in Lakewood, CO.
Other social activities include dinner at the Lakewood
Country Club in September and a Marine Corps Birthday Ball in
November.
We welcome any Marine who served with, or was attached in
any way to, the 1st Marine Division, to join and take part in chapThe Old Breed News
I/3/7 group
21
Contributions to the First M
General Fund
General Fund Donations = 100 Total = $3,465.42
22
• SGT PHILLIP E. ACKERT
In Memory of KIA-Bunker Hill-B1-1-1 Aug. 1952
• LTCOL WM A ALLANSON USMC (Ret)
• SSGT JOHN N. BASTIAN
• SGT DANNY JOSEPH. BECKER
• LT COL ANDREW J. BERGEN
• HM3 CHARLES E. BERGER
• HMC JAMES B. BEYERSDORF FMF
• GLENN A. BORVANSKY
• CPL HAROLD BUFF JR
• SGTMAJ RODNEY R. BURNS USMC (Ret)
• SGT LOUIS S. CAMPBELL
• LTCOL FRANK S. CANNON USMC (Ret)
In Memory of GySgt Donald J Lupo Wpn/1/5 KIA
In Memory of Cpl. Anthony Mocci A-1-5 KIA
• SGT FRANK P. CARPENTER
• SGT ELLIOTT W. CHASSEY Sr
In Memory of George I. Cassey Sr. my father
• HMC ELBERT H. COLLINS
• CPL MELVIN F. CRUTHERS
• GYSGT EUGENE A. DAY USMC (Ret)
• PFC WILLIAM J. DENNIS
In Memory of PFC James E. Moffitt
KIA Korea 1953
• PHILIP J. DEVLIN
• CPL LEONARD A. DIBBS
• COL DARRYL A. DONEGAN
• 1STLT EANOS T. EVANS USMC
• 1STLT EANOS T. EVANS USMC
• SGT JOHN O. EVERY
In Memory/Honor of WPNS 3-7 Korea
• MAJ JAMES W. FACKLER
• SGT LOUIS E. FARRAYE
• SGT RICHARD J. FEUERHERM
In Memory of Pfc Donald Sorenson-KIA Dec.
4th KOTO-RI-Korea-1950-Weapons
Co-C-1/5-1st MAR DIV
• 1STSGT GEORGE E. GALVAN USMC (Ret)
In Honor of Gaye L. Galvan
• CPL JAMES P. GOBLET
• CPL ERNEST M. GOWER JR.
• MSGT JAMES R. GUMMOW
In Memory of John Yancey
• SSGT DAVE E. HAWKINS
• MGYSGT CHARLES R. HOPPE
In Memory of GYSGT. Ronald A. Knight
• JAMES A. HOWARD
• MGYSGT JAMES L. KEELY (Ret)
• MSGT DAVID E. KEENE
• SGT WILLIAM E. KELLEY
• SGT JAMES F. KIRBY
• CPL ERIC L. KURTZ
• CPL JAMES T. LAUBACH
• CAPT CHARLES S. LINDBERG
• 1STSGT DONALD E. LINKOUS USMC (Ret)
In Memory/Honor of Senior Master Chief
Walt Linkous, Master GySgt Garcia-Gunney Visinger
• SGT DAVID J. MACKIN
20th
40
50th
36th
5th
1st
15th
15th
9th
29th
3rd
27th
36th
37th
25
100
25
15
50
10
25
10
100
25
50
50
38th
50
13th
8th
25
5
1st
34th
6th
16th
35
100
50
40
9th
8th
10th
27th
28th
14th
15
200
25
10
10
25
4th
5th
8th
5th
100
40
25
25
51st
75
8th
10th
19th
25
15
20
144th
1st
25
20
4th
81st
82nd
83rd
84th
16th
10th
21st
25th
27th
9th
34th
9th
50
30
30
30
30
25
25
25
25
15
10
10
10
15
25
25
3rd
25
• SGT JOHN E. MANSFIELD
• MAJ DON E. MATHIS
• SSGT CHARLES E. MCHANEY
In Memory of Lester Merritt, CH-KO
• SGTMAJ GEORGE F. MEYER USMC (Ret)
• SGT RICHARD G. MITCHELL
• SGT SIDNEY G. MONTECINO
• CPL RICHARD (MOON-MAN) B.. MOONEY
In Memory of 1st Lt. Ronald D. Winchester
• LCPL ANDREW J. MORGRET
• CPL ARTHUR F. MOSHER
• ARTHUR J. MURPHY
In Memory of Arthur J Murphy VMA 324KO
DOD 2-6-15
• CPL EUGENE L. NORHEIM USMC
• SGT JOHN S. OKEEFFE
• CAPT WILLIAM R. OTTO USMC (Ret)
• SGT DWIGHT E. PAULEY
• GYSGT HARRY M. PAULHAMUS USMC (Ret)
In Memory of my beloved wife Rosemarie
• TSGT EUGENE J. PETERSON
In Memory of my Wife Ginny of 62 years
• SGT JOHN W. POWERS
• MGYSGT LAWRENCE H. ROANE USMC (Ret)
• HM1 NORMAN E. ROBERTSON
• GYSGT JUAN J. RODRIGUEZ USMC (Ret)
In Memory of 1st Sgt. Louis J. Pellazeri,
KIA, Vietnam, 1966
• RICHARD F. ROWLEY
• E4 JOHN T. SCHAEFFER
• MSGT GEORGE L. SCHAUDEL USMC (Ret)
• CPL ART B. SCHWARTZ
• SGTMAJ PAUL STEPHENSON USMC (Ret)
In Memory of Eddie Lebaron my
teammate Quantico Football 1950
• CPL HAROLD F. SULLIVAN
• SGT ROBERT E. THARP
• GEORGE M. THOMAS
• SGT WALTER H. TRASKA
