The Battalion Runner
2010 - No. 2
2nd Battalion 9th Marine Network
“Hell in a Helmet”

Gabe Coronado, 2717 Gratiot Avenue, Pt. Huron MI, 48060
Tel: 810-334-0377 Email: member3107@aol.com

WHY?

Some of you have asked why we don't put the newsletter out more often. Due to the printing & postage costs, the frequency of the Battalion Runner is entirely dependent on the fund balance. Some years we have done as many as five, other years, only one or two. With the downturn in the economy, our donations have also been affected. You can help by donating to the cause or by opting to receive the Runner by email only. Donation information is at the end of every newsletter.

2/9 REUNION 2010
"Together Then – Together Again"
Tuesday, November 9th through Thursday, November 11th

HOTEL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY OCTOBER 9, 2010 TO QUALIFY FOR THE GROUP RATE.

We're gearing up for the November Reunion. We have some FNG's coming again this year, so maybe you'll find a long lost friend. If you're thinking about going, register early, the rooms fill up fast. An informational flyer went out in the last Runner. If you lost it, or didn't get it, contact me using the above info and I will email it to you. Also, the flyer is available on the 2/9 website. There are no registration fees or other charges to members who chose to attend. Reunion attendees are responsible for making their own reservations with the hotel, payment of room, and guaranteeing for late arrival. Other costs are covered by your donations. A "donation can" will be set out in the conference room, or you can send a donation designated for the reunion in advance. Make your check payable to Gabe Coronado and send to the above address. Hope to see you there!

DEDICATION OF A 2/9 MEMORIAL BRICK

As announced in the Battalion Runner 2009-3, Col. Kent has had a memorial brick placed in the pathway near the Chapel at the Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico. The brick is in memory of those members of 2/9 who were KIA during the Operation to the Ben Hai River on 28-29 July 1967. The brick will be formally dedicated at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. The Museum Gift Shop will provide precise directions to the brick -#13316. All members of the 2/9 Network, especially those who were on that Operation, are invited to attend.

John Halpin (HQHS, 1966-67) sent in his story about the Mile Long Ambush of July 1967 during the Operation to the Ben Hai River. This is how he saw the events of that day.

"I was with Bravo Command Group which consisted of myself, a radioman, a rifleman, and a Lt. We stood around trying to figure out our next move, because the bridge had been blown and the tanks could not get across the creek. Some guys started yelling across the river, "Charlie sucks", and whatever niceties and finger gestures we could think of at the time. I guess we hurt Charlie's feelings because all of a sudden the place went to hell. Some of us got to see the underside of a tank about then, as we dove for cover and protection from the mortars. Then the mass exodus for the south began, back the way we had come. Years later I found out we were not fighting Victor Charlie, we were fighting the North Vietnamese Army Regulars. I remember running with everyone else as the 'Oh, Shit!" factor kicked in big time. I was trying to keep up with the Lt., when I looked to the rear to check on our radioman. It was strange but everything suddenly went into slow motion. Marines were all running at a slow mode. I remember seeing a "Mule" being slowly lifted up, when it rolled over a big rock in the road, a body rolled off of it. The body hit the ground and bounced, as the dirt sprayed away from the bodies contact with the ground. There was a bounce, another bounce and a final one, before the body and the dirt slowly settled back down to earth. Even the yells were non audible, only the movement and contortions of the mouths could be seen. There was no sound.

"However, when I turned back the way I was going, it was as if someone had twisted the volume to the max as the blast and gunfire sounds became real again. I never looked back again. At one point we stopped, due to a small clearing in the road, if it could be called a road. I saw the road dirt next to me spring up, like a Sand Lion trying to clear its death hole. That was death looking for me or anyone it could find. I saw leaves fall from a bush above one Marines head, from some unseen cutting machine, as an AK-47 sounded off. Off we went again. We soon came to another clearing in the road. Charlie had it covered pretty good. There was a grenade launcher on one side and an M-60 on the other. The sequence was a short burst from both weapons and a fast run thru the clearing to the other side. Several of us started off and about mid way I saw a full M-16 magazine on the ground. I started leaning over to pick it up as I ran by when the Lt. shoved me and told me to leave it and get

my ass across the road. Some time later we all came to a complete halt. Something up in front had blocked us off, big time. There was a long clearing in the road and Charlie was covering it. The tanks by now had run off and left us. We were to fend for ourselves, in what would later be called "The Mile Long Ambush". Everyone hit the deck and faced outboard. We could not go out far due to the thick vegetation around us. I recall the Lt. yelling orders until his voice went, due to him trying to compete with the explosions and the weapons fire. He soon started pulling me in close and yelling orders, more in a raspy whisper, in my ear for me to pass along. I would contact whomever he told me to and at one point I was standing in the middle of the road when I heard an M-80 firing. It never seemed to stop. I yelled at the M-80 crew, ‘Can you see anything?' They yelled back ‘Hell No!' I yelled something to the effect, ‘Find a target first and save your ammo. We will need it when it gets dark.' A Captain came up to me and said, ‘Way to tell them Sgt.' I told him I was a Corporal, not a Sgt. His answered surprised me when he said, 'You are now!' and walked off.

