“The United States has always had a pretty sacred rule, and that is: we don’t leave our men and women in uniform behind.” 
-- President Barack Obama
Raul A. Guerra
Comes Home After 52 Years in Vietnam
Welcome Home American Hero
Vietnam Veteran
Petty Officer 3rd Class Raul A. Guerra
of Montebello, California
12/18/1942 - 10/08/1967

Who is Raul Guerra? He was born in Mexico, but raised in the City of Montebello, California. At the age of 11 he met his best friend Ruben Valencia whom was also the same age. Although they had different parents, they were bothers from the time they met. They did everything together. They attended the same schools from elementary to high school.

After Raul graduated Montebello High, he began his journalism career at East Los Angeles College (ELAC). He was an aspiring reporter and active member of the school's journalism program. Raul was the editor of a school magazine at the time and worked for a now-defunct chain of newspapers. He would spend his evenings in the school's main journalism classroom. While he was in college, he was engaged to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary.

Before Ruben was drafted to serve our Country in Vietnam, Raul was his best-man at his wedding. Ruben married his high school sweatheart and love of his life, Emily. Shortly after, on October 17, 1966, at the age of 23, Raul enlisted in the Navy. He was ranked as a journalist. Raul served a short time with Lieutenant Commander John McCain (Late US Senator) on the USS Oriskany during the Vietnam War. On October 8, 1967, Petty Officer 3rd Class Raul Guerra had been on a volunteered assignment as a naval reporter when the plane he was on crashed into a steep mountain in Da Nang province. Chief Petty Officer Roland Pineau, Lt. J.G. Donald Wolfe, Lt. Junior Grade Andrew Zissu, and Norman Roggow were on the plane with him.

It took four decades to recover their remains. All our Heroes were able to go home except Raul. This was due to DNA issue and he was adopted by a woman whom loved him very much.

From the time when the remains were found in 2007, Ruben was trying very hard to bring his best friend home to have a full Military honorable funeral. Although, Ruben had the love and support from his family, he ran into several road blocks. Friends joined Ruben’s effort to bring Raul home. After 51.5 years and many prayers, God has opened the road to bring Raul home on April 23, 2019. Ruben and his family set up a scholarship in Raul’s name with Montebello High School Alumni Association for students who want a career in journalism or media. Raul has the love from his bother Ruben, sweetheart Mary, friends, and the community. Thanks to his best friend never gave up and God’s blessings, Vietnam Veteran Raul Guerra, an American Hero will be home soon. It’s not hard to know whom Raul Guerra is. He has the legacy for those who call for freedom.

Reference:
• Vietnam Veteran and Raul’s best friend since the 5th grade, Ruben Valencia

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Official announcement
TV News story at ABC7 Los Angeles

All are invited to attend the ceremonies honoring Raul:
We thank Jesus "Bulldog Jesse" Gonzales for calling this to our attention.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Just flew in from Louisville. No message, just be good.

Semper Fi

Jerry Johs
President
FROM THE HEADQUARTERS
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.
Hotel Reservation Deadline

Reservations must by booked by June 10 to receive the Group Rate.
From: Steve "Doc" Lakernick

Let's Go Bowling!
Thursday, August 8
6:30PM - 11:00PM

Join us for Association Bowling Fun Night. We'll have a private section of the bowling alley. We'll dine on chili, hot dogs, chips, soda, and beer. Bowling shoes included.

Price $50. Please pay to Association HQ in advance by July 8.

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

The Executive Committee and Board of Directors met this past Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky. Full details will be published in the next edition.
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 BOOKS
AWARD WINNING NEW BOOK
To The Sound Of The Guns
by Grady Birdsong
Vietnam 1968, the Year of the Monkey... This is the little-known history of the men of 1/27, a 5th Marine Division battalion of Iwo Jima World War II fame--their seven-month story of sacrifice, camaraderie, and bravery. Compiled and authored by one of them, To The Sound Of The Guns is the journey of 1st Battalion, 27th Marines--an undermanned maneuver Battalion--in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968, their participation in the Hue City area and in Operation Allen Brook. One hundred and twelve of these men gave up all their tomorrows, their memories forever etched in Marine Corps history.

As a result of countless combat engagements, the Marines of 1/27 were awarded almost 700 Purple Hearts, rallying to their battle cry, "To the Sound of the Guns."

Grady T. Birdsong enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, serving two combat tours in Vietnam in 1968-1969. He is the author of A Fortunate Passage: Two Families' Journey into the Heartland, and co-author of The Miracle Workers of South Boulder Road: Healing the Signature Wounds of War with Colonel Bob Fischer, USMC (Ret).