• GEORGE T. VADINO
• GYSGT WILLIAM D. WEISGERBER
• GYSGT WILLIAM D. WEISGERBER
• SGT HARVEY L. WEISHUHN
• MSGT WILLIAM R. WERNTZ Sr USMC (Ret)
• SGT MAURICE P. WHITMER
• SGT STEVEN D. WIEGERT
In Memory of 4CPL S.T. Runyon D CO
1st BN 5th MAR KIA 12-16-67
• SGT STEVEN D. WIEGERT
In Memory in Honor of L/Cpl S. T. Runyon KIA
12-16-67 D 1/5 VN
• CPL RICHARD W. WILSON
• CPL JOSEPH JOHN. WISOCKI
• LTCOL WAYNE P. ZETZMAN
123rd
124th
4th
11th
22
22
25
25
216th
217th
218th
8th`
3rd
22nd
200
200
100
25
10
50
2nd
2nd
2nd
65
20
25
25th
65th
66TH
67th
68th
190th
2nd
50th
25
10
10
10
10
20
100
10
25th
27th
35
20
7th
9th
13th
1st
10
25
30
15
22nd
1st
27th
13th
19th
10
15
10
25
25
1st
16th
8th
24th
12th
26th
27th
22nd
14th
7th
11th
15
5
50
20
50
2.5
28.92
25
10
25
25
12th
25
3rd
7th
15TH
15
25
50
General Fund
Life Member = 52; Total = $ 2995.00
•SGT PHILLIP E. ACKERT
• KIA-Bunker Hill-B1-1-1 Aug. 1952
• COL GORDON D. BATCHELLER USMC (Ret)
• COL GEORGE M. BROOKE III USMC (Ret)
22nd
5th
4th
35
35
100
The Old Breed News
Marine Division Association
• LTCOL CLEM BUCKLEY USMC (Ret)
4th
• HM3 ROBERT G. BUEHL Jr
13th
In Memory of Col. William H. ‘Doc’ White
4th
26th
• CPL MELVIN F. CRUTHERS
33rd
• GYSGT EUGENE A. DAY USMC (Ret)
7th
• MSGT JOHN L. DECKER
3rd
• MSGT JOHN L. DECKER
4th
• SGT RICHARD J. DOBSON
19th
• MAJ HERBERT R. EDSON USMC (Ret)
2nd
In Memory of Major General Merritt A. Edson, USMC (Ret.)
• CPL DAVID A. GOODFIELD
7th
• MGYSGT CHARLES R. HOPPE
2nd
In Memory of GYSGT. Fred Amos
• SGT SIDNEY E. KIRK
3rd
20th
23rd
29th
• CPL JOSEPH R. LANTZ
8th
8th
• CPL MELVIN L. OAKES
12th
• CPL WILLIAM J. PALLISTER
9th
• CPL LEO W. SCHMITTGENS
42nd
• SSGT GARY J. SOUCIE
1st
• SSGT JAMES F. SUTTON
12th
• 1STSGT WILLIE A. TARVER USMC (Ret)
15th
• SSGT JOSEPH L. WAX
8th
35
50
100
25
100
50
35
60
25
20
50
20
50
10
10
10
15
15
25
35
25
1000
50
25
50
OBN Plea – 2015
Fund Donors = 52; Total = $ 1315.00
• SGT PHILLIP E. ACKERT
In Memory of KIA-Bunker Hill-B1-1-1 Aug. 1952
• CPL CARL E. AGRELIUS
• DR. JACK B. AUSTERMAN DDS
• BRIAN H. BAILEY
• MAJ JAMES J. BARRY Jr
• SGT RANDY C. BEAL
• GLENN A. BORVANSKY
• PFC ROBERT A. COHEN
• GYSGT MAURICE A. DEVEREAUX USMC (Ret)
• HM3 JOHN M. DUNNING
• CPL DANIEL FELSEN
• SGT ROGER A. FRERICHS
• 1STSGT GEORGE E. GALVAN USMC (Ret)
In Honor of Gaye L. Galvan
• SSGT DAVE E. HAWKINS
• CPL THOMAS LADNER
In memory of my Dad “”Red”“ Ladner,
82nd Bombardment Group 812th
• CPL JOSEPH R. LANTZ
• CPL JAMES M. LIEBERMAN
• CAPT CHARLES S. LINDBERG
• SSGT DONALD F. MACDERMOTT
• SGT ROBERT W. MAUGHAN
• SGT JOHN E. MCMAHON
• CPL CHARLES B. MULRAIN
• SGT SAMUEL PACHECO Sr
• SGT JAMES V. PELLA
The Old Breed News
21st
25
5th
4th
19th
1st
37th
8th
16th
17th
10th
4th
20th
7th
7th
17th
5th
52nd
25
25
100
25
100
25
10
10
25
25
20
10
30
5
25
25
145th
22nd
26th
28th
19TH
25
10
10
10
10
9th
10th
7th
35th
7th
16th
12th
25
15
25
25
25
45
15
9th
2ND
5th
16th
25
25
25
10
26th
28th
• MAJ ROBERT (BOB) J. RAMSEY USMC (Ret)
4th
• HM1 NORMAN E. ROBERTSON
14th
• CPL MICHAEL D. ROCHE
8th
• GYSGT JUAN J. RODRIGUEZ USMC (Ret)
2nd
In Memory of 1st Sgt. Louis J. Pellazeri, KIA, Vietnam, 1966
• CPL CARL F. SCOTT
14th
• SGT VINTON H. SHOLL
10th
In Memory of Sgt James R. Williams survivor
of Peleliu, Okinawa, KIA 1951
• CPL WALLACE T. STEWART
20th
22nd
23rd
• SGT THOMAS M. THOMPSON
8th
• SSGT FRED H. VONHINKEN Jr
3rd
• SGTMAJ HOWARD D. VRMEER USMC (Ret)
2nd
• CPL ROBERT E. WAHLBECK
18th
16th
• SGT MAURICE P. WHITMER
8th
• HM2 ROBERT C. WICKMAN
8th
• COL ORLOW R. ZUMWALT USMC (Ret)
5th
30
20
30
20
15
