Where ever it was in Viet Nam, & when ever it was we served, we answered the call to arms, and performed our duty well. Argument as to the merit of the cause will never cease - at least in America - but, for me, I will always cherish my service there, and that of my mates. In my heart & soul, I am convinced our armed forces never failed us. Semper Fidelis!
As a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam, June through September 1968 flying CH-34Ds over 50 days of (day and night) Medivac missions as much as 6 to 8 hours per day. I want to give a shout out to our Navy corpsman, Marine crew chiefs, first mechanics and Gunners. Most of them flew these Medivac missions everyday in extreme heat and weather. As an aviator I felt these were the bravest individuals I had the privilege to lead and work with. I flew CH-53s the other 8 months there.
My Mentors were Vietnam War Heroes! Hand Salute, Semper Fidelis. Many of these Giants of Our Corps have gone to Heaven. The EGA remains emblazoned on their souls.
My 19 yr old Uncle Jack Bowling, PFC USMC 0331, Weapons 1/9, was KIA at Khe San in early April 1968... my Grand Uncle Landis Evans was a USAF Parajumper who rescued downed pilots... he completed three 18 month tours and was WIA x 5 and awarded the Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars w/V, and other awards for his valor and heroics... he then lateral moved after the war to train and become an electronics repair tech and retired as a E8 Sr MSgt... thanks to our Vietnam War veterans and your service and sacrifice for our Republic ain't forgotten! Semper Fidelis!
Like Samuel Whittemore and Medvicrep, I was trained by and served with the Marines who fought in Vietnam. I owe them a debt that is impossible to repay. They taught us young post Vietnam Infantry Officers how to lead, and to follow, and brought a sense of humor that was so unique it still works today! To all of you Vietnam Veterans thanks seem trite, so just take it to heart that my regard goes beyond words. That all said, To all who shall these proceedings, Greetings. On 29 March 2025 we send great thanks and “welcome home” salutations to all those that served in the conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily the Republic of Vietnam. You few, you happy few. And ergo because of the way you handed down the torch, we now can say, we few, we happy few.
For those that like to read, might I suggest “ The ten thousand day war” by Michael Maclear. It covers how the OSS ( became the CIA) trained the Vietnamese to fight the Japanese in WWII and how they later used that training against the French and later us. We actually trained Gen Giap and Ho Chi Minh. My call sign while in the Corps was big john
I commend to your reading list anything written on US involvement in VN by Dr. James H. WILLBANKS, USA (ret), two VN tours & wounded in both. He was my DMH Department Chair at CGSC, Ft Leavenworth. He has returned many times to VN, and was most highly impressed when he finally got to see the I Corps terrain in which Marines fought. While a professional historian, he speaks as an Army Grunt who “saw the Elephant” up close and personal. Semper Fidelis!
Where ever it was in Viet Nam, & when ever it was we served, we answered the call to arms, and performed our duty well. Argument as to the merit of the cause will never cease - at least in America - but, for me, I will always cherish my service there, and that of my mates. In my heart & soul, I am convinced our armed forces never failed us. Semper Fidelis!
Welcome home Bud!
Thank you, sir.
No thanks necessary. It would have been better if you received a thank you when you returned. SEMPER FIDELIS!
As a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam, June through September 1968 flying CH-34Ds over 50 days of (day and night) Medivac missions as much as 6 to 8 hours per day. I want to give a shout out to our Navy corpsman, Marine crew chiefs, first mechanics and Gunners. Most of them flew these Medivac missions everyday in extreme heat and weather. As an aviator I felt these were the bravest individuals I had the privilege to lead and work with. I flew CH-53s the other 8 months there.
Thank you for your sacrifice! I hope you have an amazing Vietnam Veterans Day.
Welcome home Mike!
My Mentors were Vietnam War Heroes! Hand Salute, Semper Fidelis. Many of these Giants of Our Corps have gone to Heaven. The EGA remains emblazoned on their souls.
My 19 yr old Uncle Jack Bowling, PFC USMC 0331, Weapons 1/9, was KIA at Khe San in early April 1968... my Grand Uncle Landis Evans was a USAF Parajumper who rescued downed pilots... he completed three 18 month tours and was WIA x 5 and awarded the Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars w/V, and other awards for his valor and heroics... he then lateral moved after the war to train and become an electronics repair tech and retired as a E8 Sr MSgt... thanks to our Vietnam War veterans and your service and sacrifice for our Republic ain't forgotten! Semper Fidelis!
Thanks to all Vietnam War Veterans for their sacrifice, please take a moment to remember those who never made it home.
Like Samuel Whittemore and Medvicrep, I was trained by and served with the Marines who fought in Vietnam. I owe them a debt that is impossible to repay. They taught us young post Vietnam Infantry Officers how to lead, and to follow, and brought a sense of humor that was so unique it still works today! To all of you Vietnam Veterans thanks seem trite, so just take it to heart that my regard goes beyond words. That all said, To all who shall these proceedings, Greetings. On 29 March 2025 we send great thanks and “welcome home” salutations to all those that served in the conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily the Republic of Vietnam. You few, you happy few. And ergo because of the way you handed down the torch, we now can say, we few, we happy few.
For those that like to read, might I suggest “ The ten thousand day war” by Michael Maclear. It covers how the OSS ( became the CIA) trained the Vietnamese to fight the Japanese in WWII and how they later used that training against the French and later us. We actually trained Gen Giap and Ho Chi Minh. My call sign while in the Corps was big john
I commend to your reading list anything written on US involvement in VN by Dr. James H. WILLBANKS, USA (ret), two VN tours & wounded in both. He was my DMH Department Chair at CGSC, Ft Leavenworth. He has returned many times to VN, and was most highly impressed when he finally got to see the I Corps terrain in which Marines fought. While a professional historian, he speaks as an Army Grunt who “saw the Elephant” up close and personal. Semper Fidelis!
I was trained by Vietnam vets. I will be eternally grateful for them. Their resilience and no nonsense guidance were inspirational.