There's no doubt that Summer is upon us. The we find that the constant distractions makes sitting at our "one-eyed monsters" to crank out Tank and Ontos history, based upon listening to the tapes of interviews and digging through dusty archives takes every bit of resolve and dedication on the part of our volunteers. No amount of Atta boys compensates for missing time with our family and friends.

  With this in mind then this August's Breech Block is a bit shorter than what is customary. More importantly, what has not been abbreviated, is the "Command Chronology Abstracts". In fact this month's is fully 74 pages with maps, pictures, quotes from our members, and supplemental information from the "U.S. Marines in Vietnam" series. We're citing these "green books" by-year histories in short-hand. Starting with "U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Landing and Buildup - 1965" as "(GB65)" thru "U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown - 1969" "(GB69)". Quotes from the Marine Corps Archives, taken mostly from on-the-battlefield, real time interviews, are cited using our Foundation's protocol.

  Please take a moment to recall what your August - any August - in Vietnam was like and see if we've covered what you experienced. If you've not submitted your story or sat for a phone interview and would like others to read your personal Vietnam history, that's simple to work. Just call or write and we will provide whatever support you need.

  Our staff hopes that your summer activities are as "distracting" for you as ours have been for the Foundation's Volunteers. Enjoy!

 

Semper Fidelis,

 

Ray Stewart

Pres. VTHF

 Mail Call!  & Attaboy List                         

New Members                             

Name City, State Co, Bn & Years email address  Phone: ???

Name City, State Co, Bn & Years email address  Phone: ??? Recruited by: MCVTHF

"The Book" SitRep:   August

 

Marine Tanks & Ontos Action in the Vietnam War

August 1965 to 1970 - Marine Tanks & Ontos Action

 

  A year ago the months of August was the fifth of what became a monthly feature of abstracted Tank and Anti-Tank Command Chronologies. This Breech Block - August 2014 - is an "enhanced" version including details of some of the named operations and the role tanks and Ontos played in those operations. For example interviews of Tankers and Ontos Crewmen as well as links to our website of previously written articles and pictures about such "encounters" as Operations Starlite, Piranha, Fremont, Kingfisher, and others.

  If you served in or were attached to any tank or Ontos units during any August and recall some experiences that you would like others to read about, please, call me to set up a phone interview or jot them down and send your story to us for publishing. Pictures with captions are of particular interest. Most, if not all, of the material you send us will find its way into one of our publications and ultimately The Book. And be archived either here at the Foundation or in the Archives of the Marine Corps at MCB Quantico, VA.

 

Ray Stewart

Pres. VTHF

usmcvthf@comcast.net

 

August Command Chronologies Abrasticts 

 

 

Killed in Action: August  1965-1970                         

Tankers and Ontos Crewmen Killed in Action

 August 1965 - 1970

EDWARD E DAVIES	Lcpl	Aug 22, 1967	21	Lovington, NM	1st AT's	KIA
REED M MAY JR	Lcpl	Aug 29, 1967	20	Johnstown, PA	1st AT's	KIA
None Listed					5th Tks
WILLIAM C. LAIDLAW	Cpl	Aug 18, 1965	21	Cohasset, MA	3rd Tks	KIA
JOSEPH M. HALLAS	Sgt.	Aug 16, 1967	19	Youngstown, OH	3rd Tks	KIA
ANTHONY H. BENNETT	Lcpl	Aug 16, 1967	19	Tulsa, OK	3rd Tks	KIA
RICHARD R. SMITH	Lcpl	Aug 16, 1967	20	Hopewell Junction, NY	3rd Tks	KIA
KENNETH R. SPOHN	Lcpl	Aug 16, 1967	21	Portland, OR	3rd Tks	KIA
WALTER J. DECOTA	Maj	Aug 17,1966	33	Pascoag, RI	3rd Tks	KIA
RONALD C. KRAUS	1st Lt	Aug 9, 1965	31	Grandview, IN	3rd Tks	KIA
LESLIE I. HILDENBRAND	Cpl	Aug 10, 1965	25	Circleville, PA	3rd Tks	KIA
PAUL A. DEVERS	Lcpl	Aug 10, 1965	21	Jackson Heights, NY	3rd Tks	KIA
GEORGE R. CLAYPOOL	GySgt	Aug 12, 1968	36	Toledo, OH	3rd Tks	KIA
FRANKLIN M. ELLINGER	SSgt	Aug 12, 1968	27	Terre Haute, IN	3rd Tks	KIA
ROBERT G BOUSQUET	Cpl	Aug 18, 1965	24	Holyoke, MA	3rd AT's	KIA
DALLAS E THOMPSON	2nd Lt.	Aug 28, 1967	31	Barberton, OH	3rd AT's	KIA
HAROLD V. DAYRINGER JR.	Lcpl	Aug 24, 1965	22	Benson, NC	3rd AT's	N-H
None Listed					5th Ats