25
20
100
10
10
10
25
25
25
25
10
25
30
25
Scholarship Fund
Fund Donors = 71; Total = $ 5612.00
In Memory of Robert V. Kurilich USMC KIA RVN 6 June 1968
In Memory Maj John C. Archibold USMC KIA RVN 6 June 1969
• MR. GEORGE L. AYER
In Memory of Frank Wall B-1-1 WWII
• ANTHONY & JEANINE BADALAMENTI
In Memory of 1st Lt. Ronald D Winchester
• MAJ ALLAN C. BEVILACQUA USMC (Ret)
In Memory of a good marine Artie Barbossa,
Navy Cross, Easy/2/5 KO
• LAUREN & CHRISTIAN BROWNE
In Memory of 1st Lt. Ronald D. Winchester USMC
Iraq Sept. 3, 2004
• HM3 ROBERT T. CASH
• CPL DAN CASSETTA
In Memory of Don Vutera
• KELLY & CHRISTOPHER CISEK
In Memory of Lt. Ronald D. Winchester
• MGYSGT LAMBERT CONSIJIO Jr USMC (Ret)
In Memory of my beloved wife. Miyoko Mary
•MR. CHARLES A. DELLIGATTI JR
Iraq Sept. 3, 2004
•SCOTT DESANO
• HM2 EARL FISHER
• 1STLT MICHAEL L. GALYEAN
• CPL ERNEST M. GOWER JR.
• SSGT WILLIAM J. HOYER USMC (Ret)
• 1STSGT CHARLES E. JAQUES USMC (Ret)
• SGT WILLIAM E. KELLEY
• JOANNE KELLY
• JOY T. KREBS
Iraq Sept. 3, 2004
82nd
50
81st
50
17th
20
1st
38
37th
101st
100
50
2nd
75
27th
10th
4th
25
25
25
1ST
760
226th
20
8TH
500|
1st
31
6th
3rd
16th
30
25
50
4th
3rd
16th
17th
1ST
15
25
25
25
200
2nd
150
6th
7th
8th
10
10
10
23
7th
• ROBERT & MICHELE LEONARDO
2nd
Iraq Sept. 3, 2004
• CPL JOHN C. MALAST
6th
42nd
• LAWRENCE & MARGARET QUINN
4th
• SGT ROBERT W. MAUGHAN
17th
• 1STLT JOHN MCDOUGALL
14th
In Memory of/Honor of 2dLt Joseph Missar Jr. died RVN 2/66 Basic
15th
16th
• CPL JOHN J. MCGOWAN
19th
In Memory/In Honor of H&S 1-1 Korea 1954-1955
21st
17th
• CPL MELVIN L. OAKES
1st
8th
9th
189th
190th
• CPL RICHARD J. PANZNER
6th
4th
2nd
• JOHN & MEGAN REDA
1ST
• SGT VINCENT RIOS USMC (Ret)
13th
15
60
50
22
58
25
9
9
10
25
25
50
25
10
10
25
25
15
35
25
20
50
• RICHARD F. ROWLEY
• CPL JOHN J. SALERNO
• KRISTEN SCHAEFER-HAMID
• ROBERT & PATRICIA SCHAEFER
In Memory of Lt. Ronald Winchester
• MSGT GEORGE L. SCHAUDEL USMC (Ret)
• CPL WILLIAM L. SHEDLOV
• PACIFIC BEACH SHORE CLUB
• MRS JOANNE S. STEVENS
• MRS JOANNE S. STEVENS
• LTCOL JOHN R. STEVENS USMC
In Memory of Lt. Baldermo Lopez
• LTCOL JOHN R. STEVENS USMC
In Memory of Lt. Baldermo Lopez
• CAPT DAVID J. STRAUS
In Memory of Sgt. Jim Chubb
• 1STLT DONALD M. THINSCHMIDT
In Memory of George Crotts Chosen Survivor D-2-7
• MRS ANITA WASELINKO
In Memory of my husband George Waselinko
• CPL WALTER H. WEIDNER Jr
• SGT HARVEY L. WEISHUHN
• CPL JOSEPH JOHN. WISOCKI
23rd
30th
1st
10
20
20
3RD
50
17th
14th
1ST
20
35
2000
13th
14th
36th
5
5
10
37th
10
19th
21st
22nd
2nd
25
25
25
100
1st
143rd
144th
65
40
20
8th
100
38th
23rd
10TH
1st
25
25
10
25
VMM-166, Infantry Marines conduct predeployment training
By Sgt. Lillian Stephens, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. — Marines with Marine
Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced) and Marines
with Echo, Fox and Golf Companies, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine
Regiment (Reinforced) conducted predeployment training aboard
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 18.
Marines with VMM-166 (Rein) and Marines with 2/1 (Rein) performed on-off drills with two MV-22B Ospreys and a Tactical
Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission as part of their monthly
predeployment training.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Paul Gallion, a flight line division chief
and weapons and tactics instructor with VMM-166 (Rein), the training
allowed infantry Marines to practice safely boarding and exiting the
aircraft.
