1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Battalion Association

Thanks for your service.

Part 43

2025

July 1st Half

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Missions / Patrol Reports

Are you looking for your Old Patrol Reports? Check out this page on my website:

http://www.weststpaulantiques.com/reconmissions.html

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

Floyd Ruggles

Check Out New Messages/Newsletter

...

All Companies

Photo Gallery

The Memory Remains Not All Wounds Are Visible.

"A Brotherhood Forged In Combat"

1st Reconnaissance Battalion Index

Message Board Links

Part 1 - 2018-2019 

Part 2 - 2019-2020 

Part 3 - 2020 

Part 4 - 2020 

Part 5  - 2020

Past Message Board

Past Newsletters 

Part 1 - 2017-2018 

Part 2 - 2018 

Part 3 - 2018 

Part 4 - 2018-2019 

Past Reunions 

Past Stories 

Send in your photos

Part 6  - 2020

Past Photos Galleries 

Part 7  - 2020

Part 8  - 2020

Bobby Bare

 

 

Photo Gallery

Part 10  - 2021

Click a photo to link to a page on our  website or Facebook. 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 the 1st recon battalion association website.

In Remembrance of our brother Reconnaissance Marines & Corpsmen killed in action or otherwise while on duty.

Look at it as your Time Capsule. This website won't stand long after we are all gone.

 

Daniel M Turpin

1st Recon Battalion Association

Part 11  - 2021

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
------------------------

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

Bravo Company 1968-1969

Part 12  - 2021

Meet some of our members of our association.

To all Association Members,

Please reply and update or confirm your Information.
Your 1st Recon Battalion Association Website Information
can be found at: 1streconbn.org/members.html

Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for all your help.

My email address is floyd@weststpaulantiques.com.
Please keep your information up to date.

This will allow the Association to send messages out from time to time by email or by mail.

Semper Fi,
Floyd Ruggles
Membership Director & Webmaster

1st Recon Battalion Association

New Members to the Association of the Natural Warrior

2023

Part 13  - 2021-2022

Part 14  - 2022

Part 15  - 2022

Part 16  - 2023

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

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.

Navigator is at the top of each page.

**WELCOME to FIRST RECON'S WEBSITE** 2009-2023 

Don't be fooled by the warning signs it's a safe website, it's just an old platfrom. Just hit advance, you will enjoy this website, it's my personal website.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

Association Purpose

Our mission is to help locate former Recon Marines and their families, and to recognize those who paid the ultimate price through the 1st Recon Memorial Fund which has established and will help maintain the permanent memorial at the Marine Corps Historical Museum at Camp Quantico Virginia.

Message from webmaster!

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

Part 17  - 2023

Part 18  - 2023

Part 19  - 2023

Part 20  - 2023

Part 21  - 2023

Part 22  - 2024

Member of 1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Bn KIA Vietnam War

..

War Story

.....

Rest in Peace

The Jim Southall Story, Over 200 1st Recon Battalion Marines involved in this story. The story is a work in progress over the next year. Over 100 Patrol Reports.

Some Give It All

Vietnam 1968-1969

Thoughts of that Day

Doug Wolfe's Story

Patrol Report #349-68

98 hours on Charlie Ridge

Index by dates & names

Sergeant Jim Southall - Hill 200 1969

Are Message Board is now our new newsletter.

1968

1969

Membership Director & Webmaster

2016-2025

Floyd

Last night I awoke to the sounds of thunder. I was recalling a small part of a day a long time ago. As if it was yesterday...

Today is a particularly dreary, rainy day. Lookout Mountain is socked in good. It is not unusual for it to be socked in. Hell they fought the Battle Above the Clouds there during the Civil War.

However, today it put me in mind of another dreary, socked in ridge I was on for around 2 hours on 3 June, 1968. Known only to me as Hill 200, it was a desolate, indefensible place that somebody in the 1st Mardiv G3 shop picked off the map to insert my platoon on as an observation post & radio relay.

