Rick In Florida

Note: Veterans Day is a day we have set aside to acknowledge ALL who served in the U.S. Armed forces.

Memorial Day is the day we have set aside to honor those who DIED while wearing our uniform. These, and their families, are the ones who paid a uniquely HIGH price for OUR freedom.

A few years ago, my wife, Ann, and I went to our 50^th High School Reunions. It was fun to see old classmates from long ago. Many of them we literally had not seen in 50 years. It was interesting to exchange the – what – did – you – do – with – your – life stories. It made you think when you needed to condense your last 50 years into a couple of sentences. What was it that really was important to you.

Last week, while cleaning out the garage, I spotted a box simply marked “USMC”. Thinking I would enjoy a cup of coffee sitting outside on a perfect early Florida morning and at the same time “get rid of” the contents of this box with one quick “last look”, I sat in my chair with the box on one side and the trash can on the other. On top was a very dusty binder labeled “India Co. 3/9 – 1966 – 67”. India was one of 5 companies that comprised the Third Battalion of the 9^th Marine Regiment that I served with in Vietnam – I served in Mike Co.

After wiping off years of dust, I opened it and began reading. The stories were familiar, so were several of the names. On March 30^th, 1967, India Company was involved in a fierce battle. 3/9 had recently been transferred from one part of Vietnam to further north where the enemy was well equipped, well trained, and supported by their own artillery, nothing at all like the hit and run small unit tactics of the Viet Cong we had been fighting south of DaNang.

Mike Getlin was a handsome young man who grew up in Kirkwood, MO. He was competitive and good at sports and other activities he applied himself to. At a young age, he decided he wanted to be a Marine, that is a Marine Officer. Although loved by those in the company he commanded, his men called him Captain Getlin – Sir !

John Bobo had a similar experience growing up in Niagara Falls, NY except that he decided that he wanted to be a priest and diligently applied himself to those studies. Vietnam was more and more in the news and it drew him to become a Marine Officer as well. A great guy with a good sense of humor this handsome young Marine was addressed by those in the platoon that he commanded as Lieutenant Bobo.

The First Sergeant in a company is the salty, older, tough, mean, learned, ready to fight, no nonsense “grandfather figure” in the company. From time to time, it falls to him to keep the officers from doing something un-wise while still acknowledging their rank and without making them look bad, especially in front of their men. This described 1^st Sgt. Ray Rogers of India Co. 3/9 very well, tough, mean, and all heart.

As the battle raged on and on, a number of Marines were killed and many more were wounded. Even the wounded continued to fight if they could still hold a weapon. The brave corpsmen ran from one wounded Marine to another attempting to save life and limb if they could. Their supplies were running low or had been exhausted just like the Marines supplies of ammunition, grenades, and mortar rounds.

The outnumbered Marines were fighting with everything they had including AK-47 rifles that they took off the dead North Vietnamese that lay nearby. As 1^st Sgt. Rogers crawled through the grass to check on a Marine position that had fallen silent, he was startled by the sight of NVA soldiers just 5 feet away. He was out of ammunition, unable to fire. One of the soldiers shot him in the thigh and smiled as he moved to take his Marine prisoner. Suddenly two shots were fired and Rogers was struck in the face. Stunned, it took him a moment to realize that Lt. Bobo had killed the enemy soldiers and one of them fell onto the 1^st Sgt. hitting him in the face with his rifle as he fell. Lt. Bobo still controlled the top of the hill with his shotgun and fierce bravery under fire.

Later on, Lt. Bobo was still stubbornly holding his position with one leg blown off below the knee. He jammed the bloody stump into the dirt, looked the 1^st Sgt. In the eye and told him – you’re in command now, Top, all the officers are dead and you’re the senior man still alive. Rogers took off to look after his Marines who were desperately fighting for their lives. Later, another Marine passed by Lt. Bobo telling him they were consolidating into a smaller perimeter that could be better defended. When the Lt. told him “ leave me here “, the Marine said, we’re not leaving you here to die alone and grabbed the shoulders of Bobo’s flack jacket. Just then, an NVA soldier jumped up and fired directly into Lt. Bobo’s chest as he was being moved to a safer position still firing his weapon as he was being dragged. along

Captain Getlin had been killed about 30 minutes into the battle when the enemy soldiers targeted him because of his intensely effective shotgun blasts. Over two dozen grenades landed at his feet then immediately, several NVA soldiers appeared over the top of the hill firing at his position.

Once the battle was over the Marines checked on each other collecting their wounded and dead, treating wounds, calling in helicopters to bring more beans, bullets, and bandages and take out the most severely wounded first.

