John J Josefczyk (Ski), Lawrence Plummer, Ben Drake, S/Sgt. King, Lt. Meale
1st. Lt. C.V. Taylor
1st. Lt.. Taylor, Born in Johnson City, Tennessee, and I was raised in Michigan. I was attending East Tennessee State University in Johnson City when, for no earthly reason I can think of, I decided to join the military.
Recruiting offices were in the post office and as I walked in the door, a Marine Gunny in dress blues grabbed my arm and pulled me in his office…the rest is history. Christmas 1965 in the old, wooden squad bay (DI put a red ribbon around one of the squad bay support posts – just like home). Made Pfc. and honor man at Parris Island, then to Pensacola, Fla. for Communication Technician school. Made Cpl.
The CO took a liking to me and decided I should be an officer. I was sent to OCS at Quantico, as a 0311 infantry Officer. I graduated June 1967, and then I was off to the lovely beaches of Viet Nam, about July or August or 1967. Spent the night at the airfield with F-4s roaring all night, which didn’t help you very much to enjoy any attempt at a good nights sleep. That morning, I took a truck (6x6), to Quang Tri, and then to 2nd Bn., 1st Marines. The Bn. Cdr. told me where 1st Plat was, and I walked over to where he had directed me to be in order to find them. I found about a dozen raggedy-ass Marines sitting around a hooch and asked them where 1st Plat was? They said, “This is it.” They had just returned from operation Medina and were somewhat under strength.
I had the Platoon for about 6 or 7 months from about August of ’67 through Jan or Feb ’68. I had them at Quang Tri, Con Thien and a little while at Khe Sahn, where I took over Hotel Company, maybe Feb or Mar ‘68. Had the company on the night march out of Khe Sanh, and for a while at Mai Tse Tai up on the Cua Viet River. Maybe two months, like March, April, and May ’68. I became Bn S-4 for last month or so – I remember embarking the Bn out of Mai Tsi Tai and back down to Da Nang. Just a few weeks in Da Nang and I flew out to the states.
I stayed in the Corps after Viet Nam and served as Company Commander, H&S 1/5, S-3 for 2/5, CO, MarDet, USS Ticonderoga for 2 years, Instructor in the Leadership Department at Quantico, Pacific desk officer in Plans Division at PP&O at HQMC, Training Division at Quantico and retired as a LtCol from Quantico in 1991 (26 years).
I have been the assistant director of a police academy here in Fredericksburg, VA since 1991. I get a lot of Marines getting out at Quantico who come down here to train as cops. And you know they are our best students!
Married, no children and have a 50 acre registered Black Angus farm in King George, VA… So if you know anybody wants to be a cop or wants some of the finest beef around, I’m the man to see!
Semper Fi,
C.V.
LT. Cosby
1st. Lt. Sam Meale
1st. Lt. Sam Meale joined the 1st Platoon of Hotel Company, as Platoon Commander, in August of 1968. He left Hotel in December 1968, when he was reassigned to 2nd Battalion First Marines HQ where he worked in the Battalion S-3 as assistant to Major Taylor the Bn S-3.
When 1st. Lt. Meale joined Hotel Company, it was located in the Cau Viet River Area, about six miles South of the DMZ, along the coast of the South China Sea. The Company was settled in an area that looked like an island, surrounded by dried up rice paddies. The island, rose above the rice paddies about 8" to a foot.
The part of the island Hotel Company occupied was at the west end of a long shaped peninsula about three hundred meters in length. It was about one hundred and fifty meters wide, at its widest point. At its most western point, was a grave yard situated with large mounds of dirt and some cement walls about 8" wide and about a foot tall, surrounding ¾ th.'s of the mound or statue. It was a good place to be if we took any incoming rounds. There were plenty of niches located everywhere near by to get down in or behind. Once Lt. Meale was introduced to the Skipper of Hotel Company, Capt. Philip T. Jones, he met the other platoon commander's and members of his new CP. Group. They consisted of his Platoon Sergeant, the Right Guide, and Weapons Platoon Commander, and the senior Corpsman for Hotel Company, along with his squad leaders.
Lt. Meale himself didn't look older then 18 years old, let alone anyone who had been old enough to graduate from college. He very young looking for someone that was about to hold the job and responsibility he had just inherited. It was very easy to mistake him for just another young Marine, never imagining he was a Platoon Leader and an Officer in the Marine Corps.
Lt. Meale was a smart new Platoon Commander, and he looked to his most experienced Platoon Sergeant, S/Sgt. King, for advise and ideas how to efficiently keep the platoon running as smoothly as it had been. We spent about a month and a half in the Cau Viet Area, running Operations into the DMZ, and keeping our own AO, (Area of Operation) clear from NVA or any VC. Lt. Meale caught on fast,
Lt. Meale's toughest job was to keep the morale of the Platoon up. Fighting a guerrilla type war is the most difficult thing there is to do. The area was flat; hill 10 was a big hill. The 10 on the map stood for being literally 10 meters high from sea level. We were operating in squad size patrols, but the squads were under strength the entire time Lt. Meale was our Platoon Commander. Rather than a squad of 13 men with a Sergeant as squad leader, our squads were lead by PFC’s, and Lance Corporal's, who only had the strength of 6 to 8 men at the most my entire tour of 13 months, which was long after Lt. Meale had been transferred to Battalion S3 in Da Nang. On top of everything else, it was the rainy season and we were always walking in water, morning, noon and the worst part, night, when you slept in the cold freezing rain, huddled together with other squad members, just to keep a little warmer for the few hours of sleep we'd get. The high ground was booby trapped and the low ground was under water. Not a good place to be.
Lt. Meale was an excellent leader who cared for his men. He managed the platoon well and did everything possible to keep causalities to a minimum. He was and is well respected by those of us who served under him even to this day, 32 years later in our lives. Lt. Meale didn't make the Marine Corps his career. When we finally were able to find him, he was in Milan Italy, and was the head of the DEA there. That's a job which demands exceptional skills, that we all know where he started gathering those important skills, in Hotel Company 2/1, 1st. Marine Division, from August through December of 1968.
Then in 1968 at work
Now in 2,000, doing a different type of work
In January 1968 S/Sgt Carl E. King joined Hotel Company 1st Platoon. Prior to being sent to Vietnam, he was a Drill Instructor stationed at San Diego Recruit training Facility, in sunny Southern California.
Enlisted Marines (active or former) never forget the names of their Drill Instructors. They may not remember the name of their civilian bosses or even remember what teacher had most influenced them. But their Drill Instructors, they remember. These are the men who took them from being a civilian to being a Marine. These are the men who taught them instant obedience to orders; these are the men who put them through living hell for 12 weeks. Knowing this, you will better understand not only why S/Sgt King received and held the attention of the men he lead in combat but also was given the respected nick name "The Boss" by his troops (but never to his face).
When "The Boss" was along, we were confident that no matter what we got into, he would be able to get us out.. Those days then and now are still precious to us and to anyone alive who was fortunate enough to serve under him.
He served as Platoon Sergeant and as Platoon Commander for the 1st Platoon for most of his tour in country and just prior to being wounded for the second time as Weapons Platoon Commander.
His leadership and combat skills stood out, not only to his men, but to the officer corps of Hotel Company, who recommended him for a battle field commission. He was commissioned 2nd Lt shortly after returning to the states and went on to retire as a Major.
We the Marines who had the distinct and proud honor to have served in combat with Major Carl E. King USMC Ret. without hesitation bestow the highest of honors any Marine can receive throughout his career, the title of "A Marines Marine" and we say to you "Boss" well done Sir, may you always wear it with pride. This honor comes from the troops of Hotel Company 1st Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division 1968.
Receiving Plaque from troops, Nov. 09, 1997
Replica of plaque presented with actual inscription
Cpl. Lawrence (Dallas) Plummer was the right guide for 1st. Platoon, Hotel Company who joined Hotel Company way back in 1967. In August of 1968, the early part when this was taken, the picture, Dallas had earned the prestigious honor of being the Platoon Right Guide, or third in command. He'd definitely seen the best part of the war, having been through Con Thien, Khe Sanh, and all through the DMZ and surrounding areas of it. But Dallas as he was affectionately called by those who knew him as a leader of men, knew he was well suited for the right guide position.
There are a couple of insignificant aspects that come with the job like making sure all grenades and resupply of ammo and munitions are received by all squads equally through out the Platoon.
Today, Dallas is married to a beautiful young lady, I hope his wife won't find out from reading this, just kidding of course. He made it to our Reunion 2000, held in San Antonio, Texas. He's a bit older looking but still in as good a shape as he always was. Looking forward to seeing you gain Dallas at the next reunion, there is still a lot of stuff we didn't get a chance to catch up on but I know we will. God Bless you Sir and Semper Fi. for you are the pride of Hotel Company.
Top left to right: Arthur Bowman, Jay Vincens, Nate Solomon, Jim Pennington, Benny Belt, Fred Lynch, Bobby Hingston.
Mike Donovan, Tony Seiber, Malcolm Creelman, McDonald, Mike Roebuck, Fletcher, Royce Heinze.
John Green Jr., Tom Ellingberg, Peterson, Chase Bagley, Tony Caluchi, Mark Hathaway, Johnson
Weapons Platoon 1st Section
1st. Squad's photo shown above was taken up near the DMZ (so-called De Militarized Zone, a weird name for the most militarized area in country) in early August of 1968 when Hotel Company's then new Skipper, Phil Jones, was absorbing the replacements after Khe Sanh. Not all of us completed our tour of 13 months and 20 days, (if your orders arrived on time). From the above group, we lost Arthur Bowman, when he stepped on a 105 mm. foot trap booby trap on September 10, 1968. Nate Solomon was the Squad Leader, who completed his bush tour shortly after Arthur's mishap, and platoon Sergeant Carl King had Jay Vincens put aside his transfer to Echo 1st. Bn. Recon to take over as 1st. Squad Leader until early December 1968 (the skull and paddles logo on Jay's cowboy hat reads "Swift-Silent-Deadly"). With a company at around 35 - 40 % of authorized strength, Hotel went on to very aggressively "do more with less" under the leadership of Skipper Phil Jones for the remainder of 1968.
