The Battalion Runner
2011 - No. 2
2nd Battalion 9th Marine Network
“Hell in a Helmet"

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

This issue of the Battalion Runner contains a variety of news and information, from an update on plans for the 2011 Reunion, to a SitRep on the 2/9 in Afghanistan. There was a response to the Chosin Reservoir article, and I received a preview DVD of a documentary film that is being developed by Mark Arguello. It includes film footage of the 25th Anniversary of "The Wall" and interviews with Vietnam veterans filmed at various reunions around the country. You can check out the film website at www.weekendtorememberfilm.com.

THE ARMY FAILED BUT NOT THE MARINES

The article published in the last Runner about Colonel Coti’s experience at the Chosin Reservoir generated some additional information from Joseph R. Owen, 1st Lt, USMC Ret. He wants to clarify the record as follows:

"Colonel Coti relates that in the withdrawal from Chosin Reservoir a convoy of trucks loaded with wounded Marines was stopped by a Chinese roadblock. The Chinese soldiers 'killed all the drivers then, systematically removed the 5 gal gas cans, pouring the gas on the wounded Marines, and burned them alive.' The account continues, telling of a man who feigns death and is able to crawl away and survive.

The man who lived through this nightmare was an American Soldier, not a Marine. That Soldier rode in a separate Army convoy on the East, opposite, side of Chosin reservoir. Whatever the Army's column security was, the Chinese did break through them and inflict the horrors described above. To clarify, our column of Marines brought our wounded safely into Hagaru-ri for air evac. Although the Chinese made continuous raids on the Marine column, our security held and they never got close in to our wounded.

The incident is recorded in a documentary, "Chosin." The Soldier who narrates this terrible experience is Ed Reeves. God bless him. After the Chinese finished their burning and looting, he crawled across the ice of the Chosin Reservoir and into the Marine lines. From there we took care of his wounds and then air-evaced him to care and treatment in Japan. I am proud to be a United States Marine."

NEWS FROM THE FRONT

This is a new section to the Runner to report on active duty 2/9er's, whether at home or deployed. We hope to receive some comments, stories, or any other information you are willing to share with the old-timers. If you are an active duty 2/9 Marine we want to hear from you. We want to hear about the new Corps, your experiences, impressions, and your Marine friends who have gone on their last patrol.

Give us your information by phone: (810) 334-0377 or email: member3107@aol.com or write to: Gabe Coronado, 2717 Gratiot Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060.

Thanks to Tim Forbes (H&S 2/9, 75-76) for providing the following SitRep on 2/9 in Aghanistan.

News: 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment leaves Northern Marjah a safer place

MARJAH, Afghanistan - Nearly one year ago, Marjah was the scene of some of the deadliest fighting since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. Now, after the persistence of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, the area is lauded as proof that counterinsurgency operations can work. Gen. James Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, visited 2/9 in December and compared the battalion's success to the victories in Fallujah and Ramadi. 'You have snow-plowed the enemy out of the northern part of Marjah!" said Amos, quoting Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, the commanding general of Regional Command Southwest. When 2/9 replaced 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Lt. Col. James R. Fullwood, commanding officer for 2/9, gave his word to the people of Marjah. He said his Marines would stand up to all opposition to peace and prosperity for the Afghan people.

As months passed, the once empty streets of northern Marjah became full of life again. Officials said clearing operations were vanquishing the Taliban and interdicting their logistical routes. The Marines were having an effect on the enemy and locals noticed the change. School attendance skyrocketed and people went back to work, something locals said they thought would never happen. The battalion spent countless hours on the battlefield, fighting against the insurgents for the hearts and minds of the Afghan people, whose perception of coalition forces was tarnished by years Taliban propaganda.

In the first months of their deployment, 2/9 undertook the task of reconfiguring their battle space and redistributing troops to increase security and push insurgents out of the area. In addition to the construction of numerous patrol bases and vehicle checkpoints, the unit increased the frequency and distance of their patrols. According to 2/9, the redistribution and construction projects worked. The number of direct fire and IED attacks dropped 75 percent from the time they arrived. The attacks remain comparatively low, allowing further and faster progress in the region - progress that spans governance, infrastructural development, and reconstruction in the area. Marines with 2/9 began to collect census data from the locals. During this process, the battalion demonstrated that they were there to help - not occupy the region -- by refurbishing mosques and building new public schools, wells and clinics. The unit tackled issues like the growth of opium and hosted an anti-drug summit, which was the largest in Marjah's history. The summit resulted in a unified plan for all farmers in the region to halt the growth of illicit plants. The agreement was a huge step for Afghan government officials, who attributed nearly all problems in the area to the illicit drug trade. The battalion partnered with the local government and began distributing vegetable and wheat seeds to thousands of fanners in the area. The seed and fertilizer drive allowed farmers to give up the growth of illegal crops and still maintain a livelihood.

