3/3 RVN Ass’n  Vol  1  Issue 2    01/01/2005

Remember Reunion 2006 Colorado Springs   Page 4

After the element of surprise was lost, you climbed a near vertical hill, through the most difficult terrain I have ever witnessed.  Even when exhausted, you did your duty with élan and professionalism. When attacked, you responded with aggressiveness and accuracy.  We certainly gave a lot better than we took. After our Air Wing brethren worked the NVA over I discussed the situation on the covered net with the Old Man.

With the NVA above and to the east, and west and south of us, I reckoned that it was only a matter of time before the enemy moved his 60mm mortars from the east side of the Razorback to the west side.  The Colonel said our position was untenable without artillery support and ordered us to come home as soon as it got dark.   That night, you carried one KIA and helped Lt Cook along, who had a shattered arm, and carried our weapons and equipment to the river in total, pitch-black darkness.  Your noise discipline was impeccable.  I heard no sound. The 2nd Platoon led the re-crossing of the river and I went with them.  I watched them deploy and turned back toward the river and looking up, saw an A-4 drop two high drag bombs.

Tragedy struck.  I yelled across the river to disperse and take cover.  Just before they impacted I turned and went to ground.  I felt the heat of the blast. Without being told, the aviation radioman close by called a cease fire and requested Ch-46 Medevacs.  It took the rest of the day to evacuate our casualties and then came another long night march to Payable.

Totally exhausted, with no sleep for over two days, you reached deep down inside yourselves and found an inner strength of iron will to carry on and do your duty; just as your forbearers had done at Belleau Wood, on Iwo Jima, at the Chosin Reservoir, and countless other places in our proud history.  True to your heritage, you upheld the finest traditions of our beloved Corps. Yes, I can proudly exclaim to the world, I have walked among giants!  After our ordeal there were only two officers, three Staff NCO's and two Corpsmen left standing, and one third of my command were casualties. 

SKIPPER'S REPORT:

Captain Larry Green  M/3/3  1966-67

The martialling of our faithful in Arlington was a momentous occasion for me; it was joyous, and a therapeutic tonic of the first order.  To renew the special bond of brotherly love among men who have shared the dangers, discomfort, noise, and chaos of war together defies description.

It confounds the understanding of anyone who has never experienced it.  Only among Marines, and I include our Corpsmen in that precious title, the bond of love is so strong that men are willing to die to protect their brothers; more than death, they fear the notion that they may do something, or fail to do something that will let their buddies down.

I was blessed in my career to have been allowed to lead four different Infantry Companies, and serve as an Exec to another in the Santo Domingo intervention.  None of them held a candle to the brilliance of Mike 3/3. During my short tenure as your C. O., I was honored, and humbled, to have walked among giants.  You were and remain the most magnificent group of men with whom I have ever had the pleasure of an association.  You are truly among the best our beloved country had to offer.   I loved you as brothers then and I still do.  And I still grieve for those who fell. Their names, gleaned from the "Traveling Wall" are framed and hanging on a wall, in a place of honor, in my home.  I see them every day.  Just as Lex Aguilar said in his poem, "we shall never forget them."

I recall when Col DeLong told me that Regiment had ordered him to send a "heavy" Company Combat Patrol to the west of the Razorback.  He realized that many of us were still weak from our miserable, hungry ordeal over Thanksgiving in the Ba Long Valley; but we were the only unit that had patrolled in that area.   He told me, "You go there and pick a fight.  If you get in an 'ass burner' I'll bring the Battalion to bail you out."  "Aye, Aye, sir."

Your performance on the operation was nothing short of outstanding. 

Later, on "mud hill" one astute Marine advised me that I "looked like a whipped pup," a very true analogy.  I was whisked off to DaNang and wasted four days by NOT being called to testify about the bombing incident at a Board of Inquiry at III MAF. There was no conference held at Payable to discuss the action after the operation.  No one came forward to inform me of exactly what happened on the south bank of the Song Cam Lo after the bombs burst on 10 December.  No one told me about the courageous men who stepped up into the face of the horror, reduced the chaos, treated our wounded, cared for the dead, recovered our weapons and equipment, and risked their lives carrying our casualties through the torrent to waiting helicopters, balanced precariously by brave pilots, on a rock in midstream.  However, I take full responsibility for neglecting to make proper inquiries after the operation; and I admit being immersed only in my grief, as I wrote so many letters to the families of our dead brothers.

I suffered "Survivor's Guilt" for over thirty years, until Craig and Doc Hoppy "found me" I shall forever remain in their debt.  I can now understand survivor's guilt and can deal with my "demons," thanks to the fidelity of all of you.   Finally, at the '04 Reunion, I learned about the horror and heroism on the south bank, thanks to John Breckenridge, Rod Hardin, and others.  I am pleased to know that you recognized Doc Donald Rion, and his family was presented his Silver Star at a previous reunion.

There are others, including those mentioned above, both living and dead, who also richly deserve to be recognized, and decorated, for their valor and/or commendable service in December 1966.  Along with promised help from Doc Hoppy, Ed McCourt, and Rod Hardin, I am absolutely committed to see this happen.  I ask for your assistance.  Please forward to me, anything you can remember of selfless acts by our brothers, and names and contact information on any whom any have witnessed these acts.

 

With deep respect and warmest regards for you and your families, I remain..

Semper Fidelis,

Larry Green, your old Skipper