U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Romeoville, IL Flight date: October, 2019
By Sharon Skonie Martin, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interviews Volunteer
Had Dan Moffett earned a high school diploma and a college degree, he never would have learned what being in the U.S. Marine Corps taught him. He voluntarily enlisted in November, 1963, just weeks past his 17th birthday and the start of his freshman year in high school. He had to do some real convincing of his reluctant single mother, Jean, to sign for him. Eventually, Dan prevailed. She quickly became very supportive, answering every postcard from Dan with a letter or card.
Dan expressed by joining the military, he was seeking a routine or regimen in his daily life because of the way he grew up. Going half-way around the world and adapting to new surroundings was not that much of a stretch for Dan. His early life, through eighth grade, was a series of “a half a grade here, a half a grade there.” His family moved too many times to list them all. He had been born in Little Rock, Arkansas, during a family road trip, and grew up in various neighborhoods across Chicago’s South Side. Each area had its own idiosyncrasies and flavor, so Dan learned quickly to adapt.
Dan changed his life’s trajectory when he said good-bye to his mother and sisters, Margot and Georgia, reporting to Boot Camp in San Diego. (He carried with him memories of three deceased siblings — June, Jack and Larry.) Upon completion, he was sent to Camp Pendleton for infantry school. Then it was back to San Diego for 18 weeks of radio school. Dan definitely found his niche there, ranking first in his class in “sending speed” and second in “receiving speed.”
Because of his radio prowess, Lance Corporal Moffett was assigned to the USS Mount McKinley, one of five flagships, Dan said. He was one of 15 Marines serving alongside 200 Navy personnel. Dan was kept on his toes by the Marines’ communication command staff.
On an average day, Dan spent 8-to-12 hours performing radio operations, beginning early in the morning. There were six radio rooms, some of which were dedicated equipment rooms. Radiomen like Dan would go into those rooms as necessary when information at their posts called for it. The other rooms were always staffed.
Dan’s ship was part of WESTPAC deployment (Western Pacific), meaning it took nine-month cruises to Vietnam, Japan, China, and the Philippines. Dan was on two of the cruises. “Ships were deployed from San Diego to the Far East,” Dan said.
When the ship was in port, the servicemen would walk to town every other day. On ship, late-nite snack attacks were common, Dan said. “We were always hungry and ready to eat anything.” Midnight rations were called “midrats.”
Also during his free time, Dan became a semaphore, which was unusual for a Marine. He mastered the system of sending messages by holding two flags in certain positions according to an alphabetic code. He also enjoyed “talking to other ships with lights, using Morse code.”
His talents in radio communications did not go unnoticed when, in March, 1965, Dan was assigned to the command ship for the Da Nang Mar Offensive. This ship carried both the Marine General and the Navy Admiral-in-Charge of the 7th Fleet. Dan said there was anxiety on the ship. “The sheer number of communications made everyone nervous.” So did the references to a mini D-Day and the approaching “H” Hour of 0800 the next day. “The amphibious assault landing had so much tension and anticipation.” There was no large firefight ultimately, but the U.S. remained in Da Nang Bay for approximately one week, mainly along the coastline of Da Nang Mar itself, one of the busiest port cities in Vietnam. “It was an unopposed landing,” Dan said.
Dan’s days aboard a ship were in the rear view mirror after 26 months of service. His return home was one of his most life-changing experiences, in more ways than one. Dan’s mom, Jean and his sister, Margot were all set to pick Dan up at O’Hare Airport. Margot’s apartment caught fire, so she asked her neighbor, Pauline, to accompany her mother to meet Dan. Pauline had to break a date in order to help out. Fast forward…Dan and Pauline celebrated 52 years of marriage last April.
Immediately upon returning stateside, Dan landed a job with AT&T as a technician in November, 1966. Eventually, he was promoted to supervisor and also worked as a trainer. He was elevated to middle management and held various management positions and performed various management functions for 31 years until he retired with the simple title of “manager.”
In retirement, Dan renewed his ties with the military. For the past 12 years, he has been a proud member of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Honor Guard. During the first five years, he was one of the seven riflemen, then became a folder of the flag. He is moving on from the honor guard duty. Dan has slowed down just a bit, following bouts with brain cancer and prostate cancer, attributable to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.
Retiree Dan enjoys working out at a gym and playing golf weekly. Dan also acts as a course ranger, driving a golf cart around the course, encouraging golfers to keep up the pace. And Dan belongs to the USS Mount McKinley Association, which conducts annual reunions and publishes a quarterly newsletter. The 50th Anniversary of the ship being decommissioned will be celebrated in San Diego in September of next year.
Dan likes to say he started a “family business” all those years ago. His grandson is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines and just relocated to Quantico, Virginia, with his new bride.
Dan’s family includes children, Melissa, Nicolette, and Daniel. They are the proud parents of a total of three boys and three girls, giving Dan and Pauline six grandchildren.