Picture Gallery 2006
Information and messages submitted by our website visitors
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(Sent in by Alan Waugh, Dec. 7, 2006)
THE HISTORY OF THE USMC AT AN HOA PART ONE 1966-67
By Alan Waugh
I have spent the last five years researching the history of An Hoa combat base and its surrounding area of operation. Using Marine Corps After-Action reports and command chronologies I have written the only compete history of this Combat Base. I furthermore had the input of Marine Veterans who served in the An Hoa TAOR which included the coal mines at Nong Son which is a place many knew as ‘Antenna Valley’. My contributors range from Colonels to Grunts and the stories they have provided for my Scuttle Butt Section have been varied.
I had great fortune to be tracked down by Le Thuc Can who was the Vietnamese director of the An Hoa industrial complex. The complex was the reason why the USMC had come into the An Hoa Basin. I have also been indebted to George D Navadel Col USMC Retired who acted as my military advisor checking my work to ensure it was put over correctly. George was also a Company Commander of I/3/9 and had served in the An Hoa basin in 1966. The project has also had input from Dale Dye who you all know through his work as a military advisor to Hollywood. Dale’s work includes Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, Platoon and many more block-busting movies. Dale had been a combat correspondent with the USMC and visited An Hoa many times during his tour in Vietnam.
But without the help of many ordinary Marines who did their duty and returned this history would not have been complete. Many have joined the An Hoa Project to give stories and accounts of their time in the hot rice fields and jungles of Quang Nam province. Several climbed on chairs and from the top of their wardrobes brought down an old shoe box full of faded photos of their tour in what they would call ‘The Nam’. They searched their memories and wrote down their reflections of a time when they were young over forty years ago. For many it has been a cathartic experience as they face their ghosts of lost comrades and past combat. For me this has been the most rewarding part of the project.
The History of the USMC at An Hoa is a multi-media CD-ROM which contains 282 pages of the day-to-day life of Marines in Vietnam. There are 231 photos, the majority of which have never been seen before as they have come from the Marines’ own private collections. Four short movies are included on the CD, one of which is rare footage of An Hoa taken by Bill Gavin who served with Golf/2/5 in 1967. The reminder of loss is also on the CD as I list every Marine / Navy Corpsman killed in action in Quang Nam for the years 1966-67 on a searchable database. In some cases there are photos of the fallen to accompany names. A name with a face is a stark reminder that he is someone’s loved one. All of them had hopes, dreams and fears. And it is for both the living and the dead that this project is dedicated.
(Alan Waugh is a British historian / writer who’s favourite subject is the USMC in Vietnam. He has written for Vietnam magazine about An Hoa . Alan served in the British Army Cadets in the late 70s and is a full time Game Keeper and graphic bike artist in England. To see a preview or to order the An Hoa history CD log on to http://www.graphicbikeart.com/vietnam2.htm or email for details of the An Hoa project alan@graphicbikeart.com)
Alan Waugh***********************************
(Sent in by JD Murray, Nov. 13, 2006)
Remembering Fallen Marines KIA on Operation SWIFT
Attended the dedication of the Pasadena Marine Reserve Center (now called Blecksmith Hall) in honor of JP Blecksmith (Son of Ed Blecksmith, M/3/5, KIA in Iraq) on Nov. 11th. Chuck Goebel, Ed and Susan Combs were also there. M Co 3/5 "Operation SWIFT" Marines dedicated 9 bricks at the Marine Corps Museum's Memorial Park Walkway with the following information:
M Co 3rd Bn 5th Mar
Operation Swift
Sep 4-15 '67 Vietnam
To the courageous who gave their lives on "The Knoll"
Sgt. L D Peters MOH
Lt VR Capodanno MOH
LCpl T. Fisher Jr NC
Hn Armand G Leal NC
Pfc Dennis Fisher NC
LCpl AM Giordano SS
LCpl Albert W Santos
Pfc Tony E Gabaldon
Lcpl Steven Cornell
Pfc Gene A Mortensen
LCpl Jack A Berry
LCpl R Guerrero Jr.