Hotel first platoon's work on advanced individual training in small team operations was started by Carl King in Khe Sanh to make sure anyone could take over any squad or the platoon anytime, when the seniors get hurt. This produced a core group of seasoned "bush fighters" tested under fire as leaders irrelevant of rank. Late July 1968, our new Skipper, Capt. Philip T. Jones, picked Carl King's group to expand on Capt. Jones' "trainers of trainers" concept, where five-man "Killer Teams" with Scout Snipers attached to us would peel off from the platoon and maneuver away from the main group to take the fight to Charlie in his own turf using Charlie's own tactics, ten times worse. Jay was assigned to 1st. Squad as Trainer, with his fire team serving as the training unit on special tactics, radio coordination of artillery and aviation even in the dark without notes, and just plain creating wreckage on the enemy at massive levels for days and nights at a time. Jay taught Fred, Benny, and myself, more information concerning guerilla tactics between July and the end of Sept., than anyone thought possible to accomplish, then expanded all of it when he took over as Squad Leader September through December. As violent with death and destruction the many incidents, to this day Jay is proud we never lost a Marine KIA thanks to the ongoing training and aggressive combat tactics. 1st. Squad also managed to get everyone equipped with the best Recon and Special Forces gear and weapons "contributed" by units far and wide across the area of operations. We even had a jeep for a while.
Jay was Squad Leader and Killer Team Trainer and Commander until an emergency Red Cross medevacked him home to deal with a terminal illness in his family. Fred, then myself, took over as the Squad Leaders and Trainers until I left at the end of my tour as acting Platoon Sergeant of 1st Platoon, in June 1969.
We did our jobs as combat Marine's and risked our lives to protect each other. As aggressive as we were, medals were never in our mind just staying alive and teaching new Marines how to do the same and make Charlie sorry he was facing US Marines. Marine infantry respect their own, though, and Jay nominated Freddy, Benny, and me for Silver and Bronze Stars in 1968. Without telling him, we grunts nominated Jay for separate incidents for the Silver Star and when my father who was then a Marine officer visited Vietnam in 1968 and heard about a fire fight in October, he had Fred and me nominate Jay for the Medal of Honor. But the paperwork got lost at the company office and never made it to the Skipper. Thanks to Skipper Phil Jones and SST. Carl King, Freddy, Benny and I got our medals in 1998 as they found out about the goof up and moved heaven and earth to take care of their Marines. Fred, my father and I also re-submitted Jay for his Silver Star, MHO, and at least four Purple Hearts, and Skipper Jones and Carl King endorsed Jay for the Navy Cross in 1998. But as of this writing (September 2000) that is still being processed.
Each of Hotel Company's squads had outstanding combat Marines, along with hairy incidents which occurred. This is a brief look at 1st. Squad, from the middle to end of 1968. A great group and I am proud to have been one of them.
Jim was in Country, what we referred to Vietnam as, when I was assigned to Hotel Company, 1st. Platoon, in early July 1968. Jim hailed from West Virginia, and was about 6' 2" tall, weighed around 160 pounds soaking wet. The expression on in face in this picture, is the same one he had on his face his entire time with us in South Vietnam.
Jim carried the radio for us while we were up in the Cua Viet Area, near the DMZ. Somehow Jay Vincens got an extra radio, we called them "Prick 25's", because they weighed 25 pounds each, and you also were responsible for carrying all of your own gear as well and squad gear too, so you can see how it got its name.
Jim talked very soft, half the time we thought we each were going deaf, when we'd ask Jim a question, and you could hardly hear his answer. Jim never seemed to ever get excited either, weather suffering from heat stroke, or in the middle of a fierce NVA ambush, his voice was still, quiet, and low, never raising his tone in excitement, or yelling loudly due to fear, just the same slow Southern Drawl as usual.
Jim was a big part of our Alpha Squad family that still exists to this very day. We lost touch with Jim for 30 years until one of our squad members found him living in West Virginia still. He is married, not sure about the children, but knowing Jim there are probably lots of them, and he is an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who preaches in different churches , where ever they call him to come and to preach the Word of God to their congregations.
Jim would be quite surprised with the rest of the squad now, because most of us have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, so I hope Jim your able to find this and read it to your wife and family. I know you Jim would have never imagined the rest of us who received the Lord as our savior, would have in a million years, back then. We were not agnostics, or atheist, not on a battle field, no way. We all had religion in our lives but never had a relationship with Jesus, like we do today.
Jim was medevacked home due to an extreme case of a skin disease. He literally suffered for months with it, before they finally realized how serious it was, and sent him back to the USA to a real hospital to receive the needed treatment that was required for his disease. That was back in November or late September 1968, when we were on "Hand Grenade Hill" out in the Riviera Area of our TAOR.
Jim didn't win any medals, he like the many of us in 1st. Platoon and the other Platoons, all should have received many more medals then were ever given out. In any fire fight, Jim was there and could be counted on to do whatever told to regardless how insane at the time it seemed to be. He never questioned an order, and would die in a heart beat for anyone of us, if the situation required him to do so. We all loved Jim as a Marine, a comrade in arms, a person, and as just Jim. We all look forward to running into you at one of our many reunions each year that we began back in 1997, in Charleston, South Carolina.
Lance Corporal Arthur Bowman was a team leader with Alpha Squad, while Nate Solomon was our Squad Leader. Both Nate Solomon and Arthur Bowman were very close and both a ran a tight ship or in our case a tight squad. I along with Fred Lynch was in Bowman's Team. He was strict, but he was so because he was tired of new guys making dumb mistakes, getting themselves killed or worse others who did know their jobs killed along with them. In his strictness, I learned enough in a very shot period of time to keep me alive long enough to do a full tour of 13 months, with 20 days for some unknown reason other then we were the Marine Corps we always did one up or that much more or anything to separate ourselves from just another American unit in the USA Armed Forces.
Arthur was six feet, and two or three inches tall, weighing about one hundred and eighty five muscular pounds because in Vietnam, no one had any fat left on them after the first month when they usually catch dysentery. Boy that disease makes you think your going to die and during the second week of it your praying to die from it. Two good slugs of paregoric, an opiate, fixed you up immediately, yet the Corpsman never gave it to you unless there was a chance you'd miss an operation or something that was coming up.
Arthur hailed from Brooklyn, New York, along with a few others from our Platoon's. He was a professional Marine right down to blousing his trousers in the "Bush". He always looked sharp, weather on a patrol, or getting ready to catch a chopper for an Operation in the DMZ. He was one squared away Marine in his dress and in his mannerisms too. He was also a dependable Marine, who'd die beside you rather then leave you behind, even if he had the way out, it was everyone or no one, with Arthur, and the rest of the Marines in our Company too.
One thing when out on a patrol, you made sure that you were doing everything you were suppose to be doing from the beginning to the very end when you dropped your pack back at the base camp, or you'd hear it from Bowman. It was his way or method of teaching, others may have been a bit easier on new guys but our new guys under Bowman all went home alive. In Alpha Squad, we may have had a bit of a dispute arise now and then, but everything was handled democratically regardless what the rank you had was or wasn't.
If anyone in Arthur's family is reading this, well you had every right to know that Arthur was 100% Marine, and he stood with the best of them, not too many other Marines have that to their ledger. He was respected for the person and the Marine he was, not because he was from Brooklyn, New York, or because he was over six feet tall, because he was something then the Corps could be proud of and something today's Corps could be exceptionally proud of today.
Corporal Nate Solomon, was from Savannah, Georgia, where he is still presently living. He was our acting Squad Leader when I met him in July 8th or 10th of 1968. Solomon stands a very muscular six feet three inches, weighed about one hundred eighty pounds of solid muscle. He also had the is expression that he'd make when he was mad or upset with you that seemed to make every muscle even in his face bulge up in a manner that made you want to crawl in a hole somewhere to get away from him.
Solomon was a Marine through and through, and didn't have a lot of time left in Vietnam that he wanted any of us new guys to make that time never come. He was strict, but fair with everyone, regardless of time in Country or not. It would be great at times when we'd get a swimming break and he and lance corporal Bowman would wrestle like to bulls in the shallow water, then lay back and laugh till it hurt. Solomon was a caring person underneath the outward Marine Squad Leader role he'd play when we were out on ambushes, patrols, or breaking up a NVA and VC ambush with only seven Marines in our squad and get lots of kills, while scattering the enemy every direction as they didn't stop to count how many we were, just how many they were losing, and losing them fast too.
The first time I ever got wounded, I was the squad radio man. It was almost getting dark and Fred came over asking me for my liter to light his cigarette. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, we heard the 105 mm. cannons open up and Fred said that someone was in for it tonight just as the first round hit no further then ten meters from me, blowing a hole big enough to put your fist in, right beneath my groin area. Immediately Solomon say and heard I was hit and he jumped on top of me covering my entire body with his to keep me from getting hit with anymore shrapnel that was exploding from the rounds that kept landing on us. Solomon acts as it was no big deal, but he put his life in jeopardy to keep mine alive and for that I owe him whatever he asks of me till I die. That's how I see it, he doesn't though, but I do.
Solomon was not just a good squad leader, but also a damn good Marine, that you'd follow him into the gates of Hell, if he asked you to. You'd know he'd get you back in one piece too, once the operation was over. Solomon had a gentle spirit that touched you by just being in his presence, yet he could chew you up and spit you out big time if you were not doing what you were suppose to be doing out in the bush. He was a "Bush Warrior" a title few men receive from another grunt in the Bush with you. Yet Solomon would get the award 100 % by the Company as being a "Bush Warrior" and a Marine. A "Bush Warrior" knows how to spot the enemy, flank him, call artillery on them, or ambush them without losing one Marine in the process. Very few Marines could accomplish that.
I know he taught me plenty to keep me alive throughout my tour, that's for sure. He also instilled in me the aggressive attack no matter how many there were as they'd run for the hills down South not up North though, they'd be chained to their weapons before they'd retreat. He instilled good judgment in me to where I can't remember ever losing a man in any of my squads that I was squad leader.
Solomon went home alive, the best testimony to knowing what you were doing as a grunt fighting 13 months and 20 days in the Bush, out for 30 days in for 3 to resupply then out for 30 again. You have to have some Bush smarts to make it that length of time as so many more didn't then did.