"Grady Birdsong's book is a combination of well-researched operational history and a moving and deeply personal account of the author's own combat experiences in Vietnam. It is both history and story. The places, the events, and most especially, the Marines and Sailors of whom the author writes, become vividly real, transporting the reader to that distant place and time. A highly recommended addition to the record of the U.S. Marines in the Vietnam War." - Colonel Len Blasiol, USMC

BirdQuill LLC released three award winning editions available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
1. Hardcover (Case Laminate) ISBN: 97809976006836 MSRP $44.99
2. Paperback (Perfect-bound in color) ISBN: 97809976006829 MSRP $36.99
3. Paperback (Perfect-bound in Blk/Wht) ISBN: 97809976006843 MSRP $23.99 www.gradytbirdsong.com


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

GYSGT CHARLES C. APPLE
MICHAEL E. ARMSTRONG, Associate
MRS. BARBARA BINKER, Associate,
 sponsor CPL DANIEL J BRINKER

Taps

Another long Taps Report as we continue
to update the database from Social Security records.
JO ADAMS
SGT JOHN W. ADAMS, 30 Aug 2014
CPL HOWARD F ADRIANCE
MAJ MERLE W ALLEN, Mar 2013
SSGT MERLE R ARMSTRONG, 28 May 2011
SGT CHARLES L. ATKINS, 27 Jan 2014
SGT CHARLES L BARRETT, May 2014
MSGT RICHARD H. BARUFALDI, May 2011
ROLAND C. BEISENSTEIN, 13 Jan 2015
MR. BERNARD B. BELANT, 13 Feb 2011
SGT RUDOLPH J. BERGER, 03 Aug 2013
SSGT WILLIAM C. BOLDENWECK, 11 Jan 2011
PFC RONALD C. BRANCH, Aug 2015
CPL JIM P. BREDICAN, 03 Jun 2011
MRS LILLY BRONEMANN, 05 Oct 2011
CAPT FRED A. BROWN, 08 May 2011
CPL MILTON M. BROWN, 29 Apr 2013
PFC SEBASTIAN JOSEPH BRUSCA USMC, 02 May 2015
PHM1 DONALD D. CALLARMAN, Dec 2010
SGT CLAUDE 'WYNN" CHAPPELL, Jan 2011
CPL JOSEPH S. COLLETTO, 20 Mar 2011
SGT ROBERT L. COMPTON, 06 Apr 2014
CPL THOMAS E. CONRADY, 06 Jul 2005
MSGT MAX E. CRIBELAR USMC (Ret), 10 Nov 2017
CPL WILLIAM P. CROSS, 24 Nov 2017
PFC GEORGE S. CROTTS Jr, 26 Oct 2013
GYSGT GILBERT C. DAVIDSON , Jun 2014
CPL ALLAN B. DETRICK, 23 Oct 2010
CAPT ROBERT J. DOLMAN (Ret), 05 Jul 2011
MRS. LAURA DOTSON, 14 Apr 2014
SGT RICHARD .J DUBROCK, 21 Nov 2012
SGT RICHARD J. DUGGAN, 26 Jun 2018
MARY T. EHRENFELD, Aug 2011
CPL ROBERT C. ESPINOSA, 29 Jun 2011
COL DEAN E. ESSLINGER (Ret), 09 Apr 2012
WILLIAM J. FLOOD, May 2011
QMC JEROME D. FRANKLIN , Oct 2011
CPL ROY A. FRANZEN, 21 Oct 2013
MRS PATRICIA GARRETT (Ret), 31 Jul 2013
CAPT JOHN F. GEARHART, 09 Jul 2013
SGT JAMES M. GLEASON, 27 Jul 2013
CPL JESSE L. GOOGE JR, 02 Jan 2012
MSGT THOMAS M. GRIMES (Ret), 11 Oct 2013
PFC RALPH B. HAKANSON
LTCOL JAMES D. HAMMOND JR (Ret), 08 Aug 2016
CPL KENNETH W. HANCOCK, 26 Sep 2014
CPL SAM EARLEY HEFFINGER, 28 Jun 2011
BETTY HELMICK, 29 Sep 2017
SGT SALVADOR J. HERNANDEZ, Dec 2011
CPL PHILIP G. HOFF, 23 Apr 2011
MR. KENNETH G. HOGAN
CPL JAMES H. HOLTON, 02 Sep 2017
CPL ROLAND R. HON, 18 Oct 2010
SGT STEPHEN S. HORNSBY, 10 Aug 2013
TSGT JOHN A. HULIN, 01 Jul 2014
PFC OLIVER JACKSON, 06 Apr 2014
THOMAS H. JENKINS, 11 Mar 2016