The influence of 2/9 extended beyond Marjah. In December 2010, Echo Company, 2/9 was ordered to support combat operations with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in Sangin, Helmand province. Through a month and half of operations in Sangin, Echo Company carried on the battalion's legacy in what Mills' described, in the Jan. 25th issue of the Los Angeles Times, as the last major Taliban stronghold in Helmand province. Throughout the deployment, 2/9 had 15 of its brothers give the ultimate sacrifice. "These Marines left a lasting legacy that will reside in the minds of every Marine and sailor in the battalion," Fullwood said. As 2/9 prepares to reunite with loved ones back home, 2/8, a fellow battalion from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., looks to carry on their tradition in northern Marjah.

NOTES FROM THE MAILBOX

James Copeland (E 2/9, 66-67) writes, "I served in Echo from July 1966 to July 1967 and was shot through the chest from left shoulder to right shoulder on the last day of June 67. They thought I died that day. I met 4 survivors of that day in Washington 20 years later. The Corpsman said I would die in minutes…lung shot. Somebody who lives in California was loading my machine gun when I got hit. He was not in my company. Most of my men were wounded or dead. I need to find him. Also, I have been suffering from PTSD for 44 years and afraid to tell anyone. I cannot remember any names of my buddies. I remember every fight but not where they were or the names of each battle. I can see your faces and hear your cries but I can’t remember enough. I got a video from someone and I met some of you in Washington, but when I left and came home it took weeks for me to get over the trauma. I have not been able to talk about this but I have to now. Fellows please forgive me for not staying in touch. I just could not deal with it then. I just hope I can now."

James would like to talk to anyone connected to this time period and especially would like to find the man who was loading his gun that day. If you can help Jim, contact him by email: james@greenwavehotwaterheaters.com or by phone at: 803-851-0018

Jeanne Lannen writes, "My brother was a Lance Corporal in 1967. His name was James Gerald McGovern. I would like to know more about his time with the 2/9 Marines. Thank you." Contact Jeanne by email at: umatay@aim.com

Robert Blake (Fox 2/9, 66-67) a new member writes, "Sgt D was platoon Sgt. I remember Moseley, Bob Blount, Mavin Sinn, Bill Burziuk, Doc Dave, Ski (radio), Sgt List, Sgt Payne, Kenny Wientraub, Bunki Esktine, Paul Vanguilder. I arrived in July 66 and was transferred to 1/9 in Feb 67." Contact Bob by email at: bobblake10@aol.com.

Dan Mannix (Echo 2/9, 67-68) writes, "I was in Echo, 3rd Bn, 3rd Squad. In late afternoon mid-July, we choppered out from Dong Ha and landed in the dark among morters, etc and put people in the chopper. We headed up the hill in the dark, lined up on the ridge and called in 175's from Carroll. My memory goes in and out, but in the morning we went down the other side…fog…smoke…and a lot of bodies…blank. I had malaria, so they say you forget things. I would like to know more of my tour around that time and go from there." You can write to Dan at: 500 Center Street, Dennis Port, Mass. 02639. Or, if you have a story about this action you'd like to share, you can send it to me to be included in the Runner.

Glenn Michaels writes, "I am doing some research for my sister regarding her high school classmate Pfc. James Sanders Perez (H&S 2/9) who was KIA on 4 Sept 1967. I know you probably get many requests of this nature, but if anybody might have known James during his short time in Vietnam I would love to here from them. Your website is truly amazing. I’ve been trying to gather some information for my sister regarding James for several months, but didn’t have much success. The organization on your website was so helpful to me. Thanks to the Marines for being Marines." Contact Glenn by email at: glennmichaels@hotmail.com.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Over 43 years after Vietnam and a 38 year career in the Corps, retired Marine Col. M.J. "Mac" Dube was finally award a Silver Star on August 20, 2010 for his heroic actions on March 20, 1967. He was one day shy of wrapping up his tour as senior advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corp's 3rd Battalion and boarding a plane for CONUS when a firefight downed Air Force Capt. Phil Jones' L-19 observation plane near the An Lao River. Military intelligence knew NVA forces were preparing an attack on the Vietnamese Marines that would include 4 VC battalions, a local force company and a VC anti-aircraft company. They had been taking sporadic gunfire for 3 days. When Jones radioed he was going down, Dube and his team sprang into action, running 400 meters through bamboo and heavy scrub brush toward Jones and the river, taking heavy fire from enemy troops holed up in caves on a nearby hillside. Dube personally killed 11 enemy soldiers during the mad dash.

Jones tried to wave off Dube and his team, telling them to take cover, but Dube didn’t listen. While other members of his team provided cover, Dube and his Vietnamese radio operator ran the final 200 meters to the plane, made sure Jones was OK, and then they all took off running back to the team. While they waited for an evacuation flight, Jones told Dube that 6 rockets, which could be used against the forces, were still on the plane. Dube headed back to the plane with only two Vietnamese radio operators, again dodging enemy fire. The plane had landed upside down, so Dube sat upside down in the cockpit and followed directions from another pilot to turn off required switches before removing the live rockets and packaging them for transport. Dube and the radio operators shouldered the ordinace and as they ran back to safety, one of the radio operators was shot in the leg. Dube picked him up in a fireman’s carry and sprinted toward friendly lines. The radioman was hit two more times while they ran and did not survive.

