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Dear Marine, |
You will notice this month our Mail Call is quite active. We appreciate you comments. Please keep them coming. Under the Official Marine Corps Playbook we have an additional topic in which the Corps has published their 'Firearms Policy' in the wake of the yet another shooting on a military base. Please take note of the number of new donors listed this month. We have received both monetary and in-kind donations. Without your support the Foundation could not exist. We appreciate your assistance
If you have not heard of the untimely and uncalled for deaths of over 40 veterans at the Phoenix VA be sure to read the article in this months issue. Also, the Marine Corps Times has a book review of "A Trust Betrayed" by Mike Magner. The book recaps the history of the drinking water contamination at Camp Lejeune from 1950s through the 1980s.
I best not forget to mention the Command Chronologies and the Book SitRep. Ray manages to juggle the coordination of our history in preparation of publishing and the culmination of the various unit histories for the month of May. Without the help of our administrative assistant, Jackie Hunter many of the items Ray is working on would not come to fruition.
And finally, our web master, Pappy Reynolds has added many new items to our site. Please be sure to pay the site a visit.
Semper Fidelis,
Richard 'Dick' Carey, V.P./Editor
Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation
USMC Vietnam Tankers Association
Founder/President Emeritus (1999-2005)
Contact: Click here
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Mail Call!
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Looking for buddy
Semper Fi, Marines!
I was with A 1/4 in 68/69, more than once tanks from the 3rd Tank Battalion save our butts, probably time to drop in and say, Thanks!
Also, I joined the Corps with a buddy that went to tanks. I don't know his unit so I'm just going to throw his name out there and hope that someone might have known him. He's gone now, but never forgotten.
Looking for unit assignment for:
Richard Wayne Rogers from Davis OKLA. We joined together Oct 20 1967. Any help would be most appreciated.
Like your page!
Semper Fi,
Rodger "Clem" Clemons
rdclem49@yahoo.com
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What is going on with 3rd ATs?
I see the chronicles on the 3rd ATs , but I see nothing after 1967,... any reason for this?
Rick - Just a short one and I'll get back to you with more later. Half way through the war the ATs were placed under the tanks and were reported on via the respective Tank Bn CCs.
Semper Fidelis,
Ray
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Hi Ray,
I would think the Marine Corp or some other government institution might have the real answer written down somewhere? I sure would like to know what happened to them. I didn't realize they were missing. I occasionally look around and find tanks in strange places but have yet to run into an Ontos. Their kind of ugly but KOOL!
S/F,
Jerry (Sezar)
Jerry - I'd have thought there'd be such records too but there's not. One would have thought there'd have been proper records of our Vietnam exploits too - there is not. Our mantra "You made history. Your Foundation is making it known." is not an idle expression. Almost daily we find important information that should have been recorded and archived that never made it into the system. At least in our case we have the MarCorHistDiv on our side and they're helping us get things straight.
Semper Fidelis,
Ray
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Bizarre Event Each time I see a story about ONTOS, I remember a really bizarre event on Hill 55 (DaNang/Chulai area). On July 1, 1966 as I was looking out of my 1st Aid Tent - Bravo Co, 1st TK, 1st Mar Div, I could not believe my eyes. Here was a Marine that I went to High School with me in Burton, Texas! It was Harry Roemer who was an ONTOS driver - ONTOS were on the same Hill 55 with us! What a reunion for us, on the other side of the world. I am enclosing a photo of the driver, Harry Roemer "A" Company, ? Battalion, ? Marine Division.  | | Doc Hackemack & Harry Roemer |
I am still in touch with him today, and occasionally mention to him that he should join us. He's not a recluse, but kind of shy, just like he was in High School. I will give you his contact information - perhaps if he hears from one of you, maybe it will get him to thinking. Semper Fi, - Doc A. Gene Hackemack ### Name & Logo's Correction Hi Richard Carey,
The "Names and Logos" on the Marine Tanks in the Historical Foundation's web page has "Vengeance is Mine" misspelled under the name section. It is misspelled Vengance. It should be Vengeance. Can you please correct that? Thank you. Also, has any of our brothers who have PTSD had any of there weapons confiscated by there local authorities in there State? I live in Maryland and I'm afraid to put a claim in for PTSD because the politicians in this state are trying to take away peoples weapons and ignoring there Second Amendment rights. Rumor has it if you have PTSD, you are on the list for weapon confiscation. Please respond when you can. Thank you. You are doing a great job for the foundation.
