The Battalion Runner
2011 - No. 3
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

2/9 REUNION NOVEMBER 9-11, 2011

The information for the upcoming Reunion in Washington, DC was printed in the last Runner and is available on the 2/9 website. Reunion attendees are responsible for making their own reservations with the hotel, payment of room, and guaranteeing for late arrival. Hotel reservations must be made by October 8, 2011 to qualify for the group rate. When making reservations be sure to identify yourself with The 2/9 Network - Block #41887. Parking and daily breakfast are included in the room rates and reservations can be cancelled without penalty until November 8, 2011.

All rooms are suites that include a full kitchen. If you are driving, make sure to get a parking ticket for your car at check-in. The STUDIO SUITE is one large room with a queen bed plus a full kitchen for $129 per night plus tax. The BEDROOM SUITE has one large room that includes a full kitchen, and a separate bedroom with two double beds for $149 per night plus tax. For reservations, please contact:

Virginian Suites
1500 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA
Phone: 866-371-1446
Email: reservations@virginiansuites.com.

If you would like more info on the hotel, visit their website at: http://www.virginiansuites.com.

There are big changes ahead for the 2012 Reunion which will be held in Branson, Missouri. All the details on this will be shared at the upcoming Reunion.

HEADS UP ON ADDITIONAL EMAIL-ONLY RUNNERS

By now, I'm sure you all are aware of the current state of the economy and the pressures it is putting on everyone's budget. Donations to the Network are down while the number of members continues to grow. The cost of publishing and mailing one issue runs around $1300. Since the flow of information coming in is exceeding our financial capacity to publish, supplemental Runners will be sent by email only, in between the printed and mailed Runners. If you want to keep up with all the information, make sure you have a valid email address on file with me. Important information such as Reunion info will always be published in print and sent to all members.

THE BEN HAI SAGA CONTINUES

My name is Otis "Buzzard" Ford (F2/9, 67-68) and I am writing on behalf of myself and other survivors of the infamous 2/9 Ben Hai and Back – RVN 28-29 July 1967. It will be 44 years this year. I have talked to a lot of the survivors and we all ask the same question: Where is Maj. Gen Dennis Murphy's Medal of Honor? I was walking point for F Co that day. We were helicoptered in and spent a quiet night on Hill 31. We were the leading company coming out. Word came down to take the same route out that we took coming in. Any Marine knows that's a no-no.

About half-way down the hill we were hit with everything the NVA had, Mortars, RPGs, small arms, etc. We became disoriented, bodies laying everywhere, KIAs, WIAs a chopper carrying WIAs was shot down, tanks couldn't move, companies got mixed up. Thank God for Maj Gen Dennis Murphy. He seemed to be everywhere at once, Tank Commander, Company Commander, Plt. Leader, Squad Leader, you name it he did it that day.

I have talked to a lot of the "Boots on the Ground" and they feel the same way. I will go to my grave with the leg injury I suffered jumping out of the Chopper when it would not land on Hill 37 coming in. I would have been in my grave along with many others 44 years ago had it not been for Maj Gen Dennis Murphy. COME ON BRASS! Speak up and give this man his due while he is still alive!

Anyone out there still alive, please contact me:

Otis Ford
307 First Avenue
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone 843-479-7235.

LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD!

WAKE ISLAND 70th ANNIVERSARY

One of the greatest battles of American History, "Wake Island" will be commemorated 8-13 December 2011, on Guam and Wake Island. Many forget the same day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, on 7 December 1941, on the other side of the date line, 8 December 1941 Guam and Wake Island were also attacked.

Wake Island was defended by a small contingent of Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Civilians against an overwhelming armada of Japanese Naval Forces. Often referred to as the "Alamo of the Pacific," even the civilians, many of them construction workers from Guam, took up arms against the invasion.

You can view the Historical Return at: www.miltours.com. Please call for information at 703-590-1295 or write for a brochure at mhtours@miltours.com.

Fraternally and…Semper Fidelis - Warren Wiedhahn, Colonel USMC (Ret)

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.

Since there have been no contributions submitted for this issue, we will just use some space and time to honor our active 2/9 Brothers who have given all for their country. This information was collected from www.icasualties.org.