Air Force pilot Phil Jones was present at the ceremony, held on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, and watched as Brig.Gen. H.S. Clardy III pinned the Silver Star for Gallantry on Colonel Dube. In a letter to me Dube says, "Hell, I didn’t go after him for a damn medal anyway – just to try to save a guy who laid his butt on the line for us everyday as our airborne FAC and he was a great one!"

NEW MEMBERS

Terry W. Brown (H Co, 84-86), Dave Lusian (H Co., 66-67) Al Rowlson (E Co., 66-67), Don Sieler (H Co., 66-68), Richard Moralis (HQHS Co., 65-66), Gustave S. Kropff (F Co., 86-90), Robert R. White (E Co., 64-65), Michael Schultz (F Co., 71-72), Michael D. Magee (Bn, 85-89), Rodney Karstetter (E Co., 87-91), Clyde Shireman (H Co., 65-66), James W. Miller (F Co., 68-69), Eugene Patrick (G Co., 67-68), Michael Klemmetson (F Co., 90-91), Jerry McClain (F Co., 71-72), Larry Hester (E Co., 66-67), Pat Owens (E Co., 77-81), Tony Fernando (E Co., 87-91), Dave Brown (E Co., 65-66), John T. Janses ll (F Co., 91-93), Wes Borror (G Co., 83-87), Hubert Wheeler (HQHS Co., 74-75), Tony Alicea (Wpns Co., 94), Antony Townsend (F Co., 90-93), Frank Paone (F Co., 68-69), William Taylor (F Co., 67-68), Carmel White (HQHS Co., 71-73), Noe Ramirez (Wpns Co., 74-78), Lorenzo W. Silvestre (F Co., 67-68), Joseph A. McGregor (F Co., 68-69), Edward Brown (HQHS Co., 77-78), P. Rodger Heaberlin (H Co., 66-67), R.D. Knight (G Co., 67-68), Otto Guiliani (G Co., 9-70), Tyler Ray (F Co., 66-70), Robert Blake (F Co., 66-67), William Beatty (H Co, 68-69), SgtMaj Brett C Scheuer (Bn, Present).

REUNION 2011

We have signed the contract with Virginian Suites for the Reunion in November of this year. If you’ve never attended before, this event is something you don't want to miss. It's a casual and family friendly affair. We have a block of rooms reserved at a special rate, and a conference room we keep open throughout the three days for socializing and where a full breakfast is served every morning. This is a place where we hang out, renew old friendships and make new ones. Guys bring old photos, souvenirs, equipment, and other stuff from their military and Viet Nam experiences. We just sit around, swap stories and share memories. We have coffee, soft drinks, beer, and snacks available.

On Nov 10 we attend Marine Corps Birthday Ceremonies at the Iwo Jima Memorial and we'll be having a birthday pizza party at the hotel that night. On November 11 there are Veteran's Day Ceremonies at "The Wall."

There are no registration fees or charges to reunion attendees and there is no charge for the refreshments, daily breakfast, or pizza party. A "donation can" will be set out in the room, or you can send a donation designated for the reunion in advance.

Make checks payable to Gabe Coronado and mail to:
2717 Gratiot Ave
Port Huron, MI 48060

Reunion attendees are responsible for making their own reservations with the hotel, payment of room, and guaranteeing for late arrival. Please reserve early. Last year, there were so many last minute people that we didn’t have enough rooms and it was too late to add more. If you change your mind, you can cancel with no penalty as late as 2 days before your reservation date.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY OCTOBER 8, 2011
TO QUALIFY FOR THE GROUP RATE.

DONATIONS

A big OOH-RAH to the donors that have helped to keep the network running. Our gratitude goes out to:

Barton Forester, Nelson D. Chasteen, A.J. Langford, James L. Langford, Melvin Horowitz, MajGen Dennis J. Murphy, William M. Carpenter, Earl Luce, Geoffrey T. Steiner, Joseph Mannino, Joseph D. Henebury, Steve Williamson, James Horn, Kenton R. Dean, Richard A. Arehart, Jerry Runice, Thomas E. Callum, William Kent, Gordon P. Couton, Pete Padilla, Bernie Truschka, Charles T. Sturdy, Gary L. Brown, Raymond Molina, Col William A. Coti, Jack Ores, Salvatore T. Licitra, Henry T. Ostaszewski, Tracy Sheppard, Glenn D. Siegler, Loren J. Lycan, Micheal J. Schramm, John R. Towell, Charles J. Cooper, Malon I. Shelton, Robert L. Mumper, Dennis Gillies, Glenn Elvey, Maj J.T. Guggino, Jack T. Hartzel, Adolph W. Novello, Jr., John L. Gangwer, Roger Wells, Thomas Fenerty, Micheal D. Jones, Daniel Hitzelberger, Joesph C. Gerst, Daniel P. Mannix, Thomas E. Dickinson, Patrick A. Pearce, Ken Kitchen, Richard Centi, Dennis Gundling, 

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
2717 Gratiot Avenue
Port Huron, MI 48060