With the war in Vietnam going on, Ray was scared but, at the same time, he also wanted to honor his country. Within a few days, he was on his way to Camp Pendleton in CA for Basic Training.
While he now lives in Texas, in 1966, Andy was living in Oak Lawn, IL with his mother and stepfather. His stepfather, Francis X. Downey was actually a member of the Illinois State House of Representatives from 1957 to 1965.
By early January 1968, Chris shipped out to Vietnam joining MACS-4 (Marine Air Control Squadron) located on a peninsula northeast of Da Nang on top of “Monkey Mountain.” The base was located on the peak of Sơn Trà Mountain, overlooking Da Nang Harbor and China Beach.
In 1964 the Vietnam draft impacted the lives of so many young men. Arnie, who had already graduated from medical school, decided to be the master of his fate.
At 17 years old, Larry Shaver enlisted in the Marine Corps and his whole life changed – including his name.
In 1964 the Vietnam draft impacted the lives of so many young men. Arnie, who had already graduated from medical school, decided to be the master of his fate.
Corporal Tom Wysocki knew from a young age he wanted to serve his country, inspired in part by John Wayne.
Joseph ‘Jake’ Mata wanted to be a Marine. He quit high school at the age of 17 to enlist in the Marine Corps.
Ervine Clay’s mother never dreamed the baby girl born on Christmas Eve in 1929 would someday become a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps.
Marion was drafted in October of 1968 but decided that the U.S. Army was not for him so instead joined the United States Marine Corps.
A talented radioman, Daniel Moffett's abilities did not go unnoticed when, in March, 1965, Dan was assigned to the command ship for the Da Nang Mar Offensive.
One day in Vietnam, Dick Davis volunteered to lead a re-supply convoy out into the field. He ran into trouble from an unexpected source.
Gene Bednarz enlisted after watching the film Guadalcanal Diary about the 1st Marine Division. Soon, he found himself attached to that exact Division in the South Pacific.
When his initial assignment in Vietnam proved to be too slow for his liking, Buzz Hunt volunteered for a company that conducted patrols to safeguard "Hotel 1," a job he did for 10 months.
A Guardian Angel Watched Over Him
Atomic Veteran, Combat Veteran and Super Volunteer
Navy Corpsman At Home with the Marines
“There was an unexploded Japanese torpedo on the beach in Saipan, and they wanted a volunteer. All the other guys were much older than I was and nobody wanted to volunteer, so they volunteered me,”
At first, along with his BAR fire team, Michael worked as a stretcher bearer. This was his first experience caring for anyone who was wounded. Michael recalled carrying many seriously wounded soldiers down the mountainous terrain while live fire battles were continuing. He and others would carry the stretchers to the awaiting helicopters where they were met by medical teams.
When the Marine Corps asked for soldiers to volunteer to fight in Korea, Bill stepped forward. He and approximately 5,000 other Marines boarded a Merchant Marine vessel and headed to Korea.