MARINE CORPS VIETNAM TANKERS

HISTORICAL FOUNDATION®  

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THE BREECH BLOCK© 

We are the voice of  history.   

 

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January 2015         
 
 Vietnam Ontos crewman, Tankers & support  have made history and we are making it known.


new-year-header5.jpg



Fellow Marine
 
      I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. In our home it was mixed. With my immediate family it was beyond wonderful and fun. However, in my "other life" i.e., my Foundation family, it was more thought reflecting and serious.
     A couple of days before Thanksgiving the Foundation received an e-mail from a young man - "Skip" - through our connection with the local Marine Support Battalion, asking for he
lp in searching out details about his dying father - a Vietnam War Veteran. Skip knew that his Dad had served in the Vietnam War, he was wounded, and recalled that he returned home via the hospital. However, his Dad talked very little about his experience in Vietnam with family or friends. Skip was preparing the eulogy he would soon be delivering at his father's services. His father was on life support which was about to be removed.
     With some urgency, I dug into the Foundation's archives and prepared questions to ask Skip: very basic information. "When was your Dad in Vietnam?" "What unit(s) was he assigned to?" "His service number?" The answers to these questions could at least get us started. He had no answers! We could not move forward with the search.
     A week or two later Skip called me to tell me that his father had indeed passed away. Skip had opened up and gone through his Dad's old foot locker. This is only some of what he found. 

 There were no written citations, just these medals.

     While Skip could eulogize his Father who, as evidenced by these medals, a brave and wounded Marine, on many aspects of his life, he had little more to say about his Father's war record than "Dad served in Vietnam". And, "And I'd heard that he spent several months in the hospital." Skip expressed his deep regrets, as does other family members that he, and they, do not know more about his Dad. Skip's Mother had died at his birth while his Dad was in Vietnam. Skip was but a few months old when his Dad, who was med-evac'd from Vietnam, finally made it home from the hospital.
     My first thoughts as I listened to Skip's plea for help, were "Why in God's name didn't you know more about your Dad?" "Why didn't his Dad tell Skip - at least something - about some of what was an important chapter in is life?" These are painful questions left unanswered, probably forever.
     My kids were born and raised in the Marine Corps. Running the Foundation, while writing our history, keeps me - and them, to some degree - immersed in the Corps. I've never told my family but a few "sea stories" about my Vietnam War days. And that's been my choice. It's a decision I've always thought was mine alone to make - until now.
     Which brings me to a "New Year's Resolution": What happened to Skip and his family is not what's going to happen to me - nor, I hope, to you. Why don't WE make a point to agree to an interview with a member of our Book Team and also jot us a few lines and let us make known your participation in the Vietnam War? And those pictures? I hear that a picture is worth a whole lot of words.
     Wishing you and your family all the very best in 2015 - Our "Year of The Book". 
Semper Fidelis,

Ray Stewart,

President, VTHF

 

 Mail Call! ,  Attaboy List  and anything else.                      

Ray,

Thank you for the note updating us on your progress and success with your noble endeavors to preserve the magnificent history of the Marine Tankers of the Vietnam Era.

As I sat and watched the 1st of the Ken Burn's Vietnam Documentary last night, I had tears in my eyes for the young brave men & their families.

Your mission is so important to educate the generations to come to see their Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, etc. did to preserve our freedom in the wonderful country.

Again I say thank you!

 

Fondly,

 

A wife of a Marine who continues to fight that war every day of our lives.

 

(Name withheld by request of the author)

 

Video of Alpha 22 in Hue.
It's in WMV format, might take a bit to download.
Looks like South Hue and it might have been hit by a RR round.
Any one know who the crew might be?
We'd like to hear from them.

Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation

1999 - 2016 Goals and Mission

 MACRO PROJECTS & PROGRAMS

* Write the history of "Marine Tanks & Ontos in Vietnam" in by months' segments.
* Collect and archive oral histories of Vietnam-era Tankers & Ontos Crewmen.
* Write summaries of Marine Corps History Division's Vietnam oral histories.
* Create a "Map History of Marine Tanks & Ontos in Vietnam" on our website.
* Write and support the publication of others' on-subject articles and books.
* Create and maintain a web and blog site.
* Publish a monthly E-Letter the Breech Block.
* Build and maintain a library and archive of Vietnam War and related material.
* Publish an E-Book about and by Marine Tankers and Ontos Crewmen in Vietnam.
* Create a lasting tribute to the Vietnam War-era Tankers & Ontos Crewmen.
* Combining these 10 programs: Write "The Comprehensive History of Marine
       Tanks & Ontos during the Vietnam War".

