1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Battalion Association

Thanks for your service.

Part 36

2025

March 2nd Half

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Missions / Patrol Reports

Are you looking for your Old Patrol Reports? Check out this page on my website:

http://www.weststpaulantiques.com/reconmissions.html

Too close to whisper...
...one click for "yes", two for "no"...
"Brothers of the Bush"

----------------------------
Recon...their name is
their honor...and nothing more
need be said...Recon

Floyd Ruggles

Check Out New Messages/Newsletter

...

All Companies

Photo Gallery

The Memory Remains Not All Wounds Are Visible.

"A Brotherhood Forged In Combat"

1st Reconnaissance Battalion Index

Message Board Links

Part 1 - 2018-2019 

Part 2 - 2019-2020 

Part 3 - 2020 

Part 4 - 2020 

Part 5  - 2020

Past Message Board

Past Newsletters 

Part 1 - 2017-2018 

Part 2 - 2018 

Part 3 - 2018 

Part 4 - 2018-2019 

Past Reunions 

Past Stories 

Send in your photos

Part 6  - 2020

Past Photos Galleries 

Part 7  - 2020

Part 8  - 2020

Bobby Bare

 

 

Photo Gallery

Part 10  - 2021

Click a photo to link to a page on our  website or Facebook. Links are found on nearly all Web pages. Links allow users to click their way from page to page. You will find thousands of links on the 1st recon battalion association website.

In Remembrance of our brother Reconnaissance Marines & Corpsmen killed in action or otherwise while on duty.

Look at it as your Time Capsule. This website won't stand long after we are all gone.

 

Daniel M Turpin

1st Recon Battalion Association

Part 11  - 2021

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Missions / Patrol Reports

Too close to whisper...
...one click for "yes", two for "no"...
"Brothers of the Bush"

----------------------------
Recon...their name is
their honor...and nothing more
need be said...Recon
------------------------

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

Bravo Company 1968-1969

Part 12  - 2021

Meet some of our members of our association.

To all Association Members,

Please reply and update or confirm your Information.
Your 1st Recon Battalion Association Website Information
can be found at: 1streconbn.org/members.html

Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for all your help.

My email address is floyd@weststpaulantiques.com.
Please keep your information up to date.

This will allow the Association to send messages out from time to time by email or by mail.

Semper Fi,
Floyd Ruggles
Membership Director & Webmaster

1st Recon Battalion Association

New Members to the Association of the Natural Warrior

2023

Part 13  - 2021-2022

Part 14  - 2022

Part 15  - 2022

Part 16  - 2023

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

Get involved send in your messages, photos, stories share what you think about our website. I will post them on this page.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

Click a photo to link to a page on our website. Links are found on nearly all Web pages.
Links allow users to click their way from page to page.

Navigator is at the top of each page.

**WELCOME to FIRST RECON'S WEBSITE** 2009-2023 

Don't be fooled by the warning signs it's a safe website, it's just an old platfrom. Just hit advance, you will enjoy this website, it's my personal website.

1st Recon Battalion Association

Message Board will be our newsletter going forward. 

It's ongoing and you can be a part of it, each month through out the year.

Association Purpose

Our mission is to help locate former Recon Marines and their families, and to recognize those who paid the ultimate price through the 1st Recon Memorial Fund which has established and will help maintain the permanent memorial at the Marine Corps Historical Museum at Camp Quantico Virginia.

Message from webmaster!

March 2025 - 2nd Half Newsletter

Part 17  - 2023

Part 18  - 2023

Part 19  - 2023

Part 20  - 2023

Part 21  - 2023

Part 22  - 2024

Member of 1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Bn KIA Vietnam War

..

War Story

.....

The Jim Southall Story, Over 200 1st Recon Battalion Marines involved in this story. The story is a work in progress over the next year. Over 100 Patrol Reports.

Some Give It All

Vietnam 1968-1969

Thoughts of that Day

Doug Wolfe's Story

Patrol Report #349-68

98 hours on Charlie Ridge

Index by dates & names

Sergeant Jim Southall - Hill 200 1969

Are Message Board is now our new newsletter.

1968

1969

Membership Director & Webmaster

2016-2025

Floyd

Last night I awoke to the sounds of thunder. I was recalling a small part of a day a long time ago. As if it was yesterday...

Today is a particularly dreary, rainy day. Lookout Mountain is socked in good. It is not unusual for it to be socked in. Hell they fought the Battle Above the Clouds there during the Civil War.

