"Courage is endurance for one moment more."
― Unknown Marine Second Lieutenant in Vietnam
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
DOD and VA to Commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, 2nd Anniversary

WASHINGTON – The Department of Defense today announced it will conduct a wreath laying ceremony with the Department of Veterans Affairs at The Vietnam War Memorial March 29, 2019. On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed into law The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, establishing The National Vietnam War Veterans Day that will, henceforth, be celebrated each year on March 29. 
This is the second anniversary of that special day. DOD will also support over 1,600 events in many states across the nation to recognize, honor and thank U.S. Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices. 
The Acting Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Kim Joiner, will host the ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial to continue the department’s contribution to the commemoration. “Publicly and individually presenting a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to the men and women representing all who served during this challenging time in our Nation’s history will be the privilege of a lifetime,” said Joiner. She will be joined by Veterans Affairs Executive Director, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Gary Tallman.  “We are proud to partner with DOD for this noble mission to support communities – large and small alike – throughout the Nation to thank and honor thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families.”

Full press release at
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hope you are all enjoying our 2nd National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Semper Fi

Jerry Johs
President
FROM THE HEADQUARTERS
We had no response to the unidentifiable Anniversary 50/50 ticket drawn last month. We drew again today.
The winner of the $75 prize is Pvt Paul W. Wojahn. Congratulations. The check is in the mail.
72nd Annual Reunion
Louisville, Kentucky
Our 72nd Annual Reunion is set for August 3 through 12, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel.

We'll see old friends, make new friends, and see the sights of the Blue Grass State.

The Registration Form and Program for the week is
now available.





Please start making your plans to join us in a week of tradition, fun, and comradery.
Hello Ladies!  Update!
I'm hoping to see a lot of you at the upcoming Louisville, KY reunion luncheon. I will not be doing BINGO this year as last year didn't have a very good turnout. I am hoping to have someone their for entertainment, and I will be donating a really nice item to be a door prize. Attendees will receive one ticket upon entering the place where the luncheon will take place. You must be registered for the luncheon to be part of the door prize giveaway.

There will be a Silent Auction during the week of the Reunion, instead of the Chinese Raffle that was previously mentioned.
I am reaching out to everyone for donations of new items you may have laying around that you would like to donate for this silent auction. It doesn't have to be Marine Corps related. I am going to have women and men items up for this. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact me through Jerry Johs email at Geronamo0122@gmail.com or you can mail your items to the office. Please include a note that it for the silent auction.

Thank you, 

Cheryl Johs
Executive Committee/Board of Directors Meeting
Updated Itinerary

April 7th Travel day Hotel check in

April 8th Free day. Check out the hotel and surrounding area, use hotel shuttle to various places around the hotel go downtown Louisville and look around check the restaurants and pubs

April 9th
0830-1200 Committee meeting
1200-1300 Lunch
1300-1400 Executive Board Meeting
1415-1715 Board of Directors Meeting
1730 Food Tasting

FMDA SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC WILL POST THEIR MEETING TIME AND PLACE AT REGISTRATION
CHAPTERS
Central Florida Chapter shares their latest newsletter. Click on the first page below to read the entire newsletter.
Desert Cities / Mitchell Paige (MOH) Chapter attended:
MEMBERS
Attention: C/1/5 Korea Veterans

If you served with C/1/5 during the Korean War from August 1952 through August 1953 I would like to talk with you. My father served during that time, his name was Bernard D. Cressy, PFC "Bernie" and was a draftee. I am also writing a book about my father's service along with his brother who served on Guadalcanal. The book title is "Brothers of the 1st - Their Story of WWII and the Korean War."

COL Nick Cressy
MARINE CORPS KA-BAR/EK
Our latest PX item. 6% of sales support your Association.
Geezers Golf
An Old Marine With a New Idea

At age 87, Chester Allen, a Marine veteran of Korea, is creating a new wave of enthusiasm for golf among seniors. Allen has made the game fun again for seniors who no longer drive the ball 250 yards and who want to spend less than five hours on the course. In speeding up the game by slightly amending the traditional rules of golf, Allen has convinced golf courses to give members discounted green fees for tee times that match the time schedule of retirees. Allen calls this new movement, Geezers Golf . 
Starting in Southern California, the fledgling company has already secured fourteen Member Courses in San Diego and Riverside County. Additional courses are being added each month. The long-range plan is to take Geezers Golf national, and perhaps international.
Currently, Geezers Golf has organized a Spring Scrambles Series, playing twice each week and alternating play among the Member Courses. Gentlemen and ladies are always welcome at these scrambles events, whether Geezers Golf members or not. As a member benefit, Geezers pay discounted green fees.
Allen knows that Marines love a challenge, so Geezers Golf has joined with the First Marine Division Association in creating an incentive for FMDA members to join Geezers Golf. Allen has authorized the FMDA members to join Geezers Golf for $50 for their first year membership, a savings of $45. In addition, for each new member, from the $50 membership fee, Geezers Golf will donate $20 to the Association. Here is the challenge. If a total of 50, or more, members of FMDA join Geezers Golf in the next ninety days, the $20 donation to the Association will be increased to $25 per new member, with no limit on the number of new members.