August Personal Awards Recipients                     

 

Silver Star Medal

 

Name	Date	Unit
Alo, Ta'Aloga S SSgt	Aug 28, 67	C-3-ATanks
Alvarado, Jose J SSgt	Aug 20, 66	B-3-Tanks
Denton, Charles L Cpl	Aug 18, 65	C-3-Tanks
Doss, James G Jr Maj	Aug 17, 66	CO-3-Tanks
Hill, John M Sgt (KIA)	Aug 22, 69	B-1-Tanks
Jones, Clarence W SSgt	Aug 26, 66	C-3-Tanks
Mattingly, Robert E 2dLt	Aug 5, 66	H-3-Tanks
Williamson, Robert M Jr LCpl	Aug 17, 66	B-3-Tanks

 

  

Name	Unit	Date Of Action	Province or Operation	Award
Adcock, Robert	Bravo Co., 3rd. Tanks	20-Aug-66	Quang Nam	1st
Aguilar, Samuel	3rd Tk Bn	9-Aug-65
Brightwell, LeRoy "Hank"	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	12-Aug-67	Quang Tri	2nd
Clark, Richard P.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	10-Aug-65
Crabtree, John E.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	9-Aug-65
Curry, Robert	Bravo Co., 1st Tanks	5-Aug-67	Quang Nam	1st
Curry, Robert	Bravo Co., 1s Tanks	31-Aug-67	Quang Nam	2nd
Denton, Charles L.	3rd Tk Bn	1-Aug-65
Franker, William J.	Alpha Co., 3rd Tanks	2-Aug-69	Quang Tri	2nd
Fuentes, Mario	Bravo Co., 1st Tanks	30-Aug-68	Quang Nam	1st
Giovinazzo, Michael	Alpha Co., 1st Anti-Tank	17-Aug-66	Quang Nam	1st
Hawley, J.G.	3rd Tk Bn	1-Aug-65
Hearn,	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	10-Aug-65
Himes, Harris D.	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	21-Aug-67	Quang Tri	1st
Jones	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Little, P. D.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Malette, Charles W.	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
McQueary, Daniel H.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Meniscus, Lateral	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Perillo, John J.	H&S Co., 1st Tanks	26-Aug-66	Tam Ky	1st
Pulley, Darrell E.	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	10-Aug-65
Sipeli, Edward V.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Smith	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Stanford, V. R.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Sullivan	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Thompson, James B.	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Marble Mtn.
Thompson, K. L.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	? Admin to Hosp.
Vickey, W. L.	Bravo Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	? Admin to Hosp.
Waicak, John P.	Bravo Co., 1s Tanks	12-Aug-67	Quang Nam	2nd
"          "	Bravo Co., 1s Tanks	31-Aug-67	Quang Nam	3rd
William, James E.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight
Yoder, Daniel M.	Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks	18-Aug-65	Starlight

Federal Way, WA 98023

Thank you!

 

IRS Approved Tax EIN 91-2111544 A 501(c)(19) Non-profit Historical Foundation Est. 2001 

    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, archiv-ing and publishing your individual stories.

 Semper Fidelis

    The Foundation is proud to announce that there has been a positive response to our e-mail asking for your help; financial  assistance, submission of your personal stories, and recollections of your "Vietnam Days," adding to the Foundation Library, and volunteering to carry some of the day-to-day work load. The level of financial contributions are recognized with an Award Certificate as follows:

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