Semper FI Bill Bohlen Bill, Pappy will make the correction for the spelling on the web site. Also, I have been rated with PTSD at 100% since 1995 and no one has come for my guns. You might have a problem if you have a felony conviction and PTSD. ~ Dick ###
F.O. 2/9 Sends Regards
Subject: RE: Welcome Home
Thank you very much for sending the April issue. I'm reading that and enjoying it very much. Look forward to hearing from you. I hope we do get to meet and will stay in touch. So glad you guys are there, much appreciated.
Billy Whisenant
This is Billy's personnel bumper sticker
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Location Verification
Mr. Reynolds:
I was given your name by Mr. Greg Martin of the Vietnam Tankers Association. I was in Vietnam in 1965/1966, and was involved in action North of Hue (Quang Tri Province) where I was wounded and 2 of my buddies were killed. The best information I have is that this took place at coordinates "YD525264", "YD534265" and/or "YD545266." These are military coordinates which I am not familiar with and I can only hope they identify a map. Can you provide any information on what these coordinates mean? I have tried going over topographic maps but they are all too recent. There was an old French outpost next to the stream where we were when the shit hit the fan. Is it possible to find maps that show these old fortifications? Any information you can provide would be appreciated.
Sincerely: Vincent Bartashus, Mechanicsburg, PA.
Vincent, go to http://mcvthf.org/Maps/3rd_Tks_KIA.htm The second map down is from map Hai Lang 6442 II It shows where Furr and Wildman were KIA. With the information you sent me I can dig up more. The actual map (if it is still in print) is Vietnam Series L7014 Sheet Hai Lang 6442 II (or 2). You can do a google search for it or try the USGS.
More later. ~ Pappy
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Reunion Interview
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What the Marine Corps Means to Me: Jack Byrne
Compliments of the USMCVTA and NOWCastSA
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"The Book" SitRep
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With reluctance we are no longer accepting requests for telephone interviews that would be included in The Book. This does not mean we will not record and include the interviews that have been previously scheduled. And expect a call from a member of our Interview Committee to schedule an interview within the next couple of weeks.
The Book Committee has been wading through the fifty CD's recently acquired from the Marine Corps History Division. It is slow work but, like panning for gold, after hours of hard work there is the occasional nugget we find making all the time and effort well worth it. On the other hand, hearing to the actual words of a warrior recorded fresh from the battle field describing his just-fought fight is its own reward.
Pappy Reynolds, the Foundation's Web Master, is heading up a project that will identify every tank and Ontos unit's date of arrival into country and also its departure date. Attached and direct support units entered Vietnam, almost without exception, as an integral part of an infantry organization - Tank/Ontos battalions with Infantry Divisions, their companies with regiments, and their platoons with battalions. So "somewhere" in the official documentation - such as infantry and/or the supporting unit's command chronology entry dates into country will be found - just a matter of digging and research. However, the exit from Vietnam was much less orderly and even less documentation exists, since in many cases there was no tactical structure and, in the case of tanks and Ontos, the crews did not back-load their vehicle which were loaded on amphibious shipping while the individual crewman was flown out of Da Nang. This paucity of unit departing information will mean that exact departure dates of supporting units has not been documented and now cannot be located.
We will publish in The Book all the information we can find concerning the dates into and out of country. The latter will be largely gained by the reporting of our Tanker and Ontos Veterans.
Ray Stewart,
President, MCVTHF
usmcvthf@comcast.net
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Command Chronologies
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Marine Tanks & Ontos Action in the Vietnam War
May 1965 to 1970 - Marine Tanks & Ontos Action
We have completed the month-by-month study of the Command Chronologies of the Tank and Ontos Battalions, abstracted what is thought to be the most pertinent to our involvement in the Vietnam War, and ran the product of that project in the last 14 Breech Blocks. The deeper we have dug into the records and archives the more we've found the many unforgiveable gaps in recording and chronicling Tank and Ontos actions and recognition for the significant role their crews played in the success of the fight. And, the more personal stories we have received , interviews we have conducted, supported infantry units' command chronologies (CCs) we have researched, and access we have gained to sources other than the Marine Corps', the more obvious it becomes that to get our book on the wire and set the historical records straight is our priority.