SGT WILLIAM C. JENKINS, 23 Jan 2012
PFC GORDON A. JOHNSON, 31 May 2014
CAPT JAMES CARROLL JONES, 31 Jan 2010
LCPL JAMES J. JORZ, 29 Aug 2011
COL EDWARD C. KICKLIGHTER (Ret), 01 Dec 2013
MRS. MARGARET KOPP, 07 Jul 2017
PAUL L. KRIEGER, 02 Apr 2019
CPL HOWARD H. LEMONDS, 24 Jan 2013
CPL RALPH LENZO, 31 Mar 2011
CPL FREDERICK N. LEQUIA
CPL RICHARD H. LEVITCH, 27 Jan 2011
SGT JERRY W. LINDER, 25 Feb 2017
COL MICHAEL D. LITTLE, Jun 2013
CPL JOHN B. LOONEY-LAVELLE, Mar 2014
SGT JAMES D. LUTHER USMC (Ret), Feb 2013
1STLT WILLIAM H. MAGILL, Jan 2011
RUDOLPH R. MARTINEZ, 20 Nov 2010
MRS. SUE MATHENEY, May 2014
CPL FRED J. MAYERS, 26 Nov 2010
CPL VERNON W. MCDONALD, 10 May 2015
SSGT ROBERT B. MCELHINEY, Oct 2010
SSGT EVERETT J. MILLER, 10 Feb 2012
PFC GLENN W. MILLS, Dec 2011
SSGT JOHN F. MISDOM JR., (RET.), 28 May 2017
CPL LEROY O. MOON, 28 Apr 2011
MRS. NORINE W. MOORE, Apr 2011
SGT EDWARD C. MORAN, Nov 2012
MRS. BILLIE JEAN MORTON, 07 Dec 2010
SGT THOMAS W. MURPHY, Dec 2012
CPL JAMES W. NEAL, Dec 2010
CPL JOHN L. NEHUS, 19 May 2011
PFC CARL T. NEWLAND, 09 Jan 2012
MRS. GLORIA NORDHAUSER
MONTE R. NORTON, 24 Feb 2010
GYSGT PAUL J. ORLETT USMC (Ret), 21 Oct 2016
JACK L. PAGE, 26 Mar 2017
1STLT AUSTIN S. PARKER (Ret), 11 Oct 2014
PFC FREDDIE PAYNE JR., (Ret) 22 Apr 2013
MRS. NANCY PAYTON, 05 Dec 2011
SSGT JAMES L. PEABODY
SSGT CHARLES M. PEARSON, 27 Mar 2017
HM3 GLENN A. PECK , 26 May 2011
1STSGT FLOYD C. PETERSON, 24 May 2017
PFC LAWRENCE A. PFEIL, 20 Feb 2011
HAROLD L. REED, 31 Jan 2011
GYSGT HERMAN M. REVIS, 19 Apr 2017
PFC JOSEPH P. RODGERS, 11 May 2013
MSGT ARTHUR V. ROWE, 19 Feb 2014
SGT ALAN H. SACKS, 21 Apr 2011
CAPT HAROLD H. SALTZMAN, 15 Jan 2011
CPL THOMAS A. SAWYER, 21 Jul 2011
MAJ EUGENE T. SCHOENFELDER, May 2011
CPL WILLIAM J. SCHOOL, Mar 2011
CPL LAWRENCE SHARKEY, 26 Mar 2011
CAPT JAMES V. SHARP USN (Ret), 21 Feb 2011
DUNCAN E SHAW (Ret), 10 Jul 2015
SSGT VICTOR E. SIZEMORE, 23 Jan 2018
SSGT STANLEY R. SMITH, May 2011
SSGT VINCENT E. SMITH
CPL JAMES D. SOGGS, Dec 2016
1STSGT CARL L. STANFORD, 10 Jan 2015
RONALD L. STEWART, Nov 2011
BERTHA J. SVETICH, 23 Apr 2014
CPL ROBERT D. SWANSTROM, 05 Oct 2011
CPL CLYDE TARVER JR, 22 Jan 2012
PFC WILLIAM K. TAYLOR Jr, 01 Sep 2011
MRS. ANITA F. THOMPSON, Jan 2013
LUCIAN C. TIDWELL, Apr 2012
MAJ RUDOLPH A. TREFNY, Aug 2014
ELEANOR M. TWEEDIE, 30 Mar 2011
SGTMAJ JOHN F. URBANSKI, 18 Apr 2011
SGT JOHNNY W. VAUGHAN, 08 Apr 2013
MRS. ELIZABETH WALSH, Jan 2013
1STSGT JOHN M. WALTHER (Ret)
FERRIS S WARD, 05 Nov 2010
1STSGT WILLIAM .H WATKINS (Ret),07 May 2017
SGT ALAN .L WATTS, 27 Apr 2015
CPL GERALD .L WEEKS, 13 Jun 2011
MAJ DON .O WEIDE, 14 Sep 2011
SSGT ROBERT .P WELLS, Apr 2014
SGT JOE .B WHEELER USMC, 18 Feb 2011
CAPT LLOYD B. WILLIAMS JR, 05 Nov 2010
PFC BILLY J. WILSON
MRS KATHERINE P. WOMBLE LPN, 25 Sep 2015
CPL HAROLD G. WRIGHT, 07 Sep 2006
LTJG HAROLD R. YARBRO MD, Nov 2013
PHM1 RICHARD B. YOUNG, 20 Feb 2011
JOAN YOUNGBLOOD, 06 Mar 2018
SGTMAJ DUSHAN J. ZOBENICA (Ret), 17 Jul 2013
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