“For the ground-side guys, it is to make them comfortable getting on and off the aircraft,” said Gallion. “Some
of [them] are experiencing getting on a helicopter for the
first time.”
Marines with 2/1 practiced egressing from the Ospreys
while maintaining situational awareness of personnel and
equipment.
“If you understand why you’re being told to do things
in a certain way … you buy into it more,” said Gallion.
“We [trained] to build up their situational awareness and
24
[make them comfortable with] getting on and off the aircraft.”
Cpl. Orry Kappus, a section leader for mortars with G Co., 2/1, said
the training maintains necessary skills fresh prior to deployment, and
stresses the safety of the Marines, their equipment and aircraft.
“[They’re] going to be our primary transportation during deployment,” said Kappus. “We need to be proficient in getting on and off
[the aircraft] … that’s why we practice.”
The Marines conducted a TRAP mission after they completed the
drills, which required them to locate and evacuate a simulated downed
pilot.
“The TRAP mission was to build ground-side readiness and our
own internal readiness for the multitude of missions we may have to
do,” said Gallion. “[The crew chiefs] need to understand the basic concepts of every mission we do. It makes them a better crew chief and a
better asset to the unit and to the MEU.”
Two MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor
Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced) prepare for a Tactical
Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission.
The Old Breed News
25
The Old Breed News
RAIDERS from page 11
we are) with (Raider) an historical reference to Marine special operations, ultimately relaying the message ‘Marines are
who we are, special operations are what
we do.’
Questions and Responses. The following questions and responses are
approved for use by MARSOC personnel
in response to query only. Questions other
than those addressed below should be
referred to Capt. Barry Morris the MARSOC Public Affairs Officer by phone at
(910) 440-0770 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Q1: Will MARSOC replace all existing
organizational logos and emblems with
the Marine Raider moniker?
A1: MARSOC unit emblems will continue to use the existing blue Raider shield
with Southern Cross, but would not use
the Raider skull. The Raider patch itself
will not be an authorized unit emblem to
wear in uniform or kit, but may be used in
a personal capacity, out of uniform as a
symbol of unit pride and Marine Corps
heritage.
Q2: Will MARSOC change its entire
naming convention?
A2: Below is the complete list of units
being re-designated as Marine Raiders.
Marine Special Operations Regiment will
become Marine Raider Regiment.
• 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion
will become 1st Marine Raider Battalion.
• 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion
will become 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.
• 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion
will become 3rd Marine Raider Battalion.
• Marine Special Operations Support
Group will become Marine Raider
Support Group.
• 1st Marine Special Operations Support
Battalion will become 1st Marine Raider
Support Battalion.
• 2nd Marine Special Operations Support
Battalion will become 2nd Marine Raider
Support Battalion.
• 3rd Marine Special Operations Support
Battalion will become 3rd Marine Raider
Support Battalion.
26
Q3: How will MARSOC use the Raiders
moniker?
A3: The Raider moniker will be used by
MARSOC to enhance both esprit de corps
and to reinforce the Marine Corps’ identity, heritage and legacy associated with the
Marine Raiders of WWII.
Q4: Why is MARSOC using the Raider
moniker?
A4: MARSOC and the Marines Raiders
share the common experiences as a specialized unit, formed during a time of conflict, and uniquely manned, trained, &
equipped to conduct special operations.
The Raider moniker also provides SOF
and USMC leadership with a way to identify MARSOC Marines in different
forums—as often is heard during speaking
forums, the SOF community is described
as Navy SEALS, Army Green Berets,
Rangers, AFSOC Commandos, now the
Marine Corps has an official identity,
rather than just critical skills operator
(CSO) or special operations officer
(SOO).
Q5: Who within MARSOC will be
authorized to call themselves a Marine
Raider?
A5: While assigned to MARSOC, all personal are authorized to call themselves a
Marine Raider, to include all support personal, civilian employees as well as
MARSOC’s CSOs and SOOs. As with any
other unit within the Marine Corps, while
assigned to a particular unit with a specific
unit nickname; for example, 2nd
Battalion, 2nd Marines’ nickname is
“Warlords,” and Marine Light Attack
Helicopter Squadron 369, call themselves
“Gunfighters,” the personal assigned to
these units are authorized to call themselves a “Warlord” or “Gunfighter,”
respectfully, and the Marine Raiders
moniker is no different.
Q6: MARSOC has been in existence for
over nine years, why change the name
now?
A6: The Marine Raiders have highlighted
their strong desire for their legacy to not
be forgotten and to be carried on by another Marine Corps unit. They requested
MARSOC to be the unit to carry on that
legacy and the Commandant of the Marine
Corps concurred. We feel we owe it to
those Marine Raiders still alive and their
families to make every attempt to do so.
MARSOC is proud and honored to adopt
the name Marine Raider, carrying on the
rich heritage passed along to us by the
Raiders of World War II. As with every
Marine Corps unit, MARSOC desires a
moniker that creates its own unique identity that is based on Marine Corps heritage, and enables Marines to trace their
legacy to those Marines who served
before them.
Q7: MARSOC announced the re-designation almost a year ago, why has it taken
this long to conduct the actual re-designation ceremony?
A7: Before MARSOC could officially redesignate as Marine Raiders, Marine
Corps Bulletin (MCBUL) 5400 had to be
approved and published by Headquarters
Marine Corps. Once MCBUL 5400 was
published, the MARSOC Commander
determined the best date to hold the redesignation ceremony, ensuring it did not
conflict with unit training and other operational commitments.