The "blue" bullets are completed or being sustained.
The "red"is in progress.
The "Purple" would be something like a monument on the Semper Fidelis path at the 
National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA


Note: Each of these eleven program bullets is expanded upon with a Project Plan (PP), Work Breakdown Structures (WBSs), and other Foundation management supporting documentation. The entire Historical Foundation effort is incorporated in the State of Washington under the umbrella of a 501(c)(19) non-profit set of Bylaws and a comprehensive Business Plan with a definitive Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives. The Foundation maintains a small library and archive of Vietnam War and other military-related books, photographs, maps, documents, CDs, oral histories w/written summaries, and an electronic-based member data bank.

     Please note the Foundation Staff change. Jackie Hunter joined us nearly 3 years ago and, since volunteering seemingly tireless hours, she has documented our Library, re-formatted the many stories queued up for The Book, and developed myriad spread sheets of rosters, publications, authors, stories, medal recipients, written oral history summaries, and much more. She has been more value to the Foundation than any organization could hope for in its volunteers - or paid! - staff members.

     Jackie, due to health and personal issues, has left the area and has asked to be given an indefinite "sabbatical". While volunteers do not really take sabbaticals, her request is typical of her professionalism and dedication to our Marine Tanker and Ontos crewman Community. She is, and will be, sorely missed. However, the door is open should she decide to re-join us at some future date. She has left the Foundation in much better administrative condition than she found it.

    If it is that every cloud has a silver lining then, Aryn Willhite is the platinum lining in ours. Aryn brings to the Foundation professional executive-level administrative talent developed through years of experience in the business community. Though the Foundation has been without admin help since September, Aryn being the fast study that she is, has picked up the ball and closed the gap in a matter of weeks. I can safely say that the several loose ends that had started to appear will be tightened up and our response time to the several requests for assistance from our members and other administrative issues will be shortened appreciably.

    Thank you for your patience. And best wishes for the New Year.

Semper Fidelis,

Ray Stewart


"The Book" SitRep:  January

   The Book Staff has spent a significant part of the Holidays "discussing" (and cussing!) the progress we're making with The Book. Decision's made: By the end of the month - January 31 - we cannot take on any more input to The Book. If you have a story to tell, please get it to us right away. If you've agreed to a phone interview, please call and re-confirm. Give us your phone number and a time that will work best for you and we will call. Allow about an hour.

  Now here's the deal: If your story does not make the deadline to get published in this iteration, all is not lost. We will queue it up for the next run. The beauty of the E-Book format is that we will be able to add material subsequent to the first run without the expense that re-running a hard copy book would entail. To answer the several queries - we will go hardbound when the incoming stories and other submitted material has slowed.

  We do expect a lot of memories will be stirred when reading our first run and we are prepared to roll those submissions into the next run in about a year. When the stories that are going to be told have been published - two, may be three runs - we will print up enough hard copies to meet the immediate and projected demand.

  So, if you've submitted a story, sent pictures and other documents, given an interview and want to update what you've contributed - please call or e-mail. If you've a story to tell or an interview you would like to give us, please wrap up the article and get it into the Foundation and/or call with a time you'd like to chat about your Vietnam War experiences.

  On the behalf of the Foundation's Board of Directors and The Book Staff, we wish you all the happiness, success, and good health in the coming year.


