Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with One Silver and Four Bronze Stars
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with One Silver and One Bronze Star
National Defense Service Streamer with One Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer
Vietnam Service Streamer with Two Silver Stars and Two Bronze Stars
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer
Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Company
July 1968 - July 1969
Click Here for the Recon Photo Gallery
1967
1968
Early 1969
1st Recon Bn Photo Gallery
Index Categories within 1st Recon Bn Click the index for the Index page.
1st Recon Bn Photo Gallery
1ST Marine Division 1967-1969
I'm just a simple old warrior who served in the uniform of this country's military in War who loves to discuss all aspects of life. It is my firm conviction that if one understands what caused the war, how the war was conducted, and the Reconstruction Years that followed, one will know what this country is about. You can email 24/7 at: floyd@weststpaulantiques.comThanks for stopping by.
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am that swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am that swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.
Gil & Lucille Perez
Gil has been hospitalized for most of the last few months. He is very ill with complications due to Agent Orange exposure. Your prayers would be very much appreciated. 11/10/21
New update! 1/23/2022
It is with deep sadness that I report that Gil is now in hospice care. So please keep sending your prayers for our brother and my good friend.
New Update 1/24/2022
It is with deep sadness that I report the news of the death of Gil Perez. He died peacefully last night with his devoted wife, Lucille, at his side. He will be greatly missed by his family & friends. We give thanks for Gil's life. He came this way but once, yet he touched our lives in many ways while he was here. We shall remain eternally grateful for his friendship and for the influence he bestowed upon us. I will keep everyone informed as I get updates about the funeral.
Gil Perez's Web Page
Company
Company Commander
1966-1967
Albert King Dixon
Albert King Dixon former company commander of both Bravo and 1st Force companies in 1966-1967 has passed away from cancer on July 6th, 2020.
Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye Sr Died at the age of 97.
Simon Begaye Sr, will be greeted by all the Marines who passed before him. RIP Marine
Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye Sr.
Fleming Begaye Sr.
Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye Sr., one of more than 400 Navajo Code Talkers who developed a secret military code during World War II, died on Friday at age 97.
Jonathan Nez and Myron Lizer, president and vice president of the Navajo Nation respectively, announced Begaye's death in a Facebook post on Friday.
“The Navajo Nation has lost another brave and selfless Diné warrior, who sacrificed more than we’ll ever know to defend our country,” Nez wrote in the statement. “We offer our heartfelt appreciation to the family for sharing his life with us. May the Creator bless you and your family with strength and comfort.”
Begaye died in Chinle, a census-designated place with several thousand residents in Apache County. Click Here for more Info.
On September 18, 1968, 10 Recon Marines went on patrol near Thuong Duc in Vietnam. Two days later, 8 of the team returned from the jungle with the bodies of of their comrades - Lcpl. Felipe Herrera (left) and Sgt. Larry Johnson (right).
Lance Corporal Felipe Herrera
HERRERA, FELIPE Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF Date of Action: September 20, 1968 Citation: The Navy Cross is presented to Felipe Herrera, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 20 September 1968, Corporal Herrera was the machine gunner of a reconnaissance team operating near Thoung Due in Quang Nam Province when he alertly observed a large hostile force maneuvering to attack the Marines. Reacting instantly, he warned his comrades of the approaching enemy, and almost immediately the patrol came under a heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Herrera boldly moved from his position and fearlessly assaulted the enemy soldiers to within ten meters of their location, killing six of the attackers and halting their advance. Continuing his determined efforts, he resolutely remained in his dangerously exposed position and delivered intense machine-gun fire against the enemy until he was mortally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in enabling his comrades to gain fire superiority and deploy into advantageous defensive positions. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty, Corporal Herrera upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
Home Town: San Antonio, Texas
Lance Corporal Felipe Herrera
The USS Johnson, a Navy Destroyer
The USS Johnson, a Navy Destroyer
The USS Johnson, a Navy Destroyer named after PFC Ralph Henry Johnson who was awarded a MOH for his heroic actions on March 5, 1968. The USS Johnson will be commissioned on March 24 in Charleston, S.C. Charlie Kershaw has contacted the XO of the USS Johnson and we are collecting names and contact information of those who wish to attend the ceremony and represent the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association.
