Dedicated to the Marines of Combined Action Company Oscar, to our brave native counterparts, and all the gallant men who served at Khe Sanh.

Killed in Action / Non-hostile Casualties / Died of Wounds

Carl's home of record was Houston, Texas. At the time of his death, he had 3 years in the Marines. He served in O-3 in 1967.  The cause of death was an accidental hand grenade explosion while he was on watch, but the circumstances surrounding the explosion have (to my knowledge) never been definitely ascertained. His name is on Panel 19E, Row 44 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a profile and remembrances can be found on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site.     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (Thanks to Carroll "Chip" Daly of O-3 for bringing his name and death to my attention and providing Carl's picture.)

Ambush on Hill 689, 27 June, 1967

CAP O-3 was ordered by the Marine HQ at KSCB to send a patrol to investigate suspected enemy rocket and mortar launch sites  spotted earlier that day by an aerial observer.  These sites were believed to be the source of a heavy attack on KSCB just after midnight that morning. 

The patrol included CPL Dennis A. O'Connor, CPL James M. Shepard, Jr., LCPL Francisco A. Mazariegos, LCPL Earl B. Grissom,  William Pennock, Richard Moison, Raymond Strehlow and HN Bell (the unit Hospital Corpsman), as well as the Popular Force contingent of local Bru tribesmen, all from Oscar-3. Also on this patrol as a volunteer was LCPL Charles Aaron Lynch of Oscar-1, who had been visiting some friends at O-3.  

The patrol could see that 689 was under heavy attack by air assaults, but continued on, during the course of which they made contact with the arial observer, who was astounded to see them there. Nevertheless, he called off the assaults and the patrol continued up the hill.

According to the 3/26 Command Chronology, by approximately 1230, the patrol had reached the top of Hill 689  As they reached the crest, they encountered a much larger enemy force set up in ambush, and began receiving heavy enemy fire, including rockets and automatic weapons. They immediately sustained several casualties KIA and WIA.

An artillery mission was called in, but landed nearly on top of their position.  After the artillery fire, two men attempted to sweep the hill for friendly WIA and KIA, but were driven back.  The survivors were unable to reach the KIA and wounded, except for one WIA they had already recovered who died en route.  The survivors were forced to retreat, leaving two Marines (listed as MIA, but judging from Earl Grissom's account, almost certainly dead) and one Bru PF on the hill.  The survivors fell back,  while elements of the other CAPs were mustering a relief force.

The relief column was dispatched, but they were unable to gain the hill, being driven off by heavy fire and hampered by the reluctance of the Bru to ascend the hill. (The Bru usually knew when things were going to be very bad - their senses were much finer tuned than those of most Americans.)

Meanwhile, India 3/26, which had been returning from an overnight patrol, had been re-routed to Hill 689 to assist the Oscar Marines.

According to LCOL (then LT) "Tony" Anthony, a participant, CPT Coulter, India's CO, quickly deployed two platoons in the attack, both executing frontal assaults.  1st platoon was on the left portion of the hill, separated by a small saddle, and 2nd platoon assaulted the right hand portion of the hill. LTC Anthony's 2nd platoon assaulted their portion of the hill with the classic "two up, one back" -  i.e.,  two squads on line and one in reserve.

Both the leading platoons were soon engaged in heavy fire-fights, including some literal hand-to-hand fighting, and sustained heavy casualties. The remainder of India 3/26 was soon deployed to assist.  

Meanwhile, elements of Lima 3/26 were air-lifted into the area by helicopter and soon deployed. They too encountered heavy fighting, and also soon began sustaining casualties. 

According to the 3/26 CC, by approximately 1935, the crest of Hill 689 had been cleared of NVA and the survivors of India and Lima companies joined to form a consolidated position.

Most of the MIAs from CAC Oscar weredead, (though "Red" Strehlow had somehow survived). and 3/26 lost 14 men KIA in the engagement, for a total of 18 Americans killed in the actions on the hill.  LCpl Charles M. Gattis, WIA, later died from wounds received on Hill 689, raising the toll to 19. 

Judging from first-hand accounts, there is little doubt that some of the casualties were the result of "friendly fire." 

There were also several men of H&S 3/26, A 1/13, and other units KIA on KSCB as a result of incoming fire.

In addition to the KIA, the men of 3/26 sustained a number of WIAs, among them Frank McCarthy, 3rd Plt. Commander of L 3/26. 

(For a detailed personal account of the ambush written by survivor Earl B. Grissom and information and pictures by survivors Richard Moison, William Pennock, and other survivors I have been able to locate, and personal accounts of the subsequent assault by some of the officers and men of 3/26, see : CAP Oscar History  - O-3 Loses a Patrol - Ambush on Hill 689, 27 June, 1967.  For more information on 3/26, see the battalion's website. Anyone who has a complete list of WIAs, especially one with their names, please contact me for inclusion.  I am also looking for more information on HN Curtis D. Jackson of 3/26, KIA that day.)

The following men were KIA on Hill 689:

Charles Aaron Lynch was from Brooklyn, NY.   He was born on 29 December 1943 to Mrs. Helen Lynch.  The late SGT Raymond Gray of O-1 said that he was a pleasant, friendly, young man. SGT (later WO) Larry Bosworth, the NCOIC of O-3 at that time said Lynch was in O-2 with Bosworth originally, and then Lynch joined O-1 and became a supply driver between the KSCB and the 3 CAPs.    

Charles was assigned to O-1, but was visiting a friend in O-3 on the the day he was killed, and volunteered for the patrol from O-3 that was ambushed on Hill 689. (See above.) He was buried in Long Island Cemetery in NY. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Helen Lynch of Brooklyn. (Names and details of his father and other family members are not known at this time.)  His name is on Panel 22E, Row 71 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a profile and remembrances can be found on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site. 

Francisco Alberto Mazariegos of  Tampa, FL was born on 29 December 1947, and named for his father. He was part of a patrol from O-3 that was ambushed on Hill 689. (See above.) His name is on Panel 22E, Row 68 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a profile and remembrances can be found on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site. (Note: Frank's middle name is almost always given on other sources as "Albe" - a typographical mistake apparently made early on. Since it was "official" it has been self-perpetuating. His full and correct name was as given above, as verified by his family.)  Frank sent this poem home while in Vietnam, shortly before he was killed. I post it here and his picture with the permission of his sister, Mary, who provided them. 

10 February 1967 

"Look, God, I have never spoken to You 

But now I want to say, "How do You do" 

You see God, they told me you didn't exist 

And like a fool, I believed all of this 

Last night from a shell hole I saw Your sky 

I figured right then they had told me a lie 

Had I taken the time to see the things You made, 

I'd have known they weren't calling a spade a spade 

I wonder, God if you'd shake my hand 

Somehow, I feel you will understand 

Funny, I had to come to this hellish place 

Before I had time to see Your face 

Well, I guess there isn't much more to say 

But I'm sure glad, God, I met You today 

I guess the zero hour will soon be here 

But I'm not afraid since I know You're near 

The signal! Well, God, I'll have to go 

I like You lots, this I want You to know 

Look now - this will be a terrible fight 

Who knows, I may come to Your House tonight 

Though I wasn't friendly with You before 

I wonder, God, if You'd wait at Your Door? 

Look, I'm crying, me - shedding tears 

I wish I had known You these many years 

Well, I will have to go now, God, Good-bye 

Strange - since I met You I'm not afraid to die" 

Francisco Alberto Mazariegos

Dennis Alfred O'Connor was born in Lynwood, California to Joe and Betty O'Connor. He was described by his family as "a fun-loving guy." He enlisted in the Marines in 1964, and was trained at MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California. His first tour was spent at Phu Bai. He already had considerable experience in-country, some of which will be familiar to those who served in Vietnam. His mother related to me that while he was still on his first tour, he was chased by a water buffalo (which, for some reason, seemed not to like Americans). The beast followed him through a house (RIGHT through it - they are built like bulldozers) and gored him badly enough to be sent to a hospital ship off the coast. He was subsequently returned to duty.

Dennis extended his tour of duty voluntarily, and spent his month's extension leave at home, although, as his mother put it; "understandably, mostly with his girlfriend." Dennis told his mother that he wanted to return to help the people, and had plans to send a young man to the US for an education. Unfortunately, by the time he returned, the young man had been married, and was ineligibl;e for a visa.  Although he was dedicated to what we were doing there, his mother Betty told me that when they left him at the airport, he seemed to have regretted his decision to return.

After Dennis returned, he was reassigned to Phu Bai, but then was sent to Khe Sanh, where he was assigned to O-3. His niece wrote that on his first day there, he was assigned as part of the patrol from O-3 that was ambushed on Hill 689, where he was KIA. (See above.) 

Dennis is buried at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, CA.

His name is on Panel 22E, Row 72 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a profile and remembrances can be found on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site. Dennis was survived by his mother Betty and his father Joe, and his sister, Jo Ann, nieces Anne and Suzanne, a nephew, Dennis, cousins Blair and Cynthia, and by his former fiancee. His family provided his picture.

Dennis sent this poem home shortly before he was killed.  Jane Fonda was in North Vietnam at the time, and there were protests against the war near his home. It is reprinted here courtesy of his family, who provided me with a copy.

I’m Just a Fighting Boy 

I’m just a fighting boy, fighting is my life 

I risk my neck night after night 

I don’t ask questions I just do my job 

But once in awhile my heart gives a throb 

Why do you people, people back home 

Leave me over here all alone? 

Maybe the policy is not right, 

but our boys are dying every night 

I fight for you every one no matter if liberal, conservative or none, 

So why don’t you citizens unite into one and you can be sure we’ll get the job done? 

Just think for a moment what would have occurred 

if people during the other wars Had been so absurd, 

If they had not united and fought as one, 

We might have lived under the communist thumb.

James Merrill Shepard, Jr., was born in Columbus, WI on 22 Dec. 1946, and raised in Marshall, WI. He enlisted in the Marines on February 11, 1966, and went through training at MCRD San Diego and MCB Camp Pendleton, graduating with an 0351 (Rockets and Flames) MOS.  In Vietnam, he was assigned first to K 3/26, where, (according to his comrade Joe Beck of Kilo Co.), he had been in weapons platoon until the spring of 1967, when he volunteered for the Combined Action Program with Bruce Abraham, another K Co Marine (Since deceased. See below for Bruce's entry). He was then assigned to Oscar Co. at Khe Sanh. On 27 June, 1967, he was part of a patrol from O-3 that was ambushed on Hill 689. (See above) His name is on Panel 22E, Row 73 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a profile and remembrances can be found on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site. He was survived by his father James Sr. (since deceased) and mother, his sister, and other family members, many of whom still live in the Marshall area. His aunt wrote a poem for him entitled "His Gift". In May 2000, there was a memorial service for Jimmy in Marshall in conjunction with an American Legion Memorial Day program, and among the presentations was a piece entitled "A Few Good Men." Some of his fellow K Co. veterans also came to the service to honor him.

Bru Tribe Popular Force Troops

Our local militia counterparts with the O-3 patrol (above) who were KIA and WIA. I regret that I do not have their names or pictures. If anyone can supply them, I would be grateful.

Casualties from 3rd Bn, 26th Marines on Hill 689

 Casualties from H&S Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines 

HN3 Dudley was born on April 15th, 1943. His Home of Record was Rocky Mount, NC. 

He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 69 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

 Casualties from I Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines 

Dale was born on April 4, 1941, and grew up in the town of Deshler in Northwest Ohio. He played sports in school, and later graduated from Defiance College where he played varsity baseball. After college he spent 3 years in the Peace Corps and was stationed in Columbia where he became fluent in Spanish. Dale then joined the Marines and was commissioned. He was 1st Platoon Commander in I 3/26 and was KIA attempting to eject the NVA and recover the CAP Oscar Marine MIAs (later determined to be KIA) from the ambush on Hill 689. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in his hometown of Deshler. 2nd LT Allen is is honored on Panel 22E, Row 67 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.   (Information courtesy of Mike Hemmert, who was in OCS with Dale, and LTC (then a LT and 2nd Plt. Commander, India 3/26) "Tony" Anthony, who served with him. 

SSGT Hamilton was born on  September 3rd, 1937.  His Home of Record is Alicia, Lawrence Co., AR, and he was buried there at Strangers Home Cemetery. He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 70 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

 LCPL David was born July 7th, 1947. His Home of Record was Camp Hill, PA.  His MOS was 0351 (Anti-tank assault). He was survived by his father, Ivor, who died in 1999.  He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 69 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Anthony DiCesare Jr. was born on November 30, 1944, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony DiCesare of 496 Riverside Av. in Trenton, NJ. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1963, was an outstanding tackle on the football squad and was an honorable mention on the Associated Press All-State team. He declined a scholarship to Wake Forest and entered Rider College, but was injured in a sports accident in his sophomore year. After recovering, he dropped out of college and entered the Marines for two years. He only had 2 1/2 months left in Vietnam when he was killed by rocket fire. He was 22 years old. In an interview at the time, his father said he "was just counting the days until he got home." A letter received just before his death recounted how DiCesare escaped injury by diving into a foxhole during a battle that wounded a buddy. In addition to his parents, he was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Rose Smith of Arizona and Mrs. Cecilia Auletta of Trenton. He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 69 of the  Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

LCPL Gattis was born on December 23, 1947. His Home of Record is Crete, IL. He was critically wounded on Hill 689, and died of his wounds on July 5th, 1967.  He is honored on Panel 23E, Row 11 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

LCPL Johnson was born on February 17, 1948. His Home of Record is Sandersville, GA, and is buried at Henderson Grove Cemetery in Sandersville.  He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 71 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

LCPL Millard was born on August 23rd, 1946.  His Home of Record was Long Beach, CA, and he is buried at the Sunnyside Mausoleum there. He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 72 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

CPL Walker was born on December 9th, 1945. His Home of Record is Pikesville, MD. He was known as "Dickie" to his family. 

On the Vietnam Memorial's Wall of Faces, he was described by his sister Kathryn as; "...protective, friendly, caring, loving, intelligent, talented, positive, awesome, handsome, nice, sweet and above all genuine!! He was loved by all who knew him."

CPL Walker was buried at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, MD, survived by his parents and grand-parents, and brothers Joseph and Ronald (who also joined the Marines), and sisters Kathryn and Carole. He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 74 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

CPL Stephen George Wassenich was born on October 29, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio.  He graduated from Kiser High School in 1965.  Steve loved sports, playing on the football, basketball and baseball teams.  He joined the Marine Corp just after his 18th birthday.  He had many friends, especially his buddies from "The North Dayton Animals"; a group of neighborhood guys who were into body building - Ron, Ed and Sam, who also joined the Marine Corp during Vietnam.  Steve was in Weapons Platoon, 3rd Squad, as an 0341, 60MM mortar man. He was killed in the opening part of the assault on 689, apparently by friendly fire from supporting artillery (according to information received by his sister Barbara from his squad leader). Steve was 19 years old when he was killed.  His surviving family include his sisters Annie and Barbara, and his brother Chuck, who will always miss his fun loving spirit.  Steve is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio. (Special thanks to his sister Barbara, who supplied this information.)  CPL Wassenich is honored on Panel 22E, Row 74 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Casualties from L Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines 

CPT Bynum was born April 4th, 1933. His home of record is Columbus GA. Prior to his final deployment, CPT Bynum served on the I & I staff at a Marine Reserve unit in New Orleans, LA, and as  a coach for a youth football team at St, Francis Cabrini Playground, and several of the boys remember him as a good coach and a good role model. 

His RTO, Fritz Johnson said in a Remembrance on the VVMF "Wall of Faces" website; "I can still see you wearing the white parachute you clipped from a flare as an ascot .... see it plain as day. Your leadership was strong and consistent, and I thank you for that." (See the rest of this Remembrance and others at the VVMF "Wall of Faces" website.)

