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.com   Thanks for stopping by.

 

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.

DIRTY SECRETS of VIETNAM

Booby Traps & Snares

1ST RECON BN - KIA TRIBUTE

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

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

Shared a memory

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

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.

Click Here to read the commendation.

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

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.