“The 1st Recon Bn Assoc. is putting together a list of 1st Recon Battalion Marines and Corpsmen who would like to attend the commissioning of the USS Johnson, DDG 114 in Charleston, South Carolina on March 24, 2018. This group will sit together and officially represent the 1st Recon Bn Assoc. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer was named after PFC Ralph Henry Johnson who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.
Johnson used his body to shield two fellow Marines from a grenade, absorbing the blast and dying instantly in March, 1968. Details are still being put together. If you are interested, please e-mail: your name; the name of spouse if attending; home address; telephone number to David Snider at docsnidley@aol.com ASAP
Corp. Jimmie Lynn, my 1st Patrol Ldr. issuing an Op Order in early 68. Jim was on a 6 month extension. He had already did a year with 1st Force Recon. He passed away in 97 from Agent Orange related Diabetes. I am alive today because of him.
Jim Parker:Love the Combat Converse All Star Tennis shoes.
Floyd RugglesThanks for the post. That's me in the white t-shirt and the cool tennis shoes on my 1st patrol.
I was just a few days in country. Sorry to hear about Jimmy. I didn't know that he had passed.
Vietnam 1970 Delta Co 1st Recon Bn 1st Marine division.
Click a photo to link to a page on our website. Links are found on nearly all Web pages. Links allow users to click their way from page to page. You will find thousands of links on this website.
1ST RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION ASSOCIATION
July 10th, 2015
To All:
1st Recon Battalion Association newsletter, The Patrol Report, is forwarded.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of 1st Recon Battalion deployed to Vietnam. I hope you will join us at the Association Reunion in San Diego.
Semper fidelis,
Charlie Kershaw
Click Here
Commendation from the Commandant The commendation was given to 1st and 3rd Recon Battalions and 1st and 3rd Force compainies at the Recon 50 reunion held in Oceanside April 21 - 24.
Here are a few photos of Camp Reasoner in Da Nang as it looks today.
Take a ride past Freedom Hill to Camp Reasoner. The old camp stone sign is still there as well as an EGA over the guard shack door. The camp is in the hands of the army making it dangerous to go through it for a full tour of the area. It is believed the rock quarrying operation is an Army business. The Army runs a number of business including a cell phone network, hotels and other public works services.
Take a ride up Highway 1 through Da Nang, Vietnam (2009)
Camp Reasoner, Da Nang - March 26th, 2011
Special Announcements!
Click a photo to link to a page on our website. Links are found on nearly all Web pages. Links allow users to click their way from page to page. You will find thousands of links on this website.
Click Here
March 12th Birthdays
3 parts
Corporal Robert Salmon Bagnall
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Missions / Patrol Reports
Too close to whisper... ...one click for "yes", two for "no"... "Brothers of the Bush"
---------------------------- Recon...their name is their honor...and nothing more need be said...Recon ------------------------
By James "Kimo" Andrews
Swift, Silent and Deadly
Recon
All Units March 1966 - May 1971
Elephant Valley
I'm thinking back to a time in 1969 when I was on a mission in Elephant Valley. A day that time stopped for me. It seems like yesterday for this proud Marine.
A company sized unit of North Vietnamese moved around me, four or five feet to my right and ten to twenty feet to my left on a winding trail. One by one they moved past me , one by one. As a twig snapped and one of the North Vietnamese turns and looks at me. Time stopped. His eyes seem to be searching for me. This moment was an eternity for me. Then, the enemy moved past me with packs on their backs, their weapons shouldered, carrying heavy arms and equipment. I could almost make out the serial numbers on their RPGs. Fifty or sixty NVA passed me and my team by that day and moved off into the bush. Not a shot was fired, not one shot was fired that day.
To all my brothers with painted faces. What a somber place it seems to be looking back at that river in Elephant Valley on that summer day. The enemy passed our team by that day. All of us recon Marines walked on through the elephant grass,crossed the river and moved to higher ground. Not a man was lost. Lt Riley and our radio operator, Pfc Tom Harkens called for artillery. The artillery rained down on the other side of the river. My mind wandered back to that place and that winding trail.
As I’m thinking back today to that day and time when not a shot was fired in Elephant Valley I do thank you my brother’s with painted faces from Company B. All my children and grandchildren also thank you.
This story is dedicated to a gung ho bunch of Marines from 1ST RECON. Thanks for the good times, my brothers.
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