1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Battalion Association

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Bravo 1968

Part 6

2020

Messages from the 1st Recon Battalion Association Membership Director & Webmaster.

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

Part 7 

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1st Recon Battalion Association

Alpha Company Photo Gallery

All Companies

Photo Gallery

Bravo Company

Photo Gallery 

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The Memory Remains Not All Wounds Are Visible.

"A Brotherhood Forged In Combat"

1st Reconnaissance Battalion Index

2014

Message Board Links

Part 1 - 2018-2019 

Part 2 - 2019-2020 

Part 3 - 2020 

Part 4 - 2020 

Part 5  - 2020

Part 7 - 2020 

Past Photos Galleries 

Past Message Board

Past Newsletters 

Part 1 - 2017-2018 

Part 2 - 2018 

Part 3 - 2018 

Part 4 - 2018-2019 

Past Reunions 

Past Stories 

Coming Soon

Send in your photos

Portland Maine

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Vancouver Island, Canada

Robert H. Jenkins Jr.

Honoring United States Marine Corps Private First Class Robert H. Jenkins Jr. 20 of Interlachen, #Florida. Robert leaped into a fighting hole with a fellow Recon Marine when their patrol was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army platoon.
As they returned fire with their machine-gun, an enemy grenade landed at their feet. Without hesitation, PFC Jenkins tackled the other Marine to the ground and shielded him with his body. For his heroic sacrifice, PFC Jenkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine-gunner with Company C, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces.
Early on the morning of 5 March 1969, PFC Jenkins' 12-man reconnaissance team was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base Argonne south of the Demilitarized Zone.
Suddenly, the Marines were assaulted by a North Vietnamese Army platoon employing mortars, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. Reacting instantly, PFC Jenkins and another Marine quickly moved into a 2-man fighting emplacement.
As they boldly delivered accurate machine-gun fire against the enemy, an NVA soldier threw a hand-grenade into the friendly emplacement.
Fully realizing the inevitable results of his actions, Private First Class Robert Jenkins quickly seized his comrade, and pushing the man to the ground, he leaped on top of the Marine to shield him from the explosion.
Absorbing the full impact of the detonation, PFC Jenkins was seriously injured and subsequently succumbed to his wounds. His courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty, saved a fellow Marine from serious injury or possible death.
9Private First Class Jenkins actions reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Rest in Peace
NeverForgotten

Jimmy Page shared this post. Thanks Jimmy

Members

Today will not be like yesterday and will never be like tomorrow. So always live life to the fullest and make the most of everything! ”Start your day with a smile on your face and you will find that all you get back are smiles in return.”

“Wishing you a peaceful day!”

“If you are reading this message, nothing can stop you from having an incredible day.”

Photo sent in be Mike Shokalz

Larry F. Quigley

Phu Bai mud

Rappelling at Camp Reasoner, Dong Den & “B” Relay ?

Photos sent in by Larry F. Quigley

Who was the battalion CO 1966-67 time frame?

Gary Murray Sr.
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur J. Sullivan

Operation Washington, July 1966
On 6 July 1966, Lieutenant Colonel Arthur J. Sullivan, battalion commander of 1st Recon Battalion, moved his battalion headquarters to Hau Doc, a location 25 km west of Chu Lai.

Philip Peters
Gary Murray Sr. Thanks and who followed him?

Gary Murray Sr.
LtCol. B.C. Stienmetz

Rick Rabenold
Aug 66-21 May 67 LtCol BN McKeon....May 21- 8 July 67 Maj BG Lowery...July 9-10 67 May GR Johnston...11 July into 1968 LtCol BC Steinmetz

July 30th, 2020


Philip Peters
Rick Rabenold thank you Mr. Rabenold. LtCol McKeon is the name I wanted!!


Jim Harrell Sr.
That's funny! When we were there from June 1966 to July 1967 he was the C.O. and his location was in the battalion headquarters. The 1st Recon headquarters was on the South China Sea beach between and Amtrac Company to our north and a Hawk Missle site … See More

Terry Godfrey
Jim Harrell Sr. You are correct sir

Terry Godfrey sent in this photo..

