Re: Veterans day story
 

On that wall you will find two of my State Department classmates Charles McMahon (May 10, 1953 – April 29, 1975) and Darwin Lee Judge (February 16, 1956 – April 29, 1975) were the last two United States servicemen killed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The two men, both U.S. Marines (Marine Embassy Guards), were killed in a rocket attack one day before the Fall of Saigon. Every April 29, I take moment to remember these young Marines that had their lives cut short and never got to enjoy the freedom they died for. God Bless them and Semper fi

Re: Veterans day story
 

Greg, my friend, I am sure the story told by your friend was intended to be accurate, and I am sure that he saw action. I would not recommend calling him on his story. The memory gets a little rusty after about 50 years.

Three purple hearts means "wounded in action 3 times". In Viet Nam...2 WOI and you were out of there. Now, conceivable the guy could have also gotten wounded in Korea.

Additionally..the only survivor out of 140 fighters, does not sound realistic. Was he a medal of honor winner?

140 men is approximately the size of a Company....5 officers, 20 NCO's, 16 M60's, 16 radio operators with M16s, 16 M79 grenade launchers, and the remaining with M16s and grenades. Plus we always had artillery behind us plus gun ship and fighter jets if necessary. Additionally..search and destroy was on the squad and platoon level. As I recall, all combat involving a company or battalion was to secure a position and had lots of artillary.

I never heard of a company getting wiped out in Viet Nam...maybe, but doesn't sound likely.

Please do not "call" your friend on his story, but it seems unlikely. In any regard, I am proud of him for serving his country.

Re: Veterans day story
 

Thank you for the great story you just experienced Mr. Hansen. I will always keep the faith in this great country you and many have defended.
I went to pine lawn national for a beautiful somber fall morning to see my dad. I visited a friends shop who is a Vietnam Veteran to thank him for helping me w my car and bought he and his wife lunch. Stopped at another veterans home who had passed away recently and said a prayer and stopped by another friends shop but his dad took the day off as he certainly deserves it for all he has done
It sure is a great country we live in
Chris OKeefe

Re: Veterans day story
 

Gary, thank you for your service. As far as the co worker, he was a manager, I was a working stiff, I rarely saw him. One of the things he said before he had to sell it, was that he had a 63 409/425 horse Impala and what a bunch of fun that one was. I don't remember the details of his conversation other than that he received three Purple Hearts. The third one probably sent him stateside, now that you mention it. The details of the unit he was assigned to came to me through another older co-worker who knew him.I don't think anybody would try to lie about that,although his facts might have beed hazy. I haven't seen this veteran in over 30 years and have no idea where he is. I hope he's alive and doing well, just like I'm glad for all the vets I know who still are. Whatever the situation, that's what the story was that I got. He never discussed it with me, but I couldn't help but thank him.

Re: Veterans day story
 

I found this list of veterans who won 8 purple hearts in different wars. The only three that I am familiar with are Hackworth, Waugh,and Howard. Bob Howard was one of the baddest men on the planet. He died in 2010 and is buried at Arlington.

regards, Roland


Robert T. Frederick, U.S. Army: World War II (8)
David H. Hackworth, U.S. Army: Korean War (3), Vietnam War (5)
Joe Hooper, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor: Vietnam War (8)
Robert L. Howard, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor: Vietnam War (8)
William Waugh, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (8)

Re: Veterans day story
 

Hey Roland...I stand corrected, I did not take the time to Google search the topic.......I was going by memory, and I am absolutely certain that I was told "2 WIA and you leave" I was trying to figure out how I could get injured in my left arm, twice...lol

I searched and found the same information you did...can you imagine 8 or even 5 WIA's. I served with some tough SOB's, but wounded 8 times..AND not dead????

Eddie will speak up pretty soon. I was in the Army.....Eddie is a Marine... He will clear it by saying they must have been Marines.

Coincidentally, last month was my 50th anniversary for being drafted.......Where has time gone? Thanks for the clarification, Roland.

Re: Veterans day story
 

No Gary, I have had the privilege of working with all branches of the service in my short 24 years except the Coast Guard. I have come to appreciate the sacrifices of each. The Marine unit in Vietnam that had the highest casualty rate was 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, known as the "Walking Dead": During the Vietnam War, the unit earned the name "The Walking Dead" for its high casualty rate. The battalion endured the longest sustained combat and suffered the highest killed in action (KIA) rate in Marine Corps history, especially during the Battle of July Two. The battalion was engaged in combat for 47 months and 7 days, from 15 June 1965 to 19 October 1966 and 11 December 1966 to 14 July 1969. Based on a typical battalion strength of 800 Marines and Navy hospital corpsmen, 93.63% (747) were Killed In Action (KIA) and 0.25% (2) were Missing In Action (MIA).

The real tragedy is the aftermath, even for a small town:

Donald Cisney US Army (PTSD - Drugs) D/S racer
Charlie Riggenbach USMC (PTSD - Alcohol) Gearhead
John Riggenbach US Army (PTSD - Drugs) Gearhead

These are the wounded that never got treatment and passed, these are the wounded that this country failed to recognize, these are the wounded that I am finding that need the most help.

Re: Veterans day story
 

Back when I worked at the LA County shops, I was friends with a deputy sheriff who was 6 years older than I. He grew up in the town of Rogue River, along the 5, and attended Rogue River High School, class of 1966. The grad class was around 65 in number, and over half of the boys either enlisted or were draftees. Half of them never came back. The class reunion 10 years later was a sad experience. He lived there from 1960-66 or so, I lived 30 miles up the river from 62-66. We had a lot of fun experiences. He also had a 69 Z-28 Camaro named Mighty Mouse that he raced at Irwindale in the 70's. It was a pretty serious race car for its time. He sold it before we worked together.
That kind of thing is what devastates a town of any size. Eddie, keep up the outstanding good work.

Re: Veterans day story
 

Eddie, poor choice of words on my part. In no way was my comment intended to be a derogatory comment about Marines.

Re: Veterans day story
 

And I didn't take it in anyway but honoring those that served.