M

I remember the raining days the most.  I also remember watching puff the magic dragon overhead spitting out death and watching the pink elephants in the trees while on guard duty and feeling the what it is like when a grenade bounches in your bunker.  I remember watching the clounds move accross the mountains like it was being poured from the other side. 

Oct '65 to Dec '67.

Started out with Comm Spt.Co., HQ Bn., 3dMarDiv.Helped build Hoa Long. Served around Danang, then around Phu Bai and at Khe Sanh. Got to see so many of the scenic spots of sunny I Corps.

53 Area (CommCo(Rein), 1stMarDivFMF Mar65 depart Braodway Pier SDIEGO aboard LSD-3 Carter Hall.  Couple of months at Hague, then to Da Nangon the LST-1168 Wexford County.  Moved from airstrip (swamp side/tent city) near "Dogpatch" across the river (Marble Mountain).  Remember Restad, Denny Sargeant, Wise, Wuergler, Prendergast, Crutchlow, Foster, Giles, Santos, Dycus, Schiffers.........Harvest Moon, Prairie, Hastings, Starlight and R&R in Hong Kong.  Never left comm, been at it since the day I left the Corps, continued using hooks for 16 years (gets to be hard on the knees)

Orders out of ITR were to 8" guns 29 Palms Calif. Reported in Oct. 1965. In December 1965 I was transfered to 7th Comm, Radio Relay. The Platoonwas preparing to mount out to Nam to complete 5th Comm Bn. January 66 we boarded the USS THOMASTON (LSD) and shipped out to Nam. Landed at Tein Sha pier on a cold rainy day February 1966. Convoy to the 5th Comm base camp near  Marble Mnt. where the Salts commenced to scare the crap out of us with war stories.

About 2 months later I was reassigned to Service Co. Motor transport and remained there until I rotated in Sept..1967. Col. Kelly was the Bn. Co.

Some of the guys I remember ar Danny Milek (Missoula Montana), Carl Nutt ( Tenn. ) Mike Yslavia (Arizonia) Schollser ( louisana ).

I was one of the original 7 marines that cleared the land for the 5th comm camp.  I arrived just after the 9th marines in April of 65. I was also one of the 10 people that put in the swimming area and was one of the life guards.  About May-July 66. Rotated in July of 66.

I was with the 5th Comm. Bn in 1967. My MOS was mechanic in the motor pool and together with a great team, we kept the radio trucks in operation and off the "Dead Line". <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

I went through Motor Transport training at Camp LeJune, then Infantry training at Pendelton, then to Vietnam.<o:p></o:p>

While in country, I served for six months at 5th Comm. then later at FLC (Force Logistics Command) on the other side of DaNang.<o:p></o:p>

After Nam, I served at the Marine Corp Air Station in Santa Ana, California.<o:p></o:p>

Three short years in the Corp., but a whole lot of memories. Here are a few of my photos of 5^th Comm.

I was sent to IIIMAF COC comm ctr from 5th Comm and spent my tour at the III MAF

compound in 69-70. I remember when the ammo dump gothit and our mess hall

got destroyed plus all the rain, the smells and the trips to freedom hill.

The way I see it I was promoted 4 times,

..... sorta makes me a Sargeant ?

 

1/8 A Co. (Radio) Cypress, Med Cruise 1964

1/ 8  H&S Co. Comm. Plt. Dominican Rep. 1965

5th Comm. Bn. V N 1965 - 1966  (Comm. Supp. Co.)

 

Looking for PFC Bruce Brantz (2531 Comm.Supp.)

from South Philadelphia.

In Country Nov 65. Bunked in the old compound with the pyramid tents.Walked along the creek to the mess hall to eat the "RED DEATH". In Jan 66 Iflew to Subic Bay boarded ship and sailed back to Viet Nam to partiscipate in a landing. In April 66 I moved to Monkey Mountain and stayed until Jan 67. I moved to the main base in Da Nang and made courier runs until March 67.

 

I am looling for information on David Grubic. His name appears on the MAA list along with others that I knew. Stoney Broadstreet, Johnny Earl Mack, Ollie Oliveras, Prince Murray and Shimmerhorn.

 

   

 

May GOD continue to keep and bless each of vou. 

Semper Fi Brothers. Wow, it's great to find a 5th Comm web site. My mos was 2831, radio relay repairman. Was in RVN with 5th Comm, from May '70 to Oct '70. I finished out my westpac tour with 7th Comm, on Okinawa. 5th Comm was actually decommisioned in Oct of '70 (don't know exact day), and hasn't been recommisioned. I was one of the last Marines at Camp Hoa Long. An Army Engineer unit moved in after us. Also spent time on 244, Monkey Mountain, and 950. Welcome Home to each and every one of you! I'll be in D.C. for Vets Day, and the M.C. B'Day. Hope to run into some of you there.

