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Dear Marine,
The bi-annual USMC Vietnam Tankers Association (VTA) Reunion is just around the corner (17-21 Aug). From what we've read, there's plenty of activity planned for all the attendees and their guests. Please be reminded that, while it is not required to be a member of the VTA to receive all the benefits of the Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation (VTHF), a separate organization, those who do sign up with the VTA are automatically members of the VTHF and we will include them in our monthly edition of the Breech Block but only if we have an e-mail address for them . The VTA is a dues paying organization while the VTHF gains its financial support, not from dues, but through the generous contributions made directly to the Foundation.
The Foundation has been successful in bringing on-board a number of Ontos Crewmen. We have an Ontos representative - Rick Walters - on our Board of Directors and Peter Brush's story on the Siege of Khe Sanh is appropriately titled "USMC Tanks and Ontos at Khe Sanh". In addition, we have encouraged them to join the Association and to attend at the VTA San Diego Reunion.
Oscar "Ed" Gilbert will be attending the VTA San Diego Reunion. He is working with the Foundation to gather information on Marine Tanks and Ontos in amphibious operations. These operations include the Deck House series, Dagger Thrust landings, and "others", including Operation Starlite. Those attendees at the Reunion are encouraged to make themselves available for an interview with Ed. And, speaking of interviews, Jim Raasch will be conducting Oral History Interviews and Pappy Reynolds will be working his Map History Project during the 4 days of the Reunion in a designated resort suite.
Hope to see many of you in San Diego.
Ray Stewart |
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Gil Hernandez Dead Three Times | |
 | | Hernandez and Roth at the Wall in D.C. |
... Four weeks into his deployment on an infamous night on April 25, 1968, in the middle of a combat zone in Vietnam, his tank, which he and a fellow Marine were riding on top of, was hit by satchel charges and grenades.
Read More... |
The Ontos Anti-Tank Vehicle. | |
By Peter Brush � 2001
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Peter Brush |
By any measure, the Ontos was one of the most interesting things to come down the road of United States military armored development. The idea for this vehicle was born in the aftermath of World War II when the US. Army perceived the need for a new reconnaissance vehicle. Then it evolved into a tank destroyer for use with the Army on the nuclear battlefields of Europe. Next it was deployed in Marine Corps anti-tank battalions. The Ontos most significant contribution was in the Vietnam War, but in a role much different than the role for which it was designed. This is the story of the Ontos, officially the "Rifle, Multiple, 106mm, Self-Propelled M50 of the antitank company, infantry regiment, Marine Division."
The adaptation of the internal combustion engine to warfare...
Read More |
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Historical Foundation New Members | |
Do you know someone who is a former Ontos, Tank crew member or attached personnel?
Send us their email address and we will be sure to add them to our members list and send them the monthly Breech Block.
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Jack Roth, 3d Anti-Tank Bn, 3d Recon, 67/68
jerrecone@aol.com |
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Silver Star
Medal |
BARTUSEVICS, JOHN
Sergeant
United States Marine Corps
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John Bartusevics (1897519), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
while serving with Company C, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on January 15, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Sergeant Bartusevics upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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Donors: Thank you for your support. |
Platinum
Mike 'Boris' Bolenbaugh, 3d Tanks ~ (2011)
Peter Brush* ~ (2011)
Dick Carey, 3d Tanks* ~ (2011)
Kyle Decicco-Carey* ~ (2011)
David 'Doc' Forsyth, 1st Tanks* ~ (2011)
Chuck Garrison, 1st Tanks ~ (2011)
LtCol Will Lochridge, USMC (ret), 1st Tanks ~ (2011)
Jim Raasch, 5th Tanks** ~ (2011)
Pappy Reynolds, 3d Tanks* ~ (2011)
LtCol Ray Stewart, USMC (ret), 1st Tanks** ~ (2011)
Guy Wolfenberger, 3d Tanks ~ (2011+)
Martha Zaragoza~ (2011)
GoldSid Ferguson, 1st Tanks ~ (2011)
Gene 'Doc' Hackemack, 1st Tanks ~ (2011)
Garry Hall, 3d Tanks ~ (2011)
LtCol Frank Slovik USMC (ret), 3dTanks ~ (2011)
Silver
Danny Farrell, 1st Tanks ~ (2011)
Garry Hall, 3d Tanks ~ (2011)
Louis Najfus, 3d Anti-Tanks ~ (2011)
Larry Parshall*, 3d Tanks ~ (2011)
Michael 'Doc' Pipkin*, 3rd Tanks ~ (2011)
Bronze
Rick Oswood, 3d Tanks ~ (2011)
Jerry Wahl, 3d Tanks ~ (2011)
Note: A special "Thank you" to Michael "Boris" Bolenbaugh for his most generous donation of M48A3 Tank manuals and otherpublications that he sent to the Foundation Library. Should any member wish to know specifics on the M48A3, or its components, please write.