From: Kerri Parker, Email: gseller2890@gmail.com

Subject: Error on your website

Message: It look like you've misspelled the word "Reconaissance" on your website. I thought you would like to know:). Silly mistakes can ruin your site's credibility. I've used a tool called SpellDoc.com in the past to keep mistakes off of my website.

Kerri

Message 

Thanks for the email I found one and corrected the spelling on the main page. If you or any member run across any misspelled words please notify me immediately. I'm assuming that there's more misspelling of Reconnaissance. Knowing that I've used that word hundreds of times throughout this website. If you run across one please give me the page that the misspelled words on. Thank You

Floyd Ruggles, webmaster <floyd@weststpaulantiques.com>

*****

*****

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - U.S. Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicles with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division drive on a beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on Jan. 29, 2020. 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment worked with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion to conduct a mechanized raid to enhance lethality and hone combat skills.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Teagan Fredericks)

1st Marine Division Photo Gallery

The Old Breed News  April - May-June 2020

The Blue Diamond News - 5 June 2020

Marines Testing Regiment at Heart of Emerging Island-Hopping Future

Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG), hike during a field exercise (FEX) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. on May 28, 2020. US Marine Corps photo

Read the full story at USNI News

History

Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871

Message 

Bikers Heard This Marine’s Remains Were Coming Home in a USPS Box. They Couldn’t Let That Happen.

Patriot Guard rider hands over SSgt Turner's remains for the next leg of the journey

The Patriot Guard riders and SSgt Jonathon Turner

Patriot Guard Brings Marine Home

The group forms an honor guard at military burials, helps protect mourners from harassment and fills out the ranks at burials of indigent and homeless veterans. In addition to attending funerals, the group also greets troops returning from overseas at homecoming celebrations and performs volunteer work for veteran’s organizations such as Veterans Homes according Wikipedia.

Staff Sergeant Jonathan Turner served seven tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and died last week in California from combat-related injuries.

His mother was unable to make the trip from Georgia to California for the funeral and the Marine Corps handled all of the funeral arrangements – including shipping Staff Sergeant ashes back home.

And that didn’t sit well with Patriot Guard riders, so they stepped up by creating a caravan and personally escorting SSgt Turner’s remains all the way across the country. It was an operation that involved hundreds of volunteers and thousands of miles ridden.

“I got on the road at 6 o’clock [Friday] night out of Huntsville, Alabama and I rode over to Oklahoma,” Asha Lamy said. “I need the family to know that you’re not alone and we care.”

Each time the remains were turned over to another group of riders, a ceremony was held to pay their respects for the fallen warrior.

“We did this primarily because his mother was unable to attend the services, and he had been cremated and we didn’t want him to go home in a Fed Ex box,” Oklahoma Patriot Guard Riders Capt. David Noble said.

According to the Patriot Guard website: “Turner was a great leader who inspired his fellow Marines, both in the Corps and in daily life. You were his friend if you knew him for five minutes or five years. He would give you the shirt off his back.”

Young Marines

Oceanside teen named ‘Young Marine of the Year’

An Oceanside 17-year-old was picked as “Young Marine of the Year” competing against western and northwestern regional members of the Young Marines, a national youth program.

Young Marine Sgt. Maj. Luke Smith was named the top Young Marine in Division 6, which includes six states — Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California and Arizona.

Over the course of the year Smith is slated to lead, motivate and serve as a role model for the entire division.

Smith received a personal commendation and Commendation of Merit and logged more than 2,500 hours of community service. After graduation from Guajome Park Academy in Vista, where he is a junior, Smith plans to enlist in the Marine Corps and work in Air Traffic Control.

“The Young Marines has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact in my community by helping those in need and helping develop the leaders of tomorrow,” Smith said. “I’ve been able to make personal connections that will last a lifetime.”
Smith, whose father serves in the Marine Corps, joined the Young Marines program nine years ago when he was 8 years old and is a member of the North San Diego Young Marines, which meets in Vista.

“All our division winners show great qualities of leadership as well as reverence to veterans. Each lives a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, which is a foundation of the Young Marines.”
...
Since it began in 1959, the Young Marines has grown to over 235 units with 8,000 youths and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates other countries.