Pfc Raymond Hengels
Pfc Charles F Martin
Pfc James C McKenzie
Hn David C Phelps
Pfc William F Miller
Pfc Talmadge Carnell
Cpl William Young Jr.
Pfc Steven J WrightSemper Fi
JD***********************************
(Sent in by Chris DeFreeze, Oct. 15, 2006)
In Memory of Larry DeFreezeLarry DeFreeze passed away June 8, 2006, his son Chris wanted to share the pictures Larry took while serving in Vietnam with M Co. 3/5 with his fellow Marines. If anyone recognizes the Marines in the pictures, please let us know. Semper Fi, Larry...we will never forget.
Larry DeFreeze, M Co. 35 66-67
Camp Schwab, Okinawa 1966
1. Larry DeFreeze
2. Abraham Steed (leaning against pole) and Unidentified Marine (center)
3. ?
Camp Schwab, Okinawa 1966
Camp Schwab, Okinawa 1966
1, 2, and 3. Tom Crowley
SSgt Royce (2d Plt Guide), JD Murray, Cpl Hunsucker, and Romball on Okinawa
1. Larry DeFreeze
2. Tom Crowley (left), Unidentified Marine
3. Tyrone ?
Operation HASTINGS, Larry DeFreeze..."Now or Never..."
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(Sent in by Steve Lovejoy, July 22, 2006)
M Co. 3/5 Marines
Battalion area south of DaNang in the Fall of 1967
(If anyone recognizes the unidentified Marines, please let us know)
1. Corpsman Ralph Ewing on right, Steve Lovejoy on left.
2 . Steve Lovejoy, and Fred Tanke (I think) is on right..
3. Steve Lovejoy, Craig Sullivan, and unknown Marine on the right.
1. I believe this is a picture of Gunny Wilborn.
2. This one may be of a bridge security detail.
John Lobur may be the one facing camera just to the right of radioman.
3. Steve Lovejoy driving the mule, the passenger is John Lund.***********************************
(Sent in by Chris Butler, July 18, 2006)
Robert H. Butler, Jr., M Co. 3/5
Killed In Action, July 18, 1966 on Operation HASTINGS (Silver Star, posthumously)
(See also Sgt. Robert Butler, Jr. Memorial page)My name is Christopher Butler, My dad was Steven Butler who also served in the Marine Corps. Steve was Robert's Brother. I was hoping maybe you could help me find out some info or picture or anything about my Uncle I never knew..~ Chris Butler
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(Sent in by Bea, July 17, 2006)
Jesse Prado, India 3/5
(DoD photo, submitted by Warren Wilson, 1stMarDiv combat photographer)I was looking in your Picture Gallery 2004 and found a picture of my uncle, Jessie Prado of India 3/5. He passed away a few years ago of heart failure. He never would really talk about his experience, probably because at the time I was so young. I am just starting to look up info about him to try to piece together a history. I just wanted to say that it was really nice to come across your web site. Thank You for honoring these men. The picture is of him shaving out of his hat. I remember how happy my grandmother was when this picture showed up in the Galveston Daily News. This was the first time that she got something that showed that her son was still alive. I would love it if you would forward this to any Marines that he may have served with. I know that he was injured in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart. I just want to get to know the people and men that he served with. I have always been proud of him. He was my father figure, and I loved him so much. I wish he could have seen how much things have changed since the internet really took hold and became an everday thing and a way to get back in touch with some of the people he talked about. Thank You, Bea-----
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(Sent in by Howard Haney, June 27, 2006)
Howard Haney (far left pic) and M Co. 3/5 Marines, Aug. '67
(If anyone recognizes the other Marines, please let us know)***************************
(Sent in by Richard Huffman, L/3/5, June 15, 2006)
“DARKHORSE” replaces the phrase “CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONALS" on 3/5 insigniaThe insignia of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines consists of a shield divided into quarters, a banner above the shield with words "DARKHORSE," and a banner below the shield with the words "GET SOME." Lieutenant Colonel James M. Tully, USMC (Ret) Commanding Officer of the battalion from 23 February 1973 to 26 July 1974, originated this insignia in 1973 upon the return of the Battalion from the Republic of Vietnam. In 2005 the phrase “DARKHORSE” replaced the phrase “CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONALS.” (See article below).