Stories from Members

Some Give It All

THE DAY THE CRAP WENT UP IN FLAMES
By Gary Graves, HM3

5 Minutes ‘Til Forever

Part 44

Coming Soon

Applicants

1st RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 4. DUES. Association members have no mandatory dues. However, Members and Associate Members are encouraged to make donations, annually, to help defray the Association’s operating expenses. An annual donation of $10.00 is suggested.

Semper Fi, Floyd Ruggles

Membership Director & Webmaster

1st Recon Battalion Association

Welcome to our New Members Page

1st Recon Battalion Association

Next Page

Previous Page

Some of the 1st Marines into Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11

For Membership in 1st Recon Battalion Association

All Units
March 1966 - May 1971

This link is to my old website It's a safe website on a old plarform follow instructions to the webpage. 

Part 24  - 2024

Part 25  - 2024

Part 9  - 2020

1st Recon Battalion

Association of the Natural Warrior

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

Part 26  - 2024

Part 27  - 2024

Part 29  - 2024

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 Recon Battalion Association is a non-profit organization of former and current members of the 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division

Thanks for taking the time to stop by our website today.

Your Webmaster

Floyd Ruggles

Coming Soon

Thanks for stopping by today

Part 28  - 2024

Part 30  - 2024

Part 31  - 2025

Rest In Peace

Part 32  - 2025

Part 33  - 2025

Vietnam War 1st Recon Battalion 1965-1971

Part 34  - 2025

SAVE the DATE :1st Recon Battalion Association 2025 Reunion

Book signing , 11-17 August Washington , D.C./ Quantico

Marines and Corpsmen,

 

I hope to see all of you at the 2025 Reunion in Washington DC in August! Please pass the word. This is a combo Reunion First Marine Division Association and 1st Recon Bn. Association.

 

I plan on attending the 1st Recon Reunion in August in Washington/Quantico. I will be signing my just released NEW BOOK; Hill 119, Defending a Reconnaissance Marines' OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970.

 

This book covers Delta Companies OP Hill 119 but also covers other Recon teams’ actions like Echo Company’s, Team Bad Actor lead by 1st Lt Earl Hailston. If you lived at Camp Reasoner or were part of Team Mission Impossible, its all in this 500+ page history book with over 50 pictures. The Forward is by legendary Marine and author, Bing West.

 

For many of you, this is your history with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Buy a book, bring it with you to the 1st Recon Battalion Association Reunion , 11-17 August, Washington DC / Quantico. I will sign it for you at the Reunion.

 

Register thru FMDA website for further details https://1stmda.org/  Our 78th Annual Reunion 10-17 August 2025 in Arlington, Virginia ,Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel.

 

Book:  Hill 119, Defending a Reconnaissance Marines' OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970 is now available for pre-order.

 

Websites to pre-order: www.pog-llc.com   https://www.pog-llc.com/

 

Casemate Publisher: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636245928/hill-119/

 

Amazon https://a.co/d/4GRUwYs

 

Hope to see you at the reunion !

Semper Fi

Mike

Marine

Delta-1

1st Recon Bn., 1970

3/26, 1969

1/1, 1990/91

https://www.pog-llc.com/

Coming Summer 2025

Defending a Reconnaissance Marines’ OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970
by Michael Fallon, Colonel,
U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

.

.

A narrative account of Reconnaissance Marines in Vietnam. Small Teams launching daring deep Stingray patrols in the bush. On the Observation Post, Hill 119 defending for 600 relentless days and nights. Surrounded by the NVA with the constant challenge of determining friendly Vietnamese civilians from hard corps Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regulars. Their lifeline were the Marine helicopters that flew out bringing water, ammo, food, and their replacement platoon. In 1969 and 1970, Delta Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division manned the OP and ran patrols in Phu Loc Valley and Go Noi Island. This firsthand account of the Marines and Corpsmen who patrolled deep and occupied the OP describes their struggle to survive. Based on participant interviews and the detailed declassified debriefing reports compiled after each patrol returned to their rear base, at Camp Reasoner, Da Nang in the Republic of South Vietnam. This is their history!

