MCVTHF, 707 S.W. 350th Ct., Ste. #1 

Eric Hammel, prolific writer, war historian, and friend of the Marine Corps and this historical Foundation has written two great books that discuss tank and Ontos action in the Vietnam War in two quite different environments, showing the adaptability of Marines to win the fight and defeat the Viet Cong and North Vietnam enemy. The ingenuity of Marine Tankers and Ontos Crewmen in getting the most from the weapons provided them to wage the war, under the most difficult conditions, speaks to their dedication, patriotism, and heroism.

Should you be asked, as I often am, about tanks and Ontos participation in the Vietnam War - often with "Tanks? What did tanks do in that war" or "Vietnam wasn't tank country - was it?". And few - even a sampling of today's Marine SNCOs - have even heard of "Ontos"! There are 2 books you should read - and then refer the doubter to - Eric Hammel's "Ambush Valley: The Story of a Marine Infantry Battalion's Battle" and "Fire in the Streets: The Battle for Hue, Tet 1968". "Ambush Valley" puts you face-to-face in conventional warfare pitched battles against the NVA's best soldiers. Hammel will put right in the tanks (Foundation Board of Director member Guy Wolfenbarger) and Ontos (Navy Cross recipient Randall Browning) as they negotiated the wide-open terrain of rice paddies, steep terrain, hedge rows, RPGs, B-40 rockets, and mortars. "Fire in the Streets" introduces you to a whole different combat environment - street fighting in the heart of Hue City where in places the streets were so narrow that tank track end connectors tore store fronts and awnings from their buildings as they maneuvered through the city.

Two more contrasting environments could hardly be found and neither the infantry units of 1/5 (in the north's ancient city of Hue) nor 2/5 (in south Hue's newer city) nor the supporting Tanks and Ontos Crewmen, had sufficient training or prior experience for "combat in built-up areas" and even less in urban tank/infantry team work. As a testimonial to the Marines' adaptability, a few days of OJT produced a proficient, formidable, successful fighting force that rooted out the NVA - street after street, building by building.

It would be difficult to believe that one could read these stories of Marine Tanker and Ontos Crewmen in the field ("Ambush Valley") or in an urban setting ("Fire in the Streets") and then question the heroic role they played in defeating the Viet Cong and their co-conspirators the North Vietnamese Army. Nature may not have provided us "Tank Country", but . (Keith Nolan's "Battle for Hue; Tet 1968" and Nicholas Warr's "Phase Line Green: The Battle for Hue, 1968" both tell of the heroics of Marine Ontos and Tankers as does Oscar "Ed" Gilbert's "Marine Corps Tank Battles in Vietnam). we made it so.

Ray Stewart

PS: You are encouraged to submit your personal stories, pictures, and recollections of your Vietnam experience to the Foundation for inclusion in our book. Thank you.

  USMC Vietnam Tankers Association

  October 31 to November 5, 2013

             San Antonio, Texas

May 8 - 11, 2013, Quantico

Details: Click here for tentative agenda

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Jimmy Joe Cone - Austin, Texas died peacefully at home with his wife beside him. Joe was born November 8, 1946, in Mercedes, Texas. His mother, Sydna Pauline Bounds Cone, died when he was 11 years old, and his father L.B. Cone died in 1979. Joe was the third of six sons and was preceded in death by Bobby Jackson, Paul Cone, George Cone, and Lester Cone. Joe worked hard from an early age. From ages 8 to 11 he had a paper route. The next three summers he earned his spending money picking cotton in the fields near Driscoll, Texas. He worked as a bellhop, and an elevator operator. By age 15, Joe had moved out on his own, supporting himself working as a cashier/night manager at Young's Restaurant, while attending high school. He graduated from King HS in Kingsville, Tex., in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April 1966, qualifying as a Sharpshooter (216 w/M14) and was trained as an ONTOS Crewman. He often said his vocabulary and ability to type changed his assignment and saved his life. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, earning the rank of NCO (Corporal E-4) and receiving an Honorable Discharge. His service awards include National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with 2nd tour cluster), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation. Joe was married on June 25, 1983, in Austin, Tex., to Rosemary Horton. Joe is survived by his wife, Rosemary H. Cone of Austin, Tex.; brother, Daniel and wife Sissy Cone of Taylor, Tex.; nephew, James and wife Nina Etheredge; F.W. (Joe) Horton (father-in law); brother/sister-in-law, Darryl and Marcia Smith; sister- in-law Nicki Cone; nieces/nephews - Amanda Rivers, Joseph Smith, Charles Rivers, Misty Cone, Nell Cone, Michael Cone, Tim Cone, Melissa Wilson, Jamie Cone, Brittiny Krieg; great nieces/ nephews - Amanda, Macey, Austin, Zachary, and Dale.

One of the toughest job in any organization is keeping membership information up-to-date.  

You might believe we have all your information since you are already receiving the Breech Block newsletter but, the simple facts are we do not. Even though your membership in the Historical Foundation is free when you join the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association that information is not automatically shared with the Foundation.

From time to time we send out pertinent information to those that served in the various Tank Battalions, i.e. 1st Tanks, 3rd Anti-Tanks, etc. 

You guys are great; we appreciate your support.

Semper Fidelis,

Dick Carey,

Vice President

Director Public Relations