Luke Smith, 17, was selected as “Young Marine of the Year” in Division 6 of the Young Marines, a national youth organization

Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins, known for Vietnam heroics, dies of coronavirus

Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins is credited with killing 135 to 175 Vietnamese in a nearly four-day battle while being wounded 18 times and helping fellow soldiers to safety.  Read Full Story

Original Message 
From: Herman Jonse

1st Recon Battalion Association Officers and Directors:

I hope this email finds you and yours well and taking precautions to deal with COVID-19.

The attached message will be posted on the 1st Recon Battalion Association web site and Facebook page.

Be careful and take the COVID-19 warnings and recommendations seriously.

S/f,

Charlie

Message from the President

Sunday, March 22, 2020 2:23 PM

“Luke Smith is an extraordinary Young Marine,” said retired Marine Col. William P. Davis, national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines.  

Your Marine Corps News

14 Marines, 1 sailor hurt after amphibious assault vehicle catches fire

UPDATED:  14 Marines and one Navy corpsman were injured in the accident.

Six of the 15 service members injured Wednesday when their Marine amphibious assault vehicle caught fire are in critical condition, Corps officials said.

The 14 Marines and one sailor are from 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, said 1st Lt. Paul Gainey, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Division. They were conducting a combat readiness evaluation as part of a training exercise at Camp Pendleton, California, when the AAV burst into flames at 9:33 a.m. local time.

September 13, 2017

Eight of the service members were sent to the Burn Center at University of California San Diego Health, where three are listed in critical condition and five are in serious condition, Gainey said in a news release. 

Four other service members were taken to the University of California Irvine Medical Center, where three of them are listed in critical condition and one is in serious condition, the 1st Marine Division tweeted on Wednesday.

Another service member is listed in stable condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, California; and two service members are being treated for minor injuries at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, Gainey said.

“The 1st Marine Division would like to thank the civilian and military emergency personnel who responded immediately to the situation and allowed the injured Marines to receive rapid care,” Gainey said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marines and their families affected by this incident.”

The accident is under investigation. Business Insider first reported the incident on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s incident is the Marine Corps’ third major training accident in as many months: Three Marines were killed on Aug. 5 when an MV-22B Osprey crashed off Australia; and 15 Marines and one sailor were killed on July 10 when their KC-130T crashed in Mississippi.

The two fatal crashes led Marine Commandant Robert Neller on Aug. 12 to order all Marine squadrons to suspend flight operations for 24 hours. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the pause in flight operations, “the latest example of the readiness crisis that threatens to cripple the U.S. military’s advantage over our adversaries.”

Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Joseph Rivera searches for missing Marines, sailor off the California coast on July 31, 2020. Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Binion/Marine Corps

7 missing Marines, sailor lost in AAV accident presumed dead

August 2nd, 2020

The search for the seven Marines and one sailor lost during an amphibious assault vehicle accident Thursday afternoon was called off Sunday morning, according to Marine Corps officials.

None of the service members were found and they are presumed to be dead, according to a Sunday press release issued by the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU.

8 Service Members Missing in California Accident Are Presumed Dead

Eight American service members who were missing after an accident off the coast of Southern California are now presumed dead after search and rescue efforts were called off on Saturday evening, the authorities said.

The service members, seven marines and a sailor, had been aboard an amphibious assault vehicle that took on water and sank on Thursday. Another marine died and two service members were injured.

The service members were assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Pendleton, in the San Diego area. Efforts were now turning to recovering the remains of the eight presumed dead, the Marines said.

“It is with a heavy heart that I decided to conclude the search and rescue effort,” Col. Christopher Bronzi, a commanding officer, said in a statement on Saturday. “The steadfast dedication of the Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen to the persistent rescue effort was tremendous.”

At the time of the accident the vehicle was traveling from San Clemente Island back to a ship that was more than 1,000 meters off shore, Gen. David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, said on Friday.

Two nearby amphibious assault vehicles witnessed it sink and were able to pinpoint its exact location, General Berger said.

“It is with a heavy heart that I decided to conclude the search and rescue effort,”

For the full story.