Learn More & Pre-Order

Coming Summer 2025

Learn More & Pre-Order

2025 Reunion Informaion

Message from Charlie regarding Team Rush Act and our 2025 reunion. We will be having a memorial ceremony.
Rest in peace.

Join your 1st Recon brothers at a Rush Act memorial service in Quantico at the Marine Corps Memorial Park August 2025

(Recon Reunion details to follow next spring)
Semper Fidelis,


Charlie Charles Kershaw


Here are the details about the reunion from Ralph M. Witkin

1st Recon Battalion Association Facebook Page

Marine's and Corpsmen who have served with 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion from it's inception 1 March 1937 at Quantico, Virginia as the 1st Tank Company and assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade until today's current force. Only members can see who's in the group and what they post.

Passed away on February 8, 2022

3 years ago

1969 - 55 Years Ago Camp Reasoner - Da Nang Vietnam

Vietnam
July 1968 - July 1969

I can recall that day I arrived in Nam as a green know it all rookie marine with an attitude. I was going to win the war by myself. What a dumb kid I must have been then. Only moments after arriving that day, reality set in and I learn quickly that I was in hell or some where close.

The Memory Remains,

Not All Wounds Are Visible.

Part 36  - 2025

Part 35  - 2025

Part 37  - 2025

Remember you are not forgotten while I am still on patrol.

Part 38  - 2025

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Message Board

Part 39  - 2025

Part 40  - 2025

Part 41  - 2025

Part 42  - 2025

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Part 44  - 2025

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

Work in Progress

Work in Progress

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

On 07/03/2025 7:39 AM EDT wgolf2@bellsouth.net wrote:
 
 
Floyd,

                    Good morning I pray all is well. Have you received the information on the reunion in Arlington this year. Have emailed Charlie twice but no reply. The Division put the information out about a month ago. I waiting on it from us as, as my self and two other Delta Company marine want to attend. Please provide details if available.

 

WILLIAM (BILL) EVANS JR

MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

CELL 704-497-1595

BILL,

I will update the website same time today. Check the website reunion information tomorrow I'll update that web page with what I do know. Charlie's been slow to respond this year for some apparent reason. I have been in contact with Charlie as of two days ago and he will update me in a week or two on our reuion this year. Sorry I can't give you any more info on the reuion I just don't know. I apologize but I know how frustrating it could be members. Hope to see you at the reunion. God Willing

Semper Fi,
Floyd Ruggles
Membership Director & Webmaster

Floyd,

                      Thank you for your response. As you know  not having information until last minute impacts the number of people who attend the reunion. I’m trying to register and pay  before going out of the country near the end of the month. Also inform the two other Delta co Marines as one is coming from Oregon the other PA. Again I appreciate your response Floyd.

 

WILLIAM (BILL) EVANS JR

MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

CELL 704-497-1595

Your welcome Bill, have a great day.

Semper Fi, Floyd Ruggles

Membership Director & Webmaster

Deceased Members 2025

Larry K Huffman, Alpha Company - Radio man “Airhose” 6/69-7/70, Passed Away April 26th,2025

Dale P Lantzer Sr., Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon, 3/70-10/70, Passed away January 28th, 2025

This is the list from our Taps section of this website. https://1streconbn.org/deceased-members-list.html

New Members 2025

Alejandro Aguilar
Email: alejandro.aguilar2468@gmail.com
Letter Company: H&S
Dates with Unit: 2009-2013
Date of Application: 05/24/25
Message to 1st Recon Battalion Association: I would like to join the 1st Recon Bn. Association to reconnect with fellow Marines while I served with the unit. I would be glad to share more information if needed and any documents to join. Thank you for your consideration.

Charles D Webster
Email: mymos8654@gmail.com
Letter Company: Bravo Company: 83-85
Message to 1st Recon Battalion Association: Just want to thank SgtMaj Daniels for his motivation and instilling in me what is was to be a true professional.


David E Baily
Unit Attached: Charlie Company
Dates with Unit: 6/80-4/82
Date of Application: 2/15/25 Approved 2/17/2025
Message to 1st Recon Battalion Association: No sky too high, No sea too deep, and No hill too steep.

This is the list from our New Members section of this website.

https://1streconbn.org/new-members-list.html

Semper Fi,
Floyd Ruggles
Membership Director & Webmaster

Happy 63th birthday to Michael J. Fox

Ronaldo Tagle posted
just finished watching all 3 "Back to the future" movies over the wknd

The 4th of July holds another meaning to the Murphy family. This is the day that Michael’s body was recovered in the mountains of Afghanistan in 2005. Their son was coming home. No, not in the way that they had hoped and prayed, but he was coming home; nonetheless, to the nation he had fought for, bled for and died to defend.

His coffin would be draped in the flag that he gave his last full measure for, and buried in the American soil at Calverton Cemetery in New York - his homeland. America would not be the land of the free, if it wasn’t first the home of the brave. As you celebrate today, please hold Michael’s sacrifice, and the sacrifice of countless other untold souls in your heart, for without them, we would not have this great nation to celebrate.

SEAL Of Honor

Michael Patrick Murphy (May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL officer who was awarded the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan. He was the first member of the United States Navy (USN) to receive the award since the Vietnam War. His other posthumous awards include the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

Limited Space Available

Commemorative brick pad. I am delighted to report that the 90 brick pad was unanimously approved. Work on the pad will begin soon.

Semper fidelis,
Charlie

1st Recon AssociationDirectors and Officers, Date: June 21, 2025 at 12:19:02 PM PDT

The commemorative brick pad surrounding the 1st Recon memorial in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park is filled with some 180 bricks. If we want to continue
placing commemorative bricks, we must add another brick pad. The estimated cost to add a pad for approximately 90 bricks, is $2300. I recommend that we
add the 90 brick pad. The Association has the funds for this project. Request your recommendation to install or not install the brick pad. Please respond to me not later than 30 June. Thank you.

Charlie Kershaw
President
1st Recon Battalion Association

New update

1ST RECON BN

The Virtual Wall

ADAMS JOHN TERRY 2033889 1/23/1944 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 6/16/1966 6/16/1966 Invalid Date Navy Cross Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin Howard's Hill, Hill 55 Nui Vu Hill Mass S of Hiep Duc 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn COVINGTON Oklahoma 08E 50


ADCOX RONNIE DARNELL 2223448 2/21/1944 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 3/3/1967 3/3/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Misadventure Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn HENDERSON North Carolina 16E 6

Association Links

River Patrol Boats

Phu Cong 1969 - 1970

Be Proud of our Country, Be Proud of our Flag, Be Proud of our Veterans
God Bless the USA

Honor Wall

In Remembrance of our fallen brothers

1st Recon Battalion Association

Over 100 Patrol Reports.

Click the link on this page for the next patrol report.

Thoughts of that Day - Patrol Reports #359-68 & #349-68

Today is a particularly dreary, rainy day. Lookout Mountain is socked in good. It is not unusual for it to be socked in. Hell they fought the Battle Above the Clouds there during the Civil War.

However, today it put me in mind of another dreary, socked in ridge I was on for around 2 hours on 3 June, 1968. Known only to me as Hill 200, it was a desolate, indefensible place that somebody in the 1st Mardiv G3 shop picked off the map to insert my platoon on as an observation post & radio relay.

200 was a high hump on a triple canopy ridgeline running northeast to southwest. One could observe a small section of a river to the south if one looked closely and the hill wasn’t socked in as it was when I was there. Other than that, all you could observe was a lot of triple canopied high ground that surrounded the hill for aprox 320 of the 360 degrees of view. For those less trained in the fine art of surveillance
than myself………….You couldn’t see shit and the place was a defender’s nightmare.

On 29 May, 1968 team Cayenne 3rd Plt. Bravo co. 1st Reconnassiance Bn. (Rein) led by S/Sgt. Phil Hampton inserted on hill 200 to conduct a 6 day static OP mission & act as a radio relay for teams operating in the far reaches of the battalion communications network Hampton’s team was composed of his normal people operating with Cayenne, HM3 Earl Lerch, and the remainder of the platoon minus an 8 man patrol being conducted on Charlie Ridge by Team Blue Spruce, the other team in the Platoon. His patrol numbered 15. 14 Marines & 1 Navy Corpsman. (HM3 Lerch)

They were inserted by CH46 helicopters after fixed wing had prepped the zone and basically blown the jungle off the ridgeline for about a 100 meters along the spine of the ridge and about 75 meters of the sides of the finger. They immediately set to work digging 2 man positions, setting fields of fire, putting out their claymores, & laying a pitiful single strand of concentina wire on their perimeter. Only God and Phil Hampton knows why a request for extraction from this position was not submitted. Maybe one was, but the 1st Recon Unit Diary shows no such request.

From the insertion thru the day of the 2nd of June, the patrol was uneventful, other than 1 sighting called in on a sampan traveling upriver. The SALUTE report cited 2 male occupants dressed in black Pjs. No packs or weapons were observed and no request for fire was submitted.

The afternoon of 2 June marked a turn for the worse in the weather.
The rain came and the accompanying fog started to sock the team in. the team set in for a miserable night in the mountain jungle, but what the fuck, they were getting out in the morning.

On the 30th of May Team Blue Spruce had returned to Camp Reasoner from our patrol. We were debriefed, cleaned our weapons and gear, and proceeded to see who could get the drunkest on 3.2 beer. The next few days would be spent taking turns on guard duty on the battalion perimeter, going to freedom Hill PX, and getting briefed and trained up for our next mission. On the 2nd we were assigned the additional duty of acting as the Bravo Co. React team. We were briefed by our TL, Sgt. Jimmy Linn of our duties and advised that there would be no drinking. This fell on deaf ears partly because most of us were already drunk and partly because Shakey Linn was pulling on a Budweiser when he said it.

Sometime around midnight we we awakened by the Co. 1st Sgt. And Sgt. Linn and advised that Cayenne was in heavy contact, had reported heavy casualties, and had lost commo with Grim Reaper. (The Bn. TAC callsign) We were told to grab our shit and muster at the 3 shop for deployment to their pos.

Private First Class
Darrell Edward Campanello

SILVER SPRING, Maryland

The C.O., 1st Sgt., Linn, & Doc Domino were taken in the 3 shop for briefing and the rest of us were waiting outside for word about our team in trouble. The word we were getting was that the NVA were all over the hill, Huey gunships were on station and providing cover fire, Spooky gunships were on station, but unable to work because of limited visibility due to the hill being socked in, and there was no contact with the team on the ground. We were beside ourselves and begging to be inserted immediately. We were told we would be going in as soon as a viable assessment of the situation on the ground could be made and visibility permitted.

About 0300 we received the word that S/Sgt. Hampton had came up on Grim Reaper’s push and requested emergency medivac for Doc Lerch & himself. A CH53 pilot with a lot more balls than brains landed and picked them up. It has never been made clear to me if Doc Lerch died on the medivac or shortly after landing at Charlie Med. We were advised that Hampton was seriously wounded and reported the rest of his team were dead or missing. We would be inserting as soon after daybreak as the safety of the choppers allowed.

We boarded 2 CH46s just before dawn on the morning of the 3rd. The React team was composed of:

Sgt. Jimmy Linn TL, Cpl. James Southall ATL, Cpl. J. Boland Primary radio, HM3 Michael Domino Corpsman
L/Cpl. Jerry Kecker M79, PFC Delbert Enos Rear Point, PFC Nelson Livingston Alt Radio, PFC Doug Wolfe Point, L/Cpl. Dave Morris M60 & 2 Marines from 1st MarDiv graves registration who I didn’t know. I’m not sure , but believe Capn. Little, B Co. C.O. was co-ordinating the operation from the other CH46 in out flight.

We sat down on the south end of the hill and I remember seeing Campanella and McAdams lying in their hole on that side of the hill. They had both been shot in the head. I could not get off the side to my security position soon enough. I could see to my right another fighting position with bodies, but could not tell who they were. I found out later they were Petey Wedemier & Patterson.

If you were ever in a firefight with the NVA, you are aware that they didn’t normally leave brass piled up on the battlefield. This morning I was kneeled down in a virtual pile of AK brass. We were later told a force of aprox 30 overran the hill. Bullshit, I never saw a gook on my whole tour with over 3 mags of ammo and it was piled at least 30 to 40 yards up the whole side of the ridge. I think they were hit by at least a Sapper Co. and maybe more. Most of the claymore wires were still in position and had been cut. The claymores themselves were gone and no sign was evident that they had been blown. I was told by Phil Hampton months later that every position on the hill was hit by RPGs in the initial assault.

After we had been there about 15 minutes I heard a lot of excited shouting from the N.E. side of the hill. Jim Southall came to our side of the hill and said somebody off the side of the hill was whistling the Marine Corps Hymm and we might have survivors. PFCs Gorman, Mecedo, and L/Cpls Gonzales, Washburn, Ski (can’t remember his real name) and 1 other Marine who I have forgot his name were found in a streambed at the bottom of a cliff on that side of the hill. They had apparently been blown off the hill by the RPGs. I believe it saved their lives. All but Ski were injured to the extent they were sent home.

The KIAs, along with HM3 Earl Lerch, who had been medivaced earlier, wereL/Cpl. Terry Edgar, PFC Frank Huff, PFC Darrell Campanella, PFC Gerald. McAdams, PFC Peter Wedemier, & PFC Scott Patterson. I will never forget them. They are together on 60w & 61w of the Vietnam Memorial. We also recovered 1 NVA body. I have no idea why they left him.

I went on several missions with Hampton after the Cayenne mission and found him to be a brave and competent leader. I never asked him about that mission. Several times he brought it up and I just listened.

Thats what Lookout Mountain being socked in this morning made me think of. I hope the fuck its sunny & clear in the morning.

Respectfully,
Doug Wolfe

Hill 200

CHESTER A. BITTECUFFER JR, (ALPHA CO. 1966-67)

Smoky was found in a foxhole in New Guinea in Feb 1944. The American thought she must have been a Japanese soldier's dog, but when he took her to a POW camp, they found out she didn't understand commands in Japanese of English. The soldier sold Smoky to Cpl. William Wynne of Cleveland OH for 2 dollars Australian. Over the next two years Wynne carried Smoky in his backpack, fought in the jungles of Rock Island and New Guinea, flew 12 air/sea rescue, She survived 150 air raids on New Guinea and made it through a typhoon at Okinawa, made a combat jump in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, in a parachute made for her. She would warn G.I's of incoming artillery and was dubbed the "angel from a foxhole."

Early in retaking the Philippines combat engineers were setting up a telegraph line to an airfield. The joints collapsed filling them in with sand. Cpl. Wynne knew that Smoky could climb through the pipe with a new line and that is what she did. Smoky's work saved approximately 250 ground crewmen from having to move around and keep operational 40 fighters and reconnaissance planes, while a construction detail dug up the taxiway, placing the men and the planes in danger from enemy bombings. What would have been a dangerous three-day digging task to place the wire was instead completed in minutes.

In her down time she preformed tricks with the Special Services to improve the moral of the troops and visited hospitals in Australia and Korea. Visiting with the sick and wounded, she became the first recorded "therapy dog".

After the war she became a sensation back int the states, had a live TV show, and often visited Veterans hospitals. Smoky's work as a therapy dog continued for 12 years. Wynne had Smokey 14 years before she passed away. He buried her in a 30 caliber ammo box in Rocky River Reservation, Ohio.

Smoky, the smallest war hero weighing in at 4 lbs even and standing 7 inches tall.

Pictures copyrighted by William A. Wynne (1996) and used by permission.

Read the book "Yorkie Doodle Dandy" (1996) by William Wynne!

Jeffrey Pawlak
Have read eight different books about Smoky even have a original issue of Yank Down Under were Smoky was named best Mascot of the Southwest Pacific during WWII.

Smoky

Shirley Park
Dogs are gifts from heaven as all animals are and return there once they leave this world ..... Thanks very much Smoky....

Carol Barbour
RIP Smokey. I love Yorkies. My six pounder Abbie is awesome.

DavidandShan Backer
Your boat Chet? Nope

Chet Bittecuffer I got a 17 ft fishing boat that sits along side the house. Don’t take it out like I should.

Sergeant James F. "Jim" Southall

age 65 of Tullos, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2012.

Born Friday, May 16, 1947 in Charleston, West Virginia, served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. 1st Recon Battalion, Bravo Company 1967-1969.

Last Known Activity

RECON TEAM "CAYENNE", Hill 200

27 miles SW of Da Nang, 9 KM W-NW OF HIEP DUC VILLAGE

1st Recon Battalion

from the virtual wall

KIA LIST

ALEWINE LEMUEL LENOEL 1115870 12/25/1932 Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant E7 Infantry Unit Leader (USMC) 10/17/1967 10/17/1967 9/4/1967 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn THORNTON Texas 28E 18


ALLEN ANTHONY 2174806 7/27/1946 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 7/11/1967 7/11/1967 Invalid Date Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Causes Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Force Recon Co 1st Recon Bn PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania 23E 48


ANDERSON RONALD CARLIS 2345444 9/21/1946 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 5/4/1968 5/4/1968 3/26/1968 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div E Co 1st Recon Bn COLUMBUS Georgia 54E 30


ANGERMILLER JAMES ALLEN 2227938 5/29/1947 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 2/6/1967 2/6/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn CORPUS CHRISTI Texas 14E 125


ARMITAGE ROBERT LAYMON 2314872 8/23/1947 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 2/4/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn EVERETT Washington 14E 115


ATKINS DOYLE 2140446 10/27/1945 Marine Corps Staff Sergeant #REF! Rifleman (USMC) 1/16/1969 1/16/1969 1/9/1969 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn MODESTO California 34W 13


ATKISON CHARLES LEON 496567632 10/12/1949 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Undefined Code 9/21/1969 9/21/1969 4/25/1969 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn ST JOSEPH Missouri 18W 119


AYERS DARRELL EUGENE 538341301 4/4/1937 Marine Corps Staff Sergeant #REF! Assaultman (USMC) 3/19/1970 3/19/1970 Invalid Date Navy Cross Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Body Not Recovered Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn ALDERWOOD MANOR Washington 12W 19


BALDERA BARTOLOME ALFONSO 2282359 11/14/1948 Marine Corps Private E1 Rifleman (USMC) 2/21/1968 2/21/1968 12/10/1967 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Accident Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn NEW YORK New York 40E 51


BARNES ERIC MARVIN 89806 5/4/1942 Marine Corps Captain O3 Infantry Officer (USMC) 3/25/1967 3/25/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn WINDSOR Connecticut 17E 41


BARNES JOE WILSON 2046226 9/3/1944 Marine Corps Sergeant E5 Assaultman (USMC) 2/25/1967 2/25/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn BRUNSON South Carolina 15E 89


BARNES ROBERT CROZIER JR 102667 6/4/1944 Marine Corps Second Lieutenant O1 Basic Infantry Officer (USMC) 5/30/1968 5/30/1968 1/27/1968 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn CARMI Illinois 63W 14


BARRETT JAMES ALLEN 2137396 5/26/1945 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 10/12/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn PITTSBURGH Pennsylvania 11E 67


BARTON LANCE BRYAN 2312753 10/12/1945 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 12/26/1967 12/26/1967 1/25/1967 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn RICHMOND Virginia 32E 61


BECK LARRY MONROE 105023 4/18/1944 Marine Corps Second Lieutenant O1 Infantry Officer (USMC) 1/23/1969 1/23/1969 8/11/1968 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn PAOLI Oklahoma 34W 63


BECK MICHAEL JAMES 2373693 9/6/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 6/3/1968 6/3/1968 1/13/1968 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn GREELEY Colorado 61W 20


BELTRAN FRANK JOSEPH 2361853 5/11/1948 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 8/11/1968 8/11/1968 1/8/1968 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Accident Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn EAST ROCHESTER New York 49W 46


BINGENHEIMER JAMES 156346736 8/19/1947 Marine Corps Sergeant E5 Rifleman (USMC) 3/15/1971 3/15/1971 3/16/1970 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn ATLANTIC CITY New Jersey 04W 48


BISHOP ROGER WAYNE 213548470 8/7/1949 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Undefined Code 9/7/1969 9/7/1969 3/10/1969 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Causes Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div E Co 1st Recon Bn BELTSVILLE Maryland 18W 53


BLAND GARY PAUL 2051389 8/18/1945 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Field Radio Operator (USMC) 9/22/1965 9/22/1965 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn PEORIA Illinois 02E 92


BLANKENSHIP GODFRED 1912460 4/28/1938 Marine Corps Sergeant E5 Rifleman (USMC) 3/26/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died of Wounds Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Force 1st Recon Bn VICEY Virginia 17E 48


BOLAND WILLIAM JOSEPH JR 2381175 2/7/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Field Radio Operator (USMC) 6/29/1968 6/29/1968 2/10/1968 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn CICERO Illinois 54W 14


BOOKER JIMMY 2386415 8/11/1948 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 3/6/1969 3/6/1969 2/19/1968 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Intentional Homicide Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn LANSING Michigan 30W 51


BOSCO FRANK JOSEPH 2393298 2/3/1950 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 6/21/1969 6/21/1969 10/2/1968 Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn PROVIDENCE Rhode Island 22W 102


BROERMAN BARRY BERNARD 2199153 1/9/1946 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 4/11/1967 4/11/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn CINCINNATI Ohio 18E 13


BROWN CURTIS CHARLES 2336161 9/24/1948 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 7/15/1968 7/15/1968 3/25/1968 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn DALLAS Texas 52W 33


BURKE ROGER VINCENT PAUL 2040953 5/25/1943 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Undefined Code 2/6/1967 2/6/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn GEORGETOWN Connecticut 14E 127


BUTTERFIELD CALVIN FRANKL 2381622 7/18/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 5/31/1968 3/24/1968 Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div E Co 1st Recon Bn PEKIN Illinois 62W 6


CAMPANELLO DARRELL EDWARD 2365780 10/15/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 6/3/1968 6/3/1968 12/2/1967 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn SILVER SPRING Maryland 61W 21


CAPUTO JAMES WILLIAM 2076501 4/13/1946 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 6/28/1966 6/28/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Misadventure Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn NEW YORK New York 08E 103


CARANASIOS EVANGELOS K 2382513 3/22/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Field Radio Operator (USMC) 11/29/1968 11/29/1968 2/10/1968 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn ELKHART Indiana 37W 4

78th Annual Reunion

1st Marine Division Association & 1st Recon Bn Association

11 - 17 August, 2025

Please note updated Group Code and hotel phone numbers. Hotel: Sheraton Pentagon City

Link: Marriott/Sheraton Reservations, Room rate: $159 - Group Code: FMDFMDB

Reservations: 1-888-236-2427 or Front desk: 703-521-1900

Complimentary WiFi, Overnight parking $15


Complimentary Buffet Breakfast.

The breakfast is included only if you book through the hotel, using the group code FMDFMDB. Bookings through discount brokers do not credit toward the Association's contract with the hotel. That can make or break a successful Reunion.


Download the Registration Form:

78th Annual Reunion Registration Form
The link above will download your copy of the registration form.


You may call HQ at (760)763-3267, or email June.oldbreed@fmda.us for a form by mail. We can also complete your Registration and credit card information by phone.


Our website www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org has a link that will take you to an online Registration Form.

SILENT AUCTION

Past President Jerry Corrento, Sr, is organizing a Silent Auction for the Reunion. If you have suitable items that other Marines would treasure, please bring them to the Reunion

Work in Progress

July 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969

Bravo Company Photo Gallery 1968 & 1969