"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly
even when scared half to death."
- General Omar Bradley
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
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Marine Raiders sport the two-piece “duck hunter” or “leopard spot” camouflage. The material was printed with a green pattern on one side and a brown one on the reverse side for jungle and beach operations, respectively. The Marines soon found the plain olive color to offer better concealment than either pattern. The latter uniforms were made of cotton herringbone twill in sage green. On the left breast pocket was the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem with “USMC” stenciled above the symbol. Caption credit: MARSOC by Fred Pushies. Image credit: National Archives.
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Marine Corps Special Operations: A Brief History
By Fred Pushies
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Good year so far? Make it even better with a week at Camp Pendleton. Celebrate with us the last week of January at our 78th Anniversary gathering. Tour the camps and eat in the chow halls. It really is a lot of fun. Hope to see you there.
Our Chapters and members have sent in a lot to see in this edition. It should be a good read.
Semper Fi,
Jerry Johs
FMDA President
P.S. Please check out our new website if you have not yet. Our thanks to volunteer webmaster Jud Blakely.
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The 78th Anniversary Registration is available here for download.
This latest schedule of activities is now 95% set in concrete.
Previous versions of the form remain valid for registration. Some times and locations have changed. The first registration forms have come in already. We recommend getting your registration and hotel reservations in early.
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CALL FOR CANDIDATES
FOR 1ST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION OFFICES
Your Association Needs You
To serve as an officer for the 2019-2021 term.
Please send in a picture and bio to appear in the
January-February-March 2019 edition of The Old Breed News.
They need to be at HQ by 1 February 2019.
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78th Anniversary Commemoration
1st Division Sergeant Major Terrence Whitcomb and his staff met with us to update the Anniversary plans. New activities and old favorites should make this another great Anniversary Week.
The Registration forms is now ready to download and print.
The schedule runs from check-in Sunday, 27 January, through check-out Saturday, 2 February, 2019, aboard Camp Pendleton, California.
General Membership Meeting
NOTICE of TIME & LOCATION CHANGE:
Friday 1 February 2019
2:00PM
1st Marine Division Headquarters
Camp Pendleton, California
Our General Membership meeting time and location has changed at the request of the Division. After lunch on Friday, February 1, we will be attending the retirement ceremony for MGySgt Kelly at 1300, followed by the General Membership meeting at 1400. The meeting room is yet to be determined.
72nd Annual Reunion
The location will be the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky.
Check-in: Saturday, August 3, 2019
Check-out: Monday, August 12, 2019
Executive Committee/Board of Directors Meeting
Date: April 7th, 8th, 9th, 2019
Location: Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport
830 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209
Time: Sunday, April 7th
Free Day, use hotel facilities, free shuttle, and additional information will be provided to explore Louisville
Monday, April 8th
AM: Committee Meeting
PM: Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 9th
AM: Board of Directors Meeting
PM: Food Tasting
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Jerry Reed, Chief Financial Officer of the First Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund, Inc. submits the Fund's 2018 Financial Report for your review:
Below is the Summary Report page
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G. M. Jud Blakely
2175 Schillinger Rd. S. #2008
Mobile, AL 36695
judblakely@gmail.com (251) 348-7059
To: Jerry Johs, President, 1st MarDiv Association
Date: 9 January 2019
This letter is a "heads-up" for FMDA's next President with regard to the website I've designed. In short...I will cease to be involved with the website when your tenure as FMDA President is over. Your term officially ends at midnight on 11 August 2019. In other words...the new President will have to prepare a plan either to (1) retain this site or (2) create a new site to replace it.
Here's what I'm willing to do in behalf of the new President—converse with him about how he might wish to handle the situation...and also be available (for a month or so) after his election to consult with him or someone he chooses. The sooner he comes up with a plan boiled down to a step-by-step course of action, the better for FMDA. I have no interest in continuing on.
What I'm not willing to do is provide any of my work product to someone
hired to design a new website. That person can start from scratch...unless that person learns how to use the web design software I've used and simply carries on with the site "as is." This software, called Architect,
is offered by the Muse Themes group as part of its relatively recent
Without Code brand.