However, today it put me in mind of another dreary, socked in ridge I was on for around 2 hours on 3 June, 1968. Known only to me as Hill 200, it was a desolate, indefensible place that somebody in the 1st Mardiv G3 shop picked off the map to insert my platoon on as an observation post & radio relay.

Stories from Members

Some Give It All

THE DAY THE CRAP WENT UP IN FLAMES
By Gary Graves, HM3

5 Minutes ‘Til Forever

Part 37

Coming Soon

Applicants

1st RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 4. DUES. Association members have no mandatory dues. However, Members and Associate Members are encouraged to make donations, annually, to help defray the Association’s operating expenses. An annual donation of $10.00 is suggested.

Semper Fi, Floyd Ruggles

Membership Director & Webmaster

1st Recon Battalion Association

Welcome to our New Members Page

1st Recon Battalion Association

Next Page

Previous Page

Some of the 1st Marines into Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11

For Membership in 1st Recon Battalion Association

All Units
March 1966 - May 1971

This link is to my old website It's a safe website on a old plarform follow instructions to the webpage. 

Part 24  - 2024

Part 25  - 2024

Part 9  - 2020

1st Recon Battalion

Association of the Natural Warrior

March 2025 - 2nd Half Newsletter

Part 26  - 2024

Part 27  - 2024

Part 29  - 2024

Click a photo to link to a page on our website. Links are found on nearly all Web pages.Links allow users to click their way from page to page. You will find thousands of links on this website.

1st Recon Battalion Association is a non-profit organization of former and current members of the 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division

Thanks for taking the time to stop by our website today.

Your Webmaster

Floyd Ruggles

Coming Soon

Thanks for stopping by today

Part 28  - 2024

Part 30  - 2024

Part 31  - 2025

Floyd,

The Force Recon Association (FRA) invites our members to join the FRA. !st Recon members are also invited to attend the FRA reunion, 24 - 27 Apri 2025.l
Please post their announcement.

Thanks,
Charlie

CKershaw <invictus7@earthlink.net> 12/17/2024 4:01 PM FRA Recon 2025 - FRA Annual Reunion

Email from:

From: FRA Vice President and Executive Director, Dave Jarvis
To: All FRA Members
Subj: 2025 FRA Annual Reunion
 
Attn: Alan Sniadecki    FRA#: 2064   Dues Paid Through: LIFEMBR    Member Status: A
 
2025 FRA Annual Reunion
 
Mark your calendars, as our reunion dates are set for 24-27 April, in San Diego, California!  Attached to this email is our schedule of events and registration form should you want to pay with check or money order by mail.  You can also register and find out all the details through our website at: www.forcerecon.com
 
The hotel block of rooms is on a first come first serve basis so don’t wait to make reservations!  I’ll be sending out a 90 and 45 day email reminder along with any adjustments to the schedule of events. 
 
Holiday Inn Bayside Hotel Information:
 
The Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside is located in Point Loma across from the San Diego Bay and only 1.5 miles from the San Diego International Airport at: 4875 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA.
 
Our overnight accommodations are scheduled from 04/23/2025-04/27/2025.  The group discount code is T0P, and rates are valid for booking through 03/24/2025.
 
Click here Force Recon Association Reunion to proceed directly to your reservation desk.
 
The group rate is available for three days pre and post event based on room availability via the provided link or contact hotel reservations directly at Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside.  Call toll free (800) 662-8899 to book by phone.  If you need to speak to someone at the hotel directly for special assistance, please call 619-221-3052 from Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm PST.

• Complimentary Airport Shuttle Service
•  Parking Fee = WAIVED (value = $23 per day, per vehicle)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and meeting rooms
• Hotel will allow our group to bring in their own Snacks & Beverages, including alcohol, into their designated Hospitality Room at no additional charge.
• Complimentary Fitness Center
• On-site Restaurant serving daily breakfast, lunch & dinner, plus a wide variety of great restaurant options within close walking distance, including several waterfront restaurants across the street.
• Weekday Happy Hour Specials from 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• 10% Discount in Point Loma Café for Senior Discount
 
Should you have any questions at all please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
 
I look forward to seeing many of you at our next reunion!
 