According to his comrade, Joe Beck of H 3/26, CPT Bynum was CO of K Co. from the time that the unit formed at Camp Pendleton in June 1966 until he transferred to Bn HQ in Jan-Feb 1967. He was later assigned to L Co. as the CO, in which capacity he was acting at the time of his death. CPT Bynum was med-evaced, but died as a result of his wounds.  He is buried at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, GA, and is also honored on Panel 22E, Row 78 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Fredrick Joseph Brenke was born July 26th, 1948 in  St. Peter, MN to Howard and Stella Brenke. He was the second of five children. According to his family (in a remembrance on the VVMF Virtual Wall site, taken from Don Ward's "The Faces behind the Names"), he loved to watch TV into the early morning hours, and spend all Saturday afternoon watching old movies, especially those pertaining to Hercules, knights, etc.  Fred enjoyed hunting, roller skating, and "cruising" in his 1959 Ford Galaxie, which was his pride and joy. He was in the Boy Scouts.  He loved to cook and bake, sometimes concocting strange  recipes of his own. He and his siblings enjoyed spending time at his aunt's and uncle's farm almost every summer when they were young. According to his family and friends, he was a very fun-loving person and is greatly missed by them.

As a Marine, he did his duty, and his comrade, John Ammerman, said (in his remembrance on the VVMF Virtual Wall) "He was brave to the last..."    

PFC Brenke is honored on Panel 22E, Row 72 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

PFC Williams was born on January 24th, 1946. His Home of Record is Elizabethton, TN.  He joined the Marines in 1965 and trained at MCRD Parris Island, SC (Plt 345). PFC Williams is buried at Happy Valley Cemetery in Elizabethtown, TN.  He is honored on Panel 22E, Row 75 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Thanks are due to these and the other brave men who joined the CAP Marines in an effort to recover their lost comrades, and our condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the attempt. If anyone has a photo of or information on any of these men, I would be grateful for a good JPG copy to post here with their names. These men are also remembered at the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site.

U.S. Army Special Forces Ambush and Rescue Operations on Hill 471, 29 January, 1968

After the initial assault on Khe Sanh village, Combined Action Company Oscar and all other American units were withdrawn to the Khe Sanh Combat Base. However, the Marine command, perhaps fearing some might be enemy agents, refused entry to our Bru allies. Fortunately, the command of Special Forces Forward Operating Base 3 were glad to get our Bru soldiers, as they recruited  Bru from the same tribes we did for service in their CIDG units. They were so happy to get more Bru, they were even willing to take the Marines! As a result, we fought and worked alongside them for the duration of the Siege, and occasionally ran patrols and outposts for them. In a few instances, we participated as volunteers in their operations. This describes one of those actions.    

MSG Bill Wood and his team ran a mission to Hill 471, vicinity of Khe Sanh, on the morning of 29 January, 1968. The team consisted of himself, SFC Don Voorhees, SSG Gary Crone, and Bru CIDG soldiers Xon, To, Tu, and 7 other Bru whose names are not known, with SP5 Mike Mahoney as a volunteer "straphanger." All the team except MSG Wood, SSG Crone, and one of the Bru were new.

The team was ambushed shortly after reaching the saddle of Hill 471 and came under heavy enemy fire, resulting in the team being split into three parts. One element consisted of MSG Wood and SSG Gary Crone, the second consisted of SFC Voorhees, and five of the remaining Bru CIDG accompanying them, and the third consisted of SP5 Michael Mahoney and at least two Bru CIDG. (Note: Several of the Bru team members are not accounted for in any of the records I currently have access to.)

SSG Crone was KIA by enemy fire while trying to call in support, and his radio (the only one the team had) was rendered completely inoperable. MSG Wood was unable to recover SSG Crone's remains alone, so he rejoined SFC Voorhees and his segment of the team, which had already suffered two Bru casualties - their M-79 gunner was KIA and Xon was WIA.

SP5 Mahoney was not with SFC Voorhees group. According to the official record, he had attempted to cover the retreat of his comrades and was hit by enemy fire. However, the official record errs in listing him as being KIA at this time, as an American was reported alive and moving by several observers at KSCB and FOB 3, at least as late as the time our relief force launched to recover the casualties. Since SSG Crone was undoubtedly KIA at the onset, that leaves only one possible American unaccounted for - SP5 Mahoney. (See below for details.)

MSG Wood and SFC Voorhees determined to withdraw, as they had heavy casualties, no communications, and were seriously outnumbered. During the withdrawal, MSG Wood was wounded in the leg and Tu, one of the Bru CIDG, was KIA. Unable to communicate otherwise, MSG Wood wrote down a situation report and handed it to one of the remaining Bru CIDG with instructions to try to evade the enemy and get back to FOB 3.

After the Bru had left on his mission, an H-34 helicopter piloted by LT Thieu, a Vietnamese pilot, dropped in suddenly despite the danger, and picked up MSG Wood, SFC Voorhees, and the remaining Bru CIDG. The LZ was too hot to recover any of the casualties, and SP5 Mahoney and his Bru were not in view at that time.

Casualties from MSG Wood's Team, Hill 471

Gary was born on December 3rd, 1941. His home of record was York, PA. He joined the army, and served for 8 years, being promoted to Staff Sergeant.  At the time of his death, he was serving with Special Forces at FOB 3, Khe Sanh, RVN, as a member of a  team under the late MSG Bill Wood. On a mission to Hill 471, vicinity of Khe San, his team was ambushed, and SSG Crone was KIA. His remains were not recovered until after the Siege, in early April 1968. (See above for details.) After recovery, his remains were interred in Zion View, PA. His parents are buried there as well. Gary is survived by several family members, one of whom, his eldest sister, provided the photograph above and some of his biographical details.

Gary is honored on Panel 35E, Row 58, and on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site and there is a mention of him on the Medics on the Wall site.

(Ed. Note: there has been a story circulating for years that SSG Crone was captured alive and decapitated by the NVA. MSG Wood's comments clearly demonstrate that this tale is incorrect, as SSG Crone was definitely KIA at the onset. The story probably started because the head became detached from the body when it was recovered, after months of exposure. Whatever else the NVA or VC may have been responsible for, this was not one of them. MSG Wood expressed indignation about this story, as he viewed it as implying that he had left SSG Crone while he was still alive.)

Gary's sister sent me this poem that was returned with his effects. She believes it was either written by Gary or was important to him. It would have been written before his last patrol, as his death was too sudden for him to have penned it at the time he was killed. It seems strangely prophetic.

We have both had some English college professors look it over (several of them poets) and they have said they cannot find it under another author, but one said that it was a good piece of minimalist poetry. The other said; "There's a kind of echo of the moment in "All Quiet on the Western Front" when the soldier in the trenches sees a butterfly, and while admiring its beauty is shot and killed. This appeared in the book, but was a major feature of the film, and might have stayed in this writer's imagination: that solitude and that quiet reflectiveness associated with the moment of death. What's interesting here is the existentialist awareness of our inability to make sense of things: one of the great legacies of the Second World War. It's notable that this writer does not make a cheap joke or a sentimental moment out of this sense of absurdity, but just quietly speaks and fades away."   I agree. In any case, here it is as received.

When I was young, 

I was told over and over 

You know nothing.. 

I searched, 

I listened, I saw, and still, 

I know nothing 

Now as I lay in darkness 

and my blood seeps slowly into the earth 

I open my eyes and see.. 

A spider mending his web, 

Now I know 

That I still know nothing. 

Tommy, (as his family called him), was born in Sayre, Pa. on October 18, 1945. He graduated from Towanda Area High School in 1963 and Lake City Forest Ranger School in Lake City, Fla., in 1964. Among his interests were football, skydiving and hunting.

He joined the army on Sept. 20, 1965, and was promoted to Specialist 5.  He was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company (Command and Control), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces when he was killed while serving as a volunteer member of the reconnaissance team under the late MSG Bill Wood (above). His team was ambushed and came under heavy enemy fire, resulting in the team being split. According to the official record, Tommy positioned himself in front of the team and commenced to lay a heavy volume of automatic weapon fire while his team was moving to a secure area. After the team had reached a relatively secure area, he attempted to withdraw but was hit by enemy fire.

The "official" account is incorrect at this point as it states Tommy was KIA. However, based on reports by ground observers at Khe Sanh Combat Base and aerial observers, though he was badly wounded in the leg, he fashioned a make-shift crutch and was seen alive for some time evading the enemy forces and attempting to reach US forces. He was unable to, and we were unfortunately unaware of his position and situation until after our return. At some point, he must have either died of wounds, or been hit again. He was run as MIA, and his remains were not recovered until after the Siege, in early April 1968, by Navy HN Robert "Johnny" Gaspard and Marines from Company C, 1/9, who were digging in on the hill after it was re-taken. "Doc" Gaspard noted; "He had a broken leg and what appeared to be a walking stick (crutch) besides him."

Spec 5 Mahoney was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V for Valor and Oak Leaf Cluster for Meritorious Service, the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

He was 22 years old at the time of his death, and was survived by his parents, Rita B. and Francis Joseph Mahoney and 3 sisters, Frances Jo, Marianne, and Peggy, who provided his picture. He is remembered on Panel 35E, Line 61 of the Vietnam Memorial. He is also remembered on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site. 

Bru CIDG Troops with MSG Wood's Team

Tu - KIA

1 Bru (name unknown) - KIA

Xon - WIA

To - Status Unknown

6 Bru - names and status unknown

I regret I don't have all their names, pictures, and information. They served well, and deserve remembrance.

Shortly after MSG Wood's med-evac, an American Special Forces team, HF Denver, plus the author as a volunteer "straphanger" augmented by Bru CIDG forces, were assembled to attempt to recover SFC Crone's remains, MIA SP5 Mahoney and the other KIA / WIAs.

Much of the following is drawn from the written account of the team leader, CPT H. E. "Rip" Van Winkle, as edited and updated by the writer. It is based on contemporary after-action reports, maps, official accounts, and personal recollections of the surviving team members.

"I was unable to speak to the wounded team leader prior to his medevac, which left a large gap in first hand information. This lack proved critical in all subsequent mission decisions. The decision was made to go in with eight Americans and sixteen Bru."

(Ed. Note: Such knowledge probably would have been of small value in any case, as MSG Wood's estimate of enemy forces was either low, or the enemy had placed more troops in the area between the ambush of Wood's team and the arrival of HF Denver.)

The American team members were:

CPT Harlan E. 'Rip' Van Winkle, XO, "A" 221 

1LT Grenville Sutcliffe, FOB 3 Assistant S-3 Officer (Rip's designated replacement). 

SFC Robert Scully, Medic, FOB 3 

SFC Charles N. Tredinnick, Senior Combat Engineer. "A" 221 

SGT Dennis C. Lansing, Junior Communications NCO, "A" 221 

SGT Donald R. Rumph, Junior Medic "A" 221 

SP5 John L. Frescura, Junior Combat Engineer. "A" 221 

PFC Freeman J. Taylor, USMC, CAC O-2  (volunteer)

"We lifted off at 1135 hours and inserted on the southeastern point of the ridge-line of Hill 471. The insertion went off without problems. Cover was non-existent and concealment limited to a stand of elephant grass that averaged less than three feet in height and a few scraggly bushes.

We set up a hasty perimeter with SFC Tredinnick. SP5 Frescura and four Bru took the east, SGT Lansing, SGT Rumph and four Bru were covering the north. 1LT Sutcliffe, SFC Scully and four Bru covered west, while PFC Taylor and I, with the remaining four Bru covered the south. The saddle where the bodies were located was to the front of Tredinnick and Frescura.

Tredinnick took three Bru and moved forward, down into the saddle and up to the top of the small peak on the other side, a distance of perhaps 150-175 meters. They did not locate the bodies or make any contact. However, Tredinnick relayed that he had spotted a large force of enemy ground troops attempting to encircle us from the east. I instructed him to return to the ridgeline and reestablish the perimeter.

Upon his return, he moved to my position. We were discussing our situation when we heard and spotted movement in a small bush directly to our front, probably less than six feet away. Tredinnick asked; "What was that?" just before we were fired upon by an enemy rifleman from a well concealed fighting position. The rounds passed between us. How they missed hitting us, I'll never know. We returned fire and I dropped an M-26 fragmentation grenade into the hole.

A short time later 1LT Sutcliffe received a serious wound in the throat while using the radio to get and coordinate support. Taylor went to him, then SFC Scully, who was was already working on him when Tredinnick and I went to him. Tredinnick started back to his position on the perimeter. I turned my attention to getting fire support. We received fire from every point except the north, with the heaviest coming from the west and southeast.

A literal storm of enemy hand grenades were then thrown into our position. Some reports stated the sky turned "black" with grenades. PFC Taylor shouted a warning and gave me a "friendly" shove. For as many grenades as were thrown, there seemed to be a lot of "duds". Others did not explode with nearly the force of US grenades. One of the weaker ones went off between my legs and I received a dozen or so painful, but not disabling, fragmentation wounds.

I heard the distinctive sound of a bullet strike someone behind me. I turned and saw Tredinnick lying on the ground. 

(Ed. Note: SFC Tredinnick had been heading back to his exposed position on the left flank to rally his strikers.) 

SGT Rumph, PFC Taylor and I converged on him. He had been wounded low down on the left side of his chest. The entrance wound was very small but the exit wound was massive. His last words to me were; "It hurts real bad, sir." Rumph and Taylor were performing immediate first aid, and I put all of my effort to moving us some place reasonably safe for a medevac.

SFC Sculley and SGT Rumph, the two medics on the ground, deserve special mention for their valiant action under fire.  Both tended the wounded and dying American and Bru troops with cool and calm skill, even though they were continually exposed to a withering concentration of enemy fire.

The volume of enemy fire was such that I felt we were in danger of being overrun at any point. Fire support was limited to our helicopter gunships, unable to do much because of the close proximity of the two forces. During one of the gunship runs, the door gunner missed Taylor and me by less than six inches and shot La, the Bru platoon leader in both legs, shattering both of them. I don't fault the gunner. He was doing his best to provide needed support under very trying circumstances. We had not received any fire from the north, and SGT Rumph, SFC Scully, and PFC Taylor were already hauling wounded down the steep north slope of the hill.

SGT Lansing had turned his attention to the threat from the south and west, focusing on a small gully that led from the south slope directly into our position. While positioning his Bru machine gunner, Pa Lang, to cover this approach, the gunner was shot dead, and the entire element was pinned down. By then, the only Americans still on the hill and carrying on the fight were SGT Lansing, SP5 Frescura and myself. The others were either wounded or assisting with the wounded. Perhaps ten or eleven of the Bru were also still firing.

We started to ease back from the south slope trying to put a little distance between us and the enemy. The width of the ridge line where we were was less than sixty meters and the enemy owned at least a third of that. By getting my force down below the crest on the north side, I was finally able to call in some air strikes. We had been on the ground over an hour and the fight itself was about forty-five minutes old.

The Forward Air Controller (FAC) on hand when we inserted had to leave us to refuel. He was replaced by a USMC FAC with the call sign of "American Beauty Delta". This gentleman deserves a lot of credit for getting the rest of us off the hill alive with little further damage. The manner in which he coordinated all of the air support into that one small area without doing us any more damage was nothing short of phenomenal. He was also dealing with two battalion size enemy units within 400-500 meters that were trying to get between us and the FOB.)

We were able to gain some fire superiority with the help of US Army and USMC gunships and some pinpoint bombing from USAF "fast-movers" in the area. One USAF pilot stated his ordnance was napalm and cluster bomb units, but that we were too close to the impact area for him to drop it. I told American Beauty Delta that without the support, we would have more serious problems. The air strike came in on target.