My efforts in generating this website have cost FMDA zero. I propose that I consult with Dennis Coady, an FMDA staffer, to keep the cost at zero. Dennis has the "smarts" and experience to learn and apply the "Architect" (Without Code) software. You and I believe that he can learn the
software in fairly short order and, thus, make sure the website stays an asset to FMDA.
The bottom line is that I have a number of other projects I want to work on. As a result, I won't have either the time or the inclination to ride herd on the FMDA website. I'm 76. My birthday is today, 9 January (1943 in Miami Beach). Who knows how many more wake-ups I'll have? But I'm gonna do what I want to do right up until I don't wake up. Semper Fi! Onward!
In The Bonds,
Jud
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
A little history most people will never know. Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.
The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 62 years since the first casualty.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps LCpl Richard B Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.
39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.
8,283 were just 19 years old.
The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.
54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia. I wonder why so many from one school
8 Women are on the Wall, Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War;
153 of them are on the Wall
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation.
There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school
football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of
Morenci (pop 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring
beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado
Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales
were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415
casualties were incurred.
For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that
the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to
the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, Husbands, wives, sons and daughters There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.
Please pass this on to those who served during this time, and those who DO Care.
I've also sent this to those that I KNOW do care very much, and I thank you for caring as you do.
From Tom McLeod, FMDA Historian
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Members SgtMaj Bob Brown and PFC Larry Woods
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Pictured are Veteran Larry Woods, Sgt. Major Bob Brown and Veteran Billy Ray Goins.
Veterans Night at the Elks
On Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, Rushville Elks Lodge # 1307 hosted a special dinner to honor and show appreciation to our Rushville Veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country. More than 90 people, including many veterans, were in attendance as special recognition was given to two outstanding veterans and members of the Rushville community.
William R. (Billy Ray) Goins (U.S. Army retired)
Billy Ray was the very last draftee from Rush County. He served our country with honor, and upon his return home began serving the community of Rushville and the State of Indiana with many important endeavors. He hasn’t stopped yet.
Veteran Larry Woods (USMC retired)
At age 99, Larry is Rush County’s oldest living veteran. He will make it 100 years in March. He is still active and a great storyteller.
Presenting the awards to these two veterans was 91-year-old Sgt. Major Bob Brown (USMC retired) - a Rushville native, who has devoted his life to the support and recognition of all veterans, an honored and highly respected member of our community.
Rushville Elks Lodge # 1307 donated $2,500 to kick off the fundraising for the purchase of a new van, which will be used to provide transportation to the VA Hospital for those veterans in need of assistance.
From the Rushville Republican (Indiana). Reprinted by permission.
SgtMaj Bob Brown served in China, 1946-47, and Chosin Reservoir, Korea in 1951.
PFC Larry E. Woods served at Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa in WWII.
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Member A. Lee Scarborough writes
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Desert Cities/Mitchell Paige MOH
Delivers Thanksgiving Turkeys
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A working party composed of Chapter members Vince Mast, Dave Dangwillo, Bob Shepard, Charlie Garbarini, Jim Irwin, Dorothee Irwin, Quint Villanueva and Matt Zack delivered 180 boxes of turkey dinners to 7th Regiment families at 29 Palms Marine Base on Friday Dec 21 in time for Christmas. Each box contained eight to ten fully prepared, complete turkey dinners. Do the math, that's at least 1440 meals. Good work, folks!
Pictured above: Jensen's CEO, Matt Zack, preparing to off load turkey dinners for 7th Marines.
Matt drove the delivery truck from Palm Desert to base. He participated in every Christmas dinner delivery since the beginning of the program more than five years ago.
Owing to generous donations from shoppers at Jensen's Palm Springs and Palm Desert markets and the support of Jensen's top management and staff our Chapter received enough in donations to increase the number of meals we provided to 7th Regiment families this year over last year.