 
Semper Fidelis
Dave Jarvis
Jarvisda77@gmail.com
C: (760) 716-3713
Vice President and Executive Director

2025 Reunion

Rest In Peace, Marines!

from: Bruce Fogarty
I remember that day. I met Colonel Leftwich’s son in Washington Naval Yard for a Recon Reunion. I remember that day as if it was yesterday

Part 32  - 2025

Alan Carleton Enfinger

Part 33  - 2025

Vietnam War 1st Recon Battalion 1965-1971

Part 35  - 2025

SAVE the DATE :1st Recon Battalion Association 2025 Reunion

Book signing , 11-17 August Washington , D.C./ Quantico

Marines and Corpsmen,

 

I hope to see all of you at the 2025 Reunion in Washington DC in August! Please pass the word. This is a combo Reunion First Marine Division Association and 1st Recon Bn. Association.

 

I plan on attending the 1st Recon Reunion in August in Washington/Quantico. I will be signing my just released NEW BOOK; Hill 119, Defending a Reconnaissance Marines' OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970.

 

This book covers Delta Companies OP Hill 119 but also covers other Recon teams’ actions like Echo Company’s, Team Bad Actor lead by 1st Lt Earl Hailston. If you lived at Camp Reasoner or were part of Team Mission Impossible, its all in this 500+ page history book with over 50 pictures. The Forward is by legendary Marine and author, Bing West.

 

For many of you, this is your history with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Buy a book, bring it with you to the 1st Recon Battalion Association Reunion , 11-17 August, Washington DC / Quantico. I will sign it for you at the Reunion.

 

Register thru FMDA website for further details https://1stmda.org/  Our 78th Annual Reunion 10-17 August 2025 in Arlington, Virginia ,Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel.

 

Book:  Hill 119, Defending a Reconnaissance Marines' OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970 is now available for pre-order.

 

Websites to pre-order: www.pog-llc.com   https://www.pog-llc.com/

 

Casemate Publisher: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636245928/hill-119/

 

Amazon https://a.co/d/4GRUwYs

 

Hope to see you at the reunion !

Semper Fi

Mike

Marine

Delta-1

1st Recon Bn., 1970

3/26, 1969

1/1, 1990/91

https://www.pog-llc.com/

Coming Summer 2025

Defending a Reconnaissance Marines’ OP, Vietnam, 1969-1970
by Michael Fallon, Colonel,
U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

.

.

A narrative account of Reconnaissance Marines in Vietnam. Small Teams launching daring deep Stingray patrols in the bush. On the Observation Post, Hill 119 defending for 600 relentless days and nights. Surrounded by the NVA with the constant challenge of determining friendly Vietnamese civilians from hard corps Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regulars. Their lifeline were the Marine helicopters that flew out bringing water, ammo, food, and their replacement platoon. In 1969 and 1970, Delta Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division manned the OP and ran patrols in Phu Loc Valley and Go Noi Island. This firsthand account of the Marines and Corpsmen who patrolled deep and occupied the OP describes their struggle to survive. Based on participant interviews and the detailed declassified debriefing reports compiled after each patrol returned to their rear base, at Camp Reasoner, Da Nang in the Republic of South Vietnam. This is their history!

Learn More & Pre-Order

Coming Summer 2025

Learn More & Pre-Order

2025 Reunion Informaion

Message from Charlie regarding Team Rush Act and our 2025 reunion. We will be having a memorial ceremony.
Rest in peace.

Join your 1st Recon brothers at a Rush Act memorial service in Quantico at the Marine Corps Memorial Park August 2025

(Recon Reunion details to follow next spring)
Semper Fidelis,


Charlie Charles Kershaw


Here are the details about the reunion from Ralph M. Witkin

1st Recon Battalion Association Facebook Page

Marine's and Corpsmen who have served with 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion from it's inception 1 March 1937 at Quantico, Virginia as the 1st Tank Company and assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade until today's current force. Only members can see who's in the group and what they post.

Passed away on February 8, 2022

3 years ago

Gunny Pu

I have a picture Gunny Pu gave to me 15-20 years of him and his PRU company. He told me that they worked out of a building in Danang they called the White House. I was interviewing Reconners for their personal history. I had arranged a mini-reunion in LV, about 20 people including spouses showed. It was past 0200 and well into our cups listening to Gunny weave his stories, mostly emphasized with grunts and sneers. I had recently completed a visit to VN and I asked Gunny to return with me. I promised him we would find the White House.  david snider <docsnidley@aol.com>

Original Photo, Doc David Snider 

1969 - 55 Years Ago Camp Reasoner - Da Nang Vietnam

Vietnam
July 1968 - July 1969

I can recall that day I arrived in Nam as a green know it all rookie marine with an attitude. I was going to win the war by myself. What a dumb kid I must have been then. Only moments after arriving that day, reality set in and I learn quickly that I was in hell or some where close.

