In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.

--Saint Augustine

Exercise Talisman Saber 2017

A set of MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft fly in formation above Sydney Harbor. Below are the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Link to photo source

Dear Members,

I'd like to thank all who attended the Colorado Springs, Colorado reunion. A good time was had by all. I hope to see all of you at the 78th Anniversary gathering which runs from January 27-February 2, 2019.

I hope I will see a lot of you there.

There is a General Membership meeting planned for Friday, February 1, 2019 at 2:00PM, located at Pacific Views Events Center, Camp Pendleton, California. Room details will be posted on site at the Anniversary gathering. Details of planned tours is still being worked out. Keep an eye open in your next OBN for registration form.

Jerry Johs 

President

SgtMaj John Canley Awarded Medal of Honor

Retired Marine SgtMaj John Canley, of Oxnard, California, was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Donald J. Trump on October 17, 2018.

In January and February 1968, then Gunnery Sergeant Canley was with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division. His company carried out a counter-offensive to retake the city of Hue.

He was originally awarded the Navy Cross, but it was upgraded through the office of U.S. Representative Julia Brownley.

His citation reads:

GUNNERY SERGEANT

JOHN CANLEY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley (MCSN: 1455946), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 31 January to 6 February 1968. On 31 January, when his company came under a heavy volume of enemy fire near the city of Hue, Gunnery Sergeant Canley rushed across the fire-swept terrain and carried several wounded Marines to safety. Later, with the company commander seriously wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Canley assumed command and immediately reorganized his scattered Marines, moving from one group to another to advise and encourage his men. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds during this period, he nonetheless established a base of fire which subsequently allowed the company to break through the enemy strongpoint. Retaining command of the company for the following three days, Gunnery Sergeant Canley on 4 February led his men into an enemy-occupied building in Hue. Despite fierce enemy resistance, he succeeded in gaining a position immediately above the enemy strongpoint and dropped a large satchel charge into the position, personally accounting for numerous enemy killed, and forcing the others to vacate the building. On 6 February, when his unit sustained numerous casualties while attempting to capture a government building, Gunnery Sergeant Canley lent words of encouragement to his men and exhorted them to greater efforts as they drove the enemy from its fortified emplacement. Although wounded once again during this action, on two occasions he leaped a wall in full view of the enemy, picked up casualties, and carried them to covered positions. By his dynamic leadership, courage, and selfless dedication, Gunnery Sergeant Canley contributed greatly to the accomplishment of his company's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

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Here is the reporting from the local newspaper:

The Ventura County Star

Bank Balance as of Sept. 1, 2018 $68,444.65

Income $7,452.59

Expenses $10,121.98

Bank Balance as of Sept. 30, 2018 $65,775.26

To all Chapters:

Below is a list of the chapters that have already sent in their 2017 financial reports. Thank you to all who have sent their reports in.

If your chapter is not listed here, please email your 2017 chapter financial report to June Cormier (june.oldbreed@fmda.us) at Headquarters as soon as possible.   

1/5 Vietnam Veterans

Alamo San Antonio

Central Florida

Colorado River

Dallas Texas

Desert Cities Mitchell Paige MOH

Golden Gate

Greater Boston

Houston Texas

Los Angeles County

New York

Old Dominion Virginia

Oregon/Columbia River

Phoenix

Redwood Empire

Rocky Mountain

Silicon Valley

Southern California

Wisconsin

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:

Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories:

A Guide to Locating Sources

by Mese F. DeBruyne and Barbara Salazar Torreon.

 

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.

 

Click here to download the Publication

Sgt Orra A. Vollmer 10/14/2018

Cpl Sydney Douglas Van Dyke 8/23/2018

Cpl Robert C. Baumgarden 8/23/2018

iGive Donates $3 to the Association for Each New Member

We're giving $3 to 1st Marine Division Association for every new iGive member you refer for them. No purchase required. It doesn't get any simpler. Just use your Tell A Friend link. It's another way iGive is 300% or more better than Amazon Smile.

 

Once they try the iGive Button for PCs and Macs for 90 days, we'll automatically credit 1st Marine Division Association with $3. We know that helping is so simple and automatic with the Button, we expect they'll shop and help even more.

 

Just forward this right now. Why wait to help? Ask them to click here. You're done and they're helping every time they shop at any of over 1,900 stores.

 

Feels good, does good, and it's so easy. Travel, office supplies, and clothing, too. Each purchase at Walmart, Jet.com, QVC, Staples, and so many more stores. 1st Marine Division Association gets an average of 3.00% with every purchase. Amazon Smile is just .5%.

 

Recap: Forward this email today. 1st Marine Division Association gets $3 free when a new to iGive person joins to support them before 9/17/18 and tries the Button for PCs and Macs for at least 90 days.

Cheers!

 

The iGive Support Team 

  

P.S. We hope that everybody uses our great IOS and Android apps to help 1st Marine Division Association, but this $3 new member promotion is limited to people who try the iGive Button.