Starting with the April's issue of the Breech Block we have added some personal stories and comments intended to expand on the original Mays' CC Abstracts. Also there are rosters of those Marine Tankers and Ontos Crewmen killed in action, Purple heart recipients, and all those who received the Navy Cross and Silver Star Medals. The Bronze Star and below medal recipients listed are of those who have sent the Foundation that information. We know there are many more valor awards than we have been able to report and ask that, if you are one of those, you provide your information to us for the record.
We encourage you to read the material and send us your comments. You may write or call me with your thoughts. We will capture every word and put it to print whenever appropriate. As this is written we have 80+ previously recorded interviews; many from our members conducted over the past several year - starting with Seattle's Vietnam Tankers reunion in 2003 - both live audio and video with many more interviews taken from warriors right off the battlefield between 44 and nearly 50 years ago.
The Book is not of random out-of-context "Sea Stories", however entertaining, but an historically correct series of personal accounts by Marine Ontos Crewmen and Tankers set in the chronological order of the war they fought.
Semper Fidelis,
Ray Stewart
Pres. VTHF
usmcvthf@comcast.net
Click on links below to read the Command chronologies
1st ATs
1st Tanks ~ Part 1 ~ Part 2
3rd ATs ~ Part 1 ~ Part 2
3rd Tanks ~ Part 1 ~ Part 2
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Mays' Personal Awards Recipients
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Navy Cross Medal
Danner, David J., Sgt May 08, 1967 A/3 Tanks
Thatcher, Charles D., Cpl May 08, 1967 A/3 Tanks
Silver Star Medal
Banning, John J., 2LT May 25, 1968 A/1 Tanks
Cecil, Richard D., Sgt May 20, 1966 C/3 Tanks
Cerda, Rene., Cpl May 19, 1968 B/3 Tanks
Chambers, John C., Cpl May 19, 1967 A/3 Tanks
Person, Barnett G., GySgt May 08, 1967 A/3 Tanks
Siva, Thurlo J., SSgt May 12, 1968 B/1 Tanks
Weigand, Phillip S., Capt May 26, 1967 C/1 Tanks
Note: The NCM and SSM are a matter of accessible archived documents. That is not the case w/Bronze Star, Navy Commendation, or Navy Achievement Medals. The only way the Foundation has to gain this data is through self-reporting by the respective recipients.
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| Recipient* | Unit | Date | Area | | Baddgor, Partick' |
Bravo Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 19-May-68 | Quang Tri | 2nd | |
Brignon,
William R.
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Alpha Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 6-May-68 | Quang Tri | 1st | | Coan, James P. |
Alpha Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 4-May-68 | Quang Tri | 1st | | Fleischmann, Carl | H&S/Charlie Co., 3rd Tanks | 11-May-68 | I Corps | 2nd | | Franker, William J. |
Alpha Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 19-May-69 | Quang Tri | 1st | | Irizarry, Joseph |
Alpha Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 2-May-68 | Quang Tri | 1st | | Matthews, Frank |
Alpha Co.,
3rd Tanks
| May-68 | Quang Tri | 1st | | Schwartz, Ralph G |
Charlie Co.,
1st Tanks
| 8-May-68 | Quang Nam | 1st | | Sellers, Robert B. |
Charlie Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 17-May-67 | Quang Tri | 1st | | Vining, Francis E. |
Bravo Co.,
3rd Tanks
| May-66 | Quang Nam | 1st | | Williams, Rick |
Bravo Co.,
1st Tanks
| 3-May-68 | Qunag Nam | 1st | | Yax, Tom |
Bravo Co.,
3rd Tanks
| 30-May-68 | Quang Tri | 2nd | | | | | | | * USMCVTHF award site | | | |
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Official Marine Corps Playbook
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50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
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LOU REDA PRODUCTIONS ASSEMBLES LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED VIETNAM ERA FILM COLLECTION IN THE US
In preparation for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, Lou Reda Productions has been salvaging and restoring Vietnam era film footage for the past decade
A portion of the collection was recently seen in the acclaimed National Geographic special BROTHERS IN WAR narrated by Charlie Sheen
Continue reading
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Secure Credit Card Donations
[ IRS Tax EIN 91-2111544 ]
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Your continued support is appreciated.
