|
|
| The
Battalion Runner Gabe
Coronado P.O. Box 611535, Pt. Huron MI 48060 Wishing you all health, wealth, and happiness in the New Year! 2007 REUNION NEWS The Reunion roster shows that 89 men signed in during the three day event. The addition of wives, friends and families swelled the numbers to well over 100 attendees. Col. Coti and his lady, Mary, attended the reunion, and the Col. addressed the troops again this year on the Marine Corps birthday. It was the 25th Anniversary of "The Wall" and many of us attended the ceremonies there on Veteran’s Day.
We already have a contract with the same hotel for Reunion 2008, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9th - Tuesday, Nov.11th 2008. It’s not too early to reserve your room now. You can cancel 48 hours before the event with no penalty. Call the Virginian Suites Hotel at: (800) 275-2866, or e-mail: reservations@virginiansuites.com. DMZ ON 29 JULY 1697 There were some responses to the following comments from Dennis Murphy, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) that ran in the last newsletter: "Yes, it was 40 years ago next weekend when we went up the old French Road west of Con Thien and spent the night up on the Ben Hai River. Fox Co. had gone up to hill 37 by helo and we linked up later on 28 July. When Echo Co. and the main CP started back south the next morning, all hell broke loose. Most of Echo Co. and the CP got down near Con Thien but the rest of us spent the night on the road in a fire fight until well after dark. We had plenty of air support and were able to get everyone down the road the next day. We carried all the WIA/KIA that we had. Hotel Co. had some of Echo’s guys. I had H&S and Golf in the center, and Fox brought up the rear on the way back. The 1st Sgt. and skipper of Golf, plus a few more, had to be medevac before we went down with a section of tanks. I’m sure those who were there won’t forget it." Don Bonsper (E 2/9, 1967) responded: "I was there as the Platoon Leader of 1st Platoon Echo. We had walked flank all the way up to the Ben Hai on the previous day and were getting a break going out second. The lead element was 2nd Platoon and we were next. The company CP followed with 3rd Platoon bringing up the rear...The BN leadership went up to the river to look for an alternate route back but couldn’t find anything suitable for the tracked vehicles. So we came out along the same road that had been used the day before. Not a good decision. The noise and smoke as the tanks fired up was like sending smoke signals to the bad guys. When we finally got moving it was mid-morning. The lead squad of 2nd Platoon was just leaving the BN area when Charlie detonated a 105mm round that was hanging in a tree. It took out the first three Marines in the squad. Another Marine took off the head of an enemy soldier with an M-79 round. The command detonated 105 was a pre-arranged signal to the VC Mortar guys to fire away and fire away they did. The rounds came in on signal. The first salvo was off target. I remember crawling under a tank for cover. The effect of the incoming was intended to paralyze us in the area and allow time for the enemy to get closer to our position and to set their ambush along the road. Echo moved out as quickly as possible to clear the target area and to make room for the rest of the battalion to get underway. We were able to move along the road and then take cover as salvo after salvo of platoons and the CP of Echo were the only folks who got all the way out on that first day. I set up a perimeter with what we had that night. We received many of the wounded via an assortment of vehicles and medivac’d as late as we could. We hunkered down for the night, tired and vulnerable. Charlie tossed a bunch of mortars that really didn’t do any damage to our position. In the morning the rest of the battalion joined us and we expanded the perimeter to accommodate the increase in people and vehicles. The fight for that day was over." Otis Ford (F 2/9, 1967-68) responded: "I walked point for Fox 2/9 on that helluva day. I would like to hear from any Marine who served with 2/9 from June ’67 to July ’68." Call Otis at (843) 479-7235. Wm. "Jack" McDowell (G 2/9, 1967) responded: "I was the 1st Sgt. of G 2/9 at the time; our Company Commander was Mel Horowitz. We both got whacked, he in his foot, and me by a .51 cal machine gun round which required my leg to be amputated on board the hospital ship USS Sanctuary. I never got the chance to thank those 5 or 6 guys in G Co. for carrying me through the woods to where the company had set up defensive positions, and from where we were eventually medivac’d out the next day. So, if any of them reads this I sure would like to hear from them. I was also a Chosin Reservoir survivor with Weapons 1/5, 1950-51 – got whacked there also. Must be some kind of a damn cloud over my head." Call Jack at (562)997-9264 or email: jmcdas2@earthlink.net. "HELL IN A HELMET"
Bill Mesce says, "At the time our Bn CO had made it mandatory that everyone wear their steel pots at all times. No other cover was permitted. He would have made us sleep in it, if he could. I think it was Sgt. Hubbard that suggested "Hell in a Helmet" and I remember him painstakingly working on the helmet part of the painting to get it just right. The last thing added was the lightning bolt showing we were a strike force." MAYAGUEZ RECOVERY There will be a reunion for 2/9er’s, and all associated or attached personnel, who participated in the Mayaguez Recovery, Koh Tang Cambodia May 1975. This reunion will be held in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida on April 30 – May 3, 2008. For more information call Dan Hoffman at (803) 647-9034 or email: dhoffman@sc.rr.com.