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Jensen's once again allowed our Chapter to set up donation tables at the entrance to the Palm Desert and Palm Springs stores which were staffed by a handful of Chapter members for eight weekends. Special kudos to members who volunteered to work multiple shifts to get the job done, especially to Jim Irwin and Jim Olson who worked multiple shifts solo.
Of course, without support of the Regimental command staff our program would never get off the ground. Hats (covers) off to to Gisela Lemon, Regimental Family Resource Officer for a job well done organizing and coordinating delivery of the meals to recipient families.
Bravo Zulu to honorary Chapter member Matt Zack, CEO of Jensen's Fine Foods, who drove the delivery truck from Palm Desert to the Marine base, with Board member Bob Shepard riding shotgun.
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See what else the Desert Cities/Mitchell Paige MOH Chapter is up to.
Click below to go to their website.
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Dallas Chapter Honors
2018 RS Dallas Rookie of the Year
SSGT Joshua Joslin
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Top picture - Major Ruth Kehoe (CO, RS Dallas), Walt Schmick (Pres, Dallas Chapter), SSGT Joshua Joslin (2018 RS Dallas Rookie Recruiter of the Year) and SgtMaj Hero Aguirre (RS, SgtMaj)
Bottom picture - Walt Schmick, SSGT Joshua Joslin and Linda Jebavy
On the 16th of December, the Dallas Chapter gathered at the Park City Club in Dallas to honor the 2018 RS Dallas Rookie Recruiter of the Year. This year's recipient of the 9th Annual Bob Jebavy Award is SSGT Joshua Joslin, Recruiting Sub-Station Tyler, Texas.
In addition to the chapter membership, special guests included Major Ruth Kehoe, Commanding Officer, RS Dallas, along with Sergeant Major Hero Aguirre and his wife. Linda Jebavy (daughter of the Bob Jebavy, and namesake of the award), assisted in the presentation. Along with the award, Linda Jebavy presented SSGT Joslin a copy her father's biography (Destiny - Autobiography of Robert Jebavy).
Semper Fi,
Walter Schmick
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IBM Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign
William P. Macnamara, Manager of IBM Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign, reported that in 2018 IBM employees and retirees pledged a total of $575 to 1st Marine Division Association.
The Association thanks all you IBM folks.
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Nicholas Warr, author of Phase Line Green; the Battle for Hue, 1968, is seeking
a few good Hue City Veterans to participate in his new Documentary Film project
entitled:
Return to Phase Line Green
.
This film is not scripted. The participants are simply asked to tell the viewer about when they were there and where, what they did during the war, what they saw, heard, and did during their tours of duty, focused on the historic Battle for Hue City; and then they are asked one question:
“After all these years since your time in Viet Nam, knowing everything you have learned since that time, how do you feel about your service?”
If you were serving in, or attached to 1/1, 1/5, 2/5 or 3/5 and fought during the Battle for Hue City, you are invited to participate.
Mr. Warr is organizing a film shoot which will take place on Saturday, February 2nd, starting at 9:00 am, in the 5th Marines War Memorial Garden.
To reserve an appointment, please call Mr. Warr at (828) 243-8708,
or send an email to:
nick@nicholaswarr.com
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MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS, AWARDS, AND UNIT HISTORIES
(See the attached pdf file, or go to the URL at bottom here)
A New Congressional Research Service Publication on U.S. Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories
The Congressional Research Service has just published a short reference document that might be of interest to many:
The guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS reports.
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From:
Montagno, Rafael <Rafael.Montagno@usaa.com>
Sent:
Thursday, January 3, 2019 1:16 PM
To:
'Jerry Johs'
Cc:
June Cormier
Subject:
Information regarding USAA Savings Bank
Hi Jerry,
I just learned about a fine imposed by CFPB and the USAA Savings Bank (USB) for unintentional violations that occurred between 2011-2016. Although it affects a small number of members, we have worked over the past year to resolve this situation and make all necessary process changes and to implement appropriate remedies.