We will print a few each issue as space permits. If anyone out there has anything to share about these Brothers please send it for the next issue.

NOTES FROM THE MAILBOX

Rick Osborn, (G2/9, 68-69) writes, "I'm doing a little research project about my time in Vietnam and would like to know if any of the members can fill in a few blanks in my memory. Does anyone remember the Pen Pal section of the Stars & Stripes? Was there another newspaper that listed Pen Pals from girls in the states? The listings were from all over but if my memory is correct there were many listings from ladies attending Ball State University in Indiana. What I'm seeking is to learn more about the Pen Pal section and if there was another paper, what was the name of it. Can anyone out there jog my memory and point me in the right direction?" You can email Rick at: amesozzie@mchsi.com.

Melvin Foster, (H2/9, 72-73) writes, "I served under Captain Espinoza. He started calling us the ‘Horrible Hogs'. If anyone was in the unit back then please contact me asap." You can email Melvin at mfoster@ccstl.org or phone him at 314-522-8462.

Col Bill Coti, E2/9 (65-66) writes, "I want to thank Lt Owen for explaining that the Chinese massacre of the American wounded at the Chosin reservoir were actually soldiers and not Marines. I was only a PFC BAR man at the time and didn't hear anything about the Army until we got evacuated to Mason, where we were all warned when we get home not to talk about the poor performance of the U.S. Army in Korea. I first heard of the incident about 4 or 5 years ago at the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Washington, D.C. when Charles Durning narrated the story of Ed Reeves. A heavy load was lifted when I read Lt Owen's reply that some of my wounded buddies were not burned alive by the Chinese."

Barry Butterworth writes, "I'm looking for anyone who may have known Cpl John B. Headley, Fox 2/9 who was KIA October 2, 1967 in Quang Tri. We were from Warwick, RI, went to high school together, and joined the Corps around the same time. I was with 3rd Force Recon, Dong Ha 67-68. I recently met with his younger sister Jane at a high school reunion and would like to give her any photos of John in country and/or information regarding his death." If you can help Barry with this request, email him at: recon265@hotmail.com or phone him at 401-667-0920.

NEW MEMBERS

Manuel Tijerina (HQHS Co. 65-76), James Dodge (HQHS Co, 76-77), Don Siemer (HQHS Co. 65-69), Robert McDowell (E Co. 85-89), Kern Lewis (E Co. 73-75), John G. Fleming (H Co. 69-70), George J. Murphy (H Co. 66-67), Jeffery A Lally (HQHS Co. 80-83), Stephen H. Gehring (HQHS Co. 69), Peter Anderson (HQHS Co. 67), Mike Styskal (Bn Command (11- Pres.), Steven Comstock (G Co. 81-83), Harry Peterson (HQHS Co. 85-87), Bruce D. Neal (G Co. 83-87), Bret Cunningham (Wpns Co, 87-92), Melvin Foster (H Co. 72-73), David Kulhanek (F Co. 81-84), John Nickence (G Co. 65-66), Ronald Shelton (G Co. 90-91), Daryl Elgen (HQHS Co. 66-67), Kelsey Schaefer (E Co. 80-82),Terry Smith (F Co. 66-67), David F. Hamilton (E Co. 61-62), Bob Dooley (H co 69-70).

DONATIONS

A big OOH-RAH to the donors that have helped to keep the network running. Our gratitude goes out to: Richard L. Kinney, Charles D. Turbak, Michael Nichols, Grank G. Paone, William A Coti, John F. Harley, MajGen Dennis J Murphy, SgtMaj Ronald F. Tombly, James M Horn, William Carpenter, Richard Arehart, Kenton R. Dean, David E Wray, David Chorzempa, William A Gay, Richard H Centi, Robbie J Wright, Gerald Hornick, Salvatore Licitra, Filomeno R Morales, Robert Mumper, Glen Siegler, Joseph T Guggino, Tom Bragg, Joseph Conroy, Robert Weeks, Robert J Hengle, Arnold Murillo, Ruben B. Scott, Pete Padilla, Bob Hengle, Arnold Murillo.

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