The
time of this photo is January 1966, and we were 3rd Platoon, Charlie
Company attached to BLT 3/4. We were at Camp Schwab in Okinawa from
December 22, 1965 until we returned to Phu Bai, RVN, in March 1966 along
with BLT 3/4. Upon our return, B Company under Captain Compton and Force
Recon under Major Colby were at Phu Bai. We became 3rd Platoon, B Company
sometime in there until most of us rotated in April-June 1966 time frame.
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Top
Row, Left to right:
Nelson, R. J. Brooks, M. C. Shea, Gerald F. Nelson, Lawrence E. Jr Miller, William F. Messer, J. E. Beckham, Willie L. Ballentine, R. D. |
2nd
Row, left to right:
Sitton, Edward D. - Corpsman Friedman, Marvin Fontane, Rudolph Vogel, Denis J. Holt, M. R. Gerhart, E. J. Rossi, A. P. Steuer, Harold J. Palmer, J. T. |
First
row, left to right:
Skully, Kenneth A. Collins, Bryan C. Bailey, Garner Jr. Pritchard, Alexander J. Huddleston, Gene Keith Musselwhite, James T. Mills, Burley A. Harris, James D. Heath, Raymond Douglas Mattson, Lawrence W. (kneeling) |
Some
History: After we completed Basic School, Ranger School, and Airborne
School, Lt William T. Henderson and I reported to 3rd Recon Bn on May
25, 1965, in Danang, RVN. Bill was sent to Alpha Company, and I was
sent to Charlie Company (Captain Colassard, Lt Leary, Lt Homan, Lt.
Dicke, 1st Sgt Ward, Gunny Miller came later). On May 26, I reviewed
all the SRBs of the Marines in 3rd Platoon, and from that review and
interviews, organized the platoon. A few days later, Charlie Company
relocated by truck convoy to Phu Bai and was attached to BLT 3/4 (LTC
W. W. Taylor). Lt Frank Reasoner's platoon that had been at Phu Bai
returned to Alpha Company in Danang. In June, Captain Colassard rotated
and Lt Dan Leary became acting CO. In August, Captain Joseph E. Revell
reported in as our Company Commander. In September, Charlie Company,
minus one platoon, was ordered back to Danang. Captain Revell had the
Platoon Leaders to draw straws, and I "won". My 3rd Platoon
of Charlie Company was detached from the Company, and attached to BLT
3/4. The rest of Charlie Company returned to Danang and rejoined 3rd
Recon Bn from which they conducted patrolling operations. My platoon
patrolled the TAOR around Phu Bai for BLT 3/4 until we left RVN in December
1965 with 3/4. When we returned in March 1966 and until June 1966 when
I rotated to 8th&Eye, we patrolled out to the northwest of Hue along
with other elements of B Company and Force Recon.
October
and November 1965, my platoon endured a number of casualties from booby
traps and sniper. The personnel who were in the platoon prior to that
time are as follows:
Dennis, Jimmy W. - rotated
Book, Michael - rotated
Cosgrove, J.E. - rotated
Wynn, Willis Watson - WIA
Smith, Steve K. - Artillery FO
Walcott, FO RTO
Strehle, Heinz H. - WIA
Gorczewski, Peter - WIA
Alsip, Robert S. - WIA
Enwright, Thomas J. - WIA
Anderson, Tom - WIA
Haire, Joe - WIA
"Members of Charlie Company" May 1965.
Compiled by Gene Keith Huddleston
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Abrosius
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