Ontos Crewmen in possession of Ontos manuals who wish to donate them to the Foundation Library, we would be most proud to archive them.
+Additional Donation
*In-Kind Services
**In-Kind & Monetary
~ Donations received after 28 March will appear in the May issue. |
 Your continued support is appreciated. Please send your Donation to: | |
MCVTHF, 707 S.W. 350th Ct., Ste. #1
Federal Way, WA 98023 Thank you! |
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Vietnam War Flashbacks | |
Historical Pay Tables
Submitted by Bill 'JJ' Carroll
Here is a "look back" to the days of our military pay: Pay Tables
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Can you identify any of those in the photo taken in early 1965 of Tracked Vehicle Officers School students at Camp Del Mar, Camp Pendleton, CA. Marine Corps Officer students, SNCO instructors, and Spanish Exchange Officers.
Submitted by Ray Stewart
Click here to see larger ___________________________________________________________
Marine Corps Ops August
Macon 4 Jul-27 Oct 66
116 days
3 Bns, 1 MarDiv operation for the An Hoa industrial complex in Quang Nam Province VC/NVA KIA 507
US KIA 23
Hastings/Deckhouse II 7 Jul-3 Aug 66
28 days
8 Bns, 1 MarDiv operation in Quang Tri Province against NVA 324B Division in area of the DMZVC/NVA KIA 882
US KIA 126
Prairie I/Deckhouse IV 3 Aug 66-31 Jan 67
182 days
13 Bns, 1 MarDiv operation in the Con Thien/Gio Linh areas of the DMZVC/NVA KIA 1,397
US KIA 215
Colorado/Lien Ket 5 26-21 Aug 66
16 days1 MarDiv operation in Quang Nam/Quang Tin ProvincesVC/NVA KIA 674
US KIA 23
Kingfisher 16 Jul-31 Oct 67
108 days
9 Bns, 3 MarDiv operation in the DMZVC/NVA KIA 1,117
US KIA 340
Houston 26 Feb-12 Sep 68
200 days
9 Bns, 1 MarDiv operation in border region of Thua Thien and Quang Nam ProvincesVC/NVA KIA 702
US KIA 117
Napoleon/Saline 29 Feb-12 Sep 68
285 days
16 Bns1 MarDiv operation along Cua Viet River in Quang Tri ProvinceVC/NVA KIA 3,495
US KIA 353
Scotland II1 5 Apr 68-28 Feb 69
320 days
17 Bns, 1 MarDiv operation centered on the Khe Sanh area of Quang Tri ProvinceVC/NVA KIA 3,311
US KIA 435
Allen Brook 4 May-24 Aug 68
113 days
6 Bns, 1 MarDiv operation in southern Quang Nam ProvinceVC/NVA KIA 1,017
US KIA 172
Mameluke Thrust 18 May-23 Oct 68
159 days
7 Bns1 MarDiv operation in central Quang Nam ProvinceVC/NVA KIA 2,728
US KIA 270
Idaho Canyon 21 Jul-25 Sep 69
77 days
5 Bns,1 MarDiv/101st Airborne operation west of Tam Ky in Quang Tin ProvinceVC/NVA KIA 565
US KIA 78
Pipestone Canyon 26 May - 7 Nov 69
166 days
6 Bns,1 MarDiv operation in Quang Nam Province centered approximately 13 kms west of Hoi AnVC/NVA KIA 488
US KIA 54
Imperial Lake 31 Aug 70 - 12 May 71
255 days
4 Bns,1st MarDiv operation in Quang Nam ProvinceVC/NVA KIA 305
US KIA 24 |
| Auction Results | |
The winning bid for the Tank Pin was made by Guy Wolfenberger. His winning bid was $133. Thank you Guy and thanks to the other bidders.
The other ten bidders in alphabetical order were; Jimmy Balkcom, Stephen Christensen, Richard 'RB' English, John Harper, Bob Plato, Frank Remkiewicz, Paul Tate, Joe Tiscia, Jerry Whal and Martha Zaragoza.
Thanks to all who participated in this auction fund-raiser. |
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Department of Veterans Affairs
Veteran's Dependent Parent Benefit
What Is a Veteran's Dependent Parent Benefit?