Fred Lynch, was a P.F.C. when he joined Hotel Company 2/1, 1st Platoon Alfa Squad around July 7th or 8th, right after Hotel Company moved from Khe Sanh. They were at Cua Viet, the "Tree Line" we called it and Fred was raring to get the war going since he now finally had gotten there.
Fred grew up a bit of all over, but the one thing he and I had in common was we loved playing "War" every chance we had as kids growing up, weather with toy men or actually in the woods with the neighbors kids, "War Games" is all that existed in our lives and we felt we missed our chance growing up because we didn't get to fight in W.W. II or Korea. So Vietnam was a must, we weren't missing this one for anything.
I joined the Platoon the flowing day and Fred wound up drinking my four canteens of back in the rear water, that is how we met and became instant friends, closer then brothers or any relatives ever hoped to be.
Fred was made point man and on one of our big night time patrols, he heard someone making a noise in the dark just ahead of us like shaking a poncho in the wind. He notified Solomon of the noise and then opened up getting the two machine gunners from 2nd Platoon, and setting off a fire works display like one you never could possibly imagine, all with live ammo. He heard one of the wounded yell for "Mother Up" our way for calling a medic. Vietnamese couldn't pronounce their M's very well. He then started yelling for people to seize firing and after a bunch of green flares, everyone stopped firing at each other.
The 2nd Platoon men who were wounded, were medevack home but as serious as their wounds were, they were no life threatening, so he kind of did them a favor sending them back to the USA. The ambush was called off that night as everyone knew we were out there, but Fred's keen hearing and later eyesight, made him the best point man I ever saw or encountered my entire tour in Vietnam. I walked point myself for six months off and on but although very good myself, not quite as good as Fred was.
Fred was basically from Lancing, Mich. and lives there today. He and I, the author of all these write ups, Bobby Hingston, made up a good pair of "Bush Men" as we could almost by telepathy know exactly when and what the other wanted done in a fire fight or ambush, or even other stuff. It was like we were each the others half, and together we were a whole and one heck of a whole as anyone would tell you too.
Fred went from Point Man to Squad Leader before being seriously wounded going into tunnels by five grenades. He has recuperated enough today where he got his speech back and the use of his left side but his right side is partially still paralyzed. he drives a Heritage Springer 1997 Harley Davidson though, and we get it up to over 120 miles an hour on a number of occasions. We are still kids when we get together one or twice every year now since 1986. I never respected a man or loved a man as much as I do Fred, my father is the only man I love more and respect more in my life. Fred earned one Bronze Star w/ Combat "V" for one act of bravery, yet there were so many acts of bravery he did almost on a daily basis yet never got rewarded except the one by our Skipper and Platoon Sergeant, in 1995 as they knew the man Fred was and although it slipped through the cracks 32 years ago, by the grace of Jay Vincens or "Killer Team" leader and also our Squad Leader, along with Majors Jones and King USMC Ret. he finally got his one recognition he can hang on his wall and know it should be surrounded by plenty more higher and lower in achievement.
Lance Corporal Jay Vincens, was with Hotel Company from the time they were up in Khe Sahn, until near the end of December 1968 when he was emergency Red Cross medevacked home. Jay was tall, about 6" 3" in height, weighed about 165 pd's soaking wet, yet muscular and wiry as an electric wire with too much voltage running through it to tame. He was also older then the rest of us and had finished college and was in graduate school when he decided to do the one thing he always dreamed of, fight in a real war.
Jay grew up all over the world due to his father being an Army Officer, and a career man at that. Jay liked playing army as a kid with the actual gear, while most kids used sticks, or red plastic toy things that didn't look real in the slightest. He, during his growing up years learned a lot of knowledge about survival and guerilla warfare techniques, that he'd practice on actual troops in the rain forest of Pan Ama. He'd be sneaking into training areas that were off limits to dependents or civilians, but he never got caught, he was so good at it. Thank God His father never found out what he was doing as career Officers don't take kindly to their children running their careers for fun.
Jay could also express himself in a soft tone of voice, yet without raising it a decibel in pitch, you could feel weather or not he was angry at you or disappointed with you, but never would he do it unjustly, and always he'd follow up with a positive remark, to make you feel good for being chewed out. He was a born teacher of men and as we didn't know it, Fred and I, Bobby Hingston, were picked by Jay up North to be trained for "killer Teams" that were five men teams with snipers attached who went out with a large force, pealed off when they rested and then hid out during the day and played the NVA's and VC's game at night better then they were capable in their own back yards. Both fred and I thought this extensive and excessive training was normal for all new guys to go through, learning radio frequencies of artillery areas, and air tact frequencies, as well as one whole lot of other training that went on 24 hours a day, seven days a week without stop.
Every man was trained to know every mans job as good or better then he knew it, so that any time an Officer, or Platoon Sergeant, were killed, you knew his job as well as he did, so no disruption of command would ever take place. He even somehow got Fred and I sent to Mine, Booby Trap and Warfare school down in Da Nang for one or two weeks of learning how to be a demolition man for the Platoon. Fred and I loved that job though.
Jay was a man who made the Officers, mostly Lt.'s a bit uncomfortable, they knowing he knew as much as they did or a lot more, so they never questioned anything he was doing. When we'd get to the rear, off we'd go to an Army Green Beret outfit, to stock up on their supplies for our men. When asked by one of their Officers what we were doing, Marines in an Army unit, we'd answer we were suppose to be here. They just say carry on and we actually thought we were suppose to be there, only Jay knew we didn't belong there at all. We even got a jeep and a six-bie truck to haul supplies, without filling out any paper work that I know about.
Jay was a "Bush Warrior" to the max. Every one knew it too, there wasn't any questions about Jays skills as a combat leader or teacher either, he was the best. I owe my life to being here today from the training he taught me, and I passed down the line that training and skills to the nest of my ability as I was promoted up the ranks in jobs and rank.
As our Killer Team Leader, he was wounded three times in three instances, and was put up for the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor, that was dropped to a Navy Cross as it took to long to get a Medal of Honor as a Marine unless you were dead. With Jay as our Squad Leader and Team Killer Team Leader, we killed a whole lot of VC and NVA's to the point the stopped hitting our Battalion Area, they were so afraid to move at night. We really kicked some butt with Jay leading us in the Bush, he was a "Bush Master", not just a Warrior.
Benny Belt, from Houston, Texas, joined Hotel Company 1st. Platoon Alpha Squad I guess when they were at Khe Sanh. Benny is about six feet all muscles, and a quiet and shy person except when it comes to getting it on with the enemy. He without question is the man you want covering you, looking out for you, or leading you through heavy infested enemy locations because he is a "Bush Warrior" who knows exactly what to when and how to accomplish the goals without losing any of his Marines with him.
Benny was shy and quiet but smart and respected by every Marine in our Squad and Company for the skills he could use against the enemy and his stealth mannerisms of accomplishing them. He wasn't in the fire team I was in when I joined the squad. Benny was under Jay's team, while Fred and I were under Bowman's team. Benny was with Jim, and he use to love to kid with Jim about how slow he talked and moved and everything else, like a giant tortuous on the Gallopacus Islands. That was Jim to a "T". You'd here Benny imitating the way Jim would talk when Jim would be complaining about something, and then Benny would laugh this special laugh only Benny could do to get everyone else laughing too. Benny although acting shy, wasn't shy at all when anyone tried to mess with the squad or any of us. He could back up himself without question too and those usually causing the problems left with their tails between their legs when Benny was done with them. It wasn't that Benny was violent, it was the mannerisms that he used and the way he'd curl his bottom lip up so you knew he was serious, and not fooling around.
When we moved down South out side marble Mountain, the war changed 180 degrees. Up North we didn't wear flack jackets except in the DMZ or on Operations, and we didn't have to watch out for booby traps because there would be more NVA moving in the area then Marines so they didn't want to blow themselves up. Down South was different. The entire area where ever you went was infested with Booby-Traps. The whole concept of war that we'd been fighting had to change drastically, because using the same tactics we used up North would lose your entire Company to booby traps down South where we were now.
This type of war put a mental strain on you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that you were not safe anywhere you were, weather in the Battalion, or the "Bush". Rockets and mortars along with suicide attacks by NVA and VC were the way down South. Out side the Battalion Area, you'd go a week without firing a shot and lose seven men to booby traps. The enemy was rarely ever spotted, and when he was there were more of them then you. Benny adjusted quickly to this style of fighting and was a good trainer in teaching new guys who arrived about how to survive. Jay taught all of us, even Benny the jungle warfare we called it on fighting Charles war his way but more successfully then he did.
Just prior to getting ready to rotate home, Benny was made Alpha Squad Leader, and I was he number one man as we were the only two left from everyone who moved down South from up North with us alive in the Squad now. Benny and I just had six new guy's that never experienced the fighting the way it was up North but were being trained to fight the psychological warfare system down South by Benny and myself.
Benny was more then a Marine, a brother, or just a good friend. There is no definition to explain how close we were to each other and how we completely trusted the others decisions without questions or second opinions. It is a bond that last forever, has no color barrier, religion barrier, or anything else. It was close, with a bond of trust and reliability that last forever amongst us.
July 1968
I first met Bobby sometime in July in what we called the 'tree line' outside of Cua Viet. Bobby wore a "bush" cover and mustache. He had a laugh that made one feel open to him and to trust him very easily. You knew he was a Marine and he took being a combat Marine seriously.
As I got to know Bobby I found out his father was a Warrant Officer over twenty and that Bobby spent his whole life as a military brat. Bobby was born April 4th, 1948, Milton, Massachusetts. Bobby grew up around the Marine bases but seemed to have warm memories of Parris Island. In later years, Bobby would go to boot camp there.
During his tour, both at Cua Viet and south in Quang Nam Province Bobby was a team leader, squad leader and as a Lance Corporal he was the acting Platoon Sergeant.
Bobby earned a Bronze star for actions of bravery while under fire in Quang Nam Province. I and the Marines who knew him are honored to have been his comrades in combat and now to be included as his friends for life.