I can't estimate the amount of ordnance expended on our behalf that afternoon. It was all considered "Danger Close" and that even with all of the helicopter gunship rocket runs, and numerous 250 pound bombs, followed with CBU's, the enemy pressure was still very intense. Not until they dropped the napalm did the close-in enemy fire disappear.

We were finally able to get two medevac helicopters in. One was a US Army Medevac and the other was one of MACV-SOG's King Bees (H-34), one of the helicopters we had inserted on earlier. SFC Dick Sweezy, the senior medic of A-221, had offered his assistance and came in with the US Army medevac ship. Focused on his own task, he stated that he couldn't understand why we were having such difficulty loading the wounded. The ship crash-landed at the FOB, with over two hundred new bullet holes, the windscreen shot away, and the gallant pilot mortally wounded.

(Ed. Note: SFC Sweezy and the chopper crews also deserve recognition for their great valor in coming into a very hot LZ and staying long enough to take our wounded, dying, and dead out.  Their valor was the more exceptional since by SOP they were in no way obligated to land in a hot LZ.  They acted as volunteers, at risk of their own lives, to help their comrades.)

I estimate the unit which initiated fire on us was at least a reinforced platoon, and there were much larger units (estimated at two battalions) seen during the fight in the near vicinity.

(Ed. Note: According to reports from personnel observing the action, including the FAC and ground observers at KSCB, the number of enemy engaged was a reinforced company, with battalion-sized elements closing fast.)

SFC Tredinnick was mortally wounded. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day. We lost one Bru KIA and had two Americans WIA and six Bru WIA. Following the final medevac and seeing all survivors were off the hill, we finally moved by foot back to the FOB. We were met about 600 meters from the gate by a rescue unit lead by SFC Robert Cavanaugh. He gave me the word that Tredinnick had died. All of that and we did not accomplish what we set out to do."

The remains were eventually recovered in April 1968 by a Marine unit and a team led by CPT Hammond Salley, which included SF medic Denis Chericone. (See below.)

Casualties from Hatchet Force Denver,  Hill 471

SFC CHARLES NICHOLAS TREDINNICK 

U. S. Army Special Forces, FOB-3

KIA 29 January 1968

(Photo courtesy of his wife, the late Joy Tredinnick, and cousin, Dennis L. Tredinnick)

Charles Nicholas Tredinnick was born at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on 13 December 1934.  According to his sister Jean, during his younger days, Chuck had a pet monkey, and played the guitar.

Chuck entered the United States Army from Dallas, Pennsylvania, in 1953, at the age of 19. He had originally wanted to enlist in the Marines, but had been turned down. Undeterred, he entered the Army, and eventually became a member of their elite Special Forces.

He finished basic training and was married to the late Joy Keller in their home town on 3 July 1954, while on leave before going to airborne training. They moved to Fayetteville in November, 1954.

Chuck joined the Special Forces after completing Airborne and Ranger training, and was assigned to Germany. After his return from Germany, he and Joy bought a home in Fayetteville. He had served for over 14 years, and was a Senior Combat Engineer when he was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group for a second tour in Vietnam. 

Having nearly completed his second combat tour, Chuck and his team-mates were scheduled to return to Okinawa for transport to  CONUS within hours.

Chuck had often written home to his wife, telling her not to worry because “only the good die young.”  Two days before the action on Hill 471, he wrote: “Well darling, that’s about it for today. I don’t know when I’ll get the time to write again…. So until then know I love you very much and always will.”  It was the last time he would write Joy.

Despite their being so close to leaving, he and his team-mates volunteered to recover the bodies of their comrades and an MIA who had been ambushed earlier on the morning of  29 January 1968 on Hill 471 just outside Khe Sanh Combat Base.  A team of American Special Forces soldiers from ODA-221 with a Marine volunteer, and Bru CIDG forces were assembled to accomplish this task. Another man was supposed to go in Chuck's place, but he refused the mission. (This was a prerogative of SOG troops. However, he was subsequently re-assigned to Vietnam later and was killed on that tour.)

However, the attempt was ultimately unsuccessful, due to the presence of a much larger enemy force on the hill, estimated at reinforced company, with a battalion maneuvering in to cut off the American force. SFC Tredinnick was killed in action during the ensuing close combat. He died with his face to the enemy.

SFC Tredinnick was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, and the Purple Heart. He had previously received the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart, among other decorations and ribbons, as well as various commendations. He was interred with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Ms. Joy Keller Tredinnick, of Fayetteville, NC, his sister, the late Jean Tredinnick Donnora, who was very close to her brother and had named her son Charles after him (though he predeceased his uncle in 1960 at age 5 in an accident), by his brothers Arthur and Dennis C. Tredinnick, and his cousin, Dennis L. Tredinnick.  

Joy never remarried, and remained in their home in Fayetteville until she died on 28 March 2005. She was interred with Chuck in Arlington National Cemetery on 8 April 2005. She is survived by her sister, Ms. Patsy Goodwin, and her friend, Helen Daley, who cared for her in her last days. 

Chuck is remembered on Panel 35E, Row 63 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Remembrances can be viewed at the Arlington Cemetery Site, and the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site.

(Ed. Note: Due to a clerical error somewhere along the line, SFC Tredinnick' middle name was rendered "Nichol." However, his late wife and sister and other family members informed me that his given name was "Nicholas" so I have rendered it as such here.)

Bru CIDG troops with HF Denver:

Pa Lang - M-60 gunner - KIA

La - Interpreter - WIA

Lao, Platoon Leader - WIA

4 other Bru, names not known - wounded.

16 Bru were with us altogether. I regret I don't have all their names. They all served well, and deserve remembrance.

Other Oscar Co. Casualties from the Siege of Khe Sanh

LCPL BILLY DALE LIVINGSTON, USMC 

9 Apr 1949 - 26 Feb 1968 

Killed in non-hostile "friendly" fire incident, 26 February 1968

Billy Dale Livingston was born on 9 April 1949. He joined the Marines in Alma, Arkansas. His MOS was 0311. He had been in in-country since 15 Aug. 1967.   Upon joining CAP, he was assigned to Oscar Co. in January 1967, and was posted to FOB-3 after the initial assaults caused the CAP Marines to be withdrawn from their villes. (See:  CAP Oscar History) 

I remember him as a nice kid, and he was friendly.  One of our Motor Transport Marines,  Jimmie J. Tyson, said that Billy had a friendly smile, and a self-deprecating sense of humor. 

The 26th of February was one of the rare nice days at that time of year, with little enemy action or shelling to contend with.  Billy had been sharing a bunker with our late comrade, William Allen Breedlove of O-1. (See below and CAP Oscar History). 

Breedlove said he was going out, Livingston said “I’m going to stay here.” Breedlove went out behind the bunker wall. Billy must have changed his mind, and started out, just when a US jet came over the base, flying close air support fire missions.

The enemy were so close at that point that the pilot was making his passes right over our positions, instead of flying across the front of our lines.

I was coming back from an errand on the combat base when I saw the jet coming in, fast and low. When he released his rockets, it was plain that the pilot had fired too soon. I could see that the rockets would hit our lines, so I began running to the bunkers. I knew they'd need help.

A number of guys were hit. Billy had just come out of his bunker, and was killed, likely almost instantly by the blast wave and shrapnel. 

We helped gather his remains.

“Doc” HN John Roberts "Doc" Roberts (O-2) said in a telephone interview in August 2005;

"He was killed by "friendly" fire because at the time we were recieving close ground support from aircraft off of the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) who dropped his rockets on us by mistake. The pilot, at the time, was receiving intense machine gun fire from the NVA and they were firing tracers.  Billy told me he was planning on getting married as soon as he returned to the states.  I wish he had made it.”  

Billy lost his life to "friendly fire" from a US aircraft, while serving on FOB 3, adjacent to the Khe Sanh Combat Base in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. He was just short of his 19th birthday. His rank at time of death was PFC, but he received a posthumous promotion to LCPL (E3). 

Billy is buried at Fort Smith National Cemetery, Sebastian Co. Arkansas, Plot: 12, 0, 135. His name is on the Vietnam Memorial Wall on Panel 41E, Row 40. He is also remembered on the Vietnam Veterans' War Memorial site, and on a memorial at the Crawford Co. Courthouse in Arkansas.

Departed Comrades (Non-Combat)

Verner Ray Russell (known to his family as "Sunny") was born in Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO, on  Jan. 17, 1949, to Gordon R. and Dorothy Lee (Alcorn) Russell.  He enlisted in the US Marine Corps,  and had risen to the rank of CPL by the time he joined Oscar Company.

 (Ed. Note: death. marriage, military and obituary records all differ somewhat on some details. One source lists his birthplace as Winona, MO, another gives CO. It appears likely that SGT Russell was at some point in CO [which seems to be his Home of Record]. Both his parents and sister lived in CO at some point, and he was baptized there at age 12.)

During the ferocious fighting at the O-1 / District HQ compound at the onset of the 1968 Tet Offensive on 21 January, 1968, Russell, then a CPL, manned an M-60 machine gun in the north-east corner of the compound, one of the places the NVA concentrated their assaults.  Assisted by his Bru A-gunner, Russell killed a great number of the enemy, who at times penetrated to within 30 feet of his position. Eye-witness accounts state that the enemy dead were literally piled up in front of his position.  In his NCOIC's opinion, had Russell not held his position and inflicted so many casualties on the enemy, they might have over-run the position and been able to enter the compound, which might have resulted in its destruction.

SGT Russell's Silver Star citation reads in part: 

"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Verner R. Russell (2225712), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Combined Action Platoon 0-1, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on January 21, 1968. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Russell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

In addition to the Silver Star, SGT Russell received the following medals, ribbons, and awards: 

Navy Commendation w/ Combat V, Purple Heart w/ one star, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation w/ two stars, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct  w/ one star, National Defense medal, Vietnamese Service medal with five stars, Vietnamese Campaign with Scroll, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and Republic of Viet Nam Civic Action Medal.

Verner was married to Linda M. Wilde  in Reno, NV on Jan. 6, 1970, and they had one son, Mathew. 

Verner died on Mar. 1,  1973, at age 24 in Orange, CA. He is interred in Mount Zion Cemetery, located on Old Hwy. 60 East, in Winona, Shannon Co., MO.  He was survived by his wife and child,  his parents and maternal grandmother (now deceased), his sister Sandra, and other relations and friends. 

 Joe was born May 13, 1945, in AZ. He enlisted in the Marines October 21, 1965, and completed basic at MCRD San Diego, CA, in December 1965, and ITR at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, in February 1966. He then completed Basic Combat Engineer training with an MOS of 1316 (metal working) with a specialty in welding at MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in May 1966. Joe was then assigned to H & S Co., 3rd SP Bn.,  3rd MarDiv in South Vietnam from May to September 1966.

Joe was next assigned to H & S Co., 1/9,  3rd MarDiv from September 1966 to February 1967. He returned to H & S Co., 3rd SP Bn.,  3rd MarDiv, and voluntarily extended his tour, later volunteering for the Combined Action Program, and was assigned to Oscar Company,  3rd Combined Action Group (originally part of SU #4, later under III MAF).

Upon my arrival in late September 1967, he was a member of O-2.  Joe voluntarily extended his tour again, and was on leave during the Tet 1968 assault on Khe Sanh ville. However, he returned and rejoined us on FOB-3, where he remained throughout the Siege.

Joe and Frank Iodice (also of Oscar Company) went missing, but later reappeared, and reported that they had been captured and taken prisoner but that they managed to escape two days later, on May 30, 1968, on June 1, 1968.

Joe returned to the United States in August 1968, and was assigned to H & S Co and then Engineer Maintenance Company, Maintenance Battalion, 5th Force Service Regiment at MCB Camp Pendleton from August 1968 to March 1969, followed by service back with the 3rd Combined Action Group of III Marine Amphibious Force in South Vietnam from March 1969 until his return to the United States in September 1969. 

Sgt Potter left active duty on September 7, 1969.

Joe was married on June 25th, 1971 to Ms. Nancy Jane Thayer, a graduate of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She was substitute teaching in Long Beach, while Joe was a student at California State College, Long Beach. He later received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve on July 13, 1971. 

Joe was killed in a motorcycle accident on his birthday, May 13, 1978, and was buried at the Hutchinson Eastside Cemetery in Hutchinson, Kansas.

According to Frank Iodice, prior to his death, Joe visited Frank and stayed with him for a while. Frank said he later heard Joe had been killed. 

Joe was an experienced field Marine by the time I knew him. He taught me much about bush craft. He was tough as nails and a good man in a fight. We will all miss him. 

There is a nice tribute to him at  veterantributes.org . (I have  contacted them to correct some errata.)

Craig Albers was born on 22 Aug 1948. He was an aspiring track and field athlete, whose nickname was "Slats" (referring to his build). According to a former team-mate from high school;

"Craig was very friendly, and care-free. He had only friends in high school. I can not remember Craig ever saying a bad thing about anyone.

In school Craig was a so-so student, preferring to be fun and funny, but he was an excellent athlete. I met him at Freshman Football tryouts in Sept. of 1962. He played End, I played half back.

Craig excelled at basketball. He was our freshman A Squad scoring leader. He was as thin as a rail but could really jump and was an excellent shot and rebounder.  

As good as Craig was in basketball, his real sport (in my opinion) was track. He was an awesome high jumper.

Craig broke his arm our Sophomore year during basketball tryouts and missed that season. He did not turn out his Jr year, and (as I recall) broke his arm again during tryouts our Sr. year. Missing that season

In our Junior year, Craig fell in with a group of guys that smoked, dressed "hard" and drank. Craig adopted their ways, hence he missed out on sports in our Jr. year.

In our Senior year, Craig dropped out of the group he was in and came back for sports. Unfortunately, as I said, he broke his arm and did not play basketball. I am absolutely certain he would have made the team and been a big contributor had he played. Our team ( I was NOT on the team) placed 2nd in state. With Craig, who knows.

Sr. track season saw Craig out working hard and getting better and better. Early in the season, however, Craig was made aware that because of his antics our Jr. year he would not graduate with our class, but would, instead, be required to go to Summer School. I can remember him in the locker room telling all of us that he would not do that, but instead was dropping out to join the Marines.

The next time I heard of Craig was my Sophomore year in college. I was at the University of Oregon in Eugene. I saw Craig's photo on the front page of the newspaper. He was in his uniform minus two legs and his arm. It was really sad.

A few years later, after college, I ran into Craig in a tavern. He was shooting pool and smoking and drinking like a mad-man. Some years after that, at St. Pius X Catholic Church (we were both Catholics), Fr. Joseph McMahon mentioned at Mass that Craig had passed away. Many of us in the church were very sad to learn the news. 

In short, I remember Craig Albers as a smiling, fresh-faced kid that was fearless. He had no enemies, and was a wonderful friend and teammate. He was a spectacular natural athlete. I am a better person to have met him, the United States Marine Corps is better to have had him in their ranks."

On 14 June 1967, Craig and another CAP Marine were removing mines from the O-3 fields of fire (coordinates XD842408) under orders from the Oscar Company CO (who may in turn have had orders from the Marine command on the combat base), but they didn't have a map of the field. This was an extremely poor decision, and contrary to general practice. The fields should have been cleared by EOD and / or combat engineers with training and detection equipment. The unit NCOIC tried to protest this, but was over-ruled by the CO.

An explosion occurred which seriously wounded Craig and the other Marine. Craig lost his arm and both legs above the knee, and was med-evaced. 

(From my research, I believe the other Marine injured was probably the late Brian W. Oldervik, also of O-3. See below) 

After a period in the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Craig returned to his home town in the vicinity of Beaverton, OR, where the people of the town built him a wheel-chair accessible home in gratitude for his service. Craig became a good pool shooter, despite his disabilities, using a specially made bridge to steady the cue. 