HOW TO SEND SUPPORT TO TROOPS There have been some requests for information on how to send packages to troops. For security reasons, and contrary to some info floating around the internet, only mail and packages addressed to a specific soldier will be delivered. An organization called Any Marine is coordinating support efforts by providing a communication point between deployed Marines and supportive citizens. Their internet site www.anymarine.com lists over 400 Marines that have provided names and addresses requesting mail & packages. In addition, the site offers a wealth of information on what & what not to send, and how to send. There is no guarantee you will get a reply from the Marine that got your package. However, if you want to increase your chances of getting a reply pre-address an envelope to yourself, add a few pieces of paper, and a pen to your package. No need for a stamp on the envelope. In your letter to the Marine which you also put in the box, ask him/her to drop you a quick note or more, and ask if there is anything in particular you can send. Better chance you get a reply with that. Another contact point is my nephew who is currently serving in the Corps in Baghdad. He has offered to distribute letters and packages for us to Marines in his area. You can send mail to him at: CPL Schneider, Jeffrey M. / MALS 16 / UIC 41061 / FPO AP 96426-1061. NOTES FROM THE MAILBOX Tim Illingworth (HQHS, 1973) writes, "I have a short story about my time with 2/9 in 1973, Camp Schwab Okinawa Japan, I was the baker for 2/9, at some point the Gunny from Motor Transport and I got to talking, seems his family ran a Pizza Shop, and he missed making pizza. We talked about it and soon there would be numerous personnel from Motor T, all helping their Gunny make pizza. He always had said that if I ever needed anything to call him. After a fall that broke my elbow, I was in Camp Kue Army Hospital; I received a call from the Gunny reminding me to call, if I needed anything. Well, I had been taken to Kue in civvies, I had no ID, no money, no shoes and only the clothes I was wearing. All my gear (what was left) had been taken to Supply, and I needed to go there to pick-up my belongings. I called the Gunny, and true to his word, I had a jeep and a driver checked out to me. The driver picked me up and took me back to Camp Schwab: however the MP’s at the gate would not let me in without any ID, so the driver took me out to town, left me in Henoko and went aboard the base, brought me one of his uniforms to wear (I picked up a few ranks), I was able to get on the base and get my gear out of Supply, driver then took me back to Kue. I don’t remember the Gunny’s name, but if any members of the network recall making and eating pizza at the 2/9 mess hall, contact me, and Gunny, if you are out there, Thank You!" Tim can be contacted at: (215) 643-6223. Becky Hebert writes, "My uncle William F. Seveney was killed on July 29, 1967 in Quang Tri South Vietnam. He was in Fox Company 2nd Battalion 9th Marines. If anyone remembers him or has any information on him I would greatly appreciate it." You can email Becky at bhebert@ware.k12.ma.us. Red Hill (E2/9, 1967-68) writes, "Don 'Snoopy' Truesdale is suffering from a return of a tumor to his brain. This time it is pressing against his eye and cheek bone. Don also has problems with his legs