Q8: What expenses/changes to materials
are involved?
A8: The associated direct costs will be
roughly $12,000, which include procurement of eight sets of unit colors that depict
the new unit names and changing identification signs located outside the respective
headquarters buildings. Indirect costs,
such as changing the name in an official
publication, will be incurred in conjunction with the scheduled revision of the
respective publication. MARSOC does
not print bulk stationery products in
advance, so additional printing costs have
been avoided. MARSOC also put on hold
the production of any additional advertising products such as bill-boards, pamphlets, newspaper print advertisements,
etc., until the naming conventions associated with the Marine Raider title are formalized.
Points of Contact: The primary point
of contact for this PAG is Capt. Barry
Morris, MARSOC Public Affairs Officer:
Office Phone (910) 440-0770, Cell Phone
(910) 650-8472.
The Old Breed News
Marines rain fire on the California desert
By Cpl. Joshua Murray
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — “Gun three half load,” exclaimed
Lance Cpl. Cody Giroux, a mortar man with Weapons Company,
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. “Gun three, Fire!” The
ground shook as the 81 mm high explosive round boomed out of
the mortar and soared across the sky.
Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines conducted mortar fire missions in support of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance
Battalion’s combined-arms raid during exercise Desert Scimitar at
Fort Irwin National Training Center, April 11, 2015.
The 81 mm mortar system is designed to provide long-range
indirect fire support for troops on the ground. During exercise
Desert Scimitar, Weapons Company used their capabilities to disrupt notional enemy forces while 1st LAR conducted raids on
simulated enemy encampments.
The 81 mm mortar system also has the ability to fire smoke
cartridges, illumination and infrared illumination rounds.
The Marines with Weapons Company were excited to take part
in the exercise and support their fellow Marines, said Lance Cpl.
Austin Mann, a mortar man with the company.
“Anytime we get to go out to the field and fire some rounds out
of our mortars is a good day in our books,” said Mann. “It’s a
great opportunity for us to train our new
Marines and give our whole team some
more experience on the gun line in
preparation for any future endeavors we
might take on.”
During exercise Desert Scimitar the
mortarmen fired
hundreds
of
mortar rounds
in support of 1st
LAR.
PFC Michael Ainsworth, a mortarman with Weapons
Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th
Marine Regiment, prepares to
drop a mortar round during a
combined-arms raid.
2015
Membership Drive
“Recruiter of the Year”
The FMDA Is seeking new members!!!
The Marine Corps is a "Band of Brothers" and the First Marine Division Association (FMDA)
represents the best of what our Corps stands for. This Association cuts across:
• Age differences • Rank differences • Race/gender differences • Socio/economic differences
In conjunction with our 2015 Membership Drive, we are announcing an award to the
membership.The FMDA member that has recruited the most new members in the calendar year
2015 will be honored as the “Recruiter of the Year- 2015" and have his or her name engraved on a
plaque and celebrated during the 2016 Anniversary in Camp Pendleton,CA during the Anniversary
Celebration. Membership is open to those who served in the 1st Marine Division at any time since
its formation in 1941, to include those serving with attached or supporting units, such as corpsmen,
aviation units, Seabees, ships, other regiments, battalions and companies. We also have
“Associate Memberships" and “Friends of the Association" for families and friends of Marines.
**FMDA National Office will track the results backdated to 1 January 2015**
Please contact your local chapter or National Office for additional membership applications
Recruit a New Member Today!!
www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org
Office: 760-918-5801 w
The Old Breed News
w 1902 Wright Place, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008
27
Welcome Aboard!
* Life Member
New Members of the 1st Marine Division Association
NAME
UNIT
ADDRESS
PHONE
RECRUITER
NEW MEMBERS
LAURA M. AKANA
CPL WAYNE W. BALDWIN
CAPT MICHAEL S. DAVIDSON
SGT/E-5 GEORGE L. DE DOMINICIS
MAJ JEROME L. DIMENNA
DEBRA S. GREGGERSEN
LCPL JERRY GUTHRIE
CAPT RONALD M. HERZFELD
PAM HIGGINS
LT COL RONALD F. KARSTEN
CAPT NAT M. KIEFFER
CPL ERICK L. LAFLEUR
SHARON A. LANCASTER
CAPT NORM J. MAHALICH
CATHERINE M. MULLAN
CPL E-4 JAMES C. POOL
JANE R. POWER
E-5 ROBERT H. PRINGER
E4/CPL WALTER F. RIORDAN
HM3 WARREN B. ROST
CPL JOHN R. STUERTZ
COL CHRISTOPHER A. TAVUCHIS
COL WILLIAM H. VIVIAN
B-1-5 KO
F-2-5 WPNS KCO 3-1
MATCU-68
3RD BN 5TH MAR MAG-13
1342 ARCADIA BLVD., BULLHEAD CITY, AZ 86442
2409 W ACOMA DR, PHOENIX, AZ 85023
4755 MACLURA STREET, OCEANSIDE, CA 92057