A veteran whose parent(s) are dependent upon him/her for financial support may be paid additional benefits. Dependency of a parent is based on need. Both the parental relationship and dependency of the parent must be established for VA to pay.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria?
1. Veteran is in receipt of compensation with a combined evaluation of at least 30 percent, or
2. Veteran is in receipt of VA educational benefits based on enrollment of � time or more.
Read more... |
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VA Information and News | |
Commissary Savings at Risk to Help Ill Lejeune Vets
To free up billions of dollars for the cost of providing VA health care to veterans and family members exposed to contaminated water over three decades at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) won approval, without debate, to consolidate all base exchanges and commissary operations worldwide into a single for-profit retailing system.
Read more...
VA Pays Vet $925,000 in Exploding Eyeball Suit
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A 60-year-old Army veteran won a $925,000 settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs after he was blinded in one eye during a routine outpatient cataract operation, his attorney said Monday.
Read more.. |
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Book Review | |
By LtCol Ray Stewart, USMC (Ret)
Dr. Ken Estes, LtCol, USMC (Ret) has recently joined the Foundation's Board of Directors. Ken Brings with him vast knowledge of the Marine Corps and Marine Corps-wide recognition of his authoring talent. Among his numerous publications are:
Guidebook for Marines, 19th Edition, compiler and editor.
Quantico: Marine Corps Association, 2009.
US Marine Corps Tank Crewman 1941-45: Pacific.
London: Osprey Publishers, 2005.
Tanks on the Beach: a Marine Tanker in the Pacific War,
with Robert M. Neiman. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2003.
Marines Under Armor: The Marine Corps and the Armored Fighting Vehicle, 1916-2000. Annapolis: USNI Press, 2000.
The Marine Officer's Guide, 5th Edition, editor.
Annapolis: USNI Press, 1985. 6th Edition, 1995,
revised 2000, 7th edition, 2008.
Handbook for Marine NCOs, 3d Edition, editor. Annapolis, USNI Press, 1988. 4th Edition, 1995, revised 2000, 5th Edition, 2008
In subsequent Breech Blocks, we'll be reviewing a number of Ken's books. |
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Ten Worst States; Veteran Employment | |
As you all know while the job market has been bad for everyone it has been dramatically worse for veterans, especially veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many theories as to why this is true, we don't know for sure- but we now definitely know where in the country employment is worse for them. Below are the 10 worse state for 9/11 unemployment. Following the veterans unemployment percentages are the overall unemployment rates in those states complied by the Bureau of Labor These figures come from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee.
1) Michigan 29.4 percent (10.3)
2) Indiana 23.6 percent (8.2)
3) Minnesota 22.9 percent (6.6)
4) Montana 20.1 percent (7.3)
5) Tennessee 20 percent (9.7)
6) Kansas 17.2 percent (6.6)
7) Vermont 16.8 percent (5.4)
8) Connecticut 15.5 percent (9.1)
9) Nevada 15.2 percent (12.1)
10) New York 15.2 percent (7.9) |
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Khe Sanh Veterans Inc. Rochester, MN, Kahler Grand Hotel,
July 17 - 24, 2011. More Information
Mustang Officers Association Tampa, FL. Sheraton Sand Key Resort. September 29 - October 2, 2011. More Information
USMC Vietnam Tankers Association. San Diego, CA, Town and Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center.
August 14 - August 24, 2011. More Information. |
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OBITS | |
 | | Cecil Brown, Jr. |
PLATTSVILLE, KY -- Cecil Brown, Jr.
He was 63 at the time of his passing
He was born on May 1, 1947, in Yamacraw, Kentucky, the son of Christeen (Worley) Brown of Sidney, and the late Cecil Brown Sr.
On Feb. 2, 1993, he married Janice Kay Snider, who survives along with eight children, Heather Goubeaux of Anna, Kim Parfait of Lake Charles, La., Keith Brown of Sidney, Joe Taylor of Springfield, Tyler Taylor, Robert Curtis, Chris Brown, and Caralee Brown all of Sidney, siblings, Roger Brown, Este Coverstone, Mary Hamilton, Steve Brown, and Dawn Hazlet all of Sidney, and 10 grandchildren.
Mr. Brown was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Tank Battalion - 1st Marine Division. He was a member of the Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation and the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association, Sidney American Legion Post 217, and St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Sidney. He retired as a foundry worker from the former Wagner Manufacturing Co. in Sidney.
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SACRAMENTO, CA-- Huge E. Childress
Mr. Childress was raised in Greene County and was a son of Henry Earnest of Mohawk and the late Della Childress.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the tank division.