They attempted to put 1^st Sgt. Rogers on a helicopter and he vehemently refused declaring others were wounded worse than himself.

Later, as he lay in Battalion Med where they were treating his wounds, he was able to get Captain George Navadel of the Battalion S-3 office on the land line telephone. They were good friends and Navadel had the same heart for his troops. Being the S-3 officer, it would fall to him to collect information and pursue any awards as a result of the battle that would for years be known as the “ Battle of Getlin’s Corner” in honor of their brave Commanding officer who gave his life there.

1^st Sgt. Ray Rogers told Captain Navadel story after story of the heroic things he witnessed and sobbing into the phone cried “who is going to tell my boy’s stories? All the officers are dead. Who will tell their stories?” It took a lot of additional work but Captain Navadel did a great job of telling the stories and documenting them to Marine Corps standards assuring that the awards would be properly presented.

Numerous citations for Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and Navy Crosses were requested for countless acts of heroism. Many who were cited for these awards gave their lives in the act being cited. Lt. Bobo was nominated for the Navy Cross. The Secretary of the Navy personally upgraded it to the Medal of Honor – the highest award that can be presented to any military personnel.

Today, along with other honors, the mess hall at Camp LeJeune is named after Lt. Bobo and so is a Navy Ship, the USS Lt. John Bobo, – very nice tributes to a great American, but his family still misses him more than they appreciate these accolades.

There were 39 U.S. Military death’s recorded in Vietnam on March 30^th, 1967, twelve of them were from India Co. – plus 3 who were temporarily attached to the company:

Captain Michael Getlin – Kirkwood, MO

2^nd Lt. John Bobo – Niagara Falls, NY

PFC Albert Anter – Central Falls, RI

PFC Ruben Armenta – Pico Ricera, CA

Cpl. James Blevins – Empire, OH

PFC Edward Cannon – Avon Park, FL

L/Cpl. Larry Crumbaker – Salem, OH

Cpl. John Loweranitis – Du Bois, PA

Cpl. Walter Nerad, Jr. – Fort Wayne, IN

Cpl. David Siemon – Springdale, PA

PFC Frank Thomas, Jr. – Pompano Beach, FL

PFC Wallace Williams – New York, NY

Plus 3 from the Forward Air Control Team

Captain Ralph Pappas – Margate City, NJ

PFC Donald Krick – Cleveland, OH

L/Cpl. Roman Villamor Jr. – Detroit, MI

I sat in the driveway weeping as I read page after page of the familiar account. Although I was not present at this battle, I knew all too well everything that was described in detail in these pages. The kind folks at the VA would tell you that some of this is the PTSD they say I deal with. Whatever it is, this went well beyond the momentary grief that sometimes sucks the heart out of me when a memory flashes before me. I still haven’t made it through that box but I did enjoy the coffee and a perfect morning embraced by precious memories of meaningful days gone by. I am thankful that I am here to read these accounts of splendid young men faithfully serving our country.

From time to time some of us gather and reminisce. Some of them I get a text from occasionally. Some of them I get to see if we’re traveling close to where they live. Some I don’t hear from and neither does anyone else.

I know that Mike Alstott has already been hiding inside his house for a couple of days and won’t emerge for a few more. He does this every holiday. It’s called “bunkering in.” Getting wounded on three different occasions and watching good men die has an effect on you.

God bless you Mike.

There are young men and women fighting for us – right this very moment.

If we were able to ask these long departed heroes, “So, what did you do with your life?,” the answer would be quite clear. “I died so others would live. I died so Americans can live free.”

Memorial day is not about hamburgers and hot dogs or sports or the sale prices on new cars and TV’s. Although, there is nothing wrong with any of these things.

Memorial day is the day we, as a grateful nation, have set aside to remember those who DIED to purchase that freedom and ensure that our way of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness continues on the face of the earth.

I hope you are fortunate enough to be embraced by happiness.

I hope we never forget.

As we remember those who DIED for freedom, let us also enjoy the freedom they purchased for us. Freedom to do as we chose – today and every day.

The tree of freedom is watered by the blood of the brave.

In the history of the world, America stands, as no nation has ever stood, as the beacon of freedom to the earth. This burden is an assignment – a responsibility – a privilege – a joy – and a delight. HE has given America the power to get wealth. For many years we have spent much of our wealth purchasing freedom for millions of people we will never know.

God bless the memories of these brave men. God Bless America!!!

We are a blessed and thankful people. Thank you Lord!!! AMEN!