I am including a landing page for your review and am standing by if you, or anyone else at FMDA, has any questions or concerns. Most of the individual members affected have already been contacted and have received restitution; but if any of your members should contact FMDA directly, please encourage them to contact USAA at 800.531.8722.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday,
Gino
Rafael "Gino" Montagno
Lead Business Advisor
Business Design & Architecture
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Cpl Jeremiah E. Hansen
LtCol Keith S. Wiensaft
Sgt Chris J. Connors
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GYSGT AMENDOLA, FRANCIS R., 11 June 2010
SSGT ARUFFO, WILLIAM F., 11 January 2008
COL BAKER, WARREN P. USMC (Ret), 8 August 2013
SGT BIEDERMAN, CHARLES S., 4 March 2006
LTCOL CLAGETT, FRANCIS C. USMC (Ret), 11 July 2010
MGSGT COLE, C J. USMC (Ret), 12 December 2005
SF1C COTLER, ALEXANDER, 1 March 2006
COL EDWARDS, WARREN H. USMC (Ret), 6 May 2018
HASTEDT, WILLIAM, 30 May 2009
CPL JUDGE, ROBERT 'GOOSE' W., 29 October 2018
CWO4 MANN, FREDERICK D., 9 January 2009
CPL RADKEY, LEO S., 29 August 2009
CPHM RHEAUME, ALEXANDRE B. III, 2 November 2004
CWO4 SCHROEDER, EDWARD J. USMC (Ret), 12 October 2004
CPL LOVELACE, RAY, 18 March 2010
COL NELSON, WALLACE M. USMC (Ret), 3 May 2009
MSGT KONTRIM, BRONIS L., 20 June 2007
SGT MILLER, WILBER T., 17 August 2002
CPL QUIMBY, LEONARD D., 12 September 2005
SGT WHITTED, G L. USMC (Ret), 18 April 2004
PFC KORZEC, ALBERT H., 11 June 2006
CPL NORRIS, LAURENCE H., 24 August 2008
CWO4 BOCKSEL, ARNOLD A.. USA(RET.), 27 February 2011
MSGT SMITH, FRANK O., 19 March 1999
SSGT BURGHARDT, JOSEF, 18 Dec 2018
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Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 2:31 PM
Subject: Passing of a Marine
Pete,
SgtMaj Eddie Neas called and informed me that SSgt Josef Burghardt passed at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. As you know, SSgt Burghardt had been in the hospital from wounds suffered during the Vietnam War.
SSgt Burghardt was a special Marine whose career had been cut short on Feb. 28, 1968 during the battle for Hue City. He and SgtMaj Eddie Neas, from the 1/1, were standing side by side when both were seriously wounded. Unfortunately, SSgt Burghardt was paralyzed and has spent most of the remaining years in the hospital. SSgt Burghardt had received at least two Bronze Stars as well as two Purple Hearts for his actions in the war.
Funeral arrangements are in process and we would like to get a Marine Corps Color Guard to the ceremony. Hank and I already spoke but if there is anything you can do to get the information to Camp Pendleton to honor his service and passing, it would be appreciated.
Warm regards,
Michael Jesse
Broker/Owner
RE/MAX
24582 Del Prado, Suite G
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-331-5665
Please send out in next FMDA Newsletter:
Deceased 12/18/2018 and Buried on 12/22/2018 in Costa Mesa CA surrounded by Vietnam Brothers from the 1/1 including SgtMajor Eddie Neas from New Jersey, family including son Michael Ret USMC Master Sergeant also present we’re members of Marine Corps League Detachment 0022.
Submitted by Mickey Christiason, FMDA and MC League
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71st Annual Reunion Challenge Coins Available
From: Steve "Doc" Lakernick
These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968 are available to members. The price is $10 per coin, plus shipping and handling.
Pictured here are front and back of the coin.
1 coin: total $12.00
2 - 5 coins: $10.00 per coin + $7.00
7 - 12 coins $10.00 per coin + $15.00
More than 12 coins ship via UPS Ground. Please call the office or write for a quote. Mailing address and phone at bottom of this page.
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Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email:
geronamo0122@gmail.com
First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051
(760) 763-3268
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Thank you for reading The Blue Diamond News. Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.
Semper Fidelis
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