I feel the need to share somthing tonight
 

On this date 33 years ago I had been medivaced from a vietnam cemetary where my unit, 2nd plt., Delta 1/3 was awaiting an airlift back up to the DMZ. Prior to being evacuated, I assigned one of our M-60 gunners to take my place as squad leader. In place of the gunner taking my place, I assigned a friend and seasoned A gunner to take the place of the B gunner. I remember this marine only as "Hawk".
Later that evening, Delta 1/3 was air lifted back uo to the DMZ to a location just south east of mutters ridge. the following is from a copy of the U.S.M.C. Combat Action Report for the month of may, 1969.
Narative Summary

Friday, May 1, 1969

At 0111004 a Platoon from Delta Co. made contact with 2 NVA. Following the initial contact at YD02764Y, the company came into contact with unknown size enemy force to the Nortn And North west. they came under fire from two machine gun bunkers(YD027643 and YD023643). Company ran artillery and 81 mm mortar mission, plus fixed wing strike on bunkers in area. Recieved 9 KIA and 15 WIA, during action, while inflicting 16 KIA on enemy.

Tomorrow,May 1 at 11A.M. I will pause in memory of those lost that morning including 7 of the 9 lost, including my friend Hawk. the 15 wia that morning never returned to the bush.

Name Home town Start of tour Age at loss

L/Cpl Martin foley Dorchester, MA. 8-16-68 19
P.F.C. John Hatfield Springfield, OH 4-5-69 20
P.F.C. Edward Horn Poland, OH 7-7-68 20
P.F.C. Paul Laverock Perrysburg OH 2-25-69 20
P.F.C. Randy Paro Kohala, Hi 4-15-69 18
P.F.C. Felix salas Luling, Tx 2-2-69 23
P.F.C. James Vandeventer Lancaster, Ca 3-31-69 19

Unfortionatly, I do not have the remaining 2 KIA, as they must have perrished days later.


total stats for 1/3 May 69

NVA/VC KIA 77
POW 2

Casualties Sustained

KIA 43
WIA 160
MIA 0


Semper Fi, My Brothers, My Friends.....

billygun, aka in1969 as Cpl. Willard Matthews

thank you
 

I'll take time tommorrow to say a prayer for them also may they rest in peace. they are still with us as long as they are remembered

Welcome home billygun, welcome home from the "Z". I got your slack covered at 11am today. Seems many of us share some sacred days - thank you for remembering them

billgun like the LT i'll cover your six least we forget.
 

razz

May of 69'
 

A rough time for a lot of us Billygun! I will be thinking about your and your buds in an hour.

May 6th I'll elaborate on in a few days.

Welcome home Marine!

Semper Fi!

Airborne!

Packo

Strange
 

Isn't it odd that some of us can't really recall much that happened in 1982, for example, but we remember a date and time, place, the location and everything else when we had a bad, bad day over there, that many years ago. I think the guys who don't remember things like your experience are the lucky ones.

If it happened at 11AM in Nam then it took place at 11 PM East Coast time. I'll be a day late but I'll say a prayer and hoist a drink for those men who gave it their best shot.

You made it. So do something that would make them proud, or at least do something that would make them laugh.

Stay healthy,
Andy

REmembrance=Honor
 

For these and all the fallen brothers..May God bless them.

To those no longer with us
 

and to those who are with us today..
To those with us still today: Thanks for everything you all did and will always do.. You all mean alot to me..You are my heros.. I love each and everyone of you and each and everyone of you will always have a special place in my heart and a special pray said for you at nite... Most of all WELCOME HOME
To those no longer with us: for one Thank you.. May you rest in peace.. You all also mean something special to me and are my heros....

It helps me understand more with my dad being a nam. vet. I understand some of the things taking place and have takin place
yes yes i am one of the Navy spoilt brats.. but ya gotta love me :)

tonite i will say a special pray for those listed above..
once again Thanks and Welcome home
Love ya all
Your friend and God Bless,
Tina Catena

May 69
 

Until recently it was the worst month of my life also. Here's to all the guys of May, 69.

thank you folks
 

Your thoughts and prayers have helped lightened the load I feel this time of the year. It is truly comforting knowing others have this very special wisdom and empathy. If there realy is a place called heaven. there are 58000 plus young men that deserve nothing less.;)