Craig died in 1982 of kidney failure and complications of diabetes. Craig was survived by his parents, James Albers and Barbara Wilson (now both deceased) and his brothers Bruce and Scott, and sisters Tammara and Erin. Any other details or pictures would be welcome.

Bob Scully (then an SFC) was the senior medic with the U. S. Army Special Forces, FOB-3, Khe Sanh. He was with ODA-221 on Hill 471. (See "Army Special Forces Ambush and Rescue Operations on Hill 471, 29 January, 1968" above.) His services proved invaluable on that and many other days, as did those of his comrades, Don Rumph (ODA-221) and Dick Sweezy, who came in on the med-evac chopper. 

Bob later became one of the first US Army Physician’s Assistants, and was eventually promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) Bob was named the first Army PA Consultant to the Surgeon General in 1976. (Though one of the first to produce PAs, the Army would be the last to commission them.) 

According to Bob's friend, Richard ("Lefty") Mitchell who served with him at Ft. Sam Houston's Med School for Special Forces, then in the 7th Special Forces GP at Ft. Bragg;  

"We were close friends. Bob and I were  stationed in the 8th SFGA In Panama. Then we linked up later at Ft Bragg where I had just become an officer, thouigh Bob was still a SGT.  While I attended college in OK, Bob went to war and was a medic at Khe Sahn.  I nearly quit college just to join him as he was in some 'bad Indian territory’.  Later I returned to Bragg and tended to his family and son. Really the best family and guy I ever met and served with."

("Lefty" later served in VN during 1968-69 and again in 1971-72 with MACV-SOG and the VN Airborne Rangers.)

Bob unfortunately died shortly after his retirement, of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer later associated with exposure to Agent Orange.  He was survived by his wife Esther and son Michael William. (Sadly, his son passed away in 2016.) Bob was interred in Calvary Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, MI

(If anyone has any pictures or further information on Bob, please send me a good JPEG copy for photos and any other information.)

SGT BRUCE A. BROWN, USMC

30 Jun 1947 - 4 Sep 1991

Bruce A. Brown was born June 30, 1947, in Manhattan, Kansas, to Jack E. and Frances Brown. He grew up in a military family and graduated from Mountain Home High School.

He joined the Marines after graduation, and served two enlistments, which included a tour in Vietnam, part of which was served in CAP O-3, which he served in before and during the Siege of Khe Sanh.  He later served in the U S. Army. 

After his discharge, he worked in the oil fields in Texas for several years before coming to Pocatello, Idaho. In 1984 he moved to Nampa, where he worked for Nampa Paving. For the four years prior to his death, he was employed as an engineer technician for Intermountain Materials Testing, Inc., Boise , ID.  His hobby was restoring "street rods” and he was particularly proud of his 1941 Ford Pickup. 

He married Charleen Batt Eaton on Aug. 31, 1991, in Boise, ID, but was killed on Wednesday, Sept. 4. 1991, in a highway construction accident near Moose, Wyoming. Funeral services were provided by Alden-Waggoner Chapel, and memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 1991, at the Rookery in Kathryn Albertson Park, Boise, with Pastor Gene Crewse of Mountain View Baptist Church officiating. 

Survivors included his wife and a daughter, Jennifer Brown of Nampa; his father. Jack Brown of Nampa; two brothers, Craig of Denver, Colorado and Brian of Austin, Texas; and two step- children, Lisa and Ryan Eaton of Boise.

CPT (then 1stLT) Stamper was the last CO of Oscar Company at Khe Sanh.

CPT Stamper enlisted in the Marine Corps and rose through the ranks. He was a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, and was commissioned in 1966. Prior to arriving at Khe Sanh, CPT Stamper had been a Platoon Commander with 3/3 at ALPHA-3. He later informed me that this unit was overrun the night before he arrived with every officer killed.

He arrived at Khe Sanh on 27 December 1967, shortly before the Tet assault, to replace CPT Ernest L. Elmore who had received his third Purple Heart and was rotated.

After the initial attack on Khe Sanh village, he was directed by COL David Lownds, commander of the Khe Sanh Combat Base, to relocate his unit via air from Khe Sanh ville to the base, where they were then deployed on the front lines of the Army Special Forces FOB-3 compound.

CPT Stamper retired from the Marines in 1975, and worked as a JROTC unit instructor at a high school, after which he became a salesman. 

(Ed. Note: Tom said to me at a reunion a few years before his death that he had never sought glory or medals, and that the thing that meant the most to him in his tour was that most of the men in Oscar survived the Siege and went home alive.)

CPT Stamper died of cancer in 1996, and was interred in the National Cemetery at Salisbury, NC.  He was survived by his wife of 39 years, Shirley (since deceased), and their three children.

The late MSG Wood, a career soldier and veteran of Korea as well as Vietnam, led the first team that was ambushed on Hill 471, vicinity of Khe Sanh Combat Base, on 29 January 1968. (See above article on Hill 471 for details.)  He later attained a doctorate in history.

 (I would be grateful if anyone with more details on MSG Wood's life and career please contact me.)

William Raymond Corson was born in Chicago on 25th September, 1925.  By his own account, He grew up "a slum kid," on the wrong side of Chicago, raised much of the time by grandparents after his parents divorced when he was 2. At 10 he was working a newsstand. At 14, he was touring the country as a migrant worker, picking fruit and learning to gamble. 

He later got a job at The Chicago Daily News. The publisher, Frank Knox, (later Secretary of the Navy), believed Corson had ability, and as a  board member of the University of Chicago, helped Corson get a scholarship in math and physics at the age of 15. 

Corson left college in 1943 at age 17 to join the service. (Acc. to one biography, he joined the Army, another says the Marines. His theater of service [South Pacific] makes the Marines a strong possibility.)  He fought on Guam and Bougainville, rising to the rank of sergeant. After World War II, he returned to school, eventually earning a Master's degree in economics at the University of Miami, and later a doctorate in economics at American University in Washington.

In 1949 he joined the Marine Corps as an officer. For much of his Marine career, Corson would be an intelligence officer on special assignment with the CIA and the Marine Corps, specializing in Asian affairs, skills which later served him well in his work with Combined Action.

He served in the Korean War and was a student at the Naval Intelligence School in Washington (1953-55). He began studying Vietnam in the early 1950s during the French attempt to retain its colony.  After learning Chinese, Corson became liaison officer in Hong Kong.  In 1962, after four years as liaison officer, he was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. This put  him in touch with decision-making at the highest level as U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia deepened. Later he taught a course on communism at the U.S. Naval Academy (1964-66). 

In 1966 Corson was sent to Vietnam where he became commander of a Marine tank battalion. In 1967, he was put in charge of the Combined Action Program. The purpose of this program was to provide security from the communists and win the loyalty of the local people.

After the success of the Combined Action Program, Corson, upon his return, was appointed deputy director of the Southeast Asia Intelligence Force in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, where he worked closely with the Central Intelligence Agency. However, despite the success of the CAP, he had become convinced that U.S. policies in Vietnam were doomed.

Corson planned to retire in June 1968, and had written a book he planned to publish after retirement called "The Betrayal" in which he stated that the Saigon government was corrupt and incompetent and as such was not strongly supported by most ordinary Vietnamese.  Unless the United States revised its policies and forced changes on the South vietnamese government, the war would be lost and American servicemen would have died in vain.  Publication was set for July 1, 1968, a month after Corson's originally scheduled retirement.

However, news of the book had caused a furore in Washington, and in an effort to stop Corson, the Marine Corps invoked a regulation that required officers on active duty to submit statements on public policy to review before making them public. Corson claimed that this did not apply to him because the book would not go on sale until after his retirement.

The Marine Corps responded by holding up his retirement held up, and taking steps to convene a general court-martial. However, Corson stuck to his guns, and the threatened court-martial was dropped on the grounds that it would only serve to draw attention to the book. Corson's retirement went through a month later than originally scheduled, and the book was published by W. W. Norton.

His military decorations include the Silver Star Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V".

Other books by Corson include: "Promise or Peril; the Black College Student in America" (1970), "New KGB: Engine of Soviet Power" (1985), "Consequences of Failure"  and "The Armies of Ignorance: The Rise of the American Intelligence Empire" (1986).

After retirement, Corson taught history at Howard University for a year, and wrote a column on veteran's affairs for Penthouse Magazine, and was it Washington editor. He also worked as an unofficial adviser to Frank Church and the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities.

In 1989 Corson co-wrote with Joseph Trento and Susan Trento, Widows: The Explosive Truth Behind 25 Years of Western Intelligence Disasters. The book included an account of the life and death of John Paisley.

I had the pleasure of meeting LCOL Corson several times, and we discussed his experience with the CAP, and his other work and views. He remained convinced that the main premise of The Betrayal was correct. 

LCOL Corson died of lung cancer on 17th July, 2000, at Suburban Hospital, Virginia, and buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his second wife of 33 years, Judith Ellen Corson, a former Pentagon analyst, who had helped him with the research on The Betrayal and a number of his other books (who later died of melanoma on February 8, 2001, in Potomac, MD), and their three children, Adam, Zachary and Andrew, all of Potomac; and two children from his first marriage to Charlotte Corson, Christopher and David Corson, and five grandchildren.

Dale grew up around Monroe, IA and was a 1966 graduate of Monroe High School.

After joining the Navy, Dale became a Hospital Corpsman for CAP Oscar-3 prior to and during the Tet Offensive and Siege of Khe Sanh from 1967 - 1968/ Prior to the Siege, he often treated the local Bru tribes for the many illnesses and diseases they were subject to.

After his Navy tour he attended Lab Tech School in Minnesota and worked in hospitals in Des Moines, Arkansas, and Minnesota. 

He was living in Deer River, Minnesota when he passed away on December 6, 2001, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Dale was survived by his mother, Ruth of Prairie City, and widow, Tina, and step-daughter, Danielle of Deer River, his son, Matt of St. Cloud, Minnesota and daughter, Kelly of Des Moines.  He was preceded in death by his father, Darrel. A memorial has been established by Bruce Aalbers at Monroe. 

Born in Bronx, N.Y., Bill graduated from Bernards High School in Basking Ridge, N.J., and in 1961, graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1965. From 1965 to 1969, he served in the Marines, achieving the rank of captain. He received his basic training in Quantico, Va., served two tours of duty in Vietnam, the first with A 1/9 in 1966. 

Bill became the first CO of Oscar Co. in Feb. 1967, and served until he was replaced by CPT Haines. 

Bill returned to Quantico in 1968 as an instructor. 

On Jan 11, 1969, Bill married for the first time.  Among those in attendance was Anthony Zinni, later to become a general.

During his service, Bill received the Navy Commendation Medal w/V,  the Purple Heart Medal,  Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal w/ stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ date bar.

He later received an MBA degree from Harvard University in 1971.

Divorcing in 1987, Bill later re-married in 1989. He lived in Raleigh, N.C., before moving to Lanesboro, MN about 1991. 

He and his second wife owned Mrs. B's Historic Inn and Restaurant in Lanesboro for 11 years. He retired in 2001. 

Bill was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was active in Boy Scouts of America and was pack master of Cub Scout Troop 49 for several years. He had served on the boards of the Minnesota Bed and Breakfast Guild and Lanesboro Business Association. He enjoyed gardening, canoeing, camping and traveling. 

Bill died of brain cancer on 4 April, 2003 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, where he had been a patient three months.  (His cancer may well have been the result of the heavy Agent Orange exposure we all received at Khe Sanh.)

Survivors included his wife; two daughters, his son, his mother, and brother. He was preceded in death by an infant son and his father. 

There was a memorial service on April 10, 2003 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Flag presentation was by the Lanesboro American Legion. Interment was in Arlington National Cemetery on 12 May 2003.

His former brother-in-law from his first marriage wrote and delivered this eulogy, which I share with his kind permission:

Bill Sermeus was my friend. We knew each other best from when we were 25 years old until we were 43. At times we played important roles in each other’s lives. We camped together, canoed together and occasionally had a couple of beers together.

The Bill Sermeus I knew was defined by two main qualities.

First, was self-discipline. Anybody who knew Bill knows he had a great track record for making himself do what he should. Self-discipline made him a good Boy Scout; a good student; a good self-employed business man.

Perhaps the ultimate test of his self-discipline was Viet Nam. He told me he did not politicize the war, that his only aim was to keep his Marines alive. At the personal level he told me, “I wanted to stare evil in the eye and see what I could do.” That took self-discipline.

The second quality that defined Bill was that he was without guile. Bill conducted himself out in the open, in a straightforward manner. There was no façade, no outer layer over the real person. It follows that he was not a slave to fashion or given to trendiness. He didn’t hide his true intentions and his stated intentions were his true intentions. In his business and his personal life he treated others with respect. One way he showed that respect was to say what he really thought, unfiltered, no matter the audience or consequences.

In my eyes, one of Bill’s most remarkable achievements was the time he got a total stranger to loan us his pickup truck. We were canoeing the St. Croix River. When Bill left our tent one misty morning he discovered that the river had risen and our canoe had floated away. In his remembering of this moment of discovery, Bill always laughed, explaining that at first he couldn’t decide whether to take a leak or dive in and swim after the canoe. In the end, we went to a nearby house and Bill asked the homeowner for his pickup to chase down the canoe. And the man agreed, agreed to loan his truck to two unshaven complete strangers who appeared on his doorstep at around 6 A.M.. I’ll always believe that he did this because Bill Sermeus was simply being Bill Sermeus.

Ray joined the Marines in June of 1965, and served until June of 1971. His first tour in Viet Nam was from 1966 - 1967. Prior to coming to Oscar Co., he had been in the infantry with Echo Co., 2/26. He said of that period; "First we'd try to catch them and make them run. Then we'd try to catch them again." (This is a phrase that is probably familiar to infantrymen as far back as war goes.) He said Echo "wasn't as bad as some of the units" he served in.

Ray was a member of the "Plank Crew" of Oscar company, joining in February, 1967. He later served another tour from 1969-70 with Gulf 2/7, but Combined Action remained his favorite unit, and the Bru his favorite people among the Vietnamese.

He had many interesting stories of Oscar in the early days, and was very generous in contributing his time and photos. Some of his stories will be found in the Oscar Co. history section when it is completed. He always had a kind word for everyone, and was a genuinely kind and generous man. He leaves a widow, Sylvia, his wife of 27 years. Larry Larsen of SU 5 has a great memorial to Ray here. Ray is buried at Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery in Antioch, CA. He will be sorely missed.

SFC James Perry was the medic of the Army Advisory Team at Khe Sanh. He passed away on February 12th, 2006 from cancer (possibly a result of his exposure to Agent Orange). During the assaults on Khe Sanh village, Jim supervised the medical personnel, and worked on the wounded, exposing himself to enemy fire in the course of the attack. 

Following the initial assaults, the American forces were ordered evacuate the village by air. Jim then worked throughout the Siege on our casualties.

Following the Siege, Jim was re-assigned to the refugee camp established in the Cua Valley. The Dega (and other minorities) in these camps suffered greatly since the South Vietnamese government had no real interest in their welfare, and considered them fit only to be ignored, or assimilated at best. Food, clothing, supplies and medicine were always in short supply. Despite this, Jim worked heroically with the limited means at his disposal to relieve the suffering of the Dega. For his heroism, Jim was awarded the Bronze Star, though CPT (later COL) Bruce B. G. Clarke, the Khe Sanh AAT C.O., had recommended him for a higher award. Due to the efforts of Clarke and others, Jim was finally posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action.

Bruce was born in Bakersfield, California, where he attended East Bakersfield HS (class of 1963). Bruce subsequently enlisted in the Marines and served in Vietnam, including several months in Oscar Co., 3rd Platoon in early 1967. 