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3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Iraq...GET SOME!
(Sent in by Shawna Vessey, June 14, 2006)
My husband is on his third deployment in Iraq at the moment with 3/5 H&S Co. I came across this website and never before have I been as grateful to the spouses of our service people who serve this beautiful country. Thank you so much for your stories and pictures. In the last four years I have learned what being a true Marine Wife is all about-patience and love. The stories have never left my eyes dry and I can't seem to express enough gratitude. So I will do it through my service to our country as so many have before. I may not wear the uniform...but my heart swells with pride when the National Anthem is played. Thank-you for everything.~ Shawna Vessey
(Sent in by Monica Grasesser, March 24, 2006)
I can't believe the history of 3/5 Marines!! My husband is presently in Iraq, and he is one of the few corpsmen with 3/5 Kilo Co.I'm making a scrapbook for him to never forget what he did for our country, who served with him, and most importantly, who blazed the trails before he even existed on this earth.Thank you for sharing the stories of your past and thank you for sacrificing more than most would ever in their lifetime. God Bless America, God Bless the Brave.~Monica Graesser
(Sent in by Cassidy Z., Feb. 19, 2006)
My brother (India) and boyfriend (Lima) are in 3/5. They are currently in Iraq right now on their 3rd tour. They should both be home this summer and are then getting out. I found this site on accident and thought I would say THANK YOU to all of you who served our great nation! Take care and God bless.~Cassidy Z.
(Sent in by Lt. Alfred L. Butler IV, Feb. 8, 2006)
I am an Lt. in 3/5 on my third tour in Iraq and I just wanted to say that every Marine that has served in this battalion would be proud of these boys. Their dedication to the Corps and each other is truly humbling to see and it is an honor to serve with them. The Marines and Corpsmen in the battalion all know what this battalion has acheived in the past and carries that with them when they leave the wire at night. The individual actions of bravery that I have seen from the Marines and sailors of this battalion would make anyone thankful that we have men like this in our country. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. From the Marines and Sailors of the "Get Some" battalion. ~Alfred L Butler IV
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(Sent in by "Doc" Bill Mann, Mar. 10, 2006)
Operation MAMELUKE THRUSTI was a Navy corpsman from Delta Co., 7th Engineer Battalion assigned to Operation Mameluke Thrust, and have been looking for more information and to remember those days spent on the operation. I remember riding in a 6by directly in front of Capt. Charles Robb (above picture). I remember an ambush on a very hot day and guys were falling from the heat. In transporting in the back of a dump, a rocket round penetrated the side and my casualties became much worse. Would like to hear from others who remember the engineers on that operation.~Bill "Doc" Mann, HM3 Delta Co 7th Engineer Battalion
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(Sent in by Brad Reynolds, Feb. 8, 2006)
M Co. 3/5 Marines, 1st plt.
Pictures taken between Dec. 67-May 68
(If anyone recognizes these Marines, please let us know)***********************************
(Sent in by Sandra Smith, Feb. 8, 2006)
Pfc. Michael Donvian Wilson, M Co. 3/5, Killed In Action 3 Sept. 1968
(Obituary sent in by family friend, Bessie)I AM MICHAEL WILSON'S SISTER SANDRA SWIFT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM FOR THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS. I TALKED TO THE MARINE CORPS AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING. PLEASE SEND ME ANYTHING YOU HAVE ON HIM. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH~ SANDRA (See also, Pfc. Michael Donvian Wilson's Memorial page).
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