"Some time later an NVA charged our lines with a machete. He soon learned the meaning of "Never bring a knife to a gun fight". I still have that machete. As night set in we took whatever cover we could find, which consisted of small wheel ruts at the outer edges of the so called road. The ground was too hard to dig and no one wanted to risk making a continuous sound for Charlie to shoot at. As I looked around all I could see were Marines everywhere. There must have been well over a hundred of us strung out along the road. Later when it started getting dark someone called a fire mission and requested illumination rounds, which was a big mistake. Arty lit us up good. All the rounds were right down the middle of the road. The NVA had fun when that happened. We were center stage and meat for the taking. Soon the lights went out and the rest of the night we did not call for anything. We did call in, our favorite nighttime friend, PUFF, THE MAGIC DRAGON! I will never forget the sound of not hearing a thing but a low buzzing noise, then seeing a long orange line coming down from the darkened heavens. We all were trying to get some facsimile of rest for what tomorrow might be, when the person next to me started snoring. I just kicked him in the ass and told him to shut up. Charlie was making probes at any sound at that time. I just happened to notice the Major rank when he turned around to thank me.

"About that time Charlie opened up and rounds went right over our heads. Glad no one raised up. A few Marines got the OK to go back up the road to see if they could locate and bring back any stragglers. Some time after they left there was a loud explosion and everyone was awake again, as if we were getting any sleep. When the squad finally returned they had a few extra men they had found along the way. I learned the explosion we heard was caused when a Marine picked up an M-16 magazine lying on the roadway, in a small clearing. It had a Bouncing Betty under it. He didn't make it. I later thanked Lt. Young for shoving me as I crossed a clearing in the road. As daylight came we prepared as best we could for what we expected was about to happen, however, we received word that another unit was coming in. They had been sent in to get us out. I believe it was 1/9. They had just gotten back in-country after a short stay and refurbishing trip to Okinawa. Anyway, one of the Marines walked by me and said, "We thought we would come up here and show you guys how to fight". His Lt. heard a click as my M-16 was taken off safety and he saw me point it at the ass-hole. When the Lt. asked what was going on I just replied to him, ‘Tell him if he opens his mouth again I will kill him' and he knew I meant it. We had lost some good Marines and I had lost my brothers. We were not friends, we were family. We were tight! When we finally got back to a formed up rear area, the word was the Colonel wanted to get some medals out for our action in the DMZ. A dog and pony show for the press. When we finely got back to Camp Carroll I was contacted by one of the CP radioman. He told me a Capt. with Hotel Company wanted to see me ASAP. He said the Capt. was going to verify my field promotion to Sgt. and he had also put me in for a Bronze Star. I went to Lt. Young to let him know I would be out of the CP for a short time. He asked me why, and when I told him he refused to give me permission to see the Captain. He said I was just doing my job and that I didn't need any medal for that. Wish I had gone anyway."

FACEBOOK

For those of you who are up to date with the computer age, Jordan Glover (Wpns, 91-93) created a page for us on Facebook. Search for it under 2/9 Marines. You can use this page to post thoughts, ideas, memories, messages, and photos. Just find the page and click JOIN and a link to it will be placed on your profile.

PURPLE HEART

If you or your loved one has earned a Purple Heart, you are qualified for free enrollment in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, an interactive computer databank of all recipients of Purple Hearts. For more information go to http://www.thepurpleheart.com on the web, or write to:

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
PO Box 207
Vails Gate, NY 12584

FULL ROSTER

We have a few copies of the complete roster of members available. Please contact me if you would like a copy.

NOTES FROM THE MAILBOX

Daniel Jones writes, "My Uncle, Cpl Warren C Jordan, served with H Co 2nd Bn 9th Marines during WWII and was killed on Iwo Jima in March of '45. I only recently got copies of his records from the National Archives, and now that I know what unit he was with, I was looking to reach out." If you have any information to share with Daniel about his Uncle, you can contact him by phone: (405) 733-0767 or by email: danieljones@joneslawn.com.

Richard Payne (Golf, 1971) writes, "In this newsletter I just got I see a lot of references to Nov 30, '67. I was at Con Thien at the time which you will remember holds down the western end of the ‘trace' or ‘strip'. The operation you guys are talking about was operation Kentucky and the units that participated in it were 1/9, 2/9, 3/9, 1/4 and 3/3. I have the battle location listed as DMZ Leatherneck Square. I remember the Marine Birthday and the chow they dropped to us at Con Thien which gave everyone food poisoning. We were almost a non-operational unit for a bit there, so many guys were down sick."