and is basically confined to a wheel chair. Don and I periodically talk to each other and he said one of the biggest problems is loneliness. These are trying times for Snoopy to say the least. Please find some time to either give Don a call at (920) 450-4171 or send him a card to let him know that you are thinking of him. If it wasn’t for Don "kicking me in the ass" there might not have been any reunions." Don’s address is: 624 Vera Avenue, Neenah, WI 54956-1615 Dominik Nargele (Bn Command, 1965-66) has published a book titled, Our Wars Overseas and at Home which has several chapters describing his service with 2/9 in Vietnam. Check it out at www.ourwarsoverseas.com. Alfred "Skip" Causey (HQHS, 1968-70) writes, "I would like to find out about the illnesses from Agent Orange. I have Lupus and VA won’t take responsibility." Contact him at: (706)633-3251 or skipcausey@tds.net. Kenneth Eckert (G2/9, 1991-95) writes, "I would like to get in touch with some of my buddies I served with in Somalia. I was an 0311 in 3rd platoon. Semper Fi." Contact him at: (301)672-6699 or yamahaguyok@yahoo.com. Darrin Sears (F2/9, 1989-93) writes, "I am looking for our deployment video we created when in Somalia." Contact him at: (859)230-8160 or darrinsears@yahoo.com. Lanny Roedel (F2/9, 1968-70) writes, "I would like to hear from anyone in F2/9 or attached to F2/9 during Operation Dewey Canyon, or anyone that knows or remembers me or Johnny Ray Engram. Love you all Brothers and Semper Fi!" Contact him at (417)781-6669 or 1bambooviper@sbcglobal.net. Dan "Woody" Holland (G2/9, 1968-70) writes, "Was in country from March - August 1969 and would like to find fellow fire team members, Bass and Williams in 3rd squad, 3rd platoon." NEW MEMBERS Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Lt. Col. Thad Trapp who is the Company Commander of the newly reactivated 2nd Battalion. He joined the network in November 2007. 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, I am no longer publishing contact info in the Runner. Contact information for new members is available on the website Roster, or by calling me at (810) 987-4038, or e-mailing me at member3107@aol.com. Lt. Col. Thad Trapp (HQHS, 2007-date), Darrin Sears (F2/9, 1989-93), Kenneth "E Dog" Eckert (G2/9, 1991-95), Alfred "Skip" Causey (HQHS, 1968-70), Lanny "Bambooviper" Roedel (F2/9, 1968-70), Paul Normand (H2/9, 1968-69), Johnny Freeman (HQHS, 1965-67), William "Bill" Baum (G2/9, 1967-68), Don Mann (HQHS, 1974-75), Javier "Taco" Salas (H2/9, 1969), Garrett Daudt (G2/9, 1962-63), Mike O’Rourke (E2/9, 1967-69), John Archuleta (E2/9, 1987-90), Bill Taylor (F2/9, 1967-68), Bill Hatfield (F2/9, 1972-73), Rick Sprinkle (Weapons, 1984-87), David Sowder (HQHS, 1965-66), Claude "Frency" Thibodeau (HQHS, 1961-66), Roger Fogus (HQHS, 1965-66), Bob Paul (HQHS, 1965-66), Tom Fenerty (F2/9, 1967-68), Charles "Chick" Larson (HQHS, 1966-67), Walter "AJ" Pridgen (G2/9, 1967-68), Otis Buzzard" Ford (F2/9, 1967-68), Jerry Newsome (E2/9, 1975-76), Jack Hamblen (E2/9, 1969-70), Rafael "Peanut" Renteria (H2/9 1968-69), Mike Ryan (G2/9, 1965-66), William Rouse (HQHS, 1989-92), Al Rath (Weapons, 1981-85), Patrick Mulhill (F2/9, 1990-93), Roger "Frenchie" French (HQHS, 1968-69), Paul Marshall (F2/9, 1968-69), Arthur Lindars (H2/9, 1963-64), Dan Douglas (F2/9, 1966-67), John Rogowski (HQHS, 