7800 BLOOMFIELD DR. PORT RICHEY, FL 34668-4155
42 MAYHEW, LARCHMONT, NY 10538
ALPHA 1/5-64-65
A 1/5
G 2-5
5TH MAR
CO-11TH MAR OIF
2-4 7TH MAR
1342 ARCADIA BLVD., BULLHEAD CITY, AZ 86442
1014 NE 3RD, GUYMON, OK 73942
7505 KOLACHE COVE, AUSTIN, TX 78750
45315 VANBORN RD, BELLEVILLE, MI 481411-1152
16400 STOLTZ ROAD, OREGON CITY, OR 97045-7208
1212 WINDING RD, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77840
204 DEVEREUX DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70503
445 WINFIELD BLVD., WINDCREST, TX 78239
2268 FIELDSTONE DR., PLACERVILLE, CA 95667-5292
1944 N ACACIA, MESA, AZ 85213-2905
3401 CAMBRIDGE AVE, ST LOUIS, MO 63143
2705 COUNTRY VALLEY RD, GARLAND, TX 75043-1119
2513 W IMPERIAL ST, BROKEN ARROW , OK 74011
3080 SUGARWOOD DRIVE, KODAK, TN 37764
2451 N EL CAPITAN, FRESNO, CA 93722
2612 LAFAYETTE AVE., LINCOLN, NE 68502
464 SHEPHERD CIRCLE, OCEANSIDE, CA 92058
1435 MCLEAN MEWS COURT, MCLEAN, VA 22101
H&S-1RECON CW
H&S CO III MAF DANAGE VN
ASSOCIATE
215 W LUPITA RD, SANTA FE, NM 87505-4719
P.O. BOX 1414, PRESQUE ISLE, ME 04769
1031 COMMUNITY DRIVE APT 343, JUPITER, FL 33458
H&S-1-5 A-1-7 VN
1501 SAXKEY ROAD, SAXE, VA 23967
S&H CO 2-4 1MAR DIV CW
2ND-BN-26MAR VN
1ST CBT ENGR BN RVN
1ST AMBTRACBNKO
WPNS CO 3/1 KUWAIT
VMO-6 VMO-2
DELTA 1/5
928-704-6478
Gene Wuestenfeld
760-420-1264
727-264-6829
Website
914-475-6743
Lt. Col. Oliver L. North,
USMC Ret., Honorable
John F. Lehman
928-234-7402
580-338-8063
503-701-1010
979-693-6116
337-654-3879
210-213-6653
530-642-2030
480-969-3914
314-610-7783
214-703-5413
918-520-3319
865-933-7885
559-412-8724
402-430-4937
703-615-6523
Bill Call & Mike Valdez
Vince Rios
Vince Rios
Vince Rios
Vince Rios
Vince Rios
Martin Vasquez
RENEWAL TO LIFE
*CPL STEPHEN M. BORLAND
*SSGT GARY J. SOUCIE
*MARY STREIT
REINSTATE
SGT GARY A. GRUENWALD
Leave a legacy of support to the FMDA
Scholarship Fund
General Fund
Blue Diamond Donation = 1; Total = $ 50.00
• E-5 DIRK P. MOSIS II
13th
50
Southern Cross
Team Contributions
11 Donations: Total = $1,100
28
• SGT WILLIAM N. CHEW
• SGT JAMES M. FAIRBAIRN
• CPL JOHN (DUKE) HALL
• PFC JAMES H. IRELAND
• CPL THOMAS M. MASTERSON
• SGT JESS O. MULKEY
• SGT CHARLES W. PARKER
In Memory of PFC Herman Poisson KIA 1952
• SGT THOMAS M. THOMPSON
38th
5th
27th
12th
1st
4th
2ND
23rd
13th
23rd
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
7th
100
When you include the Scholarship Fund in your estate plan,
whether through a bequest in your will or trust, a life income
gift, or simply naming the Scholarship Fund as a beneficiary of
an account or insurance policy, and you notify us of your gift,
you’ll become a member of our Blue Diamond Legacy. These
essential funds help us to continue to offer scholarships to
deserving dependents of qualified members of the FMDA.
As a member of the Blue Diamond Legacy, you’ll receive:
• Membership in the Blue Diamond Legacy
• Recognition in the Old Breed News
• Recognition on our website
• A Blue Diamond Legacy Pin
• Satisfaction that you will be helping a deserving student
And more.
For more information about the Blue Diamond Legacy and its
important role in supporting deserving students, call 760-9628561 or John Stevens at 415-921-1933.
The Old Breed News
By Don Dyer
I
really could not say what stimulated the
memories, but the usual business chatter
seemed to fade and stall and left Ed
Cahill talking quietly about a personal
Gethsemane. His head and his voice
dropped and he talked as much to his half
empty glass as to me.
We were part of a business group attending a pre-dinner reception. Although the
room was crowded and other members of
the group circulated close at hand, they
seemed to sense that a private conversation
was in progress and did not intrude.
Lieutenant Cahill, it turned out, had
taken a patrol of Marines behind enemy
lines in Korea. He never said it was an intelligence mission, but it was a safe assumption. The patrol ran into a large body of
Chinese infantry. A firefight erupted and
continued until the surrounded Marines ran
out of ammunition: they surrendered in
hopes of sparing their wounded.
Lieutenant
Cahill
“The bastards killed them all anyway,”
Ed remembered. “The rest of us ended up
in tiger cages.”
The tiger cage was exactly what the
name implies: a bamboo cage designed to
hold animals and not humans, who found it
almost impossible to either stand up or lie
down within its confines.
Ed was a big guy, so it must have been
an especially difficult experience for him.
“We were there for several months: kept
outside in all weather,” he recalled.
His words came hard and there were frequent silences. Ed leaned against the wall
and continued to examine the glass in his
hand.
“Somebody got free one night and
opened as many of the other cages as he
could,” he said.
I took it that the “somebody” was Ed
himself.
“We ran and ran with no other plan than
to head south,” he explained. “By sun up
some of the guys couldn’t run any farther.
So we all sat down: all for one; one for all:
Semper Fi. We were still sitting there when
a South Korean army patrol stumbled on
us.”