Jack Smith writes, "I'm trying to find info or an after action report for a KIA on 5 May '67. The Marine's name is PFC Barry C. Price killed by ground fire. I do not know the battle, but it was in Quang Tri province…his place on the wall is 20E-65." You can email Jack Smith at: captjack@usa.com.

Darrel D. Butler (H&S, 1967) writes, "On May 27, 2010 after nearly 25 years as a police officer I retired, due to my PTSD, and the fact that my 5 year old granddaughter was nearly beaten to death by my daughter's boyfriend. This pushed me to the point that I felt I could not control my actions on the job, so I chose to retire. My wife, Sandy, sure does have a long "Honey do" list for me. I am still fighting the VA for disability and hope to have a judgment soon. I am still trying to get used to not having to get ready to go to work everyday, but I sure am enjoying not having to get up every morning. My granddaughter is doing much better now and we are waiting for that bast**** to go to trial. We hope to be in the court room. We are looking forward to the reunion this year and hope to see everyone there. Semper Fi."

David Fokes (Fox, 1966-67) writes, "My MOS was 0331, love to hear from anyone who served with Fox Company Jan '66 – '67".

Bob Driver (Echo, 1966-67) reports that he and his wife attended the 1/9 Reunion in August. He was able to reconnect with two Corpsmen who had been with him in A/1/9, Bill Eure, and Don Thompson. Thompson attended to Lt John Creel in Sept '65 when his Arty FO team were all wounded. He then helped Creel pull out a Corporal who'd been shot in the throat while reporting the sighting of a machine gun firing at us DOW's. Creel got a Silver Star, Thompson the satisfaction of a job well done!

He also met Henry Siegel, an enlisted Arty FO, whose team was flown in to replace Creel's. The helicopter would not land near Alpha Co because of the heavy fire. They dropped the 4 man team in near the French fort, a mile away, and they walked in by themselves. About half way to the company he spotted 20-30 VC carrying ammo on bamboo poles running across the rice patties to our flank. The VC never looked in their direction. I don't think I ever heard of this, but they made it safely to our lines.

When they asked those who had won the Navy Cross to stand up, Gen Bill Keyes was one of them. I knew him from HQMC. Then they asked for those who had won the Silver Star, and a lot more stood up. Then the Bronze Star, and even more stood up. When they got to Purple Hearts, about one third of the males in the room stood up. The ‘Walking Dead', 1/9 had killed Ho Chi Minh's son, so the story goes, and he had marked the battalion for annihilation.

Bruce "Buck" Buchanan (Fox, 74-75) writes, "I'm writing to see if anymore of us from May 15, 1975 have joined the Network. If so tell them Buck is still alive and kicking. I didn't know if I would live past that day. I'm also trying to find out what happened to Capt. Davis? He was on the last helicopter off the island. I want to ask him about Hargrove and his M-60 gun crew. I was told when I reached the USS Coral Sea that they were left behind alive? Tell me it's not so! I was taught at boot camp that Marines don't leave Marines behind! I mean look what Chesty Puller did in Korea. If anyone else was there please contact me." You can email Buck at brucebuchanan75@yahoo.com.

James Sims (HQHS, 1970-71) is now the National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Sim's military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star with "V", Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with "V", Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Silver Star, and numerous other US and foreign decorations.

Ted Licitra (Echo 1966-67) reports that in March, he went back to Vietnam for 2 week tour with a nonprofit group called Vietnam Battlefield Tours. He visited the Hanoi Hilton, Ho Chi Minhs tomb, the Marine House where the Marines who have embassy duty live, and also attended a briefing from an Army Special Forces Colonel about the status of identifying and recovering the 1800 MIA's. Another took took him to the DMZ where he visited all the areas of operation 2/9 was based in the 1967-68 time frames, including Cam Lo where the remains of the old bridge that spanned the Cam Lo River are still visible. He highly recommends this tour company.

He says, "In late 1967, when I was there I was with the 106 recoilless rifles and we had our guns along that bridge so it was a special moment to see that area again…Con Thien is now a rubber tree farm, but you can still see old sand bags and some old shell casings. We also stopped at Camp Carroll (also now a tree farm), The Rockpile, and Razor Back area (more sandbags & shell casings. The air strip at Khe Sahn is now being developed as an industrial park. It was quite a special feeling going back after 42 years. In closing I took about 600 pictures and have them posted online on Photobucket. The url is http://s1027.photobucket.com/albums/y340/tedeileen ."