Ben Drake
This picture was also taken just South of the DMZ area, called Cau Viet. It is located along the Coast line of the South China Sea, about six miles south from the DMZ itself.
Mike Donovan was their Squad Leader, until he rotated to go home in early September 1968. Tony Seiber became the new Squad Leader for Second Squad, but was not one new to the job of his responsibilities. Tony had been seasoned in areas like Khe Sanh, Con Thien, 880 North & South, and even at Hue City during "Tet". He had one heck of a resume for the job if you asked anyone.
Tony was seriously wounded during a "Killer Team" operation, on the evening of September 18, 1968. He was attacked with an overwhelming size of VC and NVA, wounding Tony in the head on the opening bursts and explosions. PFC. Williams, also severely wounded, dove on a Chi Com Grenade, saving four of the people in the position, while loosing his own life. He later received the Medal of Honor for his selfless actions.
Malcolm Creelman who took over the rest of the team, received a Silver Star, by calling in gun ships and evacuation helicopters to rescue the remaining team from the ensuring forces, and even getting one seriously wounded and three KIA Marines to safety, before another "Killer Team" was able to take enough pressure of the enemy off them. This action combined with the other "Killer Team", kept any further enemy were capable to inflict further damage to either the choppers coming in, or to the medevac performed that eventful evening.
Malcolm was latter medevacked home from wounds, and to find out what else went on, read the new stories that will appear in the index soon.
Lance Corporal Mike Roebuck was with the Platoon from up North down till sometime after being with us quite some time down South, safely to say 1968-69. He was called smiley by lots of people because he had a perpetual grin on his face regardless of the circumstances. He could be eating the most horrible C-Rations, ice cold or room temperature was the normal way of eating them, and he'd be grinning away like it was his last meal.
Mike moved about the Platoon, as we in Alpha Squad had him for training for Killer Teams and he was assigned to our Killer Team of five persons, because we lost the two snipers the first day out to booby traps. Some people never listen to a thing you tell them, the snipers, they knew it all right? Mike on the other hand got along great with everybody in the Platoon and everyone liked having him in their squads. Shortly after the Killer Teams were discontinued, Mike picked up Charlie or Bravo squad as the new Squad Leader. I think he took it over, Bravo, after Tony Seiber was seriously wounded from a Killer Team ran in to an extremely large NVA and VC Company. Most of Bravo's Squad was new in Country and Mike had the seniority to take the job.
Mike was friendly soft spoken, and for the time in country and the skirmisshes he'd been in against the NVA and the VC, he was listened to when he spoke or gave someone an order. He made an excellent Squad leader, not losing any of his men while at the job to my knowledge. Just that his smile was always there, in raine, fire fights, lack of food, unbearable heat, Mike was smiling.
I met Mike at our last reunion San Antonio 2000, and darn if he didn't look actually younger then any of his pictures that had been taken of him while in Vietnam. Not just myself made the comment, others did as well as their wives who never saw him prior to seeing his pictures and he in person at the reunion. Be sure to check the reunion when I post it and tell me he doesn't look younger now 32 years later?
Mike made Corporal and received the Navy Com Medal with Combat V attached for bravery for his actions while on the Killer Teams in September 18, and 19 of 1968.
Lance Corporal Tony Seiber was Squad Leader of Bravo Squad, since I got to Hotel Company in July of 1968. He was a professional taking care of his men, not trying to see how many good buddies he could make at the CP. He was also another "Killer Team " leader who was out near us when his team took the brunt of an enemy of unknown size, that was suppose to have been trying to hit Delta Team Killer Team, my team which I was in.
Jay Vincens who taught all the Killer Team leaders and most of all the men in each team, had me snipe two decoy enemy youths carrying a mortar tube and ammunition for it. I did this about 75 meters away in four quick shots to their heads and chest areas. We then enveloped in a swing motion to our North and West to catch their ambush on us when we'd be checking out our trophies. We were totally unaware that Tony's team was between us and the ensuing large enemy force.
They came upon Tony's team thinking it was ours and in the opening attack tony got shot in the head, but remained conscious. two other men we killed while one lay critically injured and two had to repel the enemy. We set out to help and they had no idea we were in the area at all so we were taking out groups of four and five like a duck shoot, where the ducks were told to go and wear blind folds while we snuck up on each team and inillated it, saving Tony's team from being wiped out.
From that incursion with the enemy, we got one man with the Medal of Honor, in Tony's team, one with the Silver Star, and in my team we got two Bronze Stars with Combat "V"'s, along with Navy Commendations with combat V's, and our team leader also written up for a Medal of Honor, dropped to a Navy Cross.
We together took on more then a reinforced company of NVA and VC planning to hide under ground in the village near by in their tunnel system. Our teams prevented them from having enough men to attack our Battalion Area for months to come.
Tony was an excellent leader and took care of his men regardless of his condition. he knows lives in South Florida, he survived a serious head wound that has left him partially paralyzed but never changing his excellent sense of humor and keen mind. He is a living testimony to anyone suffering from a life time disability as although he uses a crutch, you'd never know he thought himself for one second as being disabled. His personal character, along with his Marine Character, have developed him into the finest man I have ever had the privilege to know and to serve with for our Country. I salute you Tony and so the rest of Hotel Company also does as well. Semper Fi, Marine. Your heart is larger then anyone else's in the same situation, and it keeps enlarging to help others in similar situations.
Hilton Miller
Corporal Mike Donovan, got to Hotel Company, 1st. Platoon in 1967, when the war was starting to pick up and we were able to kick the NVA and VC butts in every encounter of significance of the war, making the enemy lose far more superior numbers of troops then any number of Marines to even make a comparison. Yet any one Marine lost, is one Marine too many, as we all saw it.
When this picture was taken up North in Cua Viet River Area, about four miles South of the DMZ, Mike was Bravo's Squad Leader. He was an excellent leader and Marine to boot. Having everyone's respect even if not in his squad. He was a quiet man who treated his troops fairly and worked with them as hard as they would work, as some squad leaders just relaxed during some squad assignments, but Mike wasn't that type of Marine or person.
Dallas was shortly rotating home also when the pictures were taken, so Mike took his job a Right Guide of 1st. Platoon, a very prestigious job to have in the Platoon. as you were now part of the Command Post. Mike took his job seriously and looked after the entire Platoon with no exceptions and was able to pull off some neat things in getting us extra supplies when it seemed there were absolutely none to be fond or had anywhere, Mike would find them and distribute them to the squad leaders for the men.
While up North before I joined the Platoon Mike had walked into an NVA ambush with his squad. He took a severely bad wound to his leg that made it hard for him to move yet he was just under the machine gunner and if he moved too much he would be shot again. He managed to let the rest of the platoon know he was alive as they were getting ready to drop a heavy artillery barrage right on top of him and the call had already gone out. Right in the middle of all hell braking lose, Mike leaps up and dashes about 30 meters to safety of the Platoon just prior to the artillery landing where he had been shot earlier. Once with the Platoon and after the long run, he was totally unable to even move let alone walk so he had to get medevacked out and treated at Japan.
When he returned to Hotel Company and been with the company for some time, we were all called in to formation, concerning a decoration for bravery under fire was to be handed out and to all our surprise, it was Mike getting the Bronze Star with Combat V for action. He'd done more the lay there when wounded, but to get Mike to tell you, he'd act like it wasn't anything at all when it prevented quite a few Marines from also losing their lives or becoming seriously wounded too. We were all proud of Mike that day in Vietnam and today we are just as proud of him for his accomplishments in the real estate field in Texas.
We got to visit him on the reunion 2000 we had as it was held in San Antonio, Mikes home. He had us all literally for dinner, wouldn't allow anyone to pay for anything, so the next time we get together again at the next reunion, we're going to pay for his dinner and not let him pay for anything in return. I know he's saying no he'll pay his own way, but no way Mike, one good deed deserves another, and we want to show you how thankful really we all were for your generosity really, although a joke is in there, the honest sentiment is also.
L/Cpl. Malcolm Creelman was a person you couldn't help but to gravitate to. His personality is up front, yet doesn't become so forward as to insult someone, or to hurt their feelings. He's basically in a sentence, a down to earth person, who chooses his friends carefully.
I have known Malcolm since I entered boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. We were both in the same series, 104-107 series, in 1st. Battalion. As a matter of fact, of all the barracks there now at Parris, Island, only our barracks which was next to the chow hall, is still in its original appearance, not brick like all the rest of the new ones built during the sixties. I was in Platoon 104, and Malcolm was in Platoon 106 right above me.
We got to be closer friends when after we graduated from boot camp and were sent to Camp Geiger, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. There we were both 0311 infantry Marines, in the same training company, Hotel Company. This type of training was called I.T.R. (Infantry Training Regiment). Here Malcolm and I grew a bit closer, especially when we both found out we were New Englanders, Malcolm from Rhode Island, and myself from Massachusetts.
We were there in March 1968, and at that particular time, due to the "Tet Offensive" in Vietnam, all training was accelerated in order to get new troops over to West Pac. quicker. We got a 20 day leave after finishing training, as compared to a normal 30 day leave in time of peace.
After the twenty days of visiting family, friends, and especially your girl friend, off to Camp Pennelton, California for another 20 days of more infantry training. Low and behold, Malcolm was in the same Company I was in again, Hotel Company. This was great because we'd seem to come along way together, not even the guy I joined on the buddy program, had I seen since graduation from boot camp.
In Camp Pennelton, we climbed every possible hill, and received every known to man injection, to prepare us or our immune systems to ward off diseases we'd never heard of before. It was also where we received our official orders to where and who we'd be assigned to in Vietnam.
Well you'll never possibly guess where Malcolm and I ended up? Both in 1st. Division, with Hotel Company 2/1 1st. Platoon. I was assigned to Alpha Squad, and Malcolm to Bravo Squad. If we'd planned it this way, it never would have happened. Malcolm and I still see each other once a year even today, along with a few others who we became very close to in our Company.
Malcolm started out as a point man with Bravo Squad. What ever they tell you in boot camp about the shit bird getting point is stupid and pure foolishness, to say the least. The last thing you need to be following through dense jungle or up and down steep hills, is a jerk who wouldn't recognize an enemy ambush if he fell into it. Also you need some one who can read a map perfectly, be able to figure his own steps to the meters he is to travel, so when your ambushed the point man also knows where the patrol is in order to call for artillery or a medevack.