Please send your Tax Deductible Donation to:
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MCVTHF
707 S.W. 350th Ct., Ste. #1
Federal Way, WA 98023
Thank you!
IRS Approved Tax EIN 91-2111544 A 501(c)(19) Non-profit Historical Foundation Est. 2001
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FYI: Donations and Donors
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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
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2014 Donors: Thank you for your support!
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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:
Certificate Donations Platinum Plus ~ $1,000 Plus Platinum ~ $250 - $999 Gold ~ $100 - $249 Silver ~ $50 - $99 Bronze ~ $1 - $49 Platinum Plus 
Anonymous+
Dick Carey*
Jackie Hunter*
Jim Raasch
Lloyd 'Pappy' Reynolds*
LtCol Frank Slovik, USMC (Ret.)
Platinum
Anonymous**
Kyle Decicco-Carey*
Sid Ferguson, DVM
GySgt Wes 'Tiny' Kilgore, USMC (Ret)
James Manson
Charles & Kersti Riehl
LtCol Ev Tunget, USMC (Ret)
Jerry Wahl
Wally Young
Gold
Anonymous
Danny & Jan Farrell
Michael Giovinazzo
John Lange
Jon Morrison
Richard "Rick" Oswood
David Ralston
Frank "Tree" Remkiewzic
Jerry & Lucinda White
Silver
Ed Emanuel
Meyrat Francis-Michael
"Doc" Hackemack
Brian Jefferies
Robert "Bob" Plato*
Bronze
Anonymous
Steve Christensen
Chris DeSpain
Ed Emanuel
Chris DeSpain
Ed Emanuel
+Additonal Donations
*In-Kind Services
**In-Kind & Monetary
There is a parallel process for rewarding your in kind, non-monetary (books, documents, articles for the Breech Block, etc.), and volunteer effort (assisting with Command Chronology research, Oral History summary report writing, etc) as well. Just contact me and we'll agree on where your work would be most meaningful for you in the context of our day-to-day goals attainment effort, the type of non-monetary donation you would like to make, and/or your planned article. Each Breech Block will cite donors and the VTHF web site will periodically post the up-to-date cumulatives.
If you desire to make your gift specific to our Book Project, please so indicate. Unless you specify otherwise, we will apply your donation where most appropriate. Of course, should you desire to remain anonymous, we'll honor that wish as well.
Thank you for your assistance.
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 VA Lets 40 plus Veterans Die |
At least 40 U.S. veterans died while waiting for health care at the Phoenix VA, many of whom were placed on a secret waiting list, according to a CNN report.
The "elaborate scheme," implemented by top management, was an effort to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans waited months to see a doctor, said CNN, citing a former Veterans Administration doctor and other agency staff. The secret list also gave the appearance of shorter appointment wait times, which were reported back to Washington, according to the story.
The report quotes a recently retired doctor from the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Dr. Sam Foote, who explained the protocol for misreporting appointment requests.
According to Foote, when vets requested a medical appointment, their info would be entered into hospital computers but not saved. A screen grab of the actual appointment data was printed, added to the secret electronic list, then shredded, erasing any public record that the actual appointment was made.
"So the only record that you have ever been there requesting care was on that secret list," Foote said in the CNN story. "And they wouldn't take you off that secret list until you had an appointment time that was less than 14 days so it would give the appearance that they were improving greatly the waiting times, when in fact they were not."
The article references the family of a 71-year-old Navy veteran who had difficulty getting a follow-up appointment after they rushed him to the Phoenix VA emergency room because of blood in his urine.
Despite a history of cancer and a chart identifying him as urgent, Thomas Breen's family could not get him in for an appointment.