The waiter held out a tray with a fresh
Scotch and water on it. The thread was
broken, and a pleasant smile broke over the
tough face.
“Why the hell not?” he said, as he
reached out to replace his empty glass.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Does anyone remember
a Lt. Ed Cahill or the patrol of which he
speaks? If you do, please let the editor
know.
Is There Room For One More Monument On The Mall?
Effort Underway to Build Permanent Memorial in Washington
To Commemorate 1990-91Conflict
T
he National Desert Storm Memorial
Foundation announced an update for
the effort to build a permanent memorial in Washington D.C. commemorating the
1990-1991 conflict. Twenty-five years ago,
the run-up to the 1991 Persian Gulf War
began with the Aug. 2 Iraqi invasion of
Kuwait and the Aug. 7 deployment of U.S.
forces to Saudi Arabia that launched
Operation Desert Shield – the largest U.S.
military overseas deployment since Vietnam.
After Iraq failed to comply with multiple UN
mandates to withdraw from Kuwait,
Operation Desert Storm – the Gulf War –
began on Jan. 17, 1991.
As many of our FMDA members recall,
in 1990 the 1st Marine Division formed the
core of the force sent to Southwest Asia in
response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
During Operation Desert Shield, the
Division provided the ground combat element of I Marine Expeditionary Force in
Saudi Arabia.
In 1991, the 1st Division fought alongside
the 2nd Marine Division and the rest of the
coalition forces in Operation Desert Storm.
In 100 hours of offensive ground combat, the
1st Marine Division destroyed the enemy in
The Old Breed News
its path as it led the breakthrough to Kuwait
City.
An effort is currently underway to build a
permanent memorial in Washington, D.C. for
the conflict. The veteran-led effort received
congressional approval of the memorial in
2014. The memorial honors those who
answered their nation’s call, the families who
supported them and most importantly, the 379
American and allied soldiers who made the
ultimate sacrifice. The project is funded
entirely by private donations. There are no
taxpayer dollars requested or expected for
construction of the memorial.
Background:
In 2014, Congress authorized the creation
of the National Desert Storm War Memorial,
honoring those who served in Operation
Desert Storm/Desert Shield from 1990 to
1991. This year represents the 25th
Anniversary of the conflict.
Desert Storm Quick Facts:
• Desert Storm/Desert Shield is the largest
American war of the 20th Century without a
memorial.
• More than a half million American servicemen and women served in the conflict.
• 34 nations stood in a coalition alongside
America.
• The Gulf War was a turning point in
warfare. The idea of precision strikes that
were highly effective and could minimize
civilian casualties was new.
• Included the biggest tank battle in U.S.
history.
• Largest U.S. Navy deployment since
Vietnam, including three U.S. battleships –
the last time battleships were ever deployed
in combat.
• Major threat from chemical weapons to
our troops.
• America defeated the Iraqi army, which
was the fourth largest in the world, with relatively few casualties, liberating the sovereign country of Kuwait.
• The Gulf War, our first major war after
Vietnam, helped restore the nation’s confidence and pride in its military.
For more information, please contact James
Bernsen, [email protected], (512)
497-6725.
29
30
The Old Breed News
TAPS
* Life Member
Members
*CPL MIGUEL ALVAREZ, RECON-HQ KO, ALHAMBRA, CA
*CPL CLARENCE W. ASHBY, H&S-4-11 WWII, POCATELLO, ID, 3/11/2015
*JAMES S. BODACK, H&S-2-7 KO, WEST HILLS, CA,
12/19/2015
RICHARD A. BONELLI, F-2-7 KO, ENGLEWOOD, FL
CPL JOHN J. BOSMAN, 9-Jan, MIDDLETOWN, IN,
12/17/2011
*SGT NORMAN BOUTRY, 1SHPTY KO, REDDING, CA,
5/10/2015
*CPL VERNARD BRINTZENHOFE, B-1AVNENGR WWII,
HAGERSTOWN, MD
PFC MATTHEW W. BRUDER JR., B-1-11 CH, VENICE, FL,
12/4/2014
*CPL ERNEST R. CAMARA, DIV HQ KO, TAUNTON, MA,
7/30/2013
JOHN R. CARMICHAEL JR, FRIEND, , 6/7/2015
*CPL GLENN W. COVERT, 7REG HQ WWII, NORTH
LAWRENCE, OH
DAVID W. COX, , WINCHESTER, CA
*PFC JOHN R. CULLEN, D-1-1 WWII, FAIRFIELD , CT,
5/3/2010
CPL ROMEO C. DELGADO, 1SPLWPNS WWII, BONITA,
CA, 6/24/2015
*CPL WILLIAM E. DEUEL, 1ST ENGR VN, FT MOHAVE, AZ,
3/3/2015
*KARL M. DREIHAUPT, B-1-7 KO, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ,
3/14/2015
*CPL CLIFFORD M. DRURY, HQ-2-5 WWII CH, CINCINNATI,
OH, 5/9/2015
*PLTSGT DAVID E. DURR, 1ASCO CH, NEW BERN, NC,
3/23/2014
*CPL ALBERT C. EHLOW, HQ-3-1 CW, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA, 7/17/2015
*SGT GARY E. EICHHORST, 5MAR KO, BULLHEAD CITY,
AZ, 11/27/2014
*CWO4 ARTHUR C. FARRINGTON, A-1SPLWPNS F-2-1
WWII KO VN, ESCONDIDO, CA, 5/28/2015