He later became a professional merchant seaman, and rose through U.S. Coast guard examinations to attain an Unlimited Masters license. Bruce was involved for many years with Greenpeace activities and served as 3rd mate on the Greenpeace vessel "Rainbow Warrior" being aboard when they were challenging Russian whaling activity in the summer of 1983 off the coast of Siberia in what was then the USSR. Bruce boldly leapt into a speeding driverless inflatable raft to retrieve a canister of film that had been shot to document the protest, breaking his leg and rupturing a spinal disk in the process.

He passed away in his sleep in Seattle.

According to an obituary by one of his friends; "He had extreme adventures all over the world and met life at full force. He held his beliefs dearly and lived a courageous life of environmental and political activism. William Blake wrote "In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors". Bruce never bothered to knock! He was plainly and simply an unforgettable character. And so, as he would say when leaving on his voyages: "TA TA". 

Jim Stanton was born in Detroit, Michigan to Edward Hamilton Stanton and Elizabeth D. Stanton. He grew up in Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on a NROTC Scholarship. Taking the Marine Corps option upon graduation in June of 1959, Jim was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on June 8, 1959. Five days after his commission, Jim married Elaine (Rasch) Stanton of Highland Park, Michigan, and together they started his thirty year career in the Marine Corps.

Upon completion of The Basic School in Quantico, VA, Jim attended the Artillery Basic Course and the Artillery Officer's Career Course. He held various positions and attended several schools in the Marine Corps.

While serving in Vietnam, Jim was acting as an aerial observer and supporting arms coordinator on January 29th, 1968, for ODA-221 during our unsuccessful attempt to recover the dead and missing men from a team that had been ambushed earlier that day on Hill 471 (see above). Known to us at that time only by his call sign "American Beauty Delta" (a name which he later told us he did not pick and had hated), he cooly flew overhead during the fight despite enemy fire, directing and coordinating the "fast-movers" and other aircraft in laying down heavy supporting fire. In the words of the team leader, H. E. Van Winkle:

"The Forward Air Controller (FAC) on hand when we inserted had to leave us to refuel. He was replaced by a USMC FAC with the call sign of "American Beauty Delta" (Major James Stanton). This gentleman deserves a lot of credit for getting the rest of us off the hill with little further damage. The manner in which he coordinated all of the air support into that one small area without doing us any more damage was nothing short of phenomenal. He was also dealing with two battalion size enemy units that were trying to get between us and the FOB. These were enemy troops spotted moving in the open within 400-500 meters from Hill 471."

It is unlikely that any of us would have survived had it not been for his coolness and accuracy in calling fire. Every man on that hill who survived owes his life to Jim. We did not meet Jim then, but he got in touch over 20 years later after reading an account of the action by MAJ H. E. Van Winkle in an issue of Red Clay, the Khe Sanh Veteran's magazine, and attended some reunions with us.

Jim was later the Marine Corps representative to Research and Development at Fort Ord from July of 1979 until his promotion to Colonel in June of 1981, when he assumed the Command of the 23rd Marine Regiment in Alameda, CA. He later served as Chief of Staff at the United States Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty Nine Palms, CA.

Among the decorations Jim earned during his service were the following medals: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/Combat "V",  Purple Heart,  Air Medal w/Numeral 10, Humanitarian Service Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/5 Stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnam Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal. He also earned a number of ribbons including the: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) Medal Color w/Palm. Jim also received a number of Letters of Commendation and Appreciation. (Not all Jim's medals and ribbons are illustrated above.)

Jim and Elaine returned to North Monterey County upon his retirement from the civilian sector in 1998. Jim was involved with numerous activities, and was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church.

Jim passed away on the 6th of November, 2007, following a long battle with a series of illnesses. His memorial service was  (appropriately) held on the 10th of November, celebrated by Marines as the "Marine Corps Birthday" - the traditional date of the founding of the Continental Marine Corps in 1775 in Tun Tavern (again appropriately!), a Philadelphia pub.

Jim was survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Elaine, daughters Susan, Amie and Katie, brother Tom and his wife Marilyn, brother Dave and sister in-law Martha, grandchildren Abigail and Simon, and nieces and nephews. He is missed by his family, and those of us who are fortunate enough to still be here because of his courage and professionalism.

Jim's wife, Elaine Fredericka Rasch Stanton (b. Sept. 18, 1937) passed away peacefully in Carmel, CA on September 26th, 2017 aged  80 years.  ELaine was raised in Highland Park, MI, where she met Jim in high school, where they were sweethearts. She was a fine woman, lovely, charming, and a great wife (and later care-giver) to Jim. She was also a very successful real estate agent in her own right, and went to work again after Jim contracted his first round of cancer, making a large number of sales that helped pay for his out-of-pocket treatment costs. She will be missed by all who knew her. After Jim's passing in 2007, Elaine moved to Del Mesa Carmel where she was an active member of Del Mesa community serving on the Board of Directors.  Elaine is survived by her three daughters, Susan, Amie and her husband Brian, and Kathleen and her husband Steve); her grandchildren, Abigail and Simon; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marilyn and Thomas Stanton; sister and brother-in-law Martha and Dave Kissinger, nieces and nephews and her many loving friends.

George Albert Vachlin was born in Vancouver, WA, to Karl and Norma (Haney) Vachlin. The family relocated to Chicago, IL in 1954, and enlisted in the US Marine Corps on May 17th, 1966.

Prior to CAP, George came to Vietnam on the USS Iwo Jima with BLT 1/4. He served as a Motor Transport driver and .50 MG gunner on a "deuce and a half" truck for convoys.

George drove all through I Corps, including Gio Linh, Con Thien, Dong Ha, and Khe Sanh. (George once wrote to me; "I fell in love with Khe Sahn."), and down Highway 9 to Highway 1 to Phu Bai.

He volunteered for CAC and served in O-1 in 1967 and 1968, before and during the Siege of Khe Sanh (although he was on leave at the time of the initial assault on Khe Sanh ville). He later also served in another CAP unit in the Hue-Phu Bai area after Oscar was disbanded following the Siege. (Possibly A-4.)

George received an honorable discharge on December 31st, 1969.

After the Marines, George lived in Wisconsin and Illinois, eventually settling in Savanna, IL. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his dog, Flash, and spending time with his friends and family. He was also a member of, and served as color guard for the Shaw-Leavens VFW Post 2223.

George contracted cancer, and although he took treatment, it recurred later. Despite the prognosis, George me in a letter that he was going to; "just keep fighting and fighting and fighting." That is what he did, right to the end. He passed away in a VA Hospital on Sunday the 13th of April, 2008. He had suffered from throat cancer and related respiratory ailments. His family had been to see him the day before, and his beloved dog was allowed in for a visit as well. The family mentioned that the care and support George received from the VA staff was incredible.

Services were conducted on Sunday, 27 April, 2008. His family members were in attendance. He is survived by his mother, Norma, a son Frank, his brother Carl J. and Carl's wife Mary, and a nephew, Carl A. Vachlin, and nieces Victoria Weiser, Rebecca Catalano, great-nephews Brendan Weiser and Karl T. Vachlin, and great-niece Erin Rose Vachlin. He had been predeceased by his father Karl and younger sister Genevieve.

(On display at the service was a reproduction of a USMC company guidon marked CAP Oscar, originally made by my wife, Lisa, for the 1993 Khe Sanh Vets Reunion in Washington, D.C. When I learned of George's demise, I decided to send it along to the family for his memorial service. "Doc" John Roberts of O-2 had been custodian of the guidon since Nov. 2006, and quickly dispatched it. I now offer a personalized USMC flag at no charge to families.)

 "Skosh" served with H&S Company, 3/26 at Khe Sanh as a Bn. Radio Operator (2533). On June 27, 1967, he was assigned to India Company 3/26 when they went to Hill 689 to attempt to rescue the men from Oscar-3 who had been ambushed earlier that day.  (See above.) "Skosh" was very helpful in putting together the story of the fight on 689. 

"Skosh" passed away on 1 May, 2011 after a long illness. He was a brave and compassionate man.

 "Skosh" was interred at Tahoma National Cemetary in Covington , WA.

*****************************************************

CPL AL TERRY SULLIVAN, USMC

27 Dec 1948 - 17 Sep 2011

(No photo available.)

Al Terry Sullivan (known to his comrades as "Sully") was a native and life-long resident of Mayo, FL.

Enlisting in the Marines, he served with Combined Action Company Oscar, 2nd Platoon, at Khe Sanh as a CAP Marine working with the Bru tribesmen who served as our native counterparts.

On January 21st, 1968, he was at the O-2 compound when they and O-1 were assaulted by elements of the 66th Regiment of the 304th Division of the PAVN (NVA). According to "Doc" John Roberts, writing in his memoir of the action, Sully "fought like a madman" with his M-16, then with a BAR commandeered from our stockpile of Korean and WW II weapons we usually used to arm the Bru.  

He and the other defenders of Khe Sanh ville certainly deserved a medal for valor, and considerably more recognition than they ever received.  But that is often the nature of war -- being seen at the right time by the right people. (At the time of his death, Sully was still winding through the labyrinthine VA system trying to get recognition of and treatment for his multiple service-incurred or aggravated issues.) 

After the war, Sully went back to Mayo, and took a job at Lafayette County High School, rising to maintenance supervisor. According to one of the teaching staff, he often put in unpaid overtime and week-ends to get a problem corrected in time for school, and both the staff and the children at the school held him in the highest regard. 

As all who knew Sully will attest, he was a good-natured, genial, unassuming and generous man, and not one to put himself forward.

Sully succumbed to cancer at Haven Hospice in Lake City, FL, after a long fight, with funeral services at the Airline Baptist Church followed with interment in their cemetery.  

Sully is survived by his brother Larry who had also served (US Army Special Forces), his sister Alice, his wife Debbie, and children Travis, Jessica, Renata, and Shawn, and their families. He will be missed by us all.

(See CAC Oscar History - "Big Tet",  Bruce Clarke's "Expendable Warriors" and Gregg Jones' "Last Stand at Khe Sanh" for more details on the battle for Khe Sanh ville. Unfortunately, Sully was mistakenly called "Dan" in both of these books.)

Stan was born in Ft. Wayne, IN. to Clarence Dilley and Anna Shiffi Dilley. 

He enlisted in the Marines in 1966, and went to Vietnam in December 1966, serving first as a member of Shore Party, near Da Nang. He then extended his tour 6 months, and upon his return from leave, was posted to Combined Action Company Oscar, 1st Platoon, at Khe Sanh as a CAP Marine working with the Bru tribesmen who served as our native counterparts.  He arrived prior to the Siege, and was one of the gallant garrison of Oscar-1 when the NVA attacked in force on 21 January, 1968. Stan and his comrades fought the greatly numerically superior enemy force, and beat them in detail.  

After Stan left Khe Sanh following the Siege, he was placed in charge of a CAP near Hue. He later served at Que Lai  (sp.?) in a unit he called "Rat Hole 6." 

Stan left the Marines in 1969 and went to work at Slater Steel in Fort Wayne, remaining there for 38 years, and later he went to work for Pena’s Plumbing and Heating in Ossian, IN for 5 years. 

One of his steel mill co-workers, Mr. Todd Radke (who put us in contact with Stan) sent me the following statement about for Stan:

"I spent a lot of time with Stan when we worked in the rolling mill at Slater Steels in Fort Wayne, In. We were having a lot of quality issues with the mill, and Stan took it upon himself to temporarily give up a pud job in the Roughing Mill Pulpit, and he came to the set-up area to work with my crew. He organized all the components (mostly from memory), ordered the missing pieces, and began to teach me the "art" of rolling mill set-up. 

Week's end saw vast improvements,  within a month the mill was running as if new. Stan stayed with us until he was confident in my ability. Soon after, our shift (11-7) set a record; 28 days of production without a single billet scrapped.

Stan is a natural leader, and a team player, I enjoyed the time I spent with him. It was during a period of down-time that he told me of his Viet Nam experiences.  I never imagined that one day a casual E-mail to Bob (Hall, formerly of Radio Relay at O-1) might reunite Stan and his Warrior Brethren."

(We are grateful to Todd and Bob for that E-mail, despite the reunion being all too brief.)

Stan married his wife of 34 years, Cheryl Hill on Aug. 1, 1977, in Reno, NV.

He was a member of American Legion Post 111 in Bluffton, IN, and was also an avid Harley Davidson motorcylist.

Stan had been battling cancer when he died on Saturday, at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife Cheryl, his two brothers and sisters-in-law, Lee & Patty Dilley of Churubusco and Tony & Patty Dilley of Whiteland, and four sisters and brothers-in-law, Roseanna & Scott Uhl of Avilla, Joellen & Ray Solga of Alabama, Kathy & Tim Wenning of Fort Wayne, and Larene & Ron Pulver of Leo.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Erika Smith, in 1995.Services were held at 10 AM on Saturday November 26th, 2011 at the at the Thomas / Rich, Chaney and Lemler Funeral Home with Larry Sprinkle officiating. 

Burial was at the Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton. Graveside military honors were conducted by members of American Legion Post 111 and a U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard.   

Brian (nicknamed: "Olds") was a member of O-3 in June 1967. Brian, formerly of Minot, ND, was a resident of Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 36 years, Yon.  Brian received two Purple Hearts. A memorial service was held on Friday, March 16, 2012, 10:30 a.m., at French – Lomas Chapel, and Brian was interred in the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

(Note: Brian was almost certainly the unidentified "other man" injured in the minefield explosion that disabled the late Craig ("Slats") Albers [above] since he is listed only in the June 1967 MPR, and was retired as a PFC.)

John was born in New York City in 1946 and after graduation from The Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania, he joined the Navy, where he trained as Hospital Corpsman. He was subsequently attached to 3/26 Marines in Vietnam, where he served in the battles of Khe Sahn and Con Thien. Though not a CAP Marine or attached Corpsman, Doc Tinker was with the relief force from I & L 3/26 that went to the assistance of the patrol from Oscar 3 that was ambushed on June 27th, 1967. (See above and in CAP Oscar History for details.)  John was a recipient of four Purple Hearts for wounds received in action.

After his service was completed, John went on to graduate from Brooks Film Institute and after periodically studying with Ansel Adams, spent 30+ years as an award-winning commercial photographer working for many of the Fortune 500 companies and advertising agencies in this country.

Retired to the Oregon coast, John devoted his time to designing and creating fine wood furniture, gourmet cooking, and raising champion Welsh terriers. He was also known to cast a fly or two on some of Oregon's great trout streams.

John was very versatile and knowledgeable on most subjects which made him very interesting. 

Doc died May 25, 2012 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.   

He is survived by his wife, Christine; daughter, Caroline; and his sister, Mary Tinker Hatch.

COL Edward F. Danowitz, Sr.,  formerly a Director of the Combined Action Program, passed away at his home in Altamonte Springs, FL on January 24, 2013, aged 92.

He was born in 1921 in Chicago, IL, to William and Malvina Danowitz, and attended school in Red Bank, NJ, going on to Holy Cross College. Following graduation in 1942, he joined the United States Marine Corps, and served in combat in WWII.   He fought in the battle for Okinawa as a 2nd Lt.

Following WW II, Colonel Danowitz remained in the Marines, and during his lengthy career, served in Korea as a captain,  the Dominican Republic and Vietnam, where he served as Director of the Combined Action Program.  He later served as colonel commanding the 9th Marine Regiment when they left Vietnam and returned to Okinawa.

While on active duty he earned his first MA degree from George Washington University, and later earned a second MA and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in Russian Language and Studies, and remained on active duty until 1972, retiring with the rank of colonel. He was the epitome of the warrior-scholar.