Thank you & Semper Fidelis,
Ray Stewart,

President, MCVTHF

usmcvthf@comcast.net 

Command Chronologies, Abstracts, and Supplements 

1965 to 1970 Januaries' Tank and Ontos Action in Vietnam

Following is the link to the Foundation web site with the Abstracts of the Tank and Antitank Command Chronologies (CC's) for the 5 Januaries there were tank and Ontos units in-country Vietnam. The CC Abstracts provide the "skeletons" around and through which we have wound more than 200 articles authored by our Foundation members and more than 100 stories captured by the Marine Corps' History Division with interviews of Marines gathered right after some of the biggest battles fought or having just returned to CONUS with his in-country experience still fresh in his mind. Additionally, the Foundation's Book Team has interviewed approximately 50 of our members in person, in front of our cameras or over the phone. Many of our interviewees have provided written supplements, pictures, and other documents.

  Starting a few months ago and in each Breech Block since, we've been able to expand our level of detail. Already we've received feedback. At least one reader found the dates of the receipt of a Bronze Star w/"V" needed correction. In another case the inclusion of first-hand documented action has been added to a piece on Rough Rider convoys adding personal experience to a most important logistic support element. In this issue we've included an article on Operation Eagle Flight 49er with pictures. Neither the operation nor the pictures included with the article are found in the "official" archives. We've corrected unit designations in the Tank Battalion's CC's. We've include personal stories in the context of the war. KIA's, Purple Hearts, and awards for valor are placed in the time and place they were received.

  Many of us did not know from day-to-day where we fit in the overall Vietnam War. We are correcting that for our authors. Our monthly Breech Block is not a compendium of unconnected "sea stories" nor will The Book be but, rather, information and reflections from Marines placed into the historical of the war.

  Our motto "You made history. Your Historical Foundation is making it known" is coming alive in the Breech Block month-by-month and will jump off the pages with The Book.


Semper Fidelis,

 

Ray Stewart

Pres. VTHF

usmcvthf@comcast.net

  

Killed in Action: January  1965-1970       

January Deaths in Vietnam
George F. FlanaganSSgt.Jan, 3 196829Nashua, NH1st TksKIA
David P. DodsonPFCJan, 25 196819Alanta, GA1st TksKIA
James A. WallPFCJan, 2 196819Columbia, SC1st AtsKIA
CURTIS T ANDOPFCJan, 2 196722Powell, WY3rd TksKIA
Robert T. EdwardsPFCJan, 2 196723Lancaster, CA3rd TksKIA
Roger L. ParkerCplJan, 2 196720Bellefontaine, OH3rd TksKIA
George A. Jones Jr.PFCJan, 17 196721Houston, TX3rd TksNH
Michael R. DaySgt.Jan, 8 196821Ashland City, TN3rd TksNH
John P. Marken Jr.2nd Lt.Jan, 19 196826Escondido, CA3rd TksKIA
Daniel W. KentCapt.Jan, 24 196824Auburndale, MA3rd TksKIA
John B. HoganHM3Jan, 31 196821Eort Plain, NY3rd TksKIA
William H. SwisherPFCJan, 10 196921Hammond, IN3rd TksKIA
David A. GouchLcplJan, 14 196921Euclid, OH3rd TksKIA
J.R. GipeLcplJan, 6 196621Harrisburg, PA3rd AtsKIA
Carlos FigueredoLcplJan,28 196622New York, NY3rd AtsKIA
Alton J. FennellPFCJan,8 196818Warner Robins, GA3rd AtsNH
Vicente GarzaSgt.Jan,8 196825Houstion, TX3rd AtsNH

January Personal Awards
 
Awards Presented or Recommended by Bn. for January.  (From CC's.)
Silver Star
Bartusevics, John Sgt.
C-1-Tanks
15. Jan. 1967
Christensen, Harry C. Cpl.
B-3-Tanks
24. Jan. 1968

There are a number of Tankers that have received awards that we have no record of.  If you received any award please let us know.
Check this Awards page if your name is on it without a link, then we do not have your Certificate or Citation on record.  Please send it to us.

Bn/Yr
Awards Presented
Awards Recommended
1st Tks
 
 
1969
11 Presented, inc 7 PH
55 Recommended, inc 4 BS
1970
23 Presented inc 14 PH
20 Recommended
3rd Tks
 
 
1966
2 BS
 
1967

Nav Comm 1st Lt. Herbert M. Steigeleman, Sgt. Douglas J. Miller, GySgt. H. B. Melander, SSgt. T.J. Siva,
1969
Received, 1 BS, 3 Nav Comm, 9 Nav Ach,
 

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. 
January Purple Hearts

 

PH Reported by Bn. for January.  (From CC's.) (None could mean "NONE" or that they were just not reported in the CC.)
These names were found in the January CC's, but are not on our PH page.  If any of you know any of these Marines please let us know.
NameRankUnitDate Of Action
Beck, Ralph
 
Alpha Co., 3rd AtsJan 22, 66
Higdon,PFC
Jan 20, 68
Huskins, L. C.PFCAJan 23, 68
Brock, L. J.LcplAJan 23, 68




Patrick, Jimmie D.2nd Lt.3rdTksJan 13, 66
Roker, McArthurLcplBJan 16, 66
McReynolds, Gary L. L.Lcpl
Jan 3, 67
Otto, Dale L.LcplCJan 5, 67
Comstock, Bruce R.PFCBJan 9, 67
Stamp, Jerry A.LcplAJan 11, 67
Hicks, Bobby H.Lcpl
Jan 13, 67
Wright, Carl D.Cpl
Jan 13, 67
Parker, Edger L.Cpl
Jan 13, 67
Edwards, Robert T.PFC
Jan 13, 67
Logan,PFCBJan 16, 67
Nicodemus, David A.CplBJan 17, 67
Mepina, J.LcplBJan 16, 68
Hill, H. M.SSgtCJan 21, 68
Souther, T. H.PFCAJan 23, 68
Christensen, H. C.LcplBJan 23, 68
Irish, B.LcplCJan 25, 68
Hicks, J. N.CplH&SJan 31, 68
Hogan, J. B.HNCJan 31, 68
Leuer, R. J.LcplCJan 31, 68
Graham, J. D.LcplH&SJan 31, 68
Irwin, G. L.CplCJan 31, 68
Levine, R. M.LcplCJan 31, 68
Cornellier, T. D.CplCJan 31, 68
Thomas, R. R.PFCCJan 31, 68
Walker, K. L.PFCCJan 31, 68
Golman, J. J.SgtCJan 31, 68
Neesmith, J. B.PFCCJan 31, 68
Gonzales, J. M.CplCJan 31, 68

Misclanious Stuff
  Foundation's Blog Spot

The Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Historical Foundation is looking for bloggers to write about Marine Corps Vietnam War era Tankers and Ontos Crewmen. While the Foundation may not actively support, or even agree with the opinions expressed by the bloggers - we support the free sharing of observations and opinions. You do not need to be a member of the Foundation to participate. The Foundation created a blog site in order to provide a forum to discuss USMC Tanks, Ontos, and related subjects, closely adhering to their mission "To Write the History of Marine Tanks and Ontos in the Vietnam War". Although Bloggers might initiate these discussions through their blogs, the continued interaction between them, is valued. It is Foundation's intention to attract people with knowledge of, and interested in, the Marine Corps Tanks and Ontos action in Vietnam, to share their thoughts here.  Click here to visit the Foundation blog site  http://mcvthf.blogspot.com



Can any one add a caption to this photo?

Major USMC Ground Operations in Vietnam for month.
Operation 
Dates Participating Units
 Badger Catch later Operation Napoleon20 - 26 Jan 68BLT 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines and HMM-165 search and destroy operation to clear the north banks of the Cua Viet River and prevent enemy interdiction of river traffic
Badger Tooth26 Dec 67 - 2 Jan 683rd Battalion 1st Marines search and destroy operation in Quảng Trị and Thua Thien Provinces
Barrier Reef2-Jan-69fourth and last interdiction barrier in the Mekong Delta established with naval patrols operating on the LaGrange-Ong Long Canal from, Tuyen Nhon on the Vam Co Tay River to An Long on the Mekong
Batten Down/Dagger Thrust
7th Fleet SLF series of short (usually 1 or 2 day) amphibious operations aimed at the destruction of VC installations and capturing or destroying VC personnel and material. Operation name changed to Batten Down in February 1966
Bold Mariner (part of Game Warden)13 Jan - 9 Feb 69HMM-362, SLF-A, ARVN 2nd Division, 2/26th Marines, HMM-164 operation in Quang Ngai Province, I Corps, Batangan Peninsula; this cordon, search, and sweep operation was the largest amphibious assault of the War
Clay31 Jan - 3 Feb 671st Battalion, 5th Marines search and destroy operation in Quảng Trị Province
Cleveland24 - 25 Jan 672nd Battalion, 4th Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province
Commando Hunt (part of Barrell Roll)15 Nov 68 - Mar 1972USAF, US Navy, USMC and Royal Lao Air Force dry season phase of the air interdiction campaign to bomb the Ho Chi Minh Trail
County Fair 1-255 - 8 Jan 672nd Battalion, 1st Marines security operation in Quang Nam Province
County Fair 1-287 - 9 Jan 673rd Battalion, 1st Marines security operation in Quang Nam Province
County Fair 1-299 - 12 Jan 671st Battalion, 1st Marines security operation in Quang Nam Province
County Fair 1-3029 Jan - 1 Feb 673rd Battalion, 1st Marines security operation in Quang Nam Province
County Fair 1-3220 - 22 Jan 672nd Battalion, 1st Marines security operation in Quang Nam Province
County Fair 1420 - 22 Jan 672nd Battalion, 1st Marines security operation in Quang Nam Province
Dawson River28 Nov 68 - 26 Jan 691st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines clear and search operation in the vicinity of Khe Sanh, Quảng Trị Province
DeSoto I64-65US Navy and Republic of Vietnam Navy operation along the coast of North Vietnam to provoke coastal radar installations so electronic intelligence (ELINT) ships could record the resulting transmissions
DeSoto II26 Jan - 7 Apr 673rd Battalion, 7th Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Ngai Province
Dewey Canyon22 Jan - 18 Mar 691st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines and ARVN 2nd Regiment offensive north of the A Shau Valley in Thua Thien Province against NVA communication lines in Laos
Dewey Canyon II30-Jan-711st Bde, 5th Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Division and 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment operation to support the ARVN Operation Lam Son 719 effort to open Route 9 through Khe Sanh to the Laotian border and to reestablish Khe Sanh as a major combat support base
Fulton Square22 Oct 69 - 18 Jan 701st Marine Division, 101st Airborne Division, 5th Infantry Division operation in Quảng Trị Province
Kentucky1 Nov 67 - 28Feb 681st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st and 2nd Battalions, 26th Marines and 3rd Tank Battalion anti-infiltration operation in Leatherneck Square between Con Thien, Gio Linh, Cam Lo and Dong Ha
Lancaster I1 Nov 67 - 20Jan 681st Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines search and destroy operation to safeguard Route 9 between Cam Lo and in the old Operation Kingfisher area around Ca Lu
Lancaster II21 Jan - 23 Nov 681st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines search-and-clear operation to safeguard Route 9 between Cam Lo and Ca Lu
Lincoln (I Corps)4 - 9 Jan 672nd Battalion, 5th Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province
Linn River27 Jan - 7 Feb 691st Battalion, 7th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines clear and search operation in Quang Nam Province
Mallard11 - 17 Jan 661st Battalion, 3rd Marines and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines search and destroy operation in An Hoa, Quang Nam Province
Maryland25 - 28 Jan 671st Battalion, 3rd Marines clear and search operation in Thua Thien Province
Masher/White Wing/Thang Phong II24 Jan - 6 Mar 661st Cavalry Division, ARVN 22nd Division Airborne Brigade and 1st Regiment ROK Capital Division operation in Binh Dinh Province. USMC Operation Double Eagle links in cross border segment
Napoleon5 Nov 67 - 29 Feb 683rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion operation on the coast, north of the Cua Viet River in the Dong Ha area
Napoleon Saline II1 Nov 68 - Feb 693rd Marine Division, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division strike operation in the vicinity of Quang Tri City in coordination with ARVN forces including the 1st Regiment, ARVN 1st Division to support the pacification of Quang Tri Province
Neosho I1 Nov 67 - 20Jan 681st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines operation northwest of Hue
Neosho II21 - 24 Jan 682nd Battalion, 4th Marines and 1st Battalion, 9th Marines clearing operation to provide cover for the 1st Cavalry Division's arrival at Camp Evans, 24 km northwest of Hue
Osceola20 Oct 67 - 20 Jan 681st Battalion, 1st Marines and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines search and destroy operation in Hải Lăng Forest, Quang Tri Province
Osceola II21 Jan - 16 Feb 681st Battalion, 1st Marines and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Tri Province
Prairie3 Aug - 31 Jan 671st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and 1st and 3rd Battalions, 26th Marines search and destroy operation against the 324B NVA Division in the hills at Con Thien/Gio Linh areas south of the DMZ at Mutter's Ridge, the Razorback, Hill 400, Hill 484 and The Rockpile
Russell Beach15 - 20 Jan 69198th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 26 Marines and ARVN joint operation on the Batangan Peninsula in Quang Tin Province, 32 km southeast of Chu Lai to remove Vietnamese refugees from the area before pushing forward to root out VC troops and fortifications
Scotland1 Nov 67 - 31 Mar 681st Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Battalion, 13th Marines and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 26th Marines operations in the westernmost portion of Quang Tri Province centered on the Khe Sanh area (including the Battle of Khe Sanh). The operation terminates with commencement of Operation Pegasus
Scrotum II15 Apr 68 - 28 Feb 691st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 26th Marines continuing operations around Khe Sanh plateau upon termination of Operation Pegasus
Sierra12 Dec 66 - 21 Jan 672nd Battalion, 7th Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Ngai Province
Spread OutOct-652nd Battalion, 7th Marines search and destroy operation in Vân Canh Valley, Binh Dinh Province
Taylor Common6 Dec 68 - 9 Mar 691st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines and 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 26th Marines operation to clear the An Hoa Basin, neutralize NVA Base Area 112 and develop Fire Support Bases to interdict NVA infiltration routes leading from the Laotian border
Trinity30 Jan - 1 Feb 671st Battalion, 7th Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Ngai Province
Tuscaloosa24 - 28 Jan 672nd Battalion, 5th Marines search and destroy operation 24 km southwest of Danang in Quang Nam Province
Upshur Stream11 Jan - 29 Mar 711st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and 1st Battalion, 11th Marines search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province
Valiant Hunt15 Dec 68 - 5 Jan 69BLT 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines and HMM-362 clear and search operation on Barrier Island, south of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
War Bonnet3 - 4 Jan 662nd Battalion, 9th Marines and 3rd Tank Battalion search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province

Veterans Info
 
RAO
BULLETIN
1 January 2015 
  
TO READ OR DOWNLOAD THE ABOVE ARTICLES OR PAST BULLETINS REFER TO:
 
-- http://www.nhc-ul.com/rao.html (PDF Edition w/ATTACHMENTS)
-- http://www.veteransresources.org (PDF & HTML Editions w/ATTACHMENTS)
--
http://frabr245.org  (PDF & HTML Editions in Word format)
--
http://www.veteransresources.org/rao-bulletin (past Bulletins)
-- http://w11.zetaboards.com/CFLNewsChat/topic/10387883/1 (Index of Previous Articles 140701)
Lt. James "EMO" Tichacek, USN (Ret)
Editor/Publisher RAO Bulletin
RAO Baguio, PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517-1000
Tel: (951) 238-1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915-361-3503 in the Philippines.
Email:  raoemo@sbcglobal.net
RAO Office:  Red Lion, 92 Glen Luna, cnr Leonard Rd & Brent Rd., Baguio City, 2400 Philippines
FPO Mail Pickup:  TUE & THUR 09-1100 - Outgoing Mail closeout: THUR 1100
AMVETS | DAV | NAUS |NCOA | MOAA | USDR | VFW | VVA | CG33 | DD890 | AD37 |TSCL member

 

Official Marine Corps Playbook

 Latest USMC Playbook in PDF 

Attention Donors:  Monetary and In-kind Contributors

 

    We are streamlining the Award Level Certificate process. Rather than issuing a certificate for each donation we will total the donations for the fiscal year ending in September and award one certificate reflecting that total. For example, rather that issuing a Platinum Award Certificate for each $250.00 donation given four times in a fiscal year, we will total the donations - $1,000.00 - and present one Platinum Plus Award Certificate.  