Your are invited to review information on Geezers Golf, special golf events, and the Rules of Geezers Golf on the company’s website:  www.geezergolf.com.


SEMPER FI FUND

The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
NEW BOOK
Autopsy of an Unwinnable War: Vietnam
Casemate Publishers has just released an analytic history of the Vietnam War,  Autopsy of an Unwinnable War: Vietnam. 
Autopsy  provides perspective on why neither the French, nor the United States, nor the South Vietnamese prevailed in the war. The Vietnamese struggled for independence across 2,000 years. Modern Vietnamese children thrilled to the stories of the Trung sisters of 40 AD who led a revolt against the hated Chinese, and to the tales of later men and women heroes who sometimes succeeded in ousting the foreigners. This folklore became imbedded in Vietnamese character. They would struggle and suffer any hardships for as long as it took to gain independence.
 
The author, Colonel (Ret) William Haponski, was commissioned in Armor. During the Vietnam War he commanded a task force varying from 800 to 2,000 men. At its core was armored cavalry. Depending on mission it also would include air cavalry, armor, infantry, mech infantry, engineers and signal units, and ARVN infantry. It was engaged in a wide range of U.S. operations--pacification, Vietnamization, anti-guerrilla and small unit engagements, air assault, and fierce day and night combat against enemy battalions and a regiment. The task force was supported by artillery and U.S. and Vietnamese air. 

I am also a retired colonel, commissioned in Infantry, and I am privileged to be a contributing author. As a lieutenant colonel I commanded an airmobile infantry battalion in Vietnam.

The Casemate Publishers website provides a synopsis of the book at:  https://www.casematepublishers.com/autopsy-of-an-unwinnable-war.html .  Autopsy  is also listed on Amazon.

Regards, 
JERRY BURCHAM
REUNIONS
1st Battalion 3rd Marines

Reunion in Branson, Missouri, September 17-22, 2019. All eras welcome.
Contact: Don Bumgarner, dbumc13usmc@verizon.net (562)897-2437
26th Marines Association

26th Marines Association Annual Reunion. August 23, 24 and 25th, 2019 in New Orleans, La. 26’ers of all times, Iwo to current (Regiment, MEU, and supporting units) are welcome. See www.26thMarines.com for details. Or call Sonny at 512-825-4730 or email sonnyusmc@gmail.com .
Marine Corps Recruiting Service

Reunion, September 11 - 14, 2019, Bluffton SC. This event is for any Marine who served in a Recruiting Command either Officer or Enlisted, please visit our website for more information: 
Our guest speaker for our Banquet is retired General, former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Walter Boomer. 
This will be our third annual reunion and would love to see many West Coast Marines join us. 

Larry B. Risvold
Sergeant Major, USMC Retired
Organizer
Samuel Ortiz Verdeja
Delta Company
‘69/’70
A HISTORICAL REMEMBERANCE
The 1/1 Reunion Committee has been planning a great schedule for the October 23rd -26th 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Reunion to be held in San Diego . One of the highlights during the Reunion is the “Day at MCRD” where a special section for the Recruit Graduation and Parade Ceremony has been designated for the 1/1 group.

The Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Brigadier General Ryan P. Heritage has been invited to help welcome the 1/1 Vietnam Veterans, their families and invited guest, and to speak about the history and significance of MCRD as a military depot. Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient will be acknowledged and recognized for his heroic actions in Hue City during the Vietnam War. Immediately after the ceremony we will be transported to the Bayview Café for a luncheon. After the luncheon there will be plenty of FREE TIME to wander and explore MCRD Museum and other sites. The day will end with a spectacular sunset view from Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

We are getting a positive response and are beginning to receive registrations for the Reunion. As Board Chairman, along with the Reunion Committee Board of Directors we invite you to register ASAP, and also ask that you contact other 1/1-Marines and encourage them to register and attend the Reunion. Please visit the 1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com website for registration form and all details regarding the 2019 Reunion.