Breen's wife said she called daily for appointments from late September 2013 through November. Breen died Nov. 30.
"They called me December 6," his wife Sally told CNN.
The Phoenix VA Health Care System responded to the story, writing they would "welcome the results from the Office of Inspector General's review."
The statement went on: "We acknowledge Phoenix VA Health Care System has had longstanding issues with Veterans accessing care and have taken numerous actions to meet demand, while we continue to serve more Veterans and enhance our services."
Lawmakers have since called that all records at the Phoenix VA be preserved, according to CNN.
Source Military.com
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| The Marine Corps Times book review
Submitted by Jim Estock
"A Trust Betrayed" by Mike Magner. The book recaps the history of the drinking water contamination at Camp Lejeune from 1950s through the 1980s at least. The ground water/drinking water was contaminated by multiple sources but primarily fuel spills/leaks and toxic cleaning chemicals (vehicle degreasers, solvents and various dry cleaning solvents). Exposure to such chemicals has been linked to various forms of cancer (including breast cancer in men), birth defects and numerous other medical conditions. Read review
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Obituary
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Sgt. Jerry L. Goode, USMC
(AKA Johnny B.)
Jerry Lee Goode, formerly of Laurel, died March 31, 2014, in Kingman, Ariz. He was 68
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Providence Cemetery in Paris, Texas. Brother David Mayhew will officiate.
Mr. Goode was born in Bruce, Miss., in 1946. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie N. Goode and Clida Lee Goode; sister, Lottie Saxon; and brother, Lewis D. Goode.
Survivors are his son, Jerry Scott Goode and wife, Stephanie; daughter Keri Lynn Parish and husband, Anthony; brothers Charles W. Goode and Bobby Goode; sisters, Willie Faye Schroeder and Teresia Mayhan and husband Stanley; and grandchildren Kaileigh Goode, Brittany Goode, Raghan Parish and Fischer Parish.
(4 photos of Jerry attached)
Semper Fidelis,
Tom Snyder
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We Really Need Your Assistance
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One of the toughest job in any organization is keeping membership information up-to-date.
Please take the time to go to the bottom of this newsletter and click on "Update Profile/Email Address." By doing this we can automatically update your information.
You guys are terrific; we appreciate your support.
Semper Fidelis,
Dick Carey, V.P.
Editor
Director Public Relationst
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Can't Access Links
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We have had a few emails stating that it was not possible to click on a link or the wording, photos, etc. were not as they should be on the page.
With each issue of the Breech Block and other important emails sent to you there is a wording at the top of each email that states: "Having trouble viewing this email? Click here."
If you are having an issue such as this be sure to click on the aforementioned link. This should resolve any problem, if not let us know. Click here. |
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THE BREECH BLOCK
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Publisher
Marine Corps
Vietnam Tankers
Historical Foundation
Staff
Vice Pres., Editor,
Marketing & Production
Richard "Dick" Carey
President
LtCol Raymond A. Stewart USMC (Ret)
Contact:
usmcvthf@comcast.net
Jackie Hunter
Administrator
Archivist in Residence
Kyle Decicco-Carey
Harvard University
BA in History, MLIS
Author in Residence
Dr. Oscar "Ed" Gilbert
Web Master
Lloyd 'Pappy' Reynolds
www.mcvthf.org
Board of Directors
LtCol Raymond A. Stewart, USMC (Ret)
President
Charter Director,
USMC Vietnam Tankers Association
Richard 'Dick' Carey
Vice President
Public Relations
Founder, USMC Vietnam Tankers Association
President Emeritus
James Raasch
Secretary
Oral Historian
Charles 'Chuck' Garrison, Treasurer
Charter Director,
USMC Vietnam Tankers Association
Richard Tilden
Recruiter
LtGen Martin R.
Steele, USMC (Ret)
Director
Charter Director,
USMC Vietnam Tankers Association
Col William 'Bill' Davis, USMC(Ret)
Director
Robert 'Mike' Flick
Director
David 'Doc' Forsyth
Director
Dr. Ken Estes,
LtCol, USMC (Ret)
Director
Rick Walters
Director
Guy Wolfenberger
Director
MGySgt Donald 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
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.
Contact Us
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