I receive a great many emails per week and many are worth sharing.
This was sent to me by my friend “Jonse” we still keep in touch nearly 45 years later.
We all lost friends in Southeast Asia.
January 9th, 2013 (2:51pm)
The Wall
A little history most people will never know.
There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.
Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall
The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.
39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.
8,283 were just 19 years old.
The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old. 12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam ..
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam ..
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.
54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia . I wonder why so many from one school.
8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.
For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.
Please pass this on to those who served during this time.
Thanks Jonse (see you soon)
Click Here
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Missions / Patrol Reports
All Units March 1966 - May 1971
Vietnam Recon photographs - Click Here
Here are a few photos of Camp Reasoner in Da Nang as it looks today.
WE NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN...
First Lieutenant Frank S. Reasoner, the first Marine to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the tragic years of conflict in Vietnam.
1st Lt Frank Reasoner
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:
FIRST LIEUTENANT FRANK S. REASONER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as CommandingOfficer, Company A, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division in action against hostile Viet Cong forces near Danang, Vietnam on 12 July 1965. The reconnaissance patrol led by First Lieutenant Reasoner had deeply penetrated heavily controlled enemy territory when it came under extremely heavy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong insurgents. Accompanying the advance party and the point that consisted of five men, he immediately deployed his men for an assault after the Viet Cong had opened fire from numerous concealed positions. Boldly shouting encouragement, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machine gun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least two Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded and First Lieutenant Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, First Lieutenant Reasoner courageously running to his aid through the grazing machine gun fire fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, valiant leadership and unflinching devotion to duty provided the inspiration that was to enable the patrol to complete its mission without further casualties. In the face of almost certain death, he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Thanks for stopping by today...
Ackman, Dean, ???? USMC. Bravo Company, in teams "RUDDER" and "LIL ABNER". 1970-71.Picture of Team RUDDER taken at Camp Reasoner by B Company office in 1971. Dean is front row middle.
Mortar valley, south west of Danang.
Team Crabtree - April of 1967
Greg Francesco, B Co. 1st Recon Bn
Recon Team Dutch Oven - Front row L-R radioman, Mike Bell and "Roddy" Rodriguez, the machine-gunner. Back row L-R is "Gator" Thielen, ???, Stick Nelson, Doc Highum, Ray Triana, and "Gerty" Gugich.
Operations DECKHOUSE II and HASTINGS July 1966 - Click Here
Alpha Co. 1960
Portland, Oregon
Portland
Oregon
Portland, Oregon
1st MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION REUNION 13-19 August 2012
Reunion Registration: The 1st Marine Division Association (FDMA) Reunion will be 13-19 August 2012 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel located at 1401 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97201. 1st Recon Battalion Association members should register on line with the FMDA at: www.afr-reg.com/1stMarine2012/ or use the mail in FDMA Reunion registration form included in the Patrol Report. FDMA Registration closes 15 July 2012!
Lodging: The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel is the official reunion site for 1st Marine Division Association and 1st Recon Bn Association. Reunion accommodations are available at a rate of $113.00 + tax per night. The Marriott will offer attendees a daily parking rate of $15.00 per day. Reserve your rooms early; call the Marriott at (503) 226-7600 or (877) 901-6632 and ask for the 1st Marine Division Association Reunion rate.
Transportation. The Marriott does not provide complimentary shuttle service to/from Portland Airport. Blue Star Airport Shuttle offers airport-hotel service; for information and reservations call (503) 248-1837 or visit: http://www.bluestarbus.com. The Marriott does not have RV parking; however, the Portland Fairview RV Park, located at 21401 NE Sandy Blvd, Fairview, OR 97024, provides full hook-up services and is approximately 20 minutes from the hotel. Call (877) 777-1047 for RV information, reservations and directions. The FDMA will provide bus transportation for all reunion tours. Downtown Portland has an excellent bus and light rail system.
1st Mar Div Association Events. FDMA’s Portland Reunion Committee has done a superb job planning and organizing reunion events and tours. Visit Portland area wineries, museums, and gardens, the Columbia Gorge, take a river cruise and enjoy the Reunion Banquet. Although the FDMA Reunion registration form, event information and hotel reservation forms are included in the Patrol Report, go on line to http://www.afr-reg.com/1stMarine2012 for FMDA Reunion Registration and Event forms and detailed Reunion information and a schedule of events.
1st MarDiv Registration Form
Hotel Information
1ST RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION ASSOCIATION REUNION
1st Recon Bn Assn CP/Harbor Site: The 1st Recon Battalion Association Reunion CP and hospitality suite at the Portland Marriott Downtown will be open to reunion attendees from 15-19 August. Recon Battalion Association members and guests are requested to sign in at our hospitality suite following their arrival at the Marriott.
Volunteers. As Always, we need volunteers to help with reunion registration, raffle ticket sales, raffle and silent auction item donations, and manning/maintaining the hospitality suite. Help us make this reunion succeed- donate some of your time to 1st Recon Battalion Association.
Fund Raising. The reunion is your Association’s primary source of income. The raffle, silent auction and Hospitality Suite refreshment donations keep the Association operating through the year. Help our Association. Donate raffle and auction items, buy raffle tickets and bid generously at the silent auction.
1ST RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION ASSOCIATION REUNION LUNCHEON AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING
1st Recon Battalion Association Luncheon will be Friday 17 August, from 1:00 pm -4:00 pm, at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 0715 SW Bancroft St. Portland, OR 97239. The luncheon will be buffet style and includes salad bread & roll, entrees and coffee, tea .. Any soft drinks and alcohol will be at the individual’s expense. Guests with special dietary requirements should contact Charlie Kershaw as soon as possible. The luncheon will cost $16.00 per person. Make your luncheon reservations early. RSVP to Charlie Kershaw and send your check or money order to: 1st Recon Battalion Association, c/o C. Kershaw, 2527 Unicornio Street, Carlsbad, CA 92009. Email or call with questions at: 760 402-8638 or c2k2@earthlink.net RSVP for the luncheon not later than 13 August 2012.
1st Recon Bn Association General Membership Meeting and Election of Officers is Saturday 18 August at 10:00 am in our Hospitality Suite. Members will be briefed and vote on revised, updated. Association By Laws, Association support for charitable organizations assisting Marines and elect our Membership Coordinator, Chaplain, an Associate Director and the 1st MarDiv Unit Director.
The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
We Remember
Memorial Day 2012 ~ Memorial Park ~ Quantico, Virginia
On a recent trip back to Nam Doc Snider took flicks of the still standing sign and guard shack on what are the only things left of Camp Reasoner. Why the Vietnamese left them standing is unknown.