Suzanne Weinhold writes, "My husband of 34 years, Thomas Weinhold, was 56 years old, healthy, didn't smoke, played tennis three times a week and was very, very strong. Within 4 weeks he was taken from me. I was devastated. I had him flown to the University of Pennsylvania and the attending physician kept asking me if he worked around asbestos. I said no – he worked in an office and was a Vice President. The doctor said it was something that had been in his lungs for a long time and then something triggered it to attack his lungs. I told the doctor that Tom did two tours of Vietnam, was on the ground and regularly was sprayed with Agent Orange. He looked at me and then turned away. He didn't even want to touch that. The death certificate lists the cause of death as AIP – Acute Interstitial Pneumonitis. I will always believe that Agent Orange was the cause of my husband's death and I would like to know if anyone has heard of a similar case." Contact Susanne by phone: (443) 966-0597, by email: suziebshoppiing@comcast.net, or by regular mail at 724 Frans Drive, Abingdon, MD 21009.

NEW MEMBERS

The following is a list of new members that have joined since the last Runner. Due to the large number of registrations, and for privacy protection, contact information for new members is not published in the Runner but is available on the website Roster, or by phone at (810) 987-4038, or email at member3107@aol.com.

David Moss (HQHS Co. 76-77), Mel Horowitz (G Co. 67), William Qesada (H Co. 66-67), J.D. O’Neal (HQHS Co. 61-62), Joe Gerst (E Co. 69), James B. Johnson (HQHS Co. 75), Robert Sanchez (E Co. 66-67), Jim Silver (H Co. 66-67), Joseph D. Escobedo (G Co. 69-70), Daniel O. Torres (G Co. 67-68), Bruce Buchanan (GF Co. 74-75), Billy Davenport ( HQHS Co. 92-93), Victor Smith (E Co. 67-68), Michael Gaddes (G Co. 75-76), Anthony Murray (E Co. 68-69), Don Hammontree (E Co. 66-68), John T. Richardson (F Co. 92-94), Leon V. Smith (HQHS Co. 78-81), Thomas Blassingame (G Co. 65-66), Phil Kashing (HQHS Co. 67-68), Alan P. Kroph (HQHS Co. 10- Present), Billy Holt (E Co. 67-68), John P. Ascani (E Co. 69-70), Samuel G. Minutola (Wpns. Co. 57-59), Raymond Hammond (HQHS Co. 68-69), Benjamin Town IV (Wpns Co. 07-Present), Terry Campbell (HQHS Co. 75-76), Rickie Burns (G Co. 69-70), Jeffrey Burke (F Co. 82-86), Michael Mattia (HQHS Co. 69-70), Charles T. Smith (HQHS Co. 68-69), David Tyr-Connail (G Co. 66-67), John Baird (HQHS Co. 84-88), Ryan Giese (E Co. 08-Present), Steven Atwood (H Co. 69), Raymond Wiser (HQHS Co. 69), David Fokes (F Co. 66-67), Mike Quinn (H Co. 68-69), William Baum (G Co. 67-68), William J. Marshall (Wpns Co. 07-10), Mark Naughton (HQHS Co. 81-85), Ron Hagadorn (H Co. 69-70), Guy Mullen (HQHS Co. 57-58), Larry Marshall (E Co. 66-67), Gabe Young (E Co. 57-58), Kim Alvis (H Co. 69), Raymond Henderson (F Co. 67-68), Lance Erikson (E Co. n/a), Peter Eccles (HQHS Co. 68-69), Dante Still (G Co. 86-87), Levi E. Bennett (G Co. 87-91), Mark Kerrick (HQHS Co. 81-84), James H. Sanford (F Co. 67), David Wehlerman (F Co. 07-09), Gerald Clemmer (F Co. 65-66).

DONATIONS

OOH-RAH to all the members who keep the Network going with their donations to the cause, including: Lawrence J. Noon, Richard L. Kinney, Robbie Wright, William McDowel, Salvatore Licitra, Pat Pearce, Kenneth D. Tomlinson, Hep Klemm, Gary Brown, Aldo Martinelli, Eddie Gallegos, Michael Norman, Ed Gorman, Pete Padilla, Jimmie R. Thorne, Kenneth E. Moody, Gary Webb, Richard Arehart, Jim Murphy, Lester Wadeigh Jr., Timothy M. Forbes, Robert Mumper, Dennis J. Murphy, Robert P. Oliver, Donald Houser.

The Network is organized and run by unpaid volunteer members, but there are some costs involved in keeping it going. Money is needed to pay the web host, printing charges and postage for the newsletter, along with costs incurred for the reunion. There are no charges of any kind to members. Everything is paid for strictly through donations.

If you feel moved to donate any amount, make your check out to Gabe Coronado and mail to:

The 2/9 Network – Gabe Coronado
PO Box 611535
Port Huron, MI 48061-1535