Malcolm was a damn good bush Marine, as well as Point Man in his squad. Most of all, the personality that Malcolm had assimilated in the shot time he was in Vietnam, and it only develops once your in a fire fight, is trust to the very end. Meaning, regardless of the size of the enemy force attacking your squad, Malcolm will either live through it with you or die with the entire squad, but he'll never desert them, and never freeze up and not do his job like a professional.
We'd been in Country (Vietnam), a few months and accomplished a few above and beyond actions, that we, myself in my squad, and Malcolm in his squad, were both picked and trained to be a new and different type of fighting Marine. These special teams were called "Killer Teams", five men and two snipers who operated at night, doing what the VC did only a hell of a lot better then he did it
While out in our teams in September 1968, our team which I was in lost both snipers to bobby traps, which they were told repeatedly to avoid, when pointed out to where they were. Well the sniper leader didn't listen, and low and behold, was hit from shrapnel from a booby trap, that was set and planned to go off. We medevacked the sniper team and came under an ambush ourselves about 15 minutes later. We accomplished our job, dispersing the VC by eliminating them, and also found a stretch of booby traps that later became to be known by everyone as "Booby Trap Alley". While we were mapping this out on our maps so that other Marines wouldn't be killed by the booby traps, Malcolm's team was about 800 meters South of us, waiting for night fall, to move to another position where they could find more VC and NVA.
Malcolm's team moved about 300 meters South and West from their day position, while we moved into their day position without knowing it. Heck we were unfortunately unaware of Malcolm's team all together. We spotted a couple of young VC carrying a mortar tube and ammo and I had them dead in my sites, about a 100 meters or less. My team leader knew it was a trap, or decoy, but gave me the sign to pop them. I hit both with four quick shots, chest and head shots, so they dropped like a big sack of potatoes.
We immediately moved in a sweeping action North and West in a curve to the South, so we could set up clay more mines and ambush the larger group that would be coming to ambush us as we examined our trophies we killed.
Everyone's adrenaline was pumping expecting to hit this good size force at any moment, but they didn't come until a few hours later. They spotted Malcolm's team thinking his team was the ones who ambushed the decoys. They began to encircle his teams position when they opened up on Malcolm's team, hitting one man Williams in the back three times, and killing two more, the snipers in their team. All hell broke lose, and then Malcolm's team leader Seiber, was hit in the head by a bullet, which made him delirious from the wound. Malcolm had to hold off about a Company size group or larger with just himself, and one other Marine, Amile Holms.
Our team moved out of our position and flanked the enemy flanked that were moving in to wipe out Malcolm's team completely. We were hitting small groups of NVA and VC by total surprise and killing them before they could absorb the thought that they saw us.
With Malcolm's professional actions, keeping his team leader from any further injury, while directing both 81 mm. mortar fire around his position and calling in a medevack for the dead and wounded, he was finally able to extract his team entirely, wounded and dead out of the area, with both himself and Amile Holms surviving a situation in which everyone normally would have been totally wiped out. Malcolm Creelman Jr. received the nations third highest honor for bravery and gallantry in the face of the enemy, the Silver Star award. Williams, who was hit with three bullets on the opening of the attack, also while laying there, saw a Chi Com grenade come into the hole where Malcolm, Seiber, and himself lay, and would be killed once it exploded. Williams without any regard for his own life, rolled completely on top of the grenade, absorbing the entire blast, saving both Malcolm and Seiber lives. Williams was awarded this countries highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Within a few weeks after that event, Malcolm brought to the attention of his Platoon Sgt., that he sighted movement across the river from where our Company was. The Platoon Sgt. ordered Malcolm to cross the river anyway and set up some men to cove the rest of the company crossing the river. Once most of the squads were on the other side with one squad still crossing the deep river, Malcolm headed out as ordered, walking within 30 feet of a machine gun and an ambush by the VC and NVA. Malcolm took two rounds square in his chest with the opening burst which set off the ambush against us. If not for the heroic actions of our corpsman that day, crawling under the machine guns fire to get to Malcolm, and save his life which he was able to do as well as treat more Marines who'd also been wounded in the ambush.
That day Malcolm was medevacked out, and was sent back to the USA Naval Hospital, in Chelsea, Ma., for better treatment that wasn't available in Vietnam. I never heard that Malcolm lived until I met my friend Peter Hoban, who served with me in Hotel Company too and who also lived in the same home town as I did, and we went through high school together. Peter was the one who told me Malcolm was in the Naval Hospital with him and alive a well. I finally saw Malcolm again in 1986, when Chicago held a welcome home Vietnam Veteran's parade, in which I met three or four people I hadn't known were alive from the terrible wounds in the service of their country. That day in November 1968, started me on a healing of my soul, from the horrible experiences of a war where your own friends you grew up with thought you were a murderer and a baby killer.
I'm hoping to see Malcolm at this reunion this November 2000. To see everyone 32 years later, well it only seems like days ago you were with them, except now their voices are coming from older bodies.
Richard Brandon
Lance Corporal Royce (Preacher) Hines, joined Hotel Company 1st. Platoon Bravo Squad in July of 1968. He had two brothers who'd served their Country in the Marine Corps and lost their lives here in Vietnam, so Preacher, a nick name we gave him that fits him like a crucifix in a bordello, wanted revenge against these NVA and VC big time. Matter a fact he didn't have to even be in the Marine Corps because he was a surviving last son and you have to get a lot of paper work and permission slips signed just to enlist, let alone get to Vietnam as a grunt.
Preacher had one unforeseen problem even the Marine Corps didn't catch, he walked in his sleep. He even walked into one of his own ambushes but an alert squad member got him down and into safety before either the NVA or his own men shot him by mistake. The NVA would have shot him on purpose.
This left the CO., Capt. Philip T. Jones, a second tour man and a former enlisted man himself, with a dilemma that he hated to do. He had to put Preacher in the rear with the gear. Not just for his own safety, but the Company's, Platoon's, and Squad's safety as well. You can't have a man walking upright in the middle of the night carrying on some kind of ragtime regime. Not healthy for himself or those with him.
This was typical of how war time works, those in the Bush don't want to be there, yet the ones that do, can't get out there due to medical or other odd reasons unforeseen by others. Preacher was heart broken not to be out in the Bush as he joined the Corps just for that reason, be in the Bush and kill some enemy.
Preacher was a fun loving guy who was serious about Vietnam and wanting to play a more active role then being the radio man in the rear, which was fortunate as our rear area was prone to attacks often by large forces of NVA and VC, so Preacher still had the opportunity to get some confirms in on his tour in Vietnam. I know anyone just about, except for Fred and myself would have traded with Preacher in a heart beat, but Fred and I loved the war more then life itself. It was what we wanted to be doing our entire lives and we now were having the opportunity to do it, yet Preacher wasn't.
We'd see Preacher when we'd get in every 30 days for 3 days of supplies and standing lines in the rear. He'd joke with us but would want all the particulars of fire fights he could only listen to over the radio where he would have been if he hadn't been a sleep walker.
One day on January 23, 1968, Preacher got his dream come true. Fred was seriously wounded, we had two down dead with others seriously wounded too, when in the middle of all the shooting grenades, and hell breaking lose, Preacher comes running up to me while I was working on Fred wounds and asked where are they. I pointed through a large hedge row of bushes, and he went diving through with a splashing sound coming from where he would have landed. He then fired his weapon killing four or five VC and NVA that had wounded Fred, and the others, and he did this without regard for his own safety but on the sheer sake of killing the enemy which he was excellent at doing.
For this which brought and end to the most radical fighting, I thought for sure Preacher would get a Bronze Star with a Combat "V". He didn't yet it isn't too late to write him up which we are doing so his family will know he was a genuine hero that as well as other days he spent in Vietnam.
This Third Squad picture was taken with this set, all taken by SSgt. Carl King in the Cau Viet River Area. This area was approximately six miles South of the DMZ (De Militarized Zone). Third Sqyad had at this time John Ellinburg or " Stretch" as we called him for short.
Stretch was a competent "Marine Warrior" respected from both inside and outside his own Squad and Platoon. He was a tall one from the South, not exactly sure which state he actually hailed from, but from his six foot four or five inch size, they grew them big in his area. Stretch also weighed quite a bit less here in Vietnam then he would have if still back in the States due to illneses, heat, and general climate here in Vietnam.
Stretch got hit really bad when we moved down South by a sniper that was aiming in on my nose when Stretch decieded to stretch his legs and took a full force hit in the left shoulderblade. That was a ticket home for stretch after many long months of recooperation in Military hospitals and the VA system. John Green Jr. took the squad over in ealy or late September or August of 1968.
Third eventually became my squad in 1969 and few times between being acting right guide and Platoon Sergeant and then going back to Third Squad where I eventually left to go home in June 1969. I always had First as my original and personal squad, although I trained some excellent Marines to take over Third squad when I left it as it was taken over by quick learners whose smarts exceeded their youth in Vietnam.
Johnson
Lance Corporal John (Stretch) Ellingburg, or just Stretch as we called him as this picture isn't disconfigured, he was as thin as if someone stretched him out length wise.
He was Squad Leader of Charlie Squad at the time this picture was taken in late July 1968. He was a Marine through and through. He even went out of his way to be nice to me who was new and in another squad, which not too many of us did that due to the bereavement we'd suffer from knowing too many people too closely over here in Vietnam, yet it never bothered Stretch.
He joined our Hotel Company probably in 1967, as he'd been the Squad Leader of Charlie when I got there in early July 1968. he was Bush Savvy for sure and trained his men to be the the same way. He even became a Killer Team Leader, which was reserved for Bush Smarts people only and could also train others quickly and efficiently too. He was also well like by the CP. Group as well as all the marines who knew him too as he was a very forward outgoing likable person with street smarts and Bush Smarts too.
I know if I hadn't been in my Squad and had to leave it for another, his squad would have been a very good squad to have been with as he had exceptional people too that were part of his squad also.