Departed 29 Palms with Capt Wilhelm.Boarded the USS Thomaston in San Diego for transport to RVN.

In country from January 66 to February 67.

Slept in our pup tents the first night in camp.

 

 

5th Comm - 21 Dec 66 to 4 Apr 68

 

Arrived a 6 months cherry-san and left a casualty at the end of Tet '68. Geat mix of old salts and new guys. I had a lot of great driving runs with the Bn and the best were the convoys up north for FLC. Of the Motor T bunch I remember Monzie, Ballard, Carter, Harris, Reno, Yslava, Meracle, Schlosser and Gunny Garrett. I am still looking for that hi-compression grease and sky hook. My last three years of a 2nd enlistment was as an Marine Security Guard with the USNATO/Embassy Detachment, Brussels, Belgium. Now it has come full circle, we have a Corpsman-son with 1/7 in Iraq. Semper Fi.               

TSC-15 Van Operator

Entered the Corps in 6/63 going to MCRD Parris Island, Plt 238. From there went to Camp Lejuene for 27 months with 2nd Shore Pty Bn. Went on several cruise in the Caribbean and ending up in Santo Domingo 4/28/65 making a wet landing on Red Beach. This ended up being a joke because we landed on a hot beach with blank ammunition. We finally got ammunition about 0200 and shortly after got hit. After returning to Lejuene went on a couple more cruises I thought I was short but got orders to RVN with only 13 months left.  Got to RVN in June 66 assign to 5th Comm.  The first few months I was assigned to I Corp HQ working on the switchboard and finally getting promoted to Cpl. Trf to RR & Cons and went on the construction changing field wire to cable. After a while got a crew that was responsible to repair and replace telescopic poles that the ARVNs shot up.  We had a SSgt promote 2nd Lt who became our CO but I can't remember his name.  If anyone knows his name send an email with his name. Please !! Does anyone remember Dunn or Ashby.  They where bunked in my home.  Left RVN 5/28/67 and left active duty 6/10/67.

Looking for any of the old guys from construction. Was in country from August 1968-February 1970.

Maryland

Served July, 1968 to June, 1970 in Ground Radio Repair and Administration.

I was a regular on React Platoon when I wasn't at theE Club.

 

I'm interested in any documentation of 5th Comm. Bn. Awards and Citations,

and graphics, for any patches, logos, or memorabilia from 5th Comm.

 

I'd like to hear from anyone who served with me in Nam.

 

After 35 years i'm just now going through the old negatives that I have left

(many were lost) and will post some of the better ones of 5th Comm., DaNang, Marble Mtn., III MAF, Hoa Long, and whaterver I find.

 

Semper Fi

John Roach

MOS 2841

Ground Radio Repair

 

RVN 67-68; really glad I found this site;  SF

August '67 - Sept '68

Arrived in country abord the General Gordon in March 67 with 1500 Marines and they took us to some large grinder in Danang. So we're all sittingon our sea bags and they start calling out lists of names. Each list went to an awaiting cattle-car and off they went. Hours later they finished calling out names and 7of us were still sitting there like abandoned children in this enormous field. The NCO in charge yells out, "Who the hell are you? You're not suppose to be here!". That was fine with me but how was I going to get back to San Diego? Five days later they located our orders and I was on my way to the 5th Comm Bn at the beach paradise Camp Hoi Long, The Flower Garden.

Stationed at camp Horno from Feb. 1963 till March 1965 went to Okinawa then on to Da Nang. Changed from to 7th to 5th on the way over. Built China Beach.Spent most of my time with TSC15s before arriving at the beach. Did my first 60 days in bunkers as we expanded the size of the base camp.

arrived danang 27jun70 by bummpy airlines [with phantoms shadowing.found out later!!] arrived 5th comm.bn. worked with rr&c.plt assigned to line crew. i think cpl deal was driver ?got to climb poles found out quick that you get shot at [not in training!!!] in the mix of things got to meet herman[mascot]wonder what happend to him?e-club beach comber was great so was the movies till the screen took a hit.movies was on hold a bit.later transfer to comm supt.short time later sent on s&d with inf don't rember who as radio operator.that did'nt go well radio took hits but i did'nt thanks to radio &my turtle shell. thenback to rr&c to finish tour.went to okie in05oct70to mcas futima comm.supt only one that that comes to mind Gy.sgt blair.try to add more later.

Married 2/daughters retired provice road island fire dept.Loking for fellow marines by the name of david,davey,shamus hennessy,eugene telenko,micalack If anyone sees or get in toach with any one of these guys please call me at 508/6695456 thank you s/f

Arrived in March of '66 and was assigned to Comm Support Co and worked over by Dogpatch.  Stayed with 5th Comm until late December '67.  Went to Iwakuni and then came back to MWSG-17 from February '69 til January '70 when I rotated and was discharged.