This Reunion promises to be a Historical Remembrance for many reasons. However, I continue to be reminded that this may be the last time that some of us may go back to our beginnings as young Marine recruits. That in itself is worth attending!

Finally, an update will be posted first week of every month on the web site until reunion time. Meanwhile if you have any questions or thoughts, please let us know via the website: 1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com
Questions?
If you have questions or comments please send an email to: info@1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com
SEE THE WORLD
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS
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.

 
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
USAA
New Members

NORMAN TANG, Friend, sponsor: V.P. Vince Rios
CPL BERNARD L. EVERETT

Taps

Another long Taps Report as we continue
to update the database from Social Security records.

LT WILLIAM B. ANDERSON 23 Feb 2018
JAMES P. ANSBRO Nov 2000
GYSGT JOHN D. BATTISTELLA Jul 2014
CPL LLOYD K. BECK
LT BRUCE E. BIEL 10 Aug 2018
MAJ JOSEPH BODNAR 01 Aug 2012
MRS MARGARETTA C. BODNAR 24 Jun 2014
CPL ROBERT N. BOLAND 03 Oct 2012
PFC IRIS F. BROCATO 23 Apr 2012
CPL GEORGE L. BRODEUR 19 Jan 2019
JOHN W. BURKE 21 Dec 2011
MSGT CHARLES L. CLINE 07 Mar 2018
MRS CAROL COOPER 19 Dec 2014
CPL CALVIN M. DAVIS 31 Aug 2013
ROBERT H. DELEHANTY 01 Sep 2014
LTCOL LOOMIS L. DEMENT 08 Jun 2013
MSGT GIL C. EBNER 29 Jun 2014
SGT THOMAS H. ELROD 22 Dec 2011
SGT CURTIS R. FREDERICKSON Sep 2012
MRS ROSEMARIE GIFFEAR 17 Jan 2011
WO ARTHUR H GOETZ BBA, MLS  24 Oct 2010
GYSGT FELIX C. GOGO 02 Nov 2014
SGT KENNETH GOODROW 15 Aug 2016
MRS BARBARA GREENFIELD 06 Apr 2014
CAPT ROBERT J. GRETZ 25 Sep 2013
PFC ROLAND L. HARE 15 Mar 2013
PATRICIA HUBER 08 Sep 2014
COL FOREST J. HUNT 03 Mar 2014
MSGT GEORGE W. JOHNSON 
CPL JERRED E. JONES 13 Sep 2016
GYSGT WILLIAM J. JONES JR
SGT RAYMOND W. KERR 10 May 2015
SGT HAROLD V. KNABEL 16 Jan 2013
HMC RICHARD C. KNOEBEL FMF USN (Ret) 13 May 2017
TSGT THEOPHILUS KOVATIS 13 Aug 2012
CPL STEPHEN LAROSA 04 Mar 2012
CPL JOSEPH A. LORBER 20 Sep 2014
LTCOL ROBERT F. MASSAFERI 15 Feb 2017
CPL JOSEPH I. MAUM JR 04 Aug 2015
CWO4 DERWOOD SCOTT MAXWELL 06 Apr 2013
CPL RICHARD E. MCLAUGHLIN 17 Mar 2011
SGT CLAYTON H. MELSON 30 Mar 2017
PFC CHARLES B. METCALF 
MRS KATHERINE (KITTY) L. METZ 19 Feb 2014
CPL EDMUND A. MINSTER 10 Jul 2012
CAPT STAVROS S. MOUNGELIS
CPL HOWARD LOUIS MUHL JR. 12 Oct 2008
LTCOL ROBERT W. OLIVER 24 Mar 2011
MRS ANNA PASSARETTI Apr 2015
CAPT DONALD F. PHILLIPS 07 Nov 2013
SGT DONALD A. RUPERT 28 Dec 2015
PFC RICHARD C. SCHEPPSKE 20 Sep 2012
SGT KENNETH R. SCHINDLER 26 Sep 2016
HM DONALD G. SCHNEIDER 12 Feb 2011
LT WILLIAM N. THOMAS MD USN (Ret) 05 Nov 2011
CPL LEON W. VANSICKLE 01 Mar 2015
1STLT LUIS S. VEGA III 10 Mar 2019
SSGT WALTER R. WEST 13 Mar 2016
ROBERT WIRTH SR 16 Jan 2007
PFC FRANK R. WOLANIUK 15 Dec 2015
MRS. MARGARET ZONICK 20 Oct 2014
Challenge Coin
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.
Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email: geronamo0122@gmail.com
Please visit our website: www.1stmardivassociation.com

First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051

(760) 763-3268