Mc Cloud
Lance Corporal John Green Jr. arrived in Hotel Company 2/1, 1st. Platoon Charlie Squad either in very early 1968, or later part of 1967, yet he'd been there some time by the time I showed up in July 1968. John was called sometimes "Big John" for his large stature of about 6' 4" there about, and his kind and soft way of communicating to you so that you understood every single word, and didn't want to ask him to repeat himself again. He was a good Marine, one of the best I ever saw in Vietnam. For his size you'd think he'd have three Purple Hearts for sure by now but I can only possibly remember being wounded once if at all during his tour. He is another Marine who was a "Bush Warrior" amongst his fellow Marines who all trusted his judgment with their lives.
In Vietnam when I was just a few days with Hotel Company, this hugh hulk of a man extended his large, very large hand out to me and introduced himself as being John Green with Charlie Squad. I was in awe, as no one outside my squad had said boo to me except the Corpsmen who had to give everyone a quick rundown when they arrived. I pictured him as being like the guy who played Sergeant York in the movie, Gary Cooper, as that is how he sounded and talked exactly, not Sergeant York but Gary Cooper. Remind me of him a lot which was comforting but I didn't want to know anyone to well, in case they got killed and knowing too many people really well could make your mind go from watching them get killed or severely wounded. You did keep up friendships, but kind of like at an arms length if you could.
It was hard to be at arms length with John, because he was an excellent Marine, friend, and person in those orders then. Now he's still an exceptional Marine, friend, and person today too. He is just an exceptional person your not embarrassed to give a big hugh too, and mean it too.
Today John is married with a family and his wife is exactly, except better personality, if that was possible, then John had then and now. It's a real honor to know such a man of his stature, a "Bush Warrior", Leader of men, incredible personal individual, that only God could have put someone like that together having all those qualities in one person. I salute you John for what you taught me as a marine and as a person too. Of all the people we served with, you probably out of everyone touched me the most during my tour. God Bless you and keep you until next reunion anyway.
Tony Colucci
Cpl. Mark (Dusty) Hathaway hailed from the deep South, Arkansas. Dusty was a get along type of person with a personality that was hard not to find likable. He constantly achieved to better himself along with the men he came to lead, as he was promoted up through the ranks, faster then your average Marine. Dusty also held many jobs that were held by all squad members. He did everything from walking "Tail End Charlie", to "Point Man" as well as" Radio Man" for his squad as well.
During his tour with Hotel Company 2/1, 1st. Platoon Charlie Squad, he saw plenty of hot action, both in the DMZ as well as down South in the "Rocket Belt" area. All though what ordeals we encountered, you never heard Dusty ever complain, usually he was the one trying to inspire his men, so that the elements didn't become another weapon for the enemy to use against us.
When Dusty was Squad Leader of Charlie, as well as acting Platoon Sergeant for 1st. Platoon, his squad was walking 15 meters outside a tree line and was ambushed by NVA, VC, and what appeared to be Chinese soldiers. The squad was so heavily pinned down with small arms fire as well as machine gun fire, there was very little to do except keep your head pinned down in the sand as bullets spit red hot sand in your face.
Dusty's squad was one of three crossing an open area in a three single file lines, each about 50 to 75 meters away from each other. The main CP. was with the middle squad, which literally had to fire their weapons over the heads of Charlie Squad, pinned down by the ambush. The squad furthest away, was basically useless, they had to fire their weapons over two squads of Marines, possibly hitting either squad, especially the one nearest the ambush, Dusty's squad.
Dusty had a few critically wounded men hit on the opening burst of the ambush who needed to be medevacked right away or they'd die of their wounds.
Pinned down fiercely by the enemy ambush, Dusty tried to manipulate himself parallel to the enemy in hopes of finding an opening in which to break through to envelope the enemy from the side, catching them by surprise and possibly fleeing. As Dusty got up in a crouch to move quickly along the tree line, he was shot by an enemy soldier in the foot, knocking him to the ground in severe pain.
The rest of the squads and platoon were unable to assist Dusty without being exposed for 50 or more meters just to get near him all while being under horrendous fire from the enemy. Without warning, a large, more then 6 foot tall looking Chinese soldier emerged from the tree line, running and shooting at Dusty who lay helplessly in the open, unable to maneuver his weapon to shoot at him before the enemy soldier was on top of him shooting six rounds from an AK-47 into the small of Dusty's back. The enemies soldier's weapon jammed or ran out of ammo, and he started to run back to the tree line to safety.
Jose, a member of Charlie Squad, threw his own weapon down and ran through a hail of enemy fire to jump the soldier shooting Dusty. He grabbed him around the head and eyes, as they wrestled furiously, the machine gunner behind them trying to tell Jose to leave him so he could get a shot at him and kill him. While this was happening, Dusty did all he could which was to try and throw his bandoleers of ammo at the enemy soldier helping Jose. The enemy soldier screamed like you've only imagine possible in the most worst possible moment in your life, as he stood up holding his eye ball which Jose had pulled out of his face. Jose was about 5' 8" tall while the enemy soldier was 6' plus in height.
The enemy soldier ran screaming back to the tree line holding his eye ball in his hands, which hung down by his waist. The machine gun team tried to open fire on him, but their gun jammed from all the sand being kicked up by bullets coming so close to them.
The ambush began to wind down shortly after that incident, and when everything quieted down, we were able to get medevack choppers in to medevack out our wounded. No one knew at that tine if Dusty was going to live or die. Judging by his appearance that day, you'd have to say he wouldn't even make back to the hospital, before he died from his wounds.
In 1993 in Charleston, South Carolina, we had a hasty reunion, put together literally in only nine days. The number of Hotel Company 1st. Platoon members who made it was incredible. Dusty also made it too. He spent years in hospitals recuperating from all his wounds, almost dying a couple of times due to their severity. We asked Dusty how in the world he made it, and he just shook his head and said, "it was a miracle".
Dusty was awarded for his gallant actions that day some 30 odd years ago with a Bronze Star with a Combat "V" for gallantry.
Chase Begley
Buckley, Duke, Pruitt, Huey, Bastor, Quinn, Pete Hutchinson, Marquis, Brantner
Citation
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DEWAYNE T. WILLIAMS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with the First Platoon, Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in action against communist insurgent forces in the Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Williams was a member of a combat patrol sent out from the platoon with the mission of establishing positions in the company's are of operations, from which it could intercept and destroy enemy sniper teams operating in the area. On the night of 18 September 1968, as the patrol was preparing to move from its daylight position to a preselected night position, it was attacked from ambush by a squad of enemy using small arms and hand grenades. Although severely wounded in the back by the close intense fire, Private First Class Williams, recognizing the danger to the patrol, immediately began to crawl forward toward a good firing position. While he was moving under the continuing intense fire, he heard one of the members of the patrol sound the alert that an enemy grenade had landed in their position. Reacting instantly to the alert, he saw that the grenade had landed close to where he was lying and without hesitation, in a valiant act of heroism, he rolled on top of the grenade as it exploded, absorbing the full and tremendous impact of the explosion with his own body. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, he saved the other members of his patrol from serious injury and possible loss of life, and enabled them to successfully defeat the attackers and hold their position until assistance arrived. His personal heroism and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard M. Nixon
President of the United States
The Wall
Billy K. Henderson
Lance Corporal
United States Marine Corps
"For extraordinary heroism while serving as a squad leader with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on the night of 17 July 1969. Occupying an ambush site when he spotted approximately twenty-five enemy soldiers heading towards his squad's position, Lance Corporal Henderson ordered his men to withhold their fire, surmising that the hostile group was the lead element of a much larger force. He then arranged for an on-call artillery fire mission. Later, when approximately sixty additional hostile soldiers emerged from the tree line and prepared to attack the command post, Lance Corporal Henderson initiated the ambush and simultaneously called for supporting artillery fire. While directing his squad's fire, an enemy grenade landed among three of his companions. Reacting instantly, he threw himself on the grenade to prevent injury to the other Marines. Fortunately, the grenade failed to explode. Lance Corporal Henderson then stood upright and hurled the missile into the enemy's ranks, following which he resumed his fire-directing activities and called for fixed-wing air strikes until the enemy broke contact, having suffered heavy casualties. By his outstanding personal valor, aggressive leadership, and inspiring devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Henderson was directly responsible for saving the other members of his squad from probably serious injury or death. His courageous and heroic efforts reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to
CORPORAL BENJAMIN A. DRAKE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life while serving as Radio Operator with 1st Platoon, Company H, 2d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in action against North Vietnamese regular forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Viet Nam on 3 and 4 March, 1969. Corporal Drake voluntarily led a fireteam-sized reactionary force from his platoon patrol base with the mission of reinforcing and supporting another squad from his platoon which had been ambushed by an unknown size North Vietnamese regular army unit. The squad leader of the beleaguered squad had been killed by enemy fire and the squad had suffered extensive wounded during the late night of March 3rd/early morning hours of March 4th, 1969. When the understrength platoon received a radio report of the incident from the beleaguered squad, the platoon commander, with only one squad available at his patrol base, called for volunteers to go to the aid of the ambushed squad. Corporal Drake, the most experienced NCO with the platoon and the platoon radio operator, immediately volunteered to lead the mission to help his fellow Marines. Even though there was no radio available to support his small unit and knowing the terrain and normal modus operandi of the North Vietnamese forces for trying to use a small unit as bait to draw out a reactionary force and then ambushing that reactionary force, Corporal Drake led his small unit to the area of the squad's position. Enroute, his small unit came under intense enemy small arms and hand grenade fire. Leading by example and repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire even though painfully wounded himself by hand grenade fragments, he fought his way through the enemy force to the beleaguered, which was huddled around the body of their fallen squad leader. He then organized them into defensive positions, used their radio to coordinate suppressive supporting fires and thereby enabled his small unit to repel the superior enemy force. Later that night, Corporal Drake was able to bring in a medical evacuation helicopter to remove the wounded. Refusing evacuation, even though painfully wounded himself, he continued the squad's mission and returned to his platoon patrol base at first light the next day. Among the numerous enemy bodies recovered the next day was the body of a North Vietnamese regular army senior officer. Through his extraordinary initiative, leadership, and inspiring valor in the face of superior enemy forces, Corporal Drake was personally responsible for undoubtedly saving the lives of the other members of the ambushed squad. Corporal Drake's extraordinary heroism, repeated acts of valor, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to
LANCE CORPORAL MALCOLM CREELMAN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For the President,
John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
SECOND LIEUTENANT CARL E. KING
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the republic of Vietnam while serving as Weapons Platoon Commander with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division. On the evening of 13 October 1968, while providing security for a new and as yet incomplete combat base southeast of DaNang, the weapons platoon came under a vicious ground attack by North Vietnamese Army sappers who succeeded in infiltrating the friendly position. After severely wounding several Marines with hand grenade, the sappers occupied the bunkers of the causalities and delivered machine gun fire while other hostile soldiers utilized hand grenades and mortar fire from outside the defensive perimeter. When a grenade detonated near the company commander and the resulting concussion left him temporarily stunned, Second Lieutenant King unhesitatingly assumed command and, fearlessly moving about the fire-swept terrain, directed the fire of his men at the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, he then led an aggressive counterattack against the two bunkers occupied by the hostile soldiers and, although seriously wounded in the leg, resolutely continued his determined attack until the emplacements were regained and the hostile soldiers were routed. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him, contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy, and restored the security of the combat base. Second Lieutenant King's courage, bold initiative, and steadfast devotion to duty were in the keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
FOR THE PRESIDENT,
H.W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
Combat Commissioning Program
Statement of Capt. F. J. MAHADY, Jr. 082432 USMC
FORMER Commanding Officer of
STAFF SERGEANT C. E. KING 1688784, USMC
Staff Sergeant King has displayed excellent leadership ability in combat operations. His attention to duty, and professional combat skill has been evident continuously, and his performance was noteworthy on two (2) separate occasions.
