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Battalion Runner Gabe
Coronado P.O. Box 611535, Pt. Huron MI 48060 GLAD YOU LIKE IT I received lots of positive feedback about the last issue of the Runner and the Roster. Thanks for your support and encouragement. I couldn’t do it without the help of my Janet, and even though we really do enjoy doing it, it still means a lot to both of us to know our work is appreciated. We also received some corrections and changes to the Roster, and there are new guys signing up online everyday. We will be sending out an update to the roster that will include all this information in the fall. ANNIVERSARIES MAKE MEMORIES It seems the early part of the year brings memories for many, of certain operations or battles that were very important. In February 1966, I was involved with Operation Double Eagle II when I got hit the first time. Double Eagle I ended on the 17th of February. The Marines reported 312 enemy KIA and 19 captured. They also captured 18 weapons and 868 rounds of ammunition. Operation Double Eagle II started on February 17th when the Double Eagle I infantry units were moved 50 miles north to the Que Son Valley to engage the 1st VC Regiment. For the next 19 days, the Marines swept through the area. They accounted for 125 enemy KIA and 15 captured. I remember it was mid-morning we got hit. It was a big hand grenade fight. The guy behind me was screaming. I turned around and that’s when I got hit. The next thing I remember is waking up in Charlie Med. I was shipped out for R & R in Tokyo, Japan and returned to Da Nang the end of March. When I got off the plane and walked toward the hangers to get my gear, I saw all these guys lying on stretchers on the ground.
In a recent email from Dave Garner dated March 25th, he says, “Today marks the 40th anniversary of the night we were attacked; a day for remembering comrades lost and to pray for the safe return of our warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan.” I wished the men well and headed back into the field where I went back to running my M-60 until I got hit again in La Tho Bac 3. I got an email from Ed Gorman recently remembering that battle. He said, “It’s hard to believe, but 40 years ago we were walking in the boonies in Vietnam. Yikes! Are we getting old or what? May 14th will be the 40th anniversary when we walked into the big ambush in La Tho Bac 3.” The memories really started rushing back when I got a letter from Eddie “Doc” Gallegos, detailing his experience of being hit on the same day. The following is his story: Echo Company - May 1966 On May 14, 1966 I was a 19 year old Corpsman with Echo 2/9 when we were ambushed near La Tho Bac, Viet Nam. I am trying to locate these Marines and Corpsman with whom I served and who may have survived the ambush: (1) LCPL Craig Horton; (2) SGT. Ocuna; (3) PFC Murphy; (4) Corpsman Greg Salter. Several others, including Corporal Watson and Smallwood were KIA. For all these years I have tried to find out what happened that terrible day, I only remember what happened in my area of the fight, Can you please help me find any others in E 2/9 who remember May 14, 1966? My recollection begins with an early dawn briefing by Sgt. Ocuna. We had to cross open areas two men at a time. When the “L” shaped ambush hit, about half the platoon was in the tree line ahead on the other side of the paddy and I was crossing the paddy with another Marine. The enemy had many automatic rifles and machine guns. There were sounds of machine guns, rifle fire and explosions all around. Marines were returning fire. I don’t remember what happened to the guy next to me but the Marines in the tree line several yards ahead were screaming “Corpsman up” so I went. I was hit twice before I got to the tree line and hit a third time when I reached it. In the tree line there were several Marines firing from behind a small berm. There were several enemy closing in on us from both our right and our front. Lance Corporal Craig Horton was hit in his calf real bad so I worked on him and gave him morphine. PFC Murphy yelled and held up his arm to me, which was bleeding from his bicep. I was facing him and working on him when he pushed me aside and shot two enemy just behind my back. I then crawled to Corporal Watson who showed me his thumb, which was falling off his hand. He panicked and put his head over the berm. I grabbed his collar to pull him down. Too late. He was hit in the head. He died. I looked up and saw three enemy coming at us. I grabbed an M-14 lying nearby and emptied the magazine at the enemy. I missed. I think a communist grenade was thrown by one of the three enemy and it landed next to me and exploded. Dorie Lear
