"Rock"
Giambrocco (left) and Dave Johnston (KIA), Phu Bai '68
Rocco
"Rock" Giambrocco, Mike 3/5 I arrived in
lovely DaNang on 12/27/67, and came home for good on 30 November 1970.
That period of time consisted of time as a grunt in Mike Company, a
Scout in S-2, and a nut in Recon. During that period of time, I also
came back to the States a couple times for duty in Pendleton, and in
Hawaii. But Nam was my own little sinkhole.
I learned a lot, though. I learned how to make fear work for me and
not against me. I did what I needed to do, and then I shook after it
was over. I learned to take a mean ass kicking injury, and bounce back.
I guess I grew up. I owe that to the Corps. If I had to do it over again,
I would, no changes. I met a lot of great guys. Many never made it back,
and now I get to see, and speak to those who did. I am a lucky Marine.
I love the Corps, and am proud my son followed me in - and then to the
Gulf. I still believe we won the war - I always will. The US did
not lose - they left. When I left Nam we were absolutely ahead!!!!
My fondest thoughts are of the men with whom I served,
bled,cried,and functioned. My most horrible memories are embedded deep
in my heart, and remain my "Hell on Earth." I respect the
USA, LOVE the Corps, and thank God for the life He has allowed me to
live. Semper Fi~ Rock
Rock
was with Mike 3/5 in 68-69. He was on many of the same patrols and operations
as Brad. After 32 years, they recently "found" each other
on the internet, along with several other Marines, and are now putting
their remembrances together.
Rock
kept a diary about one patrol that turned into a 5-day bloody battle
up on Haivan Pass (Hill 1192), which is posted on the Mike 3/5 website.
Other
recollections from survivors of that action are posted on this site
in the Combat Histories section under "NVA
Base Camp."