1965), William Parkinson (F2/9, 1959-60), Lou Marasco (E2/9, 1968-69), Ken Holmes (G2/9, 1968-69), Dave Miller (F2/9, 1986-88), Romer "Jack" Jackson (F2/9, 1966-68), Frank "Bop" Stoppa (G2/9, 1957-58), Bill Mesce (HQHS, 1966), Michael John O’Connor (G2/9, 1988-90), Robert "Mobush" Barcroft (G2/9, 1971-72), Gilbert "Gill" Bell (G2/9, 1969-70), Dan "Woody" Holland (G2/9, 1968-70), Louis Hearrell (H2/9, 1967), Dennis Wade (HQHS, 1967-68), Gordon Birmingham (H2/9, 1967), Bobby Hubbard (HQHS, 1965-66), John "Jack" Drea (F2/9, 1965-66), Chris Lubinski (HQHS, 1987-89), William Jones (F2/9, 1965), Ray Bastian (HQHS, 1966-67), Thomas Kaehler (HQHS, 1970-71), Curtis Baillie (G2/9, 1967-68), Glenn Coltey (E2/9, 1967-68), Tom Muckey (HQHS, 1988-92) Anthony Tomes (F2/9, 1967) John Meeks (F2/9, 1981-85), Larry Thomas (HQHS, 1977-78), James Brewster (H2/9, 1967-68), Boyd Davis F2/9, 1986-89), Kevin "Archie" Coombs (Weapons, 2007-date) Virgil "Andy" Anderson (G2/9, 1965-66). DONATIONS 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 OOH-RAH to the big donors for the 2007 Reunion including Dick Sasser, Jerry Parker, Robert Barclay and Frank LeMay. Other donors that help keep the network running are Bob Sawyer, Pete Padilla, Raymond Weisgerber, Kenneth Blankenship, Kathy Upchurch, Robert Slattery, Thomas McCarthy, Gerald Hornick, Robbie Wright, Raymond Wagner, Sgt. Maj. Lester Wadlei, Jr, R.C. McGuire, Henry Ostaszewski, Ronald Taylor, Mike Schramm, Don Bonsper, Ralph Martinez, George Truschka, James McMillan, Chad Floyd, Robert Oliver, Jimmy Lester, Tim Willingworth, D.G. Nargeles, Pete Eccles, Glen Siegler, Jay Kumm, Watson Burton, Herb Thompson, Carsten Seyer, Ed Gorman, Thomas McCarthy, Joseph Henebury. |
Red Hill, the founder of the Network, missed the reunion for the first time due to the birth of his first grandchild, a girl born 13 Nov 2007 named Bo. The 50/50 raffle for Red’s daughter produced a $152 gift for the new baby. She and her husband wish to express their gratitude to the Network.
Red was also honored by the 2/9 Network with the presentation of a "Brick Registration Certificate" from The Marine Corp Heritage Foundation certifying the inscription: RICHARD "RED" HILL – ECHO 2/9 1968-1969 – FOUNDER 2/9 NETWORK to be engraved on a brick lining the pathways of Semper Fidelis Memorial Park overlooking the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Henry Ostaszewski accepted the award for Red and delivered it to him on 26 November. Red’s response is "To all of you I say Thank You! I am glad that I was able to reunite all of you old buddies. It does my heart good. I love all of you. Semper Fidelis."
A request for information on the origin of the "Hell in a Helmet" motto that was published in the last Runner brought responses from Bob McFadden, Ward Hoffmann, and Bill Mesce. It seems that the grunts of 2/9 that were around Dong Ha and Camp Carroll area in the spring of 1966 had taken to calling the unit the "Blood Bucket". An office poge wrote his mother telling her of this cool nickname, but, she got upset and contacted her congressman saying she felt this name was inappropriate. The complaint worked its way up the chain of command and orders came back down to change it, so a contest was held among the men. The Marine who submitted the winning name would receive a cash prize and 14 days liberty in Bangkok.