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps he joined the faculty of Rollins College where he taught Russian and Spanish and served as department chairman.

 COL Danowitz is survived by Mitzi, his wife of 66 years, his daughters, Mary Ann, Joan Jones, Nancy Williamson, and Sharon Haffey, and son, Edward F. Jr., and by his 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by DeGusipe Funeral Home, which has established a webpage for COL Danowitz, with a guestbook.

 A Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, January 29 at 11 am. at the Church of St. Mary Magdalen  in Altamonte Springs, FL, where Colonel Danowitz was a communicant for 40 years. 

Donations can be made to the Third Marine Division Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 254, Chalfont, PA 18914 or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.  

Joseph Zudor III was born on August 12, 1948 in Painesville, Ohio to the late Joseph and Betty Zudor II.

Joe served in Oscar Company, O-2 in 1967 and during the Tet Offensive and Siege of Khe Sanh in 1968. He was a brave and competent Marine, with a sunny disposition, and well-liked by all his peers.  

Joe passed away on May 17, 2013, age 64, from complications of Parkinson's Disease at Carrington Park Nursing Home in Ashtabula, OH. 

He was survived by his brother-in-law, Donald (Connie) Fiske, nieces Carrie (Paul) Dowling, Sandy (Shane) Novak and Stephanie Fiske. Foster siblings Sharon Fisher, Lu Ann Busch, Teresa Buckman, Rick Armstrong and Mark Armstrong. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Betty Zudor II and his sister Ann M. Fiske.

Funeral services were held at the Johnson Funeral Home, 368 Mentor Avenue (opposite Lake Erie College), Painesville, OH.  Joe was buried with military honors at Perry Cemetery. 

Larry  (aka "Boz")  was assigned early in 1967 to Oscar Company at Khe Sanh as part of the "Plank Crew." He proceeded to help establish Oscar Co., and was the squad leader of two of its CAPs, serving as NCOIC of O-3 until Oct. 1967.

On 27 June, 1967, Oscar Company was ordered by the Marine command at Khe Sanh to send a patrol to investigate suspected rocket and mortar launch sites spotted earlier by an aerial observer that were believed to be the origin of an NVA rocket and mortar attack on the Khe Sanh base which had occurred just after midnight of the night before. This patrol resulted in the ambush of our patrol on Hill 689 and the deaths of most of the patrol. (See CAC Oscar History) 

Larry was a good NCO who cared a great deal for his men's welfare. He told me in various Es and phone conversations that he greatly regretted sending that patrol out, as he knew it was a mistake at the time, as they all knew the area was "hot" and that the CAP unit was not big enough or well enough supported to make a combat patrol of that type, which was better suited to an infantry company. However, while LT Sermeus agreed, he was also under orders. 

Larry was further troubled by the fact that if he had not injured his leg shortly before, he would have been leading the patrol himself.  His feelings about this remained strong.  Speaking of this event, Larry wrote to me and Frank Mazariego's sister in an E dtd. January 26, 2006:

"Ever since I departed Viet Nam, I have tremendous guilt feelings about the day Frank and three other Marines were killed.  It has haunted me all of my life.  Most of the events I do not remember because it is just too painful to remember.  I am so sorry about Frank.

 I always thought I wrote the the parents of each Marine who was killed that day but I may not have.  I really cannot remember exactly.  I was somewhat relieved when I made a trip to Wisconsin on a Memorial Day weekend a few years ago to visit the family of CPL James Shepard.  His town held a memorial service for Jimmy and some Marines who knew him came to ths service. His mother showed me the letter I wrote when her son was killed the same day as Frank.  Unfortunately, it had taken me a long time to even write that letter.

 Frank was a good Marine.  We all became very close to one another in those days.  I could always count on Frank and he helped me become a better Marine and person.  I too miss Frank and the other fine Marines who gave their all."

Larry left in October, 1967, prior to the Tet assault on the village and the Siege. 

Like many of us, Larry also cared a great deal about the native population we were there to serve and protect. He often expressed a great fondness for the Bru and other native people of the region.

Larry remained in the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of CWO4 before retiring.  

He later became the deputy chief for an IT organization supporting the USAR Personnel Command in St. Louis, MO, in the same building which stores and houses the National Records Center, providing all of the IT support, email, WEB sites, personnel database, data warehouses, and everything to do with Human Resources.  He helped direct about 220 employees including about 22 military members (both reserve and active duty).   

A few years ago, I connected Larry to Earl Grissom, and they arranged to meet on his trip across the country to see the Wall.  Both had a very emotional but beneficial encounter. 

Larry unfortunately developed Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) a few years ago. This is a chronic and ultimately fatal disease characterized by a progressive decline in lung function. He was a candidate for a transplant, the last I heard, but according to one source, he had other health issues as well. 

I am unsure what the direct cause of death was at this time. 

Larry was married to Cheryl (née Fromhold) of Saint Charles, Missouri on June 14, 1968, and greatly enjoyed football and going antiquing.  He passed away on Sep. 27th, 2014, aged 70. He is survived by his wife and by his three sons, David Bosworth, Larry Bosworth, Jr., Brent Bosworth; daughter, Alicia Bosworth-Cavallaro; two sisters, Sandra Granger and Susan McCann; as well as by his grandchildren, Kirstie, Chelsea, Kylee & Larry III Bosworth; He was preceded in death by his father, Franklin Bosworth, and his mother Mary Bosworth née Tooke, and his brother, Franklin Bosworth, Jr.

Larry was interred in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Augusta, MO.

Steve A. Green joined the Marines in 1965, and was assigned to SU #5 in  February 1967, thus becoming one of the “plank crew” of Combined Action Company Oscar.  He was assigned to O-2 at Khe Sanh, and served under SGT Spell, leaving in August 1967, prior to the Tet assault and Siege.

Unfortunately, due to the years and his illness, Steve didn't remember a lot about his tour, though he recalled the Bru fondly, as most of us do. 

He did remember some incidents, such as setting fire to the plantation by accident during a fire-fight in May 1967, when a fellow CAP Marine named Peter (he was unsure of the last name but it may have been  "Pate") popped a flare that started a blaze. He also recalled a party thrown by a Bru chief to celebrate the curing of his malaria-stricken daughter by our medics.

Steve finished his tour in the Marines in 1970. 

Steve enjoyed working on bikes and trikes, and could often be found in his garage tinkering with one of his "projects."

Steve contracted cancer some years ago, and took a full course of treatment for it, stemming the first assault, but was unfortunately struck again in 2014 by a much more aggressive and broader attack.  Given the slender options, and with little to no chance for successful treatment, Steve decided to forego the debilitating treatment, and instead got his affairs in order. I spoke to Steve by phone on several occasions as his illness progressed (including a few days before his death) and he remained stoical, brave, and composed right up to the end. Despite his advancing illness and its severity, Steve survived for one more Marine Corps Birthday.  He will be missed, but remembered, at the next Birthday, and I hope all of you will join me in raising a glass to his memory.

Steve was interred at the Village Cemetery in Wayland, NY.  He is survived by his wife Carolyn.

Steve was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Biddle of Anderson, IN, and resided most of his life in Anderson and Pendleton, IN.  He enlisted in the Marines in August, 1966, graduating after 8 weeks basic training from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego, CA, and then underwent four more weeks of ICT and a further four weeks of basic specialist training at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, becoming an 0351 specializing in the 3.5" rocket launcher (a descendant of the famed "bazooka" of WW II).  Steve told his sons in 2014 that he only fired the 3.5" rocket launcher once - a smoke projectile used to mark a sniper's position. This may have been partially due to the fact that until the attack on Lang Vei during Tet 1968, the PAVN had not deployed armor against our troops, knowing that they would be out-classed and out-gunned by our tanks, our air support, and devices like the 3.5" rocket launcher and a newer device, the M-72 LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon, aka LAAW and LAWS) a 66 MM unguided rocket system, meant to be a one-shot disposable weapon that was superseding the 3.5" rocket launcher.

Arriving in Vietnam, he was first assigned to 1st Plt., E 2/26, and was stationed near Da Nang on Hill 222. He fought in the heavy and often hellacious fighting at the DMZ during May 1967, on Operation Prairie and other hard-fought campaigns.  He was later stationed at Camp Evans, which was located at Co Bi Than Tan (near Phu Bai), near the northern end of the infamous A Shau Valley (aka "The Valley of Death"). While there, he and some friends volunteered for Combined Action, arriving at CAC Oscar in July 1967, where he was assigned to O-2. 

At O-2, Steve participated in patrols, ambushes, and other operations as well as helping to train our native counterparts, guard the local people, and assist in civic action work.

Steve was one of the defenders of O-2 during the heavy assaults on 21 January 1968 (See CAC Oscar History), and was later on FOB 3 during the early days of the Siege. He was supposed to fly out on his birthday (Feb 5) but according to what he told his sons, the plane that would take him out was either hit or crashed on landing (which happened several times during the Siege, until they stopped landing aircraft), so he left a little later. 

In March 1968 he was sent stateside to Camp Lejeune where he embarked on the Med Cruise with 3/8 from Apr-Sept on the USS Cambria APA-36. After the cruise he remained in 3/8 until he was transferred to his last station, Marine Barracks, NSB Bangor, WA.  Steve was released from active duty in Sep. 1969.  After discharge, he returned to IN.  

He then worked in machine repair, maintenance and upkeep at Owens Illinois Brockway Glass company in Lapel, IN from 1969 until retiring in 2008, after 38 years of service.

Steve was a member of the Pendleton Kiwanis Club and Pendleton American Legion. 

He is survived by his 2 sons, Nathan K. Biddle of Pendleton, IN and Seth E. Biddle & daughter-in-law Heather Biddle of Newton, KS;  his daughter, Chandra R & son-in-law Mike Seybert of McCordsville, IN; his brother, Roger Biddle of Knightstown, IN, 3 grandchildren, Natalie, Hunter, and Wyatt;  and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Steve was preceded in death by mother, Rachel (Jones) Biddle, father, Kenneth Biddle, brothers John and Doug Biddle; and his grandson Steven William Biddle.

Services were held Monday, June 22, 2015, 6:00 pm at Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, Anderson, IN, with Pastor Larry Bingham officiating.

A military ceremony will be conducted by the V.F.W. Post 266 Honor Guard and the U.S. Marine Corp at the funeral home following the service, followed by cremation and interment in the National Cemetery in Marion, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Tributes can be left on his obituary site at the Loose Funeral Homes website. 

Those of us who knew Steve in Vietnam remember him as a good man and a good Marine, dependable, reliable, capable and steady. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Jim was born in Pasedena, TX , and served in the US Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971, serving first in 3/26, then volunteering for CAP, where he was assigned to Oscar Co., 1st PLt. 

Jim once told me that the main reason he had volunteered for CAP was because he was raised in Safety, AK outside Nome, among the indigenous native people, and that the Bru reminded him of them. Jim's mother passed away in Feb 1968 during the Siege and he was sent home on compassionate leave. He returned 6 months later, and was re-assigned to CAP 1-1-1 near Chu Lai. 

Jim did a second tour in 1970 with A 1/26. He was discharged in 1971 and returned to AK. 

Jim was preceded in death by his sister Teri, Mother Nancy, and Father Macy, and  is survived by his loving wife Carol, children Franklin, and Jessica, and grandchildren, Hunter and Tyler.

Jim was known for his generosity, kindness, and infectious laughter. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and good neighbor.  He will be missed and remembered by all who knew him.

Allen was born in South Charleston, WV on September 19, 1948.

Following graduation, he enlisted in the Marines. Following basic training at Parris Island, SC and AIT at Camp Lejeune, NC,  he was assigned as an  0311 and sent to Vietnam, where he was assigned to Delta 1/26 from Sep. - Oct. 1967, when he was offered a CAP quota.

Following CAP School, he was assigned in Nov. 67 to Oscar-1, and was one of the gallant defenders of O-1 during the assaults on 21 Jan. 1968, and subsequently served on FOB-3.  ( See: https://sites.google.com/site/usmccaposcar/cap-oscar )

Allen remained in the Corps, and served a 2nd. tour in Vietnam with Charlie 1/3 from Sep. 69 - Jan. 70, returning to KS, as well as the Rockpile, Camp Carroll, and Con Thien.  After 3rd Marines pulled out, he was sent to the 7th Marines until Jan 70.                                                                   

He then served as an MP at the  Marine Corps Logistics Base at Albany, GA, and was next sent to Camp Lejeune, and later posted to sea duty for 3 years on the USS Holland, ported in Holy Loch, Scotland. (Allen once wrote that he loved that duty, and said it was the best time ihe spent in the Marines). 

He was next assigned to Recruiter School, working after graduation in Beckley, WV until 1984.  He next served at HQMC from 1985 - 88, and was then assigned to 3rd FSSG as a Company 1st Sgt from 1988 - 89, then to Camp Pendleton, 11th Marines acting SgtMaj until he retired as a 1st SGT in 1990.

Among his decorations and awards, Allen held the Purple Heart Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation w/ star , Navy Unit Commendation,  Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ star, Navy Battle Efficiency ribbon w/ 3 devices, Military Ribbon Good Conduct Medal w/ 1 silver & 1 bronze star, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 stars, Sea Service Ribbon w/ star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Unit Level w/ frame and palm) and the Vietnamese Civic Action Ribbon (Unit Level w/ frame and palm), and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/date device, the Rifle Expert Badge (5th Award) and Pistol Expert Badge (2nd Award) as well as several letters and certificates of commendation. 

Allen was fond of the outdoors, especially when he was with his family, and valued greatly the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.

He was also known among his family and friends for his sense of humor and jokes.

Allen passed away on 2 Jul 2018 near Knoxville, TN, and was interred on 9 Jul 2018 at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.  Mynatt Funeral Home has his obituary and photos posted.

He is survived by Janice, his loving wife of 47 years, and their children and grand-children. 

We were all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our gallant comrade, 1st SGT Breedlove, and wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife Janice and their family. Allen was a brave Marine who stood firm during some of the hardest fighting of the Vietnam war, and was one of a small band of men who, despite being greatly outnumbered, repulsed the 7th Bn. of the 66th Regt., one of the most elite units of the PAVN (North Vietnamese Army). Allen will be remembered by all who knew him, and sorely missed. 

Larry Dee Brooks was born to C. Dale Brooks and Evelyn Louise (Mathis) Brooks in Alliance, Ohio. 

After graduating from high school, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, later joining Oscar Co. at Khe Sanh, Vietnam, where he served before and during the Siege of Khe Sanh.  Larry received 3 Purple Hearts medals for wounds received in action.

I remember Larry as a good Marine who could always be counted on. "Doc" John Fisher, O-3's Hospital Corpsman, knew Larry well and wrote of him; 

"Larry was one of my best friends, and the kind of guy you instantly liked. He didn’t share much about his family, but loved to talk about Corpus Christi Texas. He was a guy you knew would have your back. We loved playing tricks on him as he was a good natured Marine. While several of our guys were drafted, I believe Larry [voluntarily] joined the Marines. We both believed in the cause and trusted God to watch over us."

(Note: According to his wife, Larry did enlist as a volunteer.)

Larry left the Marines after his enlistment, and married Jo Gayle Peacock on August 23, 1969 at Dallas, TX. He raised a family with Gayle, and eventually retired as a salesman with Fasteners Inc. He was also a long time member of the Church of Christ.

Larry was much loved by his family, and will be missed by them and his comrades.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife, Jo Gayle Brooks of Bells; daughters, Shandra Lynne and Raye Dawn, and their husbands and families (all of Colorado); and Kimberly Dale of Texas, his grandchildren, Tyler, Nathan, Bryson, Bryner, Dailey, Aubrey, Cambrey, Keeley, Kaden, and Maegan; and brothers, Lynn D. Brooks of  Oklahoma, Layne Darrell Brooks of Wylie, TX, and Lanny D. Brooks of Oklahoma; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Memorial Services were held on August 5, 2018 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, Whitewright, Tx. Brother Gary Adams  officiated. Larry's cremains are inurned at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Arlington, Texas.