A shot from the past

Practice Day On the SPIE Rig and the Extraction Ladder at Camp Reasoner RVN in either 1969 or 1970. That's me on the ladder and myself and Leo Mastramateo standing on the LZ.

Photos sent in by: Thurman Mullins

Thanks Thurman for all the photos. 

Thurman Mullins

Thurman Mullins, Corpsman with 1st Recon

ROUNDTABLE: MARINE RECONNAISSANCE UNITS

Charlie Daniels webpage

Veterans of the 1st and 3rd Marine Reconnaissance Battalions from left to right:
L-R Floyd Nagler, 3rd Recon, Floyd Ruggles, 1st Recon, Doug Bekke- facilitator, Tom Boland, 3rd Recon, Bob Lake, 3rd Recon. Bn.

Twin Cities PBS

David B. Thompson

USMC Military Service

Photo Gallery

Maj. Jim Capers (USMC Ret). Legendary Force Recon Marine. This man is a legend in the Marine Corps special operations community. The first black Marine Corps commissioned officer to be on a Marine Corps recruiting poster, he was one of less than eighty battlefield commissioned officers (from SSgt to 2nd Lieutenant, retiring as a Major) during the Vietnam war. He served and led in 1st, 2nd and 3rd Force Reconnaissance Companies.
“Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who have gone before me”

The story of Major Jim Capers: Legendary Force Recon Marine

2019

1969

Then & Now Photos

Larry Huffman

Ronald Overton  1st Recon Battalion Association

Reunion
This week I was supposed to be headed to Washington for our reunion of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association. I was planning to drive it from Michigan because it’s not that far and I’d have a car which can be helpful. Alas. Shit happens. Oh well, next August in sunny southern California.
I only got involved a couple of years ago. Years back, when the internet first came into being, I hooked up with Cayenne, Garry (Garry Kline) and Chip. Then Cayenne passed and the connection was broken (until Floyd (Floyd Ruggles) picked up the reins), and I was too occupied with life to follow up. My bad. Two years back, it was my 50th so I had to go. Told the wife I’d be going to at least the two reunions – my two 50th having been there most of 1968 and 1969. These two Facebook groups have been tremendous. You guys have brought back so many memories. It’s gotten me to start writing some of this insanity down.


In 2018, I flew to Colorado Springs. What a mind bender. Willie, Tom, Larry . . . and good God, Charlie Kershaw is President of the association. He and Howland were Lts when I knew them but for that matter, so was Chip Gregson.


Last year I went to Louisville. Another mind bender. Maxam came and he and I had served together over a year. Hell, we got promoted to both Corporal and Sergeant about the same time.


Henry was there. Tom again and Adams (Mike Adams). And Larry Huffman again. Tom Southerland (Tom Southerland) is still the auctioneer. Between reunions I had gone through all my flicks, scanned them to digital and in the process saw one of Huffman as a teenage ginger with dimples . . . in the bush on my only patrol. I sent him a copy to show the kids and grandkids. And the others that had overlapped and shared some of the same memories. Pounded more than a couple with SgtMaj Troy (Vicky Marshall Hensley) . Oh, and Alderidge had a stack of flicks that he had made copies of so I grabbed a bunch. I’ve posted them. He had a few of Frank and that was important to me.
The reunion this year in Washington was cancelled but next August it will be in southern California. No details yet but it’s a long way off. The 1st Marine Division Association and 1stReconnaissance Battalion Association coordinate their reunions for financial reasons. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the division and battalion leaving Vietnam.

I have no idea but presume there will be a lot of opportunities to see Camp Pendleton at the very least. They normally have a lot of optional excursions. Hell, in Colorado Springs, one was to the Range - $60, ammunition extra. Choose your automatic weapon. Feh, I chose the belt fed .30 cal. machine gun. It was fun, but in all honesty, that was the first conference or convention I’ve ever been to with an optional excursion to the range. Just saying.


By hook or crook, I’ll be there next August. Hopefully, you will too. Semper Fi. .

ALPHA COMPANY

The Jim Southall Story

Some Give It All

Part 8 - 2020 

Part 9 - 2020 

Part 10 - 2021 

Part 11 - 2021 

Part 12 - 2021 

Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26 & Part 27