*SGT DONALD C. FOX, B-1TKS KO, TUMWATER, WA,
4/4/2015
SGT KENNETH L. FRIZELLE, MASS-2 VN, BULLHEAD
CITY, AZ, 4/21/2015
*SGT SAM GUEVARA, WPNS-3-7 KO, SAN JOSE, CA,
2/19/2007
PFC FELEVERTO (PEE WEE). HERNANDEZ, SUPPLY BA
ADM ACT 1MARDIV, LAKEWOOD, CA, 11/17/2014
*MAJ FRANKLIN D. KESTNER Sr, D-10ENGR KO, TUCSON,
AZ
*LTCOL ALFRED L. LEIDY USMC (Ret), C-1-5 KO VN,
GOLD RIVER, CA, 5/19/2015
*RAYMOND C. LIDDINGTON, HQ-1MAR KO, DRYDEN, NY,
6/20/2015
MRS JACKIE LILLIAN, Wife of Fred A. Lillian, 7/11/2015
MRS HARRIET LOVAS, Wife of Sgt John J. Lovas, MC KINNEY, TX
*CPL KENNETH J. LOWELL, 1AMTRAC WWII, SAUQUOIT,
NY, 1/16/2015
SGT REX W. LYNCH JR, 1ST ENG BN 1MAR DIV KO CW,
APEX, NC, 4/15/2015
*1STLT DARYL L. MCKINNEY, 3-7MAR WWII CH, CLOQUET, MN, 4/29/2010
*CWO4 DONALD E. MONNOT USMC (Ret), 1-5MAR 27MAR KO CMC VN, RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, 7/6/2015
CAPT RICHARD C. MORAN, HQ-2-1 VN, TWENTYNINE
PALMS, CA
*WILLIAM E. MORAN, ??WAR/ERA??, OAK PARK, MI
*SSGT HAROLD E. PANTALL, H-3-7 WWII KO, PUNTA
GORDA, FL, 3/25/2015
*SGT WILLIAM (BUZZ) J. PARIS, H-3-5 KO, SHEFFIELD, PA
CPL CLYDE STPHEN. SHIPPE USMCR, 13TH INF BN CW,
CATONSVILLE, MD, 12/3/2014
*SSGT DON E. SMALL, SMS33 KO, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ,
11/16/2014
*MR. JOE W. SPARLING USMC (Ret), VMSB341 VMR152
WWII CH KO, OCEANSIDE, CA
*CPL CHRISTOPHER A. STIRLING, K-3-27 VN, PLEASANT
VALLEY, NY, 3/19/2010
*CPL ROBERT R. TAYLOR, B-3ARMAMPHIB WWII, HERMISTON, OR, 7/28/2015
*PFC DONALD D. TULLOCH, WPNS-7MAR WWII,
PEABODY, MA, 11/1/2013
*PFC FRED H. WARBLOW, L-3-5 WWII CH, BELLEVILLE,
MI, 5/16/2015
Hmmm, Just a Little History of the Hymn
M
any of you have heard me use the line,
"Admiration of the Nation, we’re the
finest ever seen; And we glory in the title of
United States Marine.” I have used this for
years as a closing to talks I have given at various Marine Corps functions, e.g., Marine
Corps birthday celebrations. Many have
asked if it was my own lyric or what. Well, I
thought the record ought to be straight. So
here it is.
The Marines Hymn (also known as “The
Halls of Montezuma”) is the official hymn of
the United States Marine Corps. It was introduced by the first Director of the USMC
Band, Francesco Maria Scala. It is the oldest
official song of the United States Armed
Forces.
Some of the lyrics were popular phrases
before the song was written. The line “To the
shores of Tripoli” refers to the First Barbary
War, and specifically the battle of Derne in
1805. After Lt. Presley O’Bannon and his
Marines hoisted the American flag over the
Old World for the first time, the phrase was
added to the flag of the United States Marine
Corps.
The Old Breed News
“The Halls of Montezuma” refers to the
Battler of Chapultepec on 12/13 September
1847, during the Mexican-American War,
where a force of Marines stormed
Chapultepec Castle.
While the lyrics are said to date from the
19th century, no pre-20th century text is
known. The author of the lyrics is likewise
unknown.
Legend has it that a Marine on duty in
Mexico penned the hymn. The unknown
author transposed the phrases in the motto on
the Colors so that the first two lines of the
hymn would read: “From the Hall of
Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli,” favoring euphony over chronology.
The music is from the Gendarmes’ Duet
(the “Bold Gendarmes”) from the revision in
1867 of the Jacques Offenbach opera
"Genevieve de Brabant," which is sung by
two gendarmes. The opera debuted in Paris
in 1859. John Phillip Sousa once wrote, ”The
melody of the ‘Halls of Montezuma’ is taken
from the Offenbach’s comic opera."
Some claim that the Marine Corps
secured a copyright on the song on 19
August 1891, but this is incorrect. The copyright was vested on 18 August 1919. In 1929,
the Commandant of the Marine Corps
authorized the three verses of the Marines
Hymn as the official version, but changed the
third and fourth lines:
Pre-1929 version:
Admiration of the Nation
We’re the finest ever seen;
And we glory in the title
Of United States Marine.
Authorized change in 1929 version:
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.
On 21 November 1942, Commandant
Thomas Holcomb approved a change in the
words to the first verse, fourth line from “On
land as on the sea” to “In the air, on land, and
sea” to reflect the addition of aviation to the
Corps’ arsenal.
The older version was featured in the
1950 film, "Halls of Montezuma."
W. Denny Weisgerber, GySgt,
USMC (Ret), FMDA Chaplain
31
1st Marine Division Association
1902 Wright Pl., Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA 92008
PERIODICAL — TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL

JULY, AUG, SEPT 2015 - 1st Marine Division Association

Transcription

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