I spent almost one year in BalboaNavalHospital. In honor of the Marine Grunts I went to college and law school. I practiced law for almost 30 years before Viet Nam finally got me and the lights went out in October 2004. I am rated 90% service connected disabled. I am now a fuzzy old “Grandpa” and full time babysitter. Otherwise, I spend my time at the VA hospital for treatments, writing to my Congresswoman and Senators and applying to Social Security and VA for benefits. I remember. God Bless America and Semper Fi! When I received his letter, I gave him a call and we talked quite a while. I encouraged him to come to the reunion, but he says that’s not possible, as he has to stay close to the hospital. Maybe some of you remember that day, too, and can answer some of his questions. Contact him at: Eddie Gallegos, PO Box 7306, Albuquerque, NM 87194 phone: (505) 242-7286. MAILBOX NOTES Jerry Kenny writes in his request for a Harvest Moon report, “I worked for Capt. Gormley, as an M-60 man in Weapons Plt., H Co. assigned to 2nd Platoon. We got in a little trouble on the 18th of December 1965 and it changed the rest of my life. Even now, I have a hard time remembering that day. I know the skipper was killed right away, I know Doc West was shot-up pretty bad. What I don’t remember was why we were there in the first place. I know you were in Echo, along with Jimmy Albert and Beaker. The only other guy I remember from Echo was Highness. I think he was a weapons man. It was 40 years ago and the whole thing seems like a motion picture production. I remember some of the day, but most of all the afternoon. I remember Andy Anderson saying ‘we’re fucked now.’ I remember Dave Kid running out of ammo. Most of all, I remember the long run to some village, then getting out of there in six-by…” On March 25th, the following was addressed to E 2/9 Platoon 2: “Thinking of each of you today and just wanted you to know how much you have enriched my life and how much I love each of you guys and hope all is well.” Kathy Upchurch, Proud Marine Widow Peg McGeeney writes, “I just received the Battalion Runner and saw my husband’s name listed with Hotel Co. I am sorry to report that he passed away on 5/26/05 of a double brain aneurysm. Please know my daughter and I have had a terrible time dealing with the VA in New York for survivors benefits. I do not wish it on anyone. If losing a loved one was not enough pain and grief, the VA still has not paid for the burial." Peg can be contacted at pegprincess64@yahoo.com.” Jim Forbes writes, “I’m trying to get information on a G 2/9 KIA named Cpl Dale Pehrson who was killed by small arms gun fire in November of ’67. Does anyone remember this guy or the details of his death? There were three other KIAs from G 2/9 the same day. I’m doing this for Dale’s sister who lives in northern California. A million years ago I was a forward observer with A 1/11 attached to the 1st and then later the 26th Marines.” Jim can be contacted at kfat@aol.com or jim.forbes@gmail.com. Don “Jake” Jakovac writes, “Looking over after action reports I saw that 2/9 had a squad at Cam Lo when we got hit during TET. I was in 1st plt. Delta 1/4. We were providing security for the morning mine sweep from Dong Ha to Cam Lo and the CAC unit asked we stay the night because they heard rumors they were going to get hit that night. I think a squad from 2/9 was doing the same thing we were from the other direction. Of course we got hit and heavy. I was going down the trench line when I passed my squad leader and a corpsman helping a wounded Marine. A rpg or recoilless rifle round exploded, wounding all of us. I always wondered how that corpsman was. At first I heard he got KIA but later found out he was badly wounded. I wondered if you had any further info on your people that night. Everyone in my squad got wounded at least once in that battle. I don’t know how anyone survived that night.” Ron Losee writes, “…GySgt. Nat Vadala…who was the H&S Co. Gunny in 1968, died at Fallbrook, CA in March 2004. He was a vet of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.” Dean “Deano” Kenton writes, “Thanks for all your hard work. I sleep better now, since I’ve made contact with the guys in my unit." Barton Forester (Sgt/Maj Ret, 1942-1971) writes, “I was Sgt/Maj of 2/9 in 68-69. My great nephew who I had never met called me last June, he had located me thru your website. He’s a L/Cpl. on Okinawa, now on his way to Iraq. I live next door to Jim Langford. He’s in the hospital but I think he’ll be ok. I lost my wife, Angie, March 5th…we were married 60 years. Other than that, I’m ok for an 81 year-old man. Semper Fi.” He was not listed on the recent roster. You can contact him at: 4880 Park Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008 or phone: (760) 729-8878. Ruben Scott sent some information on the Young Marines, including the 40th anniversary issue of their magazine Esprit, which contains articles by three of his unit. These young people have high aspirations! One young woman was just promoted to SSgt in the Young Marines, and wants to be the first female Sgt/Maj of the Corps. Another has the goal to be the first female helo pilot for the President. He also sent a copy of the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance Newsletter and suggests that if anyone is interested in starting a chapter of the Alliance in your state visit the website at www.gvva.com. VETERANS DISABILITY PAYMENTS VARY A Chicago newspaper recently reported that Illinois veterans were receiving the nation’s lowest disability payments. After the Illinois congress asked the VA for an explanation, the agency’s inspector general found that average disability payments for veterans in six states were lower than could be accounted for by obvious factors. A provision enacted last year allows veterans in these states to resubmit their disability claims and perhaps receive retroactive payments. If you live in Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, Michigan or Indiana, you should contact your local VA rep to reapply for disability benefits. When you reapply, consider including compensation for hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder and Diabetes. Recent medical studies indicate that Diabetes can result from exposure to Agent Orange and it has now been included compensation schedules.