Frank was born January 31, 1947 in Wichita, KS, the son of Franklin Fredrick and Margaret Ann Lyman (Ely) Batchman. He was raised and received his education in Wichita. 

Frank joined the United States Marines on April 5, 1967. He proudly served his country and was a member of Oscar Co., 1st Plt., 3rd CAG at the time of the attack on the Houng Hoa Sub-District HQ.  The NCOIC of O-1 wrote of him, "Batchman was one of my best men in combat! During the siege he kept all of us laughing and our spirts high, and made us feel happy to be alive. He, McKinnis, and Still will always will be in my heart."

Frank was later relocated to the US Army Special Forces base, FOB-3, which adjoined the Khe Sanh Combat Base, where he served for the remainder of the Siege of Khe Sanh. 

He was nick-named “Lurch” by his comrades both because of a fancied resemblance to a character in the original  “Addams Family” TV program, and because he expressed interest in becoming a mortician. He also used a casualty “body bag” as a cover for the entrance to his bunker - which definitely kept the superstitious out!  (See Oscar Co. History)

He received an honorable discharge on April 2, 1971, and went on to work in many fields, including bakeries, truck driving and welding. He also worked at Boeing Aircraft for many years. 

Frank was a member of Mount Olivet Methodist Church in Wichita. He enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed fixing anything with a motor, and working with jewelry. 

He unfortunately suffered several strokes and other disabilities in the last few years, and had to go into the Hagemeister Unit of the Robert J. Dole Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, KS. 

Frank passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2019 at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. 

He is survived by his brother Duane, Shirley; his sisters Janice and Joneitha; his sons, John; Freddy; Steven Batchman; and grandchildren, Ivan, Sierra, Jaden, Mariah, and Lani. 

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Bernard. 

Funeral services were on Monday, March 25, 2019 at Miles Funeral Service. Interment and Military Committal Honors followed at the Kansas afternoon from 2 to 6 P.M. Veterans Cemetery.  

A memorial has been established in Frank's name for the VA Hospice Unit in Wichita. Contributions may be made through the funeral home. 

Condolences may be offered at milesfuneralservice.com.  

Douglas was born January 18, 1948, in Portsmouth, OH to Alfred and Amy (Milet) Eldridge. Douglas served his country honorably both in the Marines and in the Army.  During his time in Oscar Co., he was attached to O-1. 

He later worked as a truck driver and enjoyed woodworking, camping, cooking, and spending time with his dogs and cat. 

He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughters, Tamela and Missy, and grandchildren, Ashley, Austin, Jonathan, and Michael; great-grandchildren, Logan, and Averie; as well as his sister, Nancy; and numerous nieces and nephews. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Marion, and sister, Martha.

Funeral services for Douglas were held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 in South Webster, followed by interment at South Webster Cemetery, with military honors provided by James Dickey Post #23 of the American Legion.

Larry Joseph Yates, was born in Detroit, Mi.  to Joseph Highland Yates and Neda Monica (Wilder) Yates, and attended Allen Park High School .

Larry was born on September 18, 1947 in Detroit, Mi., to Joseph Highland Yates and Neda Monica (Wilder) Yates. 

Larry attended Allen Park High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1965, serving in the Vietnam War and received medals, ribbons and badges including: the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, as well as the following ribbons without  accompanying medals  (in order of precedence): Combat Action, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Unit Level w/ frame and palm, and the Vietnamese Civic Action Ribbon (Unit Level w/ frame and palm). He also received the Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship badges.  He later attended the United States Military Police and Provost Marshal General Schools for Criminal and Drug Investigations, rising to the rank of sergeant.

Following his Vietnam Service, Larry served as a Marine Recruiter and worked for his family’s business, Gulf Service Station and Woodmere Auto Parts in Detroit, Mi., Cobden and ending in Anna, IL, prior to his retirement.

Larry was affiliated with the Elks Club and lifetime member of Carroll P. Foster VFW post 3455. He also shared his passion for golf with his son Larry Jr. and a few close golfing friends. He golfed at Union County and Stone Creek Country Clubs along with annual trips to courses from Michigan to Alabama

He married  his wife and “best buddy” Ms. Sheila Shadowens on November 26, 2013.

Larry lost his battle to cancer on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 4:55 AM at his home surrounded by his wife and family. He was 72. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Neda Yates, his brother Timothy Free Yates, his son Larry Joseph Yates Jr., and his nephew Daniel J. Yates, all of Cobden IL.

Larry is survived by Sheila, his daughter Lisa Marie Yates and two stepsons, Bronson and Branden Shadowens, along with three granddaughters, Katelyn, Kinnley and Logan (all of Cobden) 3 sisters, Susan Denise Yates of Las Vegas, NV, Mary Ann Yates of Martin, TN, and Lori Lucille Albers (Myron) of Alto Pass, IL; nieces and nephews, Amy M. Martindale, Heather R. Toler (Roddy), Timothy Free Yates Jr. (Kami) and Jonathan C. Albers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Cobden High School Golf Athletics and Carroll P. Foster VFW post 3455. Due to current health concerns, private graveside services with military honors for Larry Joseph Yates were held at Ebenezer Hall Cemetery in Lick Creek.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden was in charge of arrangements

Barry was born June 24, 1948 in Dayton, Ohio the son of the late Boyd & Hazel Hardin. Barry served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969 during the Vietnam War as a rifleman in H Co., 2/26, and later in CAP Oscar, 2nd Plt. He was a solid, tough and reliable Marine and served well.

After his time in the Marines, Barry worked for Navistar, and retired after 31 years of service. He is survived by a son, Chris Hardin; daughter Kelle Hardin; brother Victor Hardin; grandchildren, Jason Shelton, Ashlynn Sanders, Andrew Hardin & Alina Davis; brother-in-law Vince Solis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son Jason James Hardin; sister Joyce Solis; brothers, Dale Hardin, Wayne Hardin, Paul Hardin, Tom Hardin & Monte Hardin. 

Barry was buried in Miami Valley Memory Gardens, Centerville, OH 

Born to loving parents Gerard and Rose (Brun) Maranda in Grand Digue, New Brunswick, Canada, Armand was one of thirteen children and cherished every moment of growing up with a large family.

As a young man with an adventurous spirit and love for his adopted country, he enlisted in the Marines to go to Vietnam, where he served in Combined Action Company Oscar, 3rd platoon as the NCOIC.  Armand was a bold an fearless Marine that everyone trusted, respected, and looked up to.  He received several medals, ribbons and badges including: the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, as well as the following ribbons without  accompanying medals  (in order of precedence): Combat Action, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Unit Level w/ frame and palm, and the Vietnamese Civic Action Ribbon (Unit Level w/ frame and palm).  

Armand started his civilian career in construction in Waltham, Mass. and ended as general manager for a large international engineering and construction company. He managed multimillion dollar projects including hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, nuclear plants and oil refineries which took him from the U.S to Africa, Wales, France and Canada.  In retirement his life-long love of music led him to become a certified luthier and that became his passion.  He loved working in his shop in Las Vegas making guitars and fiddles.

Armand enjoyed playing in several bands in and around Waltham, MA when he lived in that region. His main focus at the cottage he and his wife had in Nova Scotia was the “party room” where he enjoyed many parties with friends and family.  He played the guitar, the fiddle, the steel guitar, and many other instruments. Other than traveling, his favorite pastime was to have jam session parties where he and the band could play music and dance with family and friends to the wee hours of the morning.  He appreciated everybody’s talent and his greatest joy was to be part of the band!  

Armand also enjoyed card games.  He treasured the many nights playing 200 and Tarabish with family and friends in Cape Breton.  Poker was certainly high on the list.  The many poker tournaments we played in California and Missouri with family and friends was the highlight of the visits!

Armand was a hero to his family and friends, someone we all looked up to. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. Always there when you needed him and always trying to make you laugh, even when you wanted to cry. He was strong, yet gentle with those he loved. 

His wife and family describe Armand as an amazing, loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather.  Those of us who were privileged to serve with and know him remember him as a tough, competent, NCO who took care of his men and performed the missions assigned to him. I know I speak for all his comrades when I say he was respected by all of us.

Armand was preceded in death by Corine Sheppard, Donald Maranda, Mary Maranda, step-siblings Clara, Aline, Maria and Ivon. 

Among those left to cherish Armand’s memory are his loving wife of 51 years Lucille, his daughters Sheila Holm (husband Stacey) of California and Pamela Monday (husband Jason) of Missouri, his grandchildren; Madison, Delaney and Zakk, and “bonus grandchildren”; Paige, Nina and Jaden, by his siblings; Claudette Goguen of New Brunswick, Canada, Leon Maranda of New Brunswick, Canada, John Paul Maranda of Mass., Jeanette Maranda of New Brunswick, Canada, Diane Sullivan of NH, and Doris Coraccio of Mass., and a host of nieces, nephews, close relatives and friends, and his long-time comrade-in-arms from Oscar Co. and by his life-long friend, John Balanco and his wife, Toni, as well as by all his comrades from Oscar Co.

Armand went far too soon, and we will all miss him more than words can express, but the memory of his laughter and his smiling face will brighten our days. 

A memorial service was held on September 10, 2021, at 1 PM at Kraft Sussman Funeral Services, 3975 S. Durango Drive, Ste 105, Las Vegas, Nevada 89147.  

In lieu of flowers, the Maranda family requested donations be made to any of the charities below, that were important to Armand.

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

www.ptsdusa.org

www.foldsofhonor.org

www.t2t.org

Jerry was born August 3rd, 1946, in Knoxville, Tennessee to parents, Dewey and Mary King French. 

Jerry lived a full life, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and deploying to Vietnam to serve as part of the Combined Action Company program, a Civil Affairs program dedicated to winning the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. 

Jerry was a key member of the garrison in Combined Action Company Oscar, 2nd platoon, during the assaults on his unit which took place at the beginning of the Siege of Khe Sahn in January 1968.  Jerry’s courage durning the fighting was outstanding.  While manning an M-60 machine gun, Jerry laid down heavy suppressive fire against the enemy. Jerry told me in a telephone conversation that he had bent over during a break in the fighting to pick up his cigarette lighter, which he had dropped, when a short round from the base hit the bunker and tore the M-60 to pieces, literally burying him alive w/ dirt. 

"I was addled from the concussion" he said. 'Doc' Sargent and some others dug me out.  After we were evacuated, I took that damned machine gun to Phu Bai. I thought they might give me another one."

When his comrades dug him out, he quickly obtained a Browning Automatic Rifle and again began delivering a steady and accurate stream of fire.

"Doc" Roberts said of him that "He was one of the bravest men I have ever seen." Jerry once told me that he had been "so scared I was glued to the trigger!"  While this may have been true, what he dids requires real courage - rising above one's fears to do the job that needs to be done. In my opinion, Jerry should have received a decoration for valor for his actions, but such are the fortunes of war.

In my experience, Jerry was a brave and reliable Marine who knew his trade.  He was a man of few words, but worth listening to, and his deeds spoke volumes.

After Vietnam, Jerry was stationed at MCB Camp Lejeune, where he met and married the love of his life, Betty Carole Reaves. They were married for over 52 years.

After leaving the service, Jerry became an entrepreneur and created Polywood, an architectural millwork business starting out in a small shop behind the house. Polywood became regionally known for beautiful arches and columns and expanded into a large facility in Walstonburg.

In retirement, he took up various hobbies including wine making, bees, and raising various farm animals including ducks, geese, and cows. He also enjoyed fishing and netting at his river house in Kennel’s Beach.

Jerry passed away on Sunday, September 26, 2021.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jerry L. French Jr. (Jay) and his sisters, Ella, Jenny and Betty.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Carole; sons, Connor Brown, of Chapel Hill, and Jayden Brown, of the home; daughter, Lisa French, of Ayden; grandchildren, Josh Gurganus and wife, Brittany, and Ashley Williams and husband, Chris; great grandchildren, Tristan, Evelyn and Waylon, and Leon and Levi; brothers, George, of Texas, and David, of Kentucky; sisters, Vickie and Diane White and their husbands, and many nieces and nephews, and by his comrades of Oscar company.

The funeral service was held on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 2 pm at Elm Grove Church by his pastor Dr. Frankie Baggett. Burial with military honors followed in the Reaves Cemetery, Ayden, NC

Larry was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma, to Wiley Wesley Woolverton and Bernice Maxine (Webb) Woolverton. 

After graduation from Central High School in Muskogee, OK,  Larry enlisted in the US Marines in October, 1965, completing boot camp at MCRD San Diego and ITR at Camp Pendleton. Larry was sent to Viet Nam in late 1966 with the 26th Marine Regiment, later joining Combined Action Company Oscar, 1st Plt. as a radioman when he arrived in February 1967, and served at Khe Sanh before and during the early days of the famous Siege. He was one of the longest-serving "plank owners" in Oscar Co.  (In Marine and Naval parlance, a "plank owner" was one of the original crew members in the old days of “wooden ships and iron men” when ships were constructed of wooden planks.)Larry was one of the many young Marines and soldiers who tried to help the Vietnamese people.  He was a good Marine and will be missed.  (Larry's own account of his service, "Memories of a Khe Sanh Marine: 1965-1970 "can be ordered in paperback at Amazon.)

John Ray Roberts, Sr., was born August 14, 1943 in Freeport, TX to Morris and Mary Bryan Roberts. 

In 1962, he married Ms. Linda Darlene Bowsher in Amarillo. 

In 1964, John enlisted in the US Navy, graduating with the rank of E3 and was assigned to Balboa Naval Hospital's Hospital Corpsman Training Command.  He graduated and was assigned to Fleet Marine Force Field Medical School to learn Marine Corps Infantry tactics. Upon graduation, John served for six years as a medical corpsman with the Marines, being ordered first to Marine Corps Base, 29 Palms, Ca Base Hospital for Pharmacy Assistant Training and served as the Assistant Pharmacist for 7 months.

Ordered to South Vietnam, 3rd MAF, 3rd Marine Division as a platoon Hospital Corpsman to the newly formed Civil Action Platoon program (later re-designated as Combined Action Companies), and was later assigned to Combined Action Company Oscar, 2nd Platoon, I Corps, Khe Sanh, South Vietnam. 

As part of Combined Action, John would go into the villages and help the local people with wound care, injuries, and illness. His duties included helping to deliver babies using sterile methods and modern medicines. His military role did not deter him from demonstrating his love of mankind and humanity to his Marines as well as to the native men, women, and children of Vietnam.

John was then assigned to USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam and served out his enlistment.  

John often said he was most proud of his service with us in Combined Action Company Oscar (2nd Platoon) before and during the Siege of Khe Sanh. 

John later received a Bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University and became a Marine Reserve officer, and later received a Master’s degree from Pepperdine University, 

In civilian life, he was a registered investment advisor and financial adviser.

John passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022.

John was a devoted father and grandfather who loved his family very much. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jonathan Roberts, his brother, David Roberts, and his parents. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Linda Roberts; daughter, Karen Brentlinger; son, John Roberts, Jr. and wife, Kristen; grandchildren, Jamie Cantwell and husband, Colin, Jessica Pham and husband, David, Jennifer Jones and husband, Morgan, Mikaela Brentlinger, Brayden Brentlinger, Josh Roberts and wife, Hannah, and Haley Roberts and fiancé Aaron Sunday; three great grandchildren, Rebekah, Luca, and Thomas; one great granddaughter on the way, Emily; and his step-father, H.A. Johnston

He was also a fine Corpsman (who saved my life twice), and later, he became a fine Marine officer.