On February 16, 1968, while on patrol east of Con Thien, in the vicinity of hill 39, the first platoon, Company "H", came into contact with an estimated platoon of NVA supported by mortars. Staff Sergeant King as Platoon Sergeant provided the necessary assistance to the Platoon Commander to overcome the enemy position. He assisted by relaying commands, maneuvering squads, displaying personal courage as he moved from position to position pointing out targets, rallying his Marines and providing them with the necessary example that makes for success in combat. During this contact, Staff Sergeant King was painfully wounded in the leg, but despite the wound, he continued to assist his men. By his leadership, enthusiasm, and personal courage heavy casualties were inflected on the enemy.
On 17 May 1968, Company "H" was on patrol southwest of Khe Sanh combat base, when the first platoon, the point element of the company, came in contact with an undetermined size enemy force in a bunker complex. Again Staff Sergeant King displayed the example of good leadership, personal courage, and determination to assist his platoon and the company to secure the objective. At the direction of the Platoon commander Staff Sergeant King skillfully maneuvered the flank squad close in to the enemy so as to direct accurate small arms and automatic weapons fire on the enemy position, and permit the orderly withdrawal of forces and casualties, thereby permitting the company commander to direct supporting arms on the complex and finally secure the objective.
Staff Sergeant King on many occasions, has served as Platoon Commander. In this billet, he displayed a professional skill at map reading and land navigation. He has an excellent knowledge of unit tactics and understanding of the use of supporting arms.
I feel that Staff Sergeant King's long experience as a Drill Instructor and his excellent performance of duty, has provided him with a mature outlook and the ability to understand and handle Marines.
Staff Sergeant King would be an asset to his organization and the Marine Corps as a Commissioned Officer. Staff Sergeant King is recommended with enthusiasm for the Combat Commissioning Program.
F. J. Mahady, Jr.
Captain - USMC
First Endorsement
From: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, lst Marines
To: Commandant of the Marine Corps
via
(1) CO, Ist Mar
(2) CG, Ist Mar Div
- Forwarded with enthusiasm.
- Staff Sergeant King has continually demonstrated extraordinary leadership, courage, dedication, and professionalism., The skill with which he performs and the example he sets are an inspiration to all those about him. His capacity and desire for increased responsibility are among those qualities which make him a superior nominee for the Combat Commissioning Program.
J. E. Poindexter
Lt.Col - USMC
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
ROBERT HINGSTON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for services set fourth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a rifleman with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division on 18 and 19 September 1968. The action took place during hours of darkness, in a position of the Company TAOR, approximately five miles south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province. The patrol engaged portions of a superior enemy force which had assaulted another Combat Patrol from Company H. Private First Class Hingston’s patrol was maneuvering to support the patrol under attack when it encountered the forward elements of a superior enemy force moving in the direction of his patrol to support the assault on the first Patrol. Private First Class Hingston was ordered to cover the patrol leader who went forward to place Claymore Mines in front of the hasty defense, which had been established. During the time the patrol leader was setting up the mines, he was attacked by enemy soldiers. Private First Class Hingston, at the risk of his own life, left the safety of cover to protect his patrol leader. He killed two enemy soldiers at close quarters and was responsible for saving the life of his patrol leader. He also killed several enemies who had assaulted the patrol’s hasty defensive position. With the Claymore Mines deployed, Private First Class Hingston was ordered to set the firing devices and then maneuver with the patrol to counter enemy movement around their position. During a furious fighting at close quarters, he killed several enemy, and the patrol was able to defeat the assault on their position. His bold initiative and timely actions contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy forces and to the subsequent relief of the other combat patrol. Private First Class Hingston’s courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Richard Deinzy
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
CORPORAL MARK HATHAWAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to
CORPORAL MARK HATHAWAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
FREDERICK E. LYNCH
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for services set fourth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a rifleman with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division on 18 and 19 September 1968. The action took place during hours of darkness, in a position of the Company TAOR, approximately five miles south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province. Private First Class Lynch was a member of a five man patrol when it engaged portions of a superior enemy force which had attacked another patrol from Company H. During the ensuing fire fight, Private First Class Lynch, armed with hand grenades and a M-16 rifle, single-handedly fought off three attempts by forward elements of the enemy force to penetrate his sector of the patrols position by wounding or killing all enemy conducting the attack. Additionally, Private First Class Lynch is credited with saving the life of his patrol leader who was attacked by the enemy while placing Claymore Mines around their position, and subsequently being part of a three Marine maneuver unit which aggressively attacked and destroyed several enemy units moving toward their position. His bold initiative, fierce fighting, and timely actions contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile force and to the subsequent relief of the other Combat Patrol which had been attacked initially. Private First Class Lynch's courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Richard Deinzy
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
WILLIAM H. PRIETO
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for services set fourth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Machine Gun Team Leader, 3d Platoon, Company H, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, Quang Nam Province, vietnam on 15 January 1969. While participating in a cordon operation around the village of Cam Sa (1), the machine gun team under the charge of Private First Class Prieto moved in under the cover of darkness with other elements of Companies G and H to surround the village. As dawn approached and other battalion elements began a sweep inside the cordon, North vietnamese Army and viet Cong troops realized that they were trapped and began random breakout attempts. During one of these breakout attempts, the Platoon's other machine gun jammed. The enemy quickly identified the weakness in the cordon and attacked. While attempts were made to clear the jammed machine, one of the Marines was mortally wounded while exposing himself to distract the enemy. Private First Class Prieto assessed the new danger to the integrity of the cordon and directed members of the machine gun team to cover the vulnerable Marines attempting to aid the dying Marine. He personally accounted for three of the six enemy soldiers killed while trying to escape the cordon through the disabled machine gun position. Because of his alertness and initiative, he contributed significantly to the success of the overall mission and prevented further casualties. Private First Class Prieto's courageous actions, initiative, and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the united States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
HE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to
CORPORAL MARK HATHAWAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
I need a picture of Benny Belt please.
Send it to Carl King please.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to
LANCE CORPORAL BENNY BELT
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
No bragging is intended here. 30 years later, as we look back, we realize we served with a good group of guys, who, together, earned a goodly number of individual awards. We all realize that the credit goes to our drill instructors who taught us how to be instinctive Marines and without their training we would have hesitated instead of instinctively jumping into a hole. We also realize that the credit goes to our ITR or AIT instructors who taught us how to apply that instinctive to certain combat principles. And we realize that the credit goes to the Platoon Sergeants, squad leaders and fire team leaders who took us, raw from the states and taught us to be a "bush" Marines in the bush. Lastly, we realize the credit goes to the men with us at the time we accomplished the act that we have been honored for. We all realize without the support of our fellow Marines we could not have accomplished what we did. So please Know that these medals are placed here, not to honor ourselves, but to honor those Marines who made it possible.