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 and roster, and incidental costs 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: 2/9 Network – Gabe Coronado, PO Box 611535, Port Huron, MI 48061-1535. A big OOH-RAH for all the people who have helped to keep the network going since the last newsletter: Ed Gorman, Stephen Clemons, Richard “Red” Hill, Jerry Kenney, Robert Holmes, Ruben Scott, Carsten Seyer, Edward Scott, Jr., Barton Forester, Steve Judd, Mario Silvestrini. MARINE CORPS MUSEUM & THE 2006 REUNION The National Museum of the Marine Corps is under construction on a 135-acre site adjacent to the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Quantico, VA. The Dedication and Grand Opening ceremonies will be taking place this fall November 10th, 11th & 12th, the same time as the 2/9 Reunion. For more info visit www.usmcmuseum.org/. Red Hill says tickets to the events being held in conjunction with the opening ceremonies are available by writing to: National Museum of the Marine Corps Dedication and Grand Opening Information on the 2/9 Reunion is included at the end of this newsletter. Make your reservations now. CHANGE OF ADDRESS If you have moved, or plan to in the near future, please think of the 2/9 Network and a change of address. If you have a computer just send an e-mail to me by clicking on “Contact the Battalion Scribe” on the 2/9 website, or call me at the phone number in the heading. FAQS HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF MY DD 214? The Department of Veterans Affairs does not maintain records of veteran’s military service, except as is necessary for providing benefits. For information about obtaining your military record, please visit the Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, which is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Internet address for NARA is: http://www.archives.gov. The Internet address for the Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis is: http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records.htm Veterans or next-of-kin of deceased veterans can use the online order form at www.vetrecs.archives.gov, or use the Standard Form 180 (SF-180), Request Pertaining to Military Records. There are several ways to obtain an SF-180. You can download and print a copy of the SF-180 in PDF format on the web at http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html the form is a total of 3 pages. This is also a fillable version of the SF-180. It will allow you to type the needed information into the form using your keyboard. You will still need to print, sign and mail the form. COMMAND CHRONOLOGIES
If you want Command Chronologies and After Action Reports for 2/9 write to: Department of the Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Historical Center, 1254 Charles Morris Street, SE, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5040 They will send you a CD with all the unit records and actions. REPLACING LOST MEDALS
You can replace lost service medals by filling out a standard Form 180 (request Pertaining to Military Records). Request a copy of the form by visiting their web site at http://www.nara.gov/regional/mpr.html. If you are using the mail send to: Navy Liaison Office, National Personnel Records Center, Room 3475/ N-314, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Whether using the Internet or by mail you need to send proof that you received these medals. Providing a copy of your DD 214 will satisfy that requirement. Also include your full name, DOB, Service Number, Social Security Number, approximate dates of service and your return address. PERSONNEL ROSTERS
If you are looking for the names of the men that you served with you can request that info by writing the DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, Headquarters USMC, Personnel Management Support Branch, 2008 Elliot Rd., Quantico, VA 22134-5030. Just write that you are looking for men that you served with and give them the time frame and unit you served with. You might also be able to request copies of the Unit Diaries at this place. CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH
If you are looking for information on how a “Brother” or loved one died, include the service number if you know it, or at least all of the info surrounding the event, and send a request for circumstances of death to: National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines If you’ve never attended before, this event is something you don’t want to miss. We have a block of rooms reserved at a special rate and a conference room that we keep open throughout the 3 days. 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, and we’ll be having a pizza party there on Thursday night. There are no registration fees or charges to reunion attendees. There is no charge for the refreshments or pizza party. A “donation can” will be set out in the room, or you can donate* in advance. This is a casual and family friendly affair. If there are wives coming for the first time, the other wives are friendly and will explain everything to them. We know where to send them to have a little fun shopping or sightseeing. There is a Metro subway stop close to the hotel, cab fare is affordable and sightseeing tours are available. Places of interest include: the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln Memorials, the White House, the National Cathedral, National Archives, the Smithsonian and many other museums. The subway will also take you to Georgetown shopping or the Pentagon Plaza underground shopping mall. Reunion attendees are responsible for making their own reservations with the hotel, payment of room, and guaranteeing for late arrival. There are 65 rooms reserved for reunion attendees. These rooms will be available until October 9th, 2006. After that date, the rooms that are left will be returned to the hotel, so please reserve early. Contact person for the reunion is Stephen Clemons, phone: (410) 551-7920 or email: stephen@cablespeed.com. If you need info the week of the reunion, call his cell phone: (301) 717-1988.
ITINERARY
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One guy called my name, so I headed over to see who it was. There were a whole bunch of men from my platoon, my squad, and my fire team, all lying there on stretchers. I said, “What the hell is going on?” They started telling me how we’d been over ran the night before, and who got zapped.
I could not hear. I could not breathe. I could not feel my right leg. I could not see for the blood in my eyes. I was later treated for multiple shrapnel wounds in the head, chest, right arm, both legs, liver, stomach, right buttock and lung, and broken ribs. Corpsman Greg Salter tried to treat me but the firefight was still fierce and he had many other Marines to attend. He went to them first. After going in and out of consciousness, and after a long time lying in the dirt with Watson and Horton, I was eventually rescued by three Marines one of whom said to me, “Goddam Doc you’re all fucked up.” I said, “Yep!” They carried me to a nearby hooch and place me on the dirt floor. A skinny Marine with blonde hair and two missing upper front teeth stood at the open door with his M-14 pointed out. Sgt Ocuna was laying on the floor. His body was smoking and grease was dripping from his burning body onto the floor. The gap toothed Marine said Ocuna’s Willy Peter grenade on his web belt had detonated. After an eternity, Medevac helicopters came.