John was a member of the Purple Heart Association, the Khe Sanh Veterans Association, and the Gideons.

Services were held on July 22, 2022 at Brooks Chapel. Burial was at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to a veterans association of your choice.

Craig was born on December 23, 1943 to Billie Jean and Charles (“Chuck”) Lansing at Walla Walla (Washington) General Hospital

After spending his early years in Wallula, WA, Craig's family moved to Richland, WA. There he met his lifelong best friend, Bill Blankingship. Craig graduated from Col Hi (Richland High School) in 1962. Craig attended Columbia Basin College on a football scholarship and helped take the team to the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena that fall. 

Craig met the love of his life, Patty Bucklin in 1963.  When Patty spotted him across the room at "The Social Club" she apparently liked what she saw, and went over and sat on his lap. The happy couple celebrated 58 years of bliss on August 1, 2022. Craig and Patty were blessed with two children, Shane and Stephane, seven grandchildren, and his Cocker Spaniel Moses, all of whom he adored. 

In 1965, Craig enlisted in the US Army, and became a Green Beret in the Special Forces. Craig served from April 1966 to January 1975 spending five years with the 1st Special Forces Group and remainder with the 5th and 10th Special Forces Group. During this time, he served in Vietnam, completed numerous missions and developed life-long friendships with his fellow Green Berets, including a tough body recovery mission with ODA-221 on Hill 471 near Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam on Jan. 29th, 1968. (See the story of this mission here: https://sites.google.com/site/usmccaposcar/cap-oscar/the-siege - The Siege.  Oscar Co. Patrols with and for the Special Forces.) Craig's time spent in Vietnam undoubtedly had a profound effect on him later in life.  While in the Special Forces, he became a certified Airborne Jump Master in 1968 and Scuba Diver/Instructor in 1973.

During the one gunfight we were in together, he sought well and bravely, and I am proud to have known and served with him and his comrades, albeit briefly, on that fateful day.

Craig graduated from the Army’s Officers Candidate School in 1975, ranking #11 out of 112 officer students, placing him in the top ten percent of his class, and he became a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army. He subsequently earned a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice in 1979. Craig's distinguished military career took him all over the world and Craig received numerous meritorious honors, commendations and awards. Craig retired from the Army in 1988, but his tenacity, attention to detail, and ability to lead allowed Craig to excel in any endeavor he embarked on. 

Craig later worked for Dresser Industries in Texas, and Hanford Patrol and Emergency Preparedness, from which he retired. Craig earned several certificates and awards while employed for Hanford. 

Craig was a Christian, attending Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities for the last 17 years. In retirement, Craig spent many hours reading his bible, watching the History Channel and working on his 1941 Ford Business Coupe. Craig also enjoyed watching game shows, The Big Bang Theory, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park movies with his wife, Patty. Craig and Patty spent many summers traveling with their travel trailer, and motorhomes visiting different National Parks, the coast and panning for gold. 

Craig passed away peacefully after a brief illness on September 12, 2022 surrounded by his family. 

Craig was preceded in death by his parents and his Bucklin parents-in-law and several brothers and sisters-in-law, and ws survived by Patty, his wife of 58 years (though she has sadly passed since), his son, Shane and daughter Stephane and their families, and by his brother, Dean, his sister Rosalie and their families, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Craig's life was remembered on September 22, 2022 at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, Kennewick, WA, followed by the memorial service and burial with full military honors, and a reception at Highlands Grange Building.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.  

The family invites you to sign their online guest book: https://www.muellersfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Dennis-Craig-Lansing?obId=25899693#/celebrationWall

Dan was born to the late Daniel Richard Kelley, Sr. and Elizabeth McCafferty Kelley on December 31, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Dan honorably served in the United States Marines, becoming a member of the Combined Action Program.  Being gifted with languages, he quickly learned Vietnamese and Bru (the Degar [aka "Montagnard"] tribe we worked with), and was soon our best translator.  

He became deeply attached to the Bru, and they reciprocated fully. He served with them both at Khe Sanh and Cua Viet (after the siege), protecting and helping them in every way he could. This was made more difficult for him by the way the South Vietnamese treated the Bru, whom they regarded as less than human. 

The war affected all of us in different ways. In Dan's case, it led to him working outside the United States for years after he returned, mainly in Puerto Rico and South America , becoming a teacher.  

He attended Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico where he studied literature and Spanish.  His gift for languages allowed him to learn Spanish, Italian, French and Thai, as well as his Vietnamese and Bru.

Dan worked as an English teacher in Puerto Rico and later as an ESL teacher in Illinois.  He enjoyed doing volunteer and missionary work in Spanish speaking countries as well as in Vietnam where he had served.  

He has been described as having a quiet presence and willingness to help others.

He is survived by his children, Florence (Darrin) Belcher and Michael (Kristina) Kelley; grandchildren, Antonio Belcher, Haley Kelley, Sofia Belcher and Isabella Kelley; and the family pets Lily, Wrigley and Ivy. Dan was preceded in death by his sister, Pat Kelley Gregore.

His memorial service was held at Aaron Ruben Nelson Mortuary on Saturday September 30th, 2023. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of IN as he always had a special connection with family pets, especially his beloved dog Lily.

John Poole was born 19 September, 1946 in Tyler, MO, son of the late Orval and Katie Poole.

He was inducted into the Marine Corps on 25 January, 1966, and was assigned as an  0351 (Anti-Tank Assault), but was later assigned to the 3rd Platoon of Combined Action Company Oscar, and was a survivor of the ill-fated patrol to Hill 689. (See: CAC Oscar History; O-3 Loses a Patrol - Ambush on Hill 689, 27 June, 1967).  He served until 24 January, 1968, when he was honorably discharged.

According to his daughter Katie, John worked for the railroad for some time after his return, and then worked for the local Budweiser distributor. 

In the mid 1980s, he moved to Arizona where he did construction work around Phoenix before moving back to Missouri in the late 1980s, where he worked as a route driver, first for Pepsi, then Ideal Bread.  He later worked for and retired from Lewis Bakery, makers of Bunny Bread. 

In addition to his day jobs, John farmed for at least 15 years, which he loved to do. His main source of enjoyment the last 16 yrs was spending time with his grandson Brayden. He spent mornings drinking coffee with his friends, and every evening had dinner at his daughter's house, watching TV with the family and their dog. 

John loved animals, including his daughter's dog. He tried raising cows, but couldn’t stand to have them slaughtered once he had them. He loved old country music and westerns. He watched westerns and the old Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerr cartoons with his daughter Katie all the time. He was also a fan of Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton. Katie said that he was "the best friend I ever had."  

John passed away at his residence in Poplar Bluff, MO on Monday, 11 December, 2023 at age 77. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, and four siblings:  Pat Xindarakos, Laura Jo Poole, Billy Poole, and Dink Poole.

He is survived by three children:  John Charles (Shannon) Poole, Jr. of Fisk, Kellie (Todd) Stephens of Harviell, and Katie Poole of Fisk; five grandchildren: Casen and Cade Stephens, Brayden Poole, Lawson and Emerson Poole; one brother:  Gary Poole of Fisk, and one sister:  Judy Barnes of Holcomb. 

John's funeral service was held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 15th, 2023 at the White-Sanders Funeral Home in the funeral home chapel with Rev Jim Sanders officiating.  Burial followed at Ash Hill Cemetery East in Fisk. There were no military honors rendered because according to his daughter, John wasn't much for fanfare.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions be sent to the Twin Rivers FFA or the Neelyville Class of 2025. Condolences may be left at: whitesandersfuneralhome.com 

Robert A. Hall was born on April 15, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa., and grew up in southern New Jersey, graduating from Collingswood High School in 1964.  

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps on April 15, 1964 on his 18th birthday, and served from August 1964.  He volunteered for Vietnam where he was a Radio Relay Team Chief at Khe Sanh in 1967, and he was attached to the radio relay station at O-1 in August 1967.  He once remarked that being attached to CAP was one of his favorite jobs in the Marine Corps, and that if he had it to do over again, he would like to do a tour with CAP. He was discharged from active duty in August 1968, and later served in the U.S. Marine Reserves from 1977 to 1983, making SSGT.

Hall was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in November, 1972, the year he graduated from college, defeating the incumbent Democrat by nine votes, the first Republican elected in that district since 1938. He was reelected four times by large margins, including being nominated by both parties in 1976. He retired undefeated in 1982. 

Hall earned an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Mount Wachusett Community College (1970), a B.A. in Government from the University of Massachusetts (1972), and while serving in the Senate, Hall earned a master's degree in history at night.

Bob was a successful professional association executive from 1982 serving as  Executive Director of the Florida Psychological Association, the National Association of Pediatric Nurses, the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry (from whom he once told me he had gotten a set of "Hollywood teeth") and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (until pulmonary fibrosis forced his retirement on October 1, 2013. He had a successful right lung transplant through the Madison, WI VA hospital on December 23, 2013.

A published freelance writer, he has received several awards (including one from the Marine Corps). His columns, articles, short stories, and poetry on Marine and conservative topics have appeared in over 75 local and national publications. He has 15 books in print on Amazon.  

Bob was an ardent fan of all things Scottish, and in conjunction with Ruraidh H. MacLeod from Auchtermuchty, a member of the Scottish Tartans Society, he designed the USMC "Leatherneck" tartan, which is available for all Marines, families and friends.  While HQMC has so far declined to recognize it officially (write your representative!), it is the official tartan of Clan Leatherneck, a Marine organization that began with the Marine Detachment in Holy Loch, Scotland in the 1950s. It is a very handsome design, and incorporates all the traditional Marine colors - Green, Blue, Scarlet and Gold. (See: https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=4187 )

From July, 2017 to July, 2021, he worked PT for the VA, interviewing 450 vets and writing their life stories, and from 2022 to 2023 he taught chess to young people after school.

From November, 2023 until shortly before his death, he served as a substitute teacher in Madison, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove and Fitchburg school districts, Dane County.

Hall is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Beinart Hall (who he met while teaching Scottish Country Dance); stepchildren, Julie Cruz and Dale Boehm; his granddaughter, Britnye R. (Kaleb) Eldridge; grandsons, Dale Cruz and Austin Boehm; brothers, Thomas A. (Kim) Hall of Wareham, Ma., and Mark A. (Cathy) Hall of Madison, Wis., and their families; and special cousin, Bruce Hall.

For more information about Bob Hall: 

Books by Robert A. Hall (http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-book-published.html),

Resume: Robert A. Hall (http://tigertoothresume.blogspot.com/2014/02/resume-robert-hall.html)

Bob Hall's life story (http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2014/04/bob-halls-life-story.html). Bob wrote this for the Collingswood (NJ) High School Class of 1964 50th Reunion May 10, 2014, since he couldn't attend.

The funeral was held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, Wis. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. The video is available here:

 https://vimeo.com/956217298?share=copy 

A Celebration of Life took place on July 27, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robert's name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Richard E. Dahler, born January 18th, 1949, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024. 

He enlisted in the Marines after high school, and was assigned an MOS of 0311 (Rifleman), and in Sep. 1967, he joined L 3/3 in Vietnam. They went to Dong Ha, then to Camp J. J. Carroll, to a place he referred to as “Payable” (possibly a call sign or nick-name) - near the Razorback and the Rock Pile, and Mutter’s Ridge. 

They then went to Cam Lo and they built C-2 Bravo S. of Con Thien and the Washout about Oct - Nov 1967 

Richard also recalled a big op in the DMZ, W. of Con Thien (early Nov. around the Marine Corps Birthday) 

He then applied for and was accepted to the CAP program, and attended CAP School in Da Nang, being sent to O-1 in Dec. 1967.

He took SGT John Balanco’s R&R when it was offered to him, but was back in the HQ compound when the major assault came on Jan. 21st 1968

During the assault on the HQ compound, he was in a bunker to the right of the main bunker.

CPL Dahler & SGT Balanco were the last two Marines to leave the village.

After his service, he was a longtime resident of  Antelope Valley. He worked at Lockheed Martin for almost two decades and switched career paths to the California Department of Corrections where he retired.

He is survived by his siblings Betty, Linda, and Clyde, his wife June (to whom he was married for 47 years), his daughter, his granddaughter, and five great grandchildren, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

According to his family, Richard was a grand storyteller, and a giving individual.  He would help everybody, even to his detriment. Strangers would knock on their door asking for money.

They also said that he was incredibly faithful with a strong love for God and his family.

His beloved grand-daughter Brook stayed with him almost the entire time of his illness, and held his hand until his last breath.  Brook said, "Everyone would always say what a great patient he was, and that he was so tough. He would always tell them it’s because he’s a Marine!"

He was deeply loved and is sorely missed by his family. A viewing was held on Friday, July 12th from 4 PM to 8 PM at Joshua Memorial Park Mortuary; and his burial was on Monday, July 15th at Bakersfield National Cemetery.

Born in Quantico, Virginia, in 1942 to John Percy Haines and Pendery Spear Haines, Peter grew up in a Marine Corps family in Columbus, OH. He attended Columbus Academy where he forged life-long friendships. At 10 years of age, Pete won a scholarship to Saturday morning art class at Columbus College of Art and Design in conjunction with the Columbus Museum of Art. Peter described himself as the “artist of the family” but he never considered art as a career path. 

Peter later attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, on a Navy ROTC scholarship. He served a tour in Vietnam as a Marine Corps officer, attaining the rank of captain. Even during his Marine service, Peter could be found painting outside his tent.

Peter joined Oscar Co. in 1967, one of several commanding officers we served with, though he later left Oscar Co. and was assigned elsewhere.  He was awarded a Bronze Star medal during the Tet Offensive. 

As with many of us, Peter liked the Bru tribesmen we worked with, and regarded the Combined Action Program as one of his best experiences in the Marines. 

After his tour in the Marines, Peter started at Harvard Business School. His artistic journey began while he was a student at Harvard Business School, where, following a profound realization that he was destined to be an artist, he took a bold step by requesting special permission from his professor to submit a painting instead of an essay for a final project, later attending and  earning a diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where he discovered a passion for sculpture and casting.

Peter purchased an old factory building in Cambridge, MA In 1975, transforming it into a studio and later a home with his wife, Sekyo Nam, an acupuncturist and poet from Korea. Despite the challenges of a leaking roof and heat from a wood burning stove, they lovingly renovated the space over many years, creating a sanctuary for both art and family.

Peter became known in Boston and vicinity for his abstract bronze sculptures depicting animals, figures, and ancient tools, and his artistic influence extended widely. He played a vital role in establishing the Vermont Gentlemen’s Foundry and the Boston Sculptors Gallery, the city’s only cooperative gallery for sculpture. His diverse body of work included palm-sized to eleven-foot tall sculptures, characterized by layered patinas of blues and greens that evoke the beauty of polished stone. In addition to numerous gallery shows across the US, he participated in international sculpture symposiums in China and Korea.

A master of his craft, Peter meticulously finished each bronze by hand, believing deeply in the essence of the object itself. He once stated, “I am a maker of objects, and the object itself is the main idea in my sculpture.”

Peter was an avid chess player, a world traveler, a follower of Jungian philosophy, and a cat lover. 

Peter passed away on October 25th 2024, aged 82, after a long battle with stomach cancer. Peter was laid to rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery in a private family burial, choosing a green burial option to fulfill his lifelong wish to return to the earth. He is survived by his wife, Sekyo, and daughters Pendry and Julia (to whom thanks are due for some of this information).  A memorial service will be held sometime in 2025, celebrating the extraordinary life and artistic legacy he left behind.w

The family requests donations to the MassART Scholarship fund in lieu of flowers: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/f2fnBQ?vid=1gwi0x