Citation
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DEWAYNE T. WILLIAMS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with the First Platoon, Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in action against communist insurgent forces in the Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Williams was a member of a combat patrol sent out from the platoon with the mission of establishing positions in the company's are of operations, from which it could intercept and destroy enemy sniper teams operating in the area. On the night of 18 September 1968, as the patrol was preparing to move from its daylight position to a preselected night position, it was attacked from ambush by a squad of enemy using small arms and hand grenades. Although severely wounded in the back by the close intense fire, Private First Class Williams, recognizing the danger to the patrol, immediately began to crawl forward toward a good firing position. While he was moving under the continuing intense fire, he heard one of the members of the patrol sound the alert that an enemy grenade had landed in their position. Reacting instantly to the alert, he saw that the grenade had landed close to where he was lying and without hesitation, in a valiant act of heroism, he rolled on top of the grenade as it exploded, absorbing the full and tremendous impact of the explosion with his own body. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, he saved the other members of his patrol from serious injury and possible loss of life, and enabled them to successfully defeat the attackers and hold their position until assistance arrived. His personal heroism and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard M. Nixon
President of the United States
The Wall
Billy K. Henderson
Lance Corporal
United States Marine Corps
"For extraordinary heroism while serving as a squad leader with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on the night of 17 July 1969. Occupying an ambush site when he spotted approximately twenty-five enemy soldiers heading towards his squad's position, Lance Corporal Henderson ordered his men to withhold their fire, surmising that the hostile group was the lead element of a much larger force. He then arranged for an on-call artillery fire mission. Later, when approximately sixty additional hostile soldiers emerged from the tree line and prepared to attack the command post, Lance Corporal Henderson initiated the ambush and simultaneously called for supporting artillery fire. While directing his squad's fire, an enemy grenade landed among three of his companions. Reacting instantly, he threw himself on the grenade to prevent injury to the other Marines. Fortunately, the grenade failed to explode. Lance Corporal Henderson then stood upright and hurled the missile into the enemy's ranks, following which he resumed his fire-directing activities and called for fixed-wing air strikes until the enemy broke contact, having suffered heavy casualties. By his outstanding personal valor, aggressive leadership, and inspiring devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Henderson was directly responsible for saving the other members of his squad from probably serious injury or death. His courageous and heroic efforts reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to
CORPORAL BENJAMIN A. DRAKE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life while serving as Radio Operator with 1st Platoon, Company H, 2d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in action against North Vietnamese regular forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Viet Nam on 3 and 4 March, 1969. Corporal Drake voluntarily led a fireteam-sized reactionary force from his platoon patrol base with the mission of reinforcing and supporting another squad from his platoon which had been ambushed by an unknown size North Vietnamese regular army unit. The squad leader of the beleaguered squad had been killed by enemy fire and the squad had suffered extensive wounded during the late night of March 3rd/early morning hours of March 4th, 1969. When the understrength platoon received a radio report of the incident from the beleaguered squad, the platoon commander, with only one squad available at his patrol base, called for volunteers to go to the aid of the ambushed squad. Corporal Drake, the most experienced NCO with the platoon and the platoon radio operator, immediately volunteered to lead the mission to help his fellow Marines. Even though there was no radio available to support his small unit and knowing the terrain and normal modus operandi of the North Vietnamese forces for trying to use a small unit as bait to draw out a reactionary force and then ambushing that reactionary force, Corporal Drake led his small unit to the area of the squad's position. Enroute, his small unit came under intense enemy small arms and hand grenade fire. Leading by example and repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire even though painfully wounded himself by hand grenade fragments, he fought his way through the enemy force to the beleaguered, which was huddled around the body of their fallen squad leader. He then organized them into defensive positions, used their radio to coordinate suppressive supporting fires and thereby enabled his small unit to repel the superior enemy force. Later that night, Corporal Drake was able to bring in a medical evacuation helicopter to remove the wounded. Refusing evacuation, even though painfully wounded himself, he continued the squad's mission and returned to his platoon patrol base at first light the next day. Among the numerous enemy bodies recovered the next day was the body of a North Vietnamese regular army senior officer. Through his extraordinary initiative, leadership, and inspiring valor in the face of superior enemy forces, Corporal Drake was personally responsible for undoubtedly saving the lives of the other members of the ambushed squad. Corporal Drake's extraordinary heroism, repeated acts of valor, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to
LANCE CORPORAL MALCOLM CREELMAN
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For the President,
John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
SECOND LIEUTENANT CARL E. KING
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the republic of Vietnam while serving as Weapons Platoon Commander with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division. On the evening of 13 October 1968, while providing security for a new and as yet incomplete combat base southeast of DaNang, the weapons platoon came under a vicious ground attack by North Vietnamese Army sappers who succeeded in infiltrating the friendly position. After severely wounding several Marines with hand grenade, the sappers occupied the bunkers of the causalities and delivered machine gun fire while other hostile soldiers utilized hand grenades and mortar fire from outside the defensive perimeter. When a grenade detonated near the company commander and the resulting concussion left him temporarily stunned, Second Lieutenant King unhesitatingly assumed command and, fearlessly moving about the fire-swept terrain, directed the fire of his men at the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, he then led an aggressive counterattack against the two bunkers occupied by the hostile soldiers and, although seriously wounded in the leg, resolutely continued his determined attack until the emplacements were regained and the hostile soldiers were routed. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him, contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy, and restored the security of the combat base. Second Lieutenant King's courage, bold initiative, and steadfast devotion to duty were in the keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
FOR THE PRESIDENT,
H.W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
Combat Commissioning Program
Statement of Capt. F. J. MAHADY, Jr. 082432 USMC
FORMER Commanding Officer of
STAFF SERGEANT C. E. KING 1688784, USMC
Staff Sergeant King has displayed excellent leadership ability in combat operations. His attention to duty, and professional combat skill has been evident continuously, and his performance was noteworthy on two (2) separate occasions.
On February 16, 1968, while on patrol east of Con Thien, in the vicinity of hill 39, the first platoon, Company "H", came into contact with an estimated platoon of NVA supported by mortars. Staff Sergeant King as Platoon Sergeant provided the necessary assistance to the Platoon Commander to overcome the enemy position. He assisted by relaying commands, maneuvering squads, displaying personal courage as he moved from position to position pointing out targets, rallying his Marines and providing them with the necessary example that makes for success in combat. During this contact, Staff Sergeant King was painfully wounded in the leg, but despite the wound, he continued to assist his men. By his leadership, enthusiasm, and personal courage heavy casualties were inflected on the enemy.
On 17 May 1968, Company "H" was on patrol southwest of Khe Sanh combat base, when the first platoon, the point element of the company, came in contact with an undetermined size enemy force in a bunker complex. Again Staff Sergeant King displayed the example of good leadership, personal courage, and determination to assist his platoon and the company to secure the objective. At the direction of the Platoon commander Staff Sergeant King skillfully maneuvered the flank squad close in to the enemy so as to direct accurate small arms and automatic weapons fire on the enemy position, and permit the orderly withdrawal of forces and casualties, thereby permitting the company commander to direct supporting arms on the complex and finally secure the objective.
Staff Sergeant King on many occasions, has served as Platoon Commander. In this billet, he displayed a professional skill at map reading and land navigation. He has an excellent knowledge of unit tactics and understanding of the use of supporting arms.
I feel that Staff Sergeant King's long experience as a Drill Instructor and his excellent performance of duty, has provided him with a mature outlook and the ability to understand and handle Marines.
Staff Sergeant King would be an asset to his organization and the Marine Corps as a Commissioned Officer. Staff Sergeant King is recommended with enthusiasm for the Combat Commissioning Program.
F. J. Mahady, Jr.
Captain - USMC
First Endorsement
From: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, lst Marines
To: Commandant of the Marine Corps
via
(1) CO, Ist Mar
(2) CG, Ist Mar Div
- Forwarded with enthusiasm.
- Staff Sergeant King has continually demonstrated extraordinary leadership, courage, dedication, and professionalism., The skill with which he performs and the example he sets are an inspiration to all those about him. His capacity and desire for increased responsibility are among those qualities which make him a superior nominee for the Combat Commissioning Program.
J. E. Poindexter
Lt.Col - USMC
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
ROBERT HINGSTON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for services set fourth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a rifleman with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division on 18 and 19 September 1968. The action took place during hours of darkness, in a position of the Company TAOR, approximately five miles south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province. The patrol engaged portions of a superior enemy force which had assaulted another Combat Patrol from Company H. Private First Class Hingston’s patrol was maneuvering to support the patrol under attack when it encountered the forward elements of a superior enemy force moving in the direction of his patrol to support the assault on the first Patrol. Private First Class Hingston was ordered to cover the patrol leader who went forward to place Claymore Mines in front of the hasty defense, which had been established. During the time the patrol leader was setting up the mines, he was attacked by enemy soldiers. Private First Class Hingston, at the risk of his own life, left the safety of cover to protect his patrol leader. He killed two enemy soldiers at close quarters and was responsible for saving the life of his patrol leader. He also killed several enemies who had assaulted the patrol’s hasty defensive position. With the Claymore Mines deployed, Private First Class Hingston was ordered to set the firing devices and then maneuver with the patrol to counter enemy movement around their position. During a furious fighting at close quarters, he killed several enemy, and the patrol was able to defeat the assault on their position. His bold initiative and timely actions contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy forces and to the subsequent relief of the other combat patrol. Private First Class Hingston’s courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Richard Deinzy
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
CORPORAL MARK HATHAWAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to
CORPORAL MARK HATHAWAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
FREDERICK E. LYNCH
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for services set fourth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a rifleman with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division on 18 and 19 September 1968. The action took place during hours of darkness, in a position of the Company TAOR, approximately five miles south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province. Private First Class Lynch was a member of a five man patrol when it engaged portions of a superior enemy force which had attacked another patrol from Company H. During the ensuing fire fight, Private First Class Lynch, armed with hand grenades and a M-16 rifle, single-handedly fought off three attempts by forward elements of the enemy force to penetrate his sector of the patrols position by wounding or killing all enemy conducting the attack. Additionally, Private First Class Lynch is credited with saving the life of his patrol leader who was attacked by the enemy while placing Claymore Mines around their position, and subsequently being part of a three Marine maneuver unit which aggressively attacked and destroyed several enemy units moving toward their position. His bold initiative, fierce fighting, and timely actions contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile force and to the subsequent relief of the other Combat Patrol which had been attacked initially. Private First Class Lynch's courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Richard Deinzy
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
WILLIAM H. PRIETO
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for services set fourth in the following
CITATION:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Machine Gun Team Leader, 3d Platoon, Company H, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, Quang Nam Province, vietnam on 15 January 1969. While participating in a cordon operation around the village of Cam Sa (1), the machine gun team under the charge of Private First Class Prieto moved in under the cover of darkness with other elements of Companies G and H to surround the village. As dawn approached and other battalion elements began a sweep inside the cordon, North vietnamese Army and viet Cong troops realized that they were trapped and began random breakout attempts. During one of these breakout attempts, the Platoon's other machine gun jammed. The enemy quickly identified the weakness in the cordon and attacked. While attempts were made to clear the jammed machine, one of the Marines was mortally wounded while exposing himself to distract the enemy. Private First Class Prieto assessed the new danger to the integrity of the cordon and directed members of the machine gun team to cover the vulnerable Marines attempting to aid the dying Marine. He personally accounted for three of the six enemy soldiers killed while trying to escape the cordon through the disabled machine gun position. Because of his alertness and initiative, he contributed significantly to the success of the overall mission and prevented further casualties. Private First Class Prieto's courageous actions, initiative, and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the united States Naval Service.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
HE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to
CORPORAL MARK HATHAWAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
I need a picture of Benny Belt please.
Send it to Carl King please.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000
The President of the United States takes pleasure presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to
LANCE CORPORAL BENNY BELT
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy