1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Battalion Association

Thanks for your service.

Part 45

2025

August 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 Messages

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

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!

August 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

.....

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 46

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

August 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 My

Last Newsletter

Thanks for stopping by today

Part 28  - 2024

Part 30  - 2024

Part 31  - 2025

Rest In Peace, Marines!

from: Bruce Fogarty
I remember that day. I met Colonel Leftwich’s son in Washington Naval Yard for a Recon Reunion. I remember that day as if it was yesterday

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

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.

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

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

Part 43  - 2025

August 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

"A Brotherhood Forged In Combat"

A Summer Day In Nam,

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, as I remember, it was the height of the war that day in ‘69. It seems to be bits and pieces of time that have been locked away for fifty + years. Names and places are not clear to me now, so I’ll do my best to remember. The team of 8 Recon Marines consisted of young, tough, bronzed warriors with an attitude, a gung ho bunch of Marines from the 1st Recon Battalion, Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon. Team name “call sign” unknown at this time. I can’t recall the team’s name for this mission but the team names that come to mind are Blue Spruce, Cayenne, Panama Hat and Albrook that I worked with from time to time. My team was getting briefed by 1st Lt. Riley, his name I can recall. 1st Lt. Brian Riley sticks in my mind because I felt I was responsible for his death and that been playing on my mind all these years. You see, as the pointman for this small team of marines. I was responsible for finding and clearing the areas of all the booby traps, mines and all other devices that can wreak havoc on my brothers in my team. As a scout I took my job seriously all the time and on all my missions. It so happened by faith, maybe luck that I considered myself to be very lucky in life and in the years of ‘68 and ‘69 and so was my good friend Lance Corporal Herman Jonse, I’ll call him Jonsey for short. Yes my good friend Jonsey of Bravo Company, at the time had just returned from R&R “rest and recuperation” in Australia where he met Margaret his wife to be, Margaret. What can I say about Margaret but she was a peach, a down to earth woman and I thought Jonsey was the luckiest guy on earth. But at the time I was a dumb kid and I had no plans to go on R&R. As I told my friend I’m saving for a brand new car. And I can recall that car today that I was saving for, it was a green 1969 Chevy with white racing stripes. A new ’69 Chevy Chevelle SS “Super Sport” with a 396 high performance engine with a Holley carburetor, chrome wheels with Goodyear F70-14 polyglass tires and this car had a Delco AM radio. Well to make a long story short Jonsey talked me into going to Australia for a week to meet his wife to be. I can recall that time in Australia and meeting Margaret as one of the best vacations I ever had and thanks to Jonsey and Margaret that R&R to Australia April 8th through April 15th, 1969 maybe saved my life who knows. Only one week, but your life can end in a week. When I returned to the Battalion on April 16th I found out that my team had been lost to a mine or some kind of booby trap. And 1st Lt. Riley had taken the brunt of it all and my replacement at point and our radioman were medevac and I did not hear from them again. So I felt responsible at the time for not protecting my team on that mission because 1st Lt. Brian Riley was the Marine leading this mission on this day. He was giving the briefing the night before this mission. I recall parts of the mission and the high probability of making contact deep in enemy controlled territory. I recall that this didn’t seem to bother me at that time because I had been on plenty of patrols, about 20 missions in all to date, and because of my experience at that time as a scout. This was to be only one more mission to me. As I think back on this now I wonder why is this one mission constantly on my mind? After fifty years, why is this day on my mind. I seem to be reliving this day over and over in my mind. Like the movie “Ground Hog Day” where Bill Murray is living Ground Hog Day over and over and it seems to never end for him until he can get it right. As I wrote this down for the first time "ten years ago", it seems to be playing out and starting to come back to me a little clearer. Each time I sit down to write now my time line of 1968-1969 is becoming clearer to me. I stumbled across the 1st Reconnaissance website on June 3rd, 2008. I was on Ebay comparing prices, thinking about inventory on hand in my Mall that day and looking for inventory to purchase for my antique business. I don’t know to this day why I keyed in Recon. It seemed to pop into my mind. I was surprised to see all the items listed under Recon on Ebay that day. I don’t know why, maybe curiosity made me switch from Ebay to my search engine and key in 1st Recon Battalion, When I keyed in 1st Recon Battalion that changed everything for me on that day in 2008. Up to that point in time I thought I had sealed the memories away for good. With that click of my mouse up popped the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion’s website. Oh my God, I didn’t believe it, my old unit in Nam. At the same time a peaceful feeling came over me like running into an old friend. yes like running into a friend. This feeling is hard for me to describe. I can recall the day I arrived at 1st Recon in Vietnam as a green know it all rookie marine with an attitude and gung ho at the same time. I was going to win the war by myself. I can look back today on this and laugh at myself. What a dumb kid I must have been then. Only moments after arriving that day, reality set in and I learned quickly that I was in hell or some where close. I can recall clearly the day I arrived at 1st Recon. It was Saturday July 7th, 1968. I was one of the replacements for one of those brave men KIA “killed in action” on Hill 200 a month earlier on June 3rd, 1968. For more click to,

1st Recon Battalion

from the virtual wall

KIA LIST

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


CARLISI IGNATIUS 2170881 10/6/1945 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 6/16/1966 6/16/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Multiple Fragmentation Wounds 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 NEW YORK New York 08E 52


CARLSON GARY LEE 2463704 9/18/1948 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 11/29/1968 11/29/1968 10/21/1968 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn SEATTLE Washington 37W 4


CARPER LORING WILLIAM JR 6894313 12/1/1946 Navy Hospitalman (Navy) E3 Undefined Code 5/17/1966 5/17/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 3rd Mar Div 1ST FORCE 3RD RECON BN WINCHESTER Virginia 07E 69


CLARK LAWRENCE EDWARD 2090502 7/3/1947 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 10/10/1966 10/10/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tri 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn AMBA Kentucky 11E 65


CLARK WILLIAM MARTIN 480668886 5/13/1951 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 8/4/1970 8/4/1970 2/26/1970 Hostile, Died Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn RUNNELLS Iowa 08W 81


COCKRELL JAMES WARREN JR 101818 8/13/1944 Marine Corps First Lieutenant O2 Infantry Officer (USMC) 5/26/1968 5/26/1968 12/6/1967 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tri 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn MACON Mississippi 66W 4


COLL WILLIAM PATRICK 89166 8/18/1938 Marine Corps Captain O3 Undefined Code 9/13/1967 9/13/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania 26E 65


COLLIER LAWRENCE HENRY 2343179 8/21/1948 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 10/17/1967 10/17/1967 6/18/1967 Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn MEMPHIS Tennessee 28E 20


CORREA LUIS FELIPE 2030893 3/17/1947 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 6/25/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn NEW YORK New York 22E 61


COULOMBE FRANCIS JOSEPH 30369457 10/26/1949 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 7/28/1969 10/19/1968 Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tri 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn GARDNER Massachusetts 20W 62


COUNCILL ARTHUR COBY III 2414006 3/5/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 6/21/1969 6/21/1969 3/6/1969 Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn HAWTHORNE California 22W 103


CRAWFORD WILLIAM LLOYD 2147687 6/29/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 10/22/1966 10/22/1966 Invalid Date Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Accident Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn PAULS VALLEY Oklahoma 11E 96


CRITES ROBERT LINCOLN JR 2497926 12/25/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 6/21/1969 6/21/1969 3/19/1969 Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn COLTON California 22W 104


CULP KARL HOWARD 2383051 10/13/1950 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 4/16/1969 4/16/1969 11/20/1968 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div E Co 1st Recon Bn FORT WORTH Texas 27W 93


DALHOUSE JOHN DUDLEY 89075 10/4/1940 Marine Corps Captain O3 Infantry Officer (USMC) 7/3/1968 7/3/1968 6/30/1968 Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div H&S Co 1st Recon Bn MONTGOMERY Alabama 54W 41


DANIELS RUSSELL GLEN 527722405 9/23/1948 Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class E5 Hospital Corpsman (NAVY) 11/18/1970 11/18/1970 2/17/1970 Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn PHOENIX Arizona 06W 66


DE GRAY JERRY FREDERICK 2320041 1/24/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Undefined Code 10/17/1967 7/30/1967 Hostile, Died of Wounds Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn MILWAUKEE Wisconsin 28E 21


DEAN DONALD BING 2452512 3/29/1948 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 1/26/1969 1/26/1969 10/20/1968 Hostile, Died Drowned, Suffocated Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div E Co 1st Recon Bn PORTLAND Maine 34W 82


DEAVERS KENNETH LAMAR JR 2156051 6/25/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 2/7/1967 2/7/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn WILLIAMSPORT Maryland 15E 4


DELOZIER DAVID VINCENT 201387636 3/16/1950 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Assaultman (USMC) 11/18/1970 11/18/1970 3/11/1970 Hostile, Died Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn ALTOONA Pennsylvania 06W 67


DENNIS DAVID ALAN 2382272 6/4/1949 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 11/12/1968 11/12/1968 11/24/1967 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Accident Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn FORT WAYNE Indiana 39W 53


DORSETT ROY GEREAD 2269571 10/11/1947 Marine Corps Sergeant E5 Rifleman (USMC) 6/29/1968 6/29/1968 2/10/1968 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Accidental Self-Destruction Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 1st Mar Div 1st Force 1st Recon Bn SUPERIOR Arizona 54W 15


DOWLING JEAN PIERRE 2052726 8/22/1943 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 1/29/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died While Missing Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 3rd Mar Div 1st Force 3rd Recon Bn MADISON Wisconsin 04E 107


DREW KENNETH LEE 2353093 2/4/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 6/29/1968 6/29/1968 2/1/1968 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn PORTLAND Oregon 54W 15


EAKIN SHELTON LEE 96591 2/17/1935 Marine Corps Second Lieutenant O1 Infantry Officer (USMC) 7/27/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn TEXARKANA Arkansas 09E 79


ECKENRODE MARCUS RICHARD 2348722 8/6/1946 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 5/21/1968 5/21/1968 12/9/1967 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Causes Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn MAR VISTA California 64E 13


EDGAR TERRECE EUGENE 2348038 9/7/1949 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 6/3/1968 6/3/1968 2/1/1968 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn OILDALE California 61W 23


EVANS RICHARD WAYNE 248925523 5/6/1949 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 7/13/1970 7/13/1970 3/18/1969 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Accident Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div H&S Co 1st Recon Bn ST PETERSBURG Florida 08W 14


FAULKNER LARRY FREEMAN 2328333 3/5/1948 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 7/13/1967 7/13/1967 Invalid Date Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Accidental Self-Destruction Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div D Co 1st Recon Bn CHISOLM Maine 23E 67


FERGUSON THOMAS BERNARD 103483 1/14/1943 Marine Corps Second Lieutenant O1 Basic Infantry Officer (USMC) 3/30/1968 Invalid Date Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tri 1st Mar Div 1st Force 1st Recon Bn RUMFORD Maine 47E 10


FLEMING PATRICK JAY 2248507 5/30/1948 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 8/15/1967 8/15/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn ANACONDA Montana 24E 113


FORD VICTOR JAMES 2096976 10/4/1943 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 4/29/1966 4/29/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 3rd Mar Div 1st Force 3rd Recon Bn UPPER DARBY Pennsylvania 07E 8


FULFORD JIMMY DON 2144641 11/28/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 7/12/1968 7/12/1968 2/7/1968 Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Other Causes Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn RUSSELLVILLE Arkansas 52W 18


GAGNE DONALD 2159997 1/16/1946 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Field Radio Operator (USMC) 11/4/1966 11/4/1966 Invalid Date Non-Hostile, Died of Other Causes Drowned, Suffocated Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div C Co 1st Recon Bn FALL RIVER Massachusetts 12E 21


GARCIA MARCIAL BONDOC 2387587 4/16/1949 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Rifleman (USMC) 6/4/1968 12/2/1967 Hostile, Died of Wounds Misadventure Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Thua Thien 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn SAN FRANCISCO California 60W 9


GIER DAVID JULIAN 2062022 6/2/1946 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Undefined Code 3/13/1966 3/13/1966 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 HONOLULU Hawaii 06E 5


GIERMAN WALTER EDWARD II 2418052 9/18/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Undefined Code 4/16/1969 4/16/1969 3/3/1969 Hostile, Died Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div E Co 1st Recon Bn LAKE WORTH Florida 27W 94


GILBERT FRANKLIN DELANO R 1869031 9/17/1941 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 2/28/1966 2/28/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Misadventure Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Recon Bn ORANGE Texas 05E 85


GILL ROBERT EARL 2409238 9/20/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 4/16/1969 4/16/1969 12/8/1968 Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn MOBILE Alabama 27W 94


GILMORE WILLIAM ALAN 2210599 3/26/1947 Marine Corps Lance Corporal E3 Undefined Code 9/7/1967 9/7/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Gun, Small Arms Fire Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div 1st Force 1st Recon Bn ALEXANDRIA Lousiana 26E 24


GLAWE THOMAS DUANE 2130228 3/4/1948 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Mortarman (USMC) 6/16/1966 6/16/1966 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Multiple Fragmentation Wounds 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 ROCKFORD Illinois 08E 52


GOERS LOUIS LLOYD 7950906 4/6/1946 Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class (Navy) E4 Hospital Corpsman (NAVY) 4/21/1967 4/21/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Causes Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div 1ST RECON BN STEGER Illinois 18E 58


GOLDMEYER CHARLES HENRY 553807571 3/11/1949 Marine Corps Private First Class E2 Rifleman (USMC) 9/25/1969 2/11/1969 Hostile, Died of Wounds Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn SAN DIEGO California 17W 7


GOSZEWSKI THOMAS WALTER 490564123 9/22/1950 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 11/27/1970 7/22/1970 Hostile, Died of Wounds Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn DELLWOOD Missouri 06W 86


GRAY ARTHUR POWELL IV 225601533 7/5/1946 Marine Corps First Lieutenant O2 Infantry Officer (USMC) 7/19/1970 11/2/1969 Non-Hostile, Died of Illness/Injury Other Accident Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div H&S Co 1st Recon Bn RICHMOND Virginia 08W 31


GREENE ARTHUR WILLIE 2225272 6/29/1942 Marine Corps Private E1 Rifleman (USMC) 1/20/1967 1/20/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Misadventure Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Nam 1st Mar Div B Co 1st Recon Bn FORT PIERCE Florida 14E 56


GRIFFIN HAROLD DEXTER 2148065 10/19/1945 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 5/29/1967 5/29/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn CANTON North Carolina 21E 13


GRISSETT EDWIN RUSSELL JR 455685990 9/19/1943 Marine Corps Sergeant E5 Rifleman (USMC) 1/22/1966 12/2/1968 Invalid Date Hostile, Died While Captured Other Causes Ground Casualty Body Subsequently Recovered Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Ngai 3rd Mar Div 1st Force Recon Co 3rd Recon Bn SAN JUAN Texas 04E 82


GUILLORY WILLIAM ALLEN 2094452 3/31/1946 Marine Corps Corporal E4 Rifleman (USMC) 7/19/1967 7/19/1967 Invalid Date Hostile, Died Other Explosive Device Ground Casualty Undefined Code Invalid Date South Vietnam Quang Tin 1st Mar Div A Co 1st Recon Bn WESTLAKE Lousiana 23E 91

Greetings.  I hope you all were able to celebrate the 4th of July.  Unfortunately, Texas experienced a disaster.  My heart and tears go out to all impacted by the deadly flooding.

Our Vice President and Executive Director, Dave Jarvis, has asked that I send out a link to a YouTube video created by FRA members Lou Kern and Brad Dierlam that highlights what our reunion banquets are all about.

Semper Fi,

Stephen Luebbert
Communications Chief

Guest Book

Your Name: Rnthony Paton
Your Address: 132 Hilltop Dr. Newport TN 37821
Your Email: anthopat56@gmail.com
Your Phone number: 865-297-2905
Guest Book Message: Hay T you are missed. Rest in peace. Till we meet again. Gave Tony Martinez eulogy when he passed. Great people. Semper Fidelis Marine.

Association Officers and Directors

Thank you for weighing in on the 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

Charlie and Thurman in Alaska 2008

Charles Daniels (October 28, 1936 – July 6, 2020) was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His music fused rock, country blues and jazz and was a pioneering contribution to Southern rock and progressive country. He was best known for his number-one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". 

Daniels was active as a singer and musician from the 1950s until his death. He was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2002, the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

Honor Wall

In Remembrance of our fallen brothers

1st Recon Battalion Association

Part 1 of 4

1st Lt. Hugh McDowel

Patrick Michael Kerivan "Pat"

Part 2

Honor Wall

In Remembrance of our fallen brothers

1st Recon Battalion Association

Thx, Floyd. I didnt know there were suggested dues. I’ll send a check to Creg today. I’ve been bringing 5 or 6 items for the auction each year at Charlie’s request. I’m doing so again this year.

S/f, once & always,

Otter Reid

Everything You Need to Know About Veteran Memorial Benefits

Learn about pre-need eligibility, end-of-life planning and burial and memorial benefits, including burial site, presidential memorial certificate, headstone or marker, and military funeral honors.

ACCESS YOUR BENEFITS

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.

Howard "Doug" Wolfe

Part 3

Honor Wall

In Remembrance of our fallen brothers

1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Da Nang, Vietnam

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.

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.

Part 23  - 2024

Part 46  - 2025

Past Photos Galleries Part 1 

Past Photos Galleries Part 2

As of Auqust 31st, 2025 this website will become the 1st Recon Association's Time Caspsule. I wish my replacement all the luck in the world. I look forward to seeing his or her new website. It's been an honor to serve you all for the last 9 years but it is time to step down.

As of Auqust 31st, 2025 this website will become the 1st Recon Association's Time Caspsule. I wish my replacement all the luck in the world. I look forward to seeing his or her new website. It's been an honor to serve you all for the last 9 years but it is time to step down.

August 7th - August 20th, 2025
Will be totally disconnected from the Internet!
My brain needs a Rest...
August's second half Newsletters will be released late,

with photographs of the 2025 reunion it will by my last release as your webmaster.

My Brothers

This newsletter/ web page will be finished before leave on my trip to the 2025 reunion.

Vietnam War Veterans
Rich Thurmond
Daily life in ‘the Nam’
My experience in Vietnam as a Marine infantryman with I/3/9 3rd Marine Division in 1968 and 1969 was that daily life in Vietnam was the obvious danger, hard work, a struggle against the weather and boredom. A day in Vietnam could be any or all of these things.
When our company was inserted into the bush by helicopter we typically moved to a predetermined location. Then we would set up a defensive position by digging fighting positions and clearing out fields of fire, even cutting down trees so that helicopters could bring supplies. We were pretty much like construction workers in that regard.
There was nothing stealth about us. It seemed like the Marine Corps’ attitude was, “here we are, you want some of this?” Always looking for that WWII type ‘set piece’ battle. But, generally, ‘Charlie’ wasn’t into set piece large engagements. WWII type strategy was not going to work in this war.
Generally, Charlie was in charge of when and where fighting took place. Just trading territory for time because his strategy was to out last the enemy, strategizing that the Americans just like the French would eventually grow tired of the war.
Next we would run platoon or squad size patrols from this position. Generally, squad patrols didn’t go too far from the company perimeter while platoon patrols might travel further, depending on the terrain. Patrols typically were either morning or afternoon patrols. When a morning patrol returned then another platoon or squad might run an afternoon patrol. Of course contact with the NVA changed this scenario.
In addition we often deployed several four man listening post a short distance in front of the perimeter day and night. Sometimes we set up squad size ambushes at night.
Marines on patrol traveled much lighter than Marines on a company size movement because they didn’t carry packs or any extra gear, just helmet, flak jacket, weapons, ammo, canteens and very little if anything to eat.
While one platoon was running a patrol some Marines from other platoons would man that platoon’s position in the perimeter. Marines not on patrol would still have to be on alert, but would also improve the defensive position, clean weapons, write letters, play cards, talk and generally pass the time as best they could.
Sometimes artillery units were brought to the perimeter by helicopter. They would provide support for us and other Marine companies in our area of operation.
We seldom stayed in one location more than 4 or 5 days. Sometimes we would move as a company (typically 2 - 5 kilometers depending on the terrain) to another position and set up another position and do everything all over again. Generally, if this movement could not be accomplished in one day then we would often be helicoptered to the new location. Sometimes the new location had been pulverized by our artillery, air strikes by F-4 Phantoms, A-4 Skyhawks or B-52 bombers.
Essentially, one day was like another intermixed with contact with the mostly illusive enemy.
A thirteen month tour of duty was agonizingly long. Personally, upon return to the USA it seemed like I had been gone for many years.
Sgt. Rich Thurmond
India Co., 3rd Bn./9th Marine Regiment
3rd Marine Division 4/68 - 5/69

This newsletter/ web page will be finished before leave on my trip to the 2025 reunion.

This newsletter/ web page will be finished before leave on my trip to the 2025 reunion.

This newsletter/ web page will be finished before leave on my trip to the 2025 reunion.

This newsletter/ web page will be finished before leave on my trip to the 2025 reunion.

How do you want to live your life, now and through the end?

VA NEWS

SgtMaj US Marine Corps
Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Pendleton, CA

He graduated from US Marine Corps boot camp in 1984 and trained as a radio operator. He served with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and deployed in 1990 to Saudi Arabia with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Over his 22-year career, he did several tours at the School of Infantry, was the battalion radio chief for 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Hawaii and worked as a canvassing recruiter in Cleveland, OH. Among his military award and decorations were the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" and two gold stars and two awards of the Combat Action Ribbon.

1st recon battalion Lieutenant Brian Riley

Staff Sergeant Timothy S. Williams sprinted 60 meters under fire through open terrain to provide TCCC to his team leader after he received enemy fire that shattered his femur and sent him tumbling into a canal full of water. SSgt Williams scooped him up, stabilized his leg, then carried the Marine 3 football fields to a medevac chopper. He then took charge of a combined U.S. and Afghani team who executed an attack over two miles of mountainous terrain toward friendly forces, killing Taliban the entire way. For his courage, he was awarded the Silver Star.

Robert Onesios Sr.

If anyone from 1st recon bn that lives in jacksonville n.c. we need a reunion.

Robert Onesios Sr.

It's been an honor to serve you all for the last 9 years.

See you all at the Reunion 2025

in Quantico, Virginia God Willing

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.

July 31st, 2025
Hello Association Members,

Please reply and update or confirm your Information by August 25th, 2025, so we (The 1st Recon Battalion Association) can function efficiently. When I do not get a response, I will assume the information is incorrect for you. If you do not see an * ASTERISK by your name on our directory or your name is not highlighted your Info is not confirmed. Our New 1st Recon Battalion Association Members Directory will be on display at this year's reunion.  The directory will be updated by August 1st, 2025, so I cannot assume that the information for you is correct.

 I will be printing the directory and send out to my replacement by the end of August 2025. With missing or incorrect information. As of today we have over 700 of our members with unconfirmed information and over 50 members with no information available.  All 1st Recon Association Members with unconfirmed or no information available will not be listed in our Members Directory or on display at this year's reunion. If you can confirm your Information by our 2025 Reunion, you be listed then. If you have no information available you maybe dropped from our membership rolls in the 1st Recon Battalion Association by this year's reunion. So please let me know if your information is correct or update your Info today by clicking this link. Click Here or you can email me at: floyd@weststpaulantiques.com 

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. 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. See You at the 78th Annual Reunion in Quantico, Virginia this year (God Willing)

Semper Fi,

Floyd Ruggles,

Membership Director & Webmaster 2016-2025

 

As of Auqust 31st, 2025 this website will become the 1st Recon Association's Time Caspsule. I wish my replacement all the luck in the world. I look forward to seeing his or her new website. It's been an honor to serve you all for the last 9 years but it is time to step down.

New Member's Name: Jim A Unsworth
Address:  Glendale AZ 85306
Email: mckoa789dre@hotmail.com
Home & Cell Phone number: (602) 509-0905
Date of Birth (MMDDYY): 09-16-46
Letter Company
(or other Unit Attached): D, E
Dates with Unit: Feb. 69 to Oct 69
Date of Application: 19 June 2025

Message to 1st Recon Battalion Association: Proud to have served

Jim

Guest Book

My Name is: Nicole L Henderson
My Address is: 200 Timber Ridge dr Murphy TX 75094
My Email is: hendersonnicole911@gmail.com
My Phone number is: (214) 779-7608
Guest Book Message: Hello,
I am trying to help my step-dad, Xavier Gonzalez Martinez. He was in Vietnam as a Marine from 1972-1973, was in service total from 1971-1975. I became his caretaker in April 2024 when my mother was no longer able to care for him because she had to call 911 for herself on March 21, 2024. She's since been in the hospital more than out. She has been out now since Feb 2025!! God Bless!! Dad (Xavier) has Parkinson's and dementia. We are trying to get his disability rating, however, his DD214 is wrong. They checked the "no" box where it asks if he had any "Indochina or Korea service since Aug 5, 1964. This is line 19. We are trying to get this all set up and now ran into this. The VSO told us to write a letter. Well ok but he has parkinson's and dementia. this will be tricky as his memory is not good and he DOES NOT want to think about any of this!! We need help proving his service in Vietnam. I am waiting on his records from the national archives, in the meantime, I'm trying other avenues. HELP!!
Nicole Henderson (Daughter/Caretaker)

Hill 200 1969

From: Charlie Kershaw <qwerty3321@virginmedia.com> 6/25/2025 8:21 PM Request for Assistance with Operating & Program Payment ,To  floyd@weststpaulantiques.com

Hello,
I hope you're doing well. Are you available to help with a payment for the Events Expense? Creg Howland is not familiar with Venmo or Zelle, which the vendor has requested. If you have experience with or access to either of these platforms, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Once the payment is processed, the treasurer will issue you a refund check. Please let me know if you can assist with this.

Thank you,
Charlie Kershaw

MEMBERS BE AWARE

Another Scam Email

Do not open any links in an email like this, check the email address you you can see it's not Charlie's email address. Members Be Aware