| Guest Book Page 4 Semper Fi |
John Richards
jbrich3297@aol.com
I am a Viet Nam vet, that served in the U.S. Army
from Feb 67 to Feb 68. My unit was stationed in
Cam Rahn Bay. I was a Repair Parts Supply
Specialist in the 74th Supply Company.
This site has really brought back a lot of
memories, good and bad. Thanks to all those
responsible for putting this site together in honor
of all those brave young men who gave their all in
Southeast Asia. May God Bless all of you vets still
living. Thank you for your service to our great
nation.
Sincerely
Sp/4th Class John Richards, U.S. Army Retired
jbrich3297@aol.com
I am a Viet Nam vet, that served in the U.S. Army
from Feb 67 to Feb 68. My unit was stationed in
Cam Rahn Bay. I was a Repair Parts Supply
Specialist in the 74th Supply Company.
This site has really brought back a lot of
memories, good and bad. Thanks to all those
responsible for putting this site together in honor
of all those brave young men who gave their all in
Southeast Asia. May God Bless all of you vets still
living. Thank you for your service to our great
nation.
Sincerely
Sp/4th Class John Richards, U.S. Army Retired
Jean Hash King
This was very touching and I cry again today for
all the heroes.
I will honor Robert T. King (1948-2006)
He got outta the jungle and left me here in it, but
he is with me in spirit.
Vietnam 1968-1970
"To Live in The Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not
to Die."
(Mama-Saun)
Jean
This was very touching and I cry again today for
all the heroes.
I will honor Robert T. King (1948-2006)
He got outta the jungle and left me here in it, but
he is with me in spirit.
Vietnam 1968-1970
"To Live in The Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not
to Die."
(Mama-Saun)
Jean
R,G (Fred) Watkins Cpl B Co. 9th Eng
phone = 859-623-1993
Looking at this site reminds me of all the acts of
bravery that day and makes me realize how we all
drew strength and courage from each other to
fight through that horrific day and the true
meaning of Esprit de Corps. I am so proud to
have served with B Co 9th Engineers and be part
of the history of the Marine Corps.
Semper Fi R.G.(Fred) Watkins
phone = 859-623-1993
Looking at this site reminds me of all the acts of
bravery that day and makes me realize how we all
drew strength and courage from each other to
fight through that horrific day and the true
meaning of Esprit de Corps. I am so proud to
have served with B Co 9th Engineers and be part
of the history of the Marine Corps.
Semper Fi R.G.(Fred) Watkins
Tony Monroe 1st Lt 1st Bn 5th Marines, 1966
tmonroe99@comcast.net
650-637-9134
This is a really good website. Lots of great photos
and very solid information. It's a tribute to all who
served.
Semper Fi!
Tony Monroe
(former Captain, USMC)
Webmaster Note: Captain Monroe was with 1st
Bn 5th Marines for two early amphibious
operations; Jackstay conducted in the Rung Sat
Special Zone and Osage conducted in the coastal
mountains Phu Loc area.
Brenda Moody USMC Mom
bmoody1000@aol.com
Thank you Butch for your great efforts. It was
great meeting you and so interesting hearing you
and Mac talk about your experiences during the
war. I look forward to the friendships and
knowledge gained through your reunion and
compilation efforts. This is truly important,
historical information.
My uncle, Lin Alcorn served in the Marines and
fought in Viet Nam and I was very proud of him.
I would certainly like to hear from anyone who
served with him. I also want to mention that my
son, Chris Turk, enlisted in the Marines in 2009
and is currently serving in Okinawa. His
friendships with men and women who are serving
their country that don't get a lot of support from
home have certainly made me aware of the
importance of always supporting our troops, not
just when they are family and friends.
Keep up the great work Butch!
bmoody1000@aol.com
Thank you Butch for your great efforts. It was
great meeting you and so interesting hearing you
and Mac talk about your experiences during the
war. I look forward to the friendships and
knowledge gained through your reunion and
compilation efforts. This is truly important,
historical information.
My uncle, Lin Alcorn served in the Marines and
fought in Viet Nam and I was very proud of him.
I would certainly like to hear from anyone who
served with him. I also want to mention that my
son, Chris Turk, enlisted in the Marines in 2009
and is currently serving in Okinawa. His
friendships with men and women who are serving
their country that don't get a lot of support from
home have certainly made me aware of the
importance of always supporting our troops, not
just when they are family and friends.
Keep up the great work Butch!
Dennis Rinehart "B" Co 9th Eng Bn USMC
rinehart609e@atlanticbb.net
[814] 944-2448
I was with "B" CO from May 67 to June 68. I
made a lot of friends in that time Chellino, Link,
Martin, Sgt Rock, Swede, Doc, and many others.
I remember when the casualties and wounded
came back to the area. I helped with the wounded.
That day will always be etched in my mind and
heart forever.
Semper Fi
rinehart609e@atlanticbb.net
[814] 944-2448
I was with "B" CO from May 67 to June 68. I
made a lot of friends in that time Chellino, Link,
Martin, Sgt Rock, Swede, Doc, and many others.
I remember when the casualties and wounded
came back to the area. I helped with the wounded.
That day will always be etched in my mind and
heart forever.
Semper Fi
Mac Leathers, Plt. Cmdr. "B" Co. 9th Eng. Bn.
Macleathers@att.net
706-340-5600
I salute the men of "B" Co. 9th Engr. BN. Their
dedication to the values of the corps never
wavered while I had the honor to serve with them.
The challenges to perform our assigned missions
were continually offset by the camaraderie and
friendships that were established among us.
Those friendships are still in place today. Our
friends who did not make it back are ever present
in the memories of so long ago. We miss them
and remember them.
We had one hell of a Company Commander, Tom
McKeown "Capt. Mac". He's a man we willingly
worked our asses off for, and would always try to
go the extra mile for. He was just that type of
man. Our company was unique in the battalion.
He kept us busy and we respected his leadership.
I feel that what I learned about life when I was in
RVN with "B" Co. has stood me well. Nothing
was ever easy or safe, but as the saying goes, "if it
was easy, everybody would be doing it." My hat's
off to the men of "B" Co. We were true to each
other, and we can all pull out of the past, the good
times we had, even the ones we didn't get caught
for. Even now, we should each continually search
out the positive aspects of our life together in "B"
Co.
Semper Fi
Mac Leathers
Macleathers@att.net
706-340-5600
I salute the men of "B" Co. 9th Engr. BN. Their
dedication to the values of the corps never
wavered while I had the honor to serve with them.
The challenges to perform our assigned missions
were continually offset by the camaraderie and
friendships that were established among us.
Those friendships are still in place today. Our
friends who did not make it back are ever present
in the memories of so long ago. We miss them
and remember them.
We had one hell of a Company Commander, Tom
McKeown "Capt. Mac". He's a man we willingly
worked our asses off for, and would always try to
go the extra mile for. He was just that type of
man. Our company was unique in the battalion.
He kept us busy and we respected his leadership.
I feel that what I learned about life when I was in
RVN with "B" Co. has stood me well. Nothing
was ever easy or safe, but as the saying goes, "if it
was easy, everybody would be doing it." My hat's
off to the men of "B" Co. We were true to each
other, and we can all pull out of the past, the good
times we had, even the ones we didn't get caught
for. Even now, we should each continually search
out the positive aspects of our life together in "B"
Co.
Semper Fi
Mac Leathers
Dave Siegwald 1st Lt "B" Co 9th Eng Bn
Dsiegwald@chaseandassociates.com
941-356-6470
I had the honor of serving with B Company, 9th
Engrs from June 67 to July 68. Initially I was a Plt
Cmdr, then the Co XO, and then, after Capt Mac
rotated, I ended my tour as the CO.
I don't know that I've ever been associated with a
better group of men. I often think about the guys I
was lucky enough to be among. And, I often think
about Swede, Sgt. Robbins, and Doc Collier. I
honestly believe that our officers and NCOs were
the best, but it was our Marines and Corpsmen
who were truly the fiber of the Corps and
certainly the fiber of B Company. Thanks to all of
you for all you did and Semper Fi.
This website is a wonderful thing and great tribute
to all of you.
Dsiegwald@chaseandassociates.com
941-356-6470
I had the honor of serving with B Company, 9th
Engrs from June 67 to July 68. Initially I was a Plt
Cmdr, then the Co XO, and then, after Capt Mac
rotated, I ended my tour as the CO.
I don't know that I've ever been associated with a
better group of men. I often think about the guys I
was lucky enough to be among. And, I often think
about Swede, Sgt. Robbins, and Doc Collier. I
honestly believe that our officers and NCOs were
the best, but it was our Marines and Corpsmen
who were truly the fiber of the Corps and
certainly the fiber of B Company. Thanks to all of
you for all you did and Semper Fi.
This website is a wonderful thing and great tribute
to all of you.
Gary Rivers, Sgt. "D" Co. 9th Eng. Bn.
shortfuse2400@hotmail.com
904-352-0700
Outstanding job on this site just wanted to say hi
to all yall and God bless to all fallen heroes. I was
fortunate enough to live after being put back
together after my injury at the longest bridge.
Yall take care and Semper Fi
Gary Rivers, Sgt USMC
Larry Stafford
wburnes@bellsouth.net
850-479-9770
There go I, but by the grace of God. Butch and I,
along with a number of individuals were cadets at
Georgia Military College. Thank you and all those
that served for freedom's sake. Bless the souls of
those that did not return from that war.
Remember, we are now a group of old men that
will forever remember our sweet bird of youth at
GMC.
The Buffalo
* Webmaster's note: Larry was a close friend and
GMC classmate of 1st Lt. Larry Knuth USMC
killed 4-29-'66 while serving as a platoon
commander with 1st Bn 5th Marines.
Operation Osage, Thua Thien Province,
Republic of Vietnam. Semper Fi
Dave Blizzard 1st Lt "K" 3rd Bn 5th Marines
dblizzusmc@aol.com
(813) 671-2928
I was with Kilo 3/5 when I suffered a couple of
gunshot wounds in September '67. I watched Tet
unfold from the security of the Naval Hospital in
Yokosuka, Japan. To say that in 1967 we found
ourselves in a target-rich environment would be a
gross understatement. However, due to the
aggressiveness and magnificent courage of
Marines of Bravo, 9th Engineer Bn and all
Marines and Soldiers involved in this action, as
well as US military actions all over the country
during Tet, the battlefield picture changed
dramatically. It's widely acknowledged today that
you took General Giap's master plan apart
piece-by- piece in 1968. When I returned as an
advisor in 1971, I witnessed first-hand the fact
that the Viet Cong infrastructure had been virtually
destroyed, to the extent that we generally found
only small groups of VC barely surviving. Of
course, that changed after we had withdrawn the
vast majority of our combat forces and the NVA
launched the Easter Offensive in 1972.
* Webmaster's note: Col Blizzard is too modest,
he was wounded while participating as a platoon
commander in operation Swift, Que Son Valley,
September '67.
The combat during Swift was so intense that it
produced the "bloodiest" two days that the 5th
Marine Regiment experienced throughout the
entire Vietnamese War.
Semper Fi
dblizzusmc@aol.com
(813) 671-2928
I was with Kilo 3/5 when I suffered a couple of
gunshot wounds in September '67. I watched Tet
unfold from the security of the Naval Hospital in
Yokosuka, Japan. To say that in 1967 we found
ourselves in a target-rich environment would be a
gross understatement. However, due to the
aggressiveness and magnificent courage of
Marines of Bravo, 9th Engineer Bn and all
Marines and Soldiers involved in this action, as
well as US military actions all over the country
during Tet, the battlefield picture changed
dramatically. It's widely acknowledged today that
you took General Giap's master plan apart
piece-by- piece in 1968. When I returned as an
advisor in 1971, I witnessed first-hand the fact
that the Viet Cong infrastructure had been virtually
destroyed, to the extent that we generally found
only small groups of VC barely surviving. Of
course, that changed after we had withdrawn the
vast majority of our combat forces and the NVA
launched the Easter Offensive in 1972.
* Webmaster's note: Col Blizzard is too modest,
he was wounded while participating as a platoon
commander in operation Swift, Que Son Valley,
September '67.
The combat during Swift was so intense that it
produced the "bloodiest" two days that the 5th
Marine Regiment experienced throughout the
entire Vietnamese War.
Semper Fi
Stewart Brown, 2nd Lt "G" 2nd Bn 5th Marines
Stewart.Brown@usdoj.gov
(478) 731-4499
I was the 2nd Lt. commander of the reaction force
which came out of Phu Bai. I was with G 2/5, in
Phu Bai because I was in Da Nang at the start of
Tet. Just to correct the record, the reaction force
was made up of whoever we could round up in
Phu Bai. Luckily there were a good number of
grunts coming back from minor wounds or like me
trying to get to Hue after having missed the move
there of our units. Pretty much every 2/5 rifle
company was represented and, I believe, some
rear echelon troops.
The kids fought valiantly but I have to say it was
the quad-50s to the rear of our little column which
made the difference. I'll never forget the sight, as
we fought our way into the bottom of the NVA
position of seeing Capt. Brown's ( no relation, but
I had known him in Phu Bai ) body draped over
the front of the lead Ontos and of the NVA
continuing to shoot him many more times.
Almost all of the reaction force who were not
killed or wounded made their way into Hue a day
or so later and many did not survive the operation.
* Webmaster's note: Lt Brown, as a new 2nd Lt,
was forced to learn his trade in a hurry while
commanding the heroic rescue of Marines
trapped in the Graveyard. The principle site of a
Battalion size NVA ambush. Were it not for the
decisive and effective counterforce actions taken
by his small force, our casualties would have
been much much greater.
Semper Fi