Mr. Childress was self-employed.
Survivors, in addition to his father, include his wife: Tina Childress of Guatemala; three children: Hugh Earnest "Earnie" Childress II of North Carolina, and Andrea Childress and Rachel Childress, both of Arlington, Va.; a stepson: Matthew Shelton; five granddaughters; three sisters and two brothers-in-law: Sue Fox and Etta and Ronnie Hensley, all of Greene County, and Ellen and Charlie Carmack of Pleasant View; a brother: Zenis Childress of Nashville; two half-sisters and a brother-in-law: Jean Gray of Greene County and Goldene and Gordon Miller of Greeneville; and several nieces and nephews.
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SACRAMENTO, CA---Robert Joseph "Jake" Will
He was 69 years old. Born on May 9, 1941 in Prospect, New York, he was the son of the late John P. and Louise A. (Hof) Will. He was the youngest of 10 siblings In his early years, Jake grew up on the family farm in Prospect, New York He would spend his days tending to the family dairy cows and also the chickens and pigs they raised. He attended Remsen Central School and graduated in 1959. Following high school he joined the Marine Corps in 1961 and trained at a Navy School to be a Radio Telegraph Operator. In 1965, utilizing his training, he traveled with the Marine Corps to the cities of DaNang and QuiNhon in Vietnam and worked with the 3rd Anti Tank Battalion as a Ground Radio Operator. In 1967 he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and joined the Air Force in 1968. He returned to QuiNhon, Vietnam in 1968 and worked as a Forward Air Controller calling in air strikes in support of ground troops. |
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Command Chronologies CDs | |
During the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association
San Diego, CA 17-21 August 2011
For sale in the Foundation's "Oral Interview and Map Chronology Room" at the reunion will be CDs of the Command Chronologies (CCs) of the 1st and 3rd Tank Bns and the 1st and 3rd AT Bns. In the case of the Ontos Battalions, their later actions were recorded by the respective Tank Battalions into which they were folded. These too are included with the CDs of the ATs. The price is set at:
$7 for one CD (any Bn - AT or Tank Bn)
$12 for two CDs (any 2 Bns - AT or Tank Bns)
$18 for three CDs (any 3 Bns - AT or Tank Bns)
$22 for four CDs (any 4 Bns - AT or Tank Bns) Or the complete "set" of both AT Bns and both Tank Bn CDs
This is the "Reunion Special" and will save you $3, $5, $7, and $8 respectively under the order-by-mail price.
We've kept the cost down as much as possible. All transactions are to be in cash or personal check. All proceeds will go to the "Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation" where we are writing "The History of Marine Tanks and Ontos in the Vietnam War".
If you are not coming to the reunion and want to purchase CDs send me an email for prices and your choice of CDs.
Email: usmcvthf@comcast.net |
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THE BREECH BLOCK | |
Publisher
Marine Corps
Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation
Staff
President & Editor
LtCol Raymond A. Stewart USMC (ret.)
Contact:
usmcvthf@comcast.net
Archivist in Residence
Kyle Decicco-Carey
Harvard University
BA in History, MLIS
Author in Residence
Dr. Oscar "Ed" Gilbert
Historian in Residence
Peter Brush
Vanderbilt University
BA and MA in History
Marketing & Production
Richard 'Dick' Carey
Contact:
mcvthf@gmail.com
Web Master
Lloyd 'Pappy' Reynolds
www.mcvthf.org
Contact:
bravo3rd@earthlink.net
____________________
Board of Directors
LtCol Raymond A. Stewart
USMC (ret.)
President
Open
Vice President
James Raasch
Secretary
Oral Historian
Richard 'Dick' Carey
Treasurer
Public Relations/Marketing
Richard Tilden
Recruiter
LtGen Martin R. Steele
USMC (ret.)
Director
Robert 'Mike' Flick
Director
David 'Doc' Forsyth Director
Dr. Ken Estes, LtCol
USMC (ret.)
Director
Rick Walters
Director
MGySgt Donald R. Gagnon
USMC (ret.)
Director Emeritus
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In Memory Lance Corporal Robert Hugh Gage
1st Marine Division
1st Tank Battalion
1st Anti-Tank
MIA/POW
03 July 1966
PP/ Staff Sergeant 30 September 1974 ____________________
Disclaimer: "Marines" and the Eagle, Globe and Anchor are trademarks of the U.S. Marine Corps, used with permission. Neither the U.S. Marine Corps nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed or authorized this newsletter. |
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