JR
McElroy, Mike 3/5 I
served with "M" Co. 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines from 15
Dec 66 to 24 June 67.Participated in Operations SPOIL, DESOTO, UNION
(hospitalized 13-21 May 67), UNION II, and ADAIR (until transferred
to 2nd Combined Action Group, III MAF). Had an additional tour as
an advisor to VN Marine Corps from 9 Dec 70 to 1 Dec 71.
Operation
DESOTO
During
Operation DESOTO most of Mike's action was against insurgent Viet
Cong forces which utilized bunker complexes, hedgerows for fighting
positions, open rice paddies approaching their defensive positions;
and well-constructed cave hill sites for logistical support and
living areas. Mike Company's action was in Duc Pho and the immediate
surrounding area.
Artillery smoke rounds were successfully used in crossing a large
rice paddy against heavy VC resistance. SSgt. Dinota, plt cmdr.,
was especially creative at ensuring trench-connected bunker complexes
were eliminated. The Marines out front and in frontline foxholes
fought with valor, and made Marines throughout the ages proud.
Operation
UNION and UNION II
Denny
Dinota
(picture courtesy of Frank Jurney, M/3/5)
Denny
Dinota received a meritorious promotion to Gunnery Sergeant just
prior to to Operations UNION and UNION II and became Company Gunnery
Sergeant. Additionally, he served as Company Executive Officer in
the field. During Operation UNION, Denny was continually picking
fragments from his red, largely swollen left arm. It was obviously
infected. He wouldn't turn himself in and wasn't about to leave
in spite of the Battalion Commander's expressed concern to me. It
seemed combat to him was both a mental and physical challenge. He
fought aggressively, but with control. Denny constantly checked
lines at night for security. He was keenly aware of ammo, water
and supply requirements and kept up with them at all times. On the
move, his major effort was to detect ambushes or surprises.
In
mid May after an all day encounter with NVA forces, the company
set up nighttime defensive positions. At dusk and into darkness,
Gunny Dinota had the right flank of the company lines moved back
and new positions dug in. At midnight when the company again came
under intense NVA mortars, the bugles sounded and a ground attack
followed. The main thrust of the NVA ground attack was where Denny
had moved the lines and the enemy advanced right into our machine
guns, rifles and M-79s firing down their flank. The NVA assault
met with disaster. Several days later, Gunny Dinota became aware
of two Marines (found to be mortally wounded) in front of the company
perimeter in danger of being captured by the NVA. Amid mortars and
small arms fire, he quickly organized and led a squad along a trench
through an exposed rice paddy. From there the Marines and their
weapons were evacuated back to the company perimeter without a casualty.
Throughout
these operations Denny possessed a unique ability to quickly and
accurately diagnose the strength, disposition and size of an enemy
force. He was a superb leader who looked out for his men.
Remembering
GySgt. Denny Dinota
Passed Away 16 June 2003
Left:
Hodery, McElroy, Johnson
Right: McElroy
(Pictures
courtesy of JD Murray, M/3/5)
3rd
Battalion, 5th Marines Reunion 2002
La Grange, Georgia
Debbe
Reynolds, Craig Sullivan, JR McElroy, Jim Cravey (back left)
3rd
Battalion, 5th Marines Reunion 2003
La Grange, Georgia
Brad Reynolds
and Skipper Mac