Secure Credit Card Donations 
[  IRS Tax EIN 91-2111544 ] 
Your continued support is appreciated.
Please send your Tax Deductible Donation to:

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 

 FYI: Donations and Donors

    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.

 

Fiscal Year 2014 Donors (1 Oct 2013 to 30 Sep 2014)

 

Donor of the Year: Plat. Plus Award

Guy Wolfenbarger

 

Platinum - Plus:

Guy Wolfenbarger,  Ken Baldwin

Bill Lochridge,  Frank Slovik

 

Platinum:

Dan Farrell,  Sid Ferguson

Glenn Hutchins,  James Manson

Jim Raasch,  Charles Riehl

Ev Tunget,  Jerry Wahl

Westley Kilgore,  Wally Young

Anonymous

 

Gold:

Charles Corace,  Garry Mefford

David Ralston,  Frank Remkiewicz

David Thompson,  Richard Oswood

Frank Box,  David Bennett

Jerry White,  Richard Smith

John Harper,  Walter Wells

John Lange,  Larry Parshall

Jon Morrison,  Michael Giovionazzo

Anonymous

 

Silver:

Brian Jefferies,  Gene "Doc" Hackemack

Don Doty,  John Hughes

John Partilla,  Stephen Arnone

Steve Berntson,  Thomas Kelly

William Rantenan,  Anonymous

 

Bronze:

Chris DeSpain,  Steven Christensen

Frank Meyrat,  Hank Fuller

Vince Bartashus,  Anonymous

 

And those who contributed 1 October to 30 December 2014

 

Platinum

Allen Van De Bogart, James L. Raash 

 

Gold

Larry Parshall, Sid Ferguson

 

Silver

David Ralston 

 

 

 Semper Fidelis

2014 Donors: Thank you for your support!
     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.

    Also 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 The 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.

We Really Need Your Assistance

      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,

MC Flag Big Wave 

Ray Stewart,

Prersident

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   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.
In This Issue
Mail Call!
Donate Address
Credit Card Donations
Donate Address
FYI: Donations and Donors
2014 Donors
Is your personal information up-to-date?

 

THE BREECH BLOCK
 
Publisher
Marine Corps
Vietnam Tankers
Historical Foundation
VNSM

Staff  

President

LtCol Raymond A. Stewart USMC (Ret)

Contact:

usmcvthf@comcast.net

 

Administrator

Aryn Willhite

  

Web Master & Breach Block Editor 

Lloyd 'Pappy' Reynolds

www.mcvthf.org

 

Media Technical Advisor

Richard "Dick" Carey

vietnamtankers@gmail.com

 

  

Board of Directors

President     

LtCol Raymond A. Stewart, USMC (Ret)

President 

Charter Director, 

USMC Vietnam Tankers Association 

  

Vice Pres.  and Flame Tanks Rep. 

Guy Wolfenbarger,

Secretary 

James Raasch

    

Oral Historian  

Charles 'Chuck'

Garrison,    

 

Treasurer  
Charles 'Chuck' Garrison 

Charter Director, 

USMC Vietnam Tankers Association

 

Recruiter    

Richard Tilden

   

Director 

LtGen Martin R. 

Steele, USMC (Ret)

Charter Director,

USMC Vietnam Tankers Association  

 

Director  

Col William  'Bill' Davis, USMC(Ret)

 

Director  

David 'Doc' Forsyth

 

Director

Dr. Ken Estes,

LtCol, USMC (Ret)

  

Director and Ontos Rep. 

Rick Walters

   

Directors Emeritus:

Richard "Dick" Carey;

Director Emeritus,

Founder/President Emeritus

USMC Vietnam Tankers

 

Director Emeritus 

MGySgt Donald Gagnon, USMC (Ret),

Quick Links

  

by Jim Coan

 

Praying for Slack

by Bob Peavey 

 

Tracks 

by Clyde Hoch

 
   
Official USMC Flag

POW
In Memory
 
Lance Corporal
Robert Hugh Gage
1st Marine Division
1st Tank Battalion
1st Anti-Tank
Alpha Company
  
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.

 

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