A regular feature in the Breech Block will be "The Book SitRep" where I will report the progress we are making in getting our Foundation's book "Marine Corps Tankers and Ontos Crewmen in the Vietnam War" on the wire. You are encouraged to send us your stories, your comments, questions, and your suggestions. Ours will be an E-Book. This method of publishing is the most cost effective while reaching the largest audience. Some of our favorite authors - Eric Hammel, Dick Camp, Otto Lehrack - and most others, offer their publications in an "E" format. Most magazines and newspapers have determined that paper copy - slow, expensive, reaching fewer readers, must be supplemented - and increasingly supplanted - by electronic delivery.

     The Book is not just about Marine Tankers and Ontos Crewmen but by them. We have nearly 300 articles and personal interviews from which to draw for The Book which will be in a chronological format starting with the first gun tracks (Tanks and Ontos) across the beach in March of 1965 to the last to depart in mid-1970. The personal stories and interviews will be "salted" along this chronology. Every major named operation - as well as the day-to-day activity - with Tank/Ontos participation will be covered. Every personal story will be featured within the context of the larger picture. Everyone who submits an article will be cited as an author with a brief biography in a separate annex. Every Marine Tanker and Ontos crewman killed will be identified and his place and circumstance of death located on a map. An attempt is being made to find every medal recipient, "place" him on the chronology, publish his citation, and locate the place where he was cited for bravery on a map. We have the Navy Cross and Silver Star recipients' roster about completed and are asking all who have received the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation, and/or the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V" to send us their citations.

     There will be an annex/appendix of acronyms, a glossary of terms, Tank and Ontos TO/E, a bibliography, and links to other sources of information to name a few.

     This project has not been - nor will it be - without the expenditure of hard cash (obtained from our Foundation members exclusively and not from any other organization) and a lot of every day "sweat equity" from each of the four members of the "Book Committee."

     I want to especially thank Lou Najfus for ramrodding the effort to garner stories from the Ontos Community. I know from personal experience that Ontos Crewmen did one heckuva lot more to support the infantry units they were attached to than for which we have their stories. If our stories don't get told, who will ever know all the blood, sweat, heart ache, and tears that was shed in the Vietnam War? Not only by the warriors themselves but by their family and loved ones back home. Again from personal experience, today there are Marine SNCO's and Officer's training and leading our young warriors who have never even heard of "an Ontos"(?).

Semper Fidelis,

Ray Stewart

President, VTHF

Charter and Life Member of the VTA

Marines,

    It's hard to believe that it was that many years ago, but to this day, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we performed well.  It did not come without cost; one KIA (Bill Laidlaw) and a number of WIAs.

    I remember:

• sitting on the beach, waiting to load aboard an LCU.  Pfc Yoder was making coffee and accidentally dropped a hot dog into the pot . . . strange coffee.
• the morning we landed.  There was a big explosion on the beach and I realized that this would be a far more serious business than we had previously been exposed to.
• losing contact with the 3/3 company we were to support as the terrain precluded our keeping up with their advance.
• bushwhacking through the foliage with a squad of Marines from 3/3 until we caught up to a unit of the 4th Marines in a fire fight.  They were in one wood line, in the opposite wood line was charlie.  We started across the open field and mortar rounds began to drop.
• a tank crewman from another tank coming out of the turret to help carry a wounded Marine off the back deck of the tank.
• hearing that Milo had popped his driver's hatch and downed several VC with his 45 pistol, resting it on the ring.
• being in a near panic when I heard that Sgt McQuerry had been wounded under truly weird circumstances - tried to get a medivac chopper but none available.
• learning that Sgt. Ed Siepel's tank had been hit and he had been badly wounded.
• watching an RPG (the burn from the rocket motor was clearly visible) come out of charlie's wood line and hit A31, taking part of my right instep and showering LCpl Denton with fragments. 

    Knowing that I would be medivacked, it became important to turn over command of the platoon.  The Plt. Sgt, SSgt Wilder, was still making his way from the beach and Sgts Siepel and McQuery were both WIA and would be medivacked as well.  We still had three operational tanks (although two had been holed).  I called Cpl James Thompson and told him he was in charge until properly relieved.   I briefed Jim, turned over my maps to him, and told him I was confident that he would do the job.  48 years later I remain certain that I made the right choice.  We were a good platoon.   

    I hopped over to where Sgt. Siepel lay when the fire fight slackened; it was obvious his condition (leg) was serious.  We went out on the same medivac chopper.

    Although my time with the platoon was short . . . and my time in combat shorter still, these events will remain with me till the end of my days.

Semper fi,

Ky Thompson 

kylyle@gmail.com

September's 1965 to 1970 - Marine Tanks & Ontos Action

     Pages 1 - 26   ~ Pages 27 -52

    Each year we wipe the slate clean as to who has donated for that calendar year. All donations received after October 1, 2013 will appear in the Breech Block beginning with the January 2014 issue. Donations received before October 1, 2013 will not appear in the eNewletters beginning the first of the year.

Thank you for your support without you the foundation cannot achieve its goals of researching, recording, archiving and publishing your individual stories.

Semper Fidelis

Federal Way, WA 98023

                                                                                 Thank you!

IRS Approved Tax EIN 91-2111544 

We invite you to our Annual Open House at the

Hot Rod Shop!

3060 Knightsen Avenue, Knightsen CA 94548 

Jerry Sezar: Phone ~  925-625-1073

Saturday September 7th 10am-4pm

Bring yours and we'll show you ours

Car show * Shop tours * Live band * BBQ

*featuring Steve Cloyes '39 Ford Hard top Race car, on display this winter at the California Auto museum, and Mark Cameron's 49' Cad & much more!!

Come and check out full car builds and modifications...

This is not a bolt on boy affair

*Note: This event is a free event open to all automotive enthusiasts, including all car & motorcycle club

  We have contracted with the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the River Walk for a $99 per night room rate.

Free daily self-parking.

  We will also get a 20% discount on food and drinks (not alcoholic drinks) in the hotel restaurants and bars.

   This same room rate for three days prior and three days after the reunion if you want to spend more time in the city.

   Call the hotel at 1-888-623-2800 after 10/1/12 but before 10/1/13 to make room reservations.

   Our hospitality room (that we call "The Slop Shute") will be the same size as the one that we had in San Diego in 2011.

   There will be lots to do while we are visiting this San Antonio. We are formulating activity plans that will be announce as they are completed.

  Please mark your calendars and start saving your money to meet and  greet with your brothers in arms.

  You are encouraged you to bring your wives or your girl friends and as many of your family members as you want to attend.