The Memory Remains,

Not All Wounds Are Visible.

Part 37  - 2025

Clebe McClary | 1st Reconnaissance Battalion - Marines

COMBAT STORIES FROM Vietnam

6:20 | Lt. Clebe McClary told his dad that running Recon patrols was a lot like hunting back home. It could be deadly, though, especially if you were the point man. He describes two of his men, one of whom he's still close to and one who was destined to save his life.

These badass Marines held off an entire

Viet Cong battalion

In the summer of 1966 the United States was ramping up operations in Vietnam.For the Marines of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, this meant deep infiltration and reconnaissance into the Que Son Valley

The AC-130H Spectre gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Other missions include perimeter and point defense, escort, landing, drop and extraction zone support, forward air control, limited command and control, and combat search and rescue. These heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or area saturation during extended periods, at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of a low-light-level television sensor and an infrared sensor. Radar and electronic sensors also give the gunship a method of positively identifying friendly ground forces as well as effective ordnance delivery during adverse weather conditions. Navigational devices include an inertial navigation system and global positioning system. US Air Force

PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON - AC-47 "SPOOKY" GUNSHIP

The AC-47 goes by many names, originally the FC-47, more famously “Puff the Magic Dragon” or “Spooky” but, was the first in a line of aircraft to be called a Gunship. It was a modification of the C-47 “Skytrain” which gained a stellar reputation for its reliability and multifunctionality during World War II.

PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON - AC-47 "SPOOKY" GUNSHIP

Swift, Silent and Deadly: Recon Marines in Vietnam by Michael J. Schneider. This is the Introduction to a future multi-part Series.
Imagine being one of a 7-man team in the middle of a jungle where any person you might encounter will try to kill you. This is enemy territory, inhabited by an unknown number of enemy combatants. You might encounter 1 or 2 of the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese Army or just as easily 50 or more. In addition, there is the danger of man-eating tigers and poisonous snakes!

Jim Cole

Jim Cole

One

Great

Photographer

Jim Cole

One

Great

Photographer

Jim Cole

One

Great

Photographer

The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion played a significant role in the Iraq War, participating in several key operations: They were involved in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, engaging Saddam's forces and supporting larger troop movements towards Baghdad.

They engaged both regular and irregular Iraqi forces, notably supporting operations against militia around Nasiriyah.

The battalion redeployed multiple times for Operation Iraqi Freedom, with notable deployments from February to October 2004, September 2005 to April 2006, and March 2007 to October 2007.

Iraq War

COMBAT STORIES FROM

Iraq

Eddie Wright - 1st Reconnaissance Battalion 

COMBAT STORIES FROM

Iraq

EDDIE WRIGHT

1st Reconnaissance Battalion

Ric Hickel

1st Battalion, 4th Marines

Jason Lilley

1st Reconnaissance Battalion 

Josh Ray Person

1st Reconnaissance Battalion 

Delta Company

1st Reconnaissance Battalion 

Invasion of Iraq

In January 2003, the battalion deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq from March 2003 to June 2003. The battalion redeployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 to October 2004, where it took part in Operation Vigilant Resolve; September 2005 to April 2006, March 2007 to October 2007, and October 2008 to April 2009. In January 2006, the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion was in the national news for leading Operation Green Trident, which discovered over ten metric tons of insurgent munitions, hidden in caches throughout a large area south of Fallujah in the Euphrates River Valley. Marines of 1st Recon told military reporters that about 90 percent of their time in Operation Iraqi Freedom was spent in mounted patrols, using their Humvees.

Afghanistan

The 1st Recon were also deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010 where they produced 300+ enemy KIA, did not lose a single man in their seven-month deployment and was regarded as "The deadliest battalion in Afghanistan right now" by Lt. Gen James Mattis.

The unit conducted a battalion-sized helicopter insert into the area of Trek Nawa, operating for 32 days straight, away from friendly lines, during that period there was contact with Taliban forces for 28 of those days using tactics and offensive action that stunned the local enemy forces. Following the missions in Trek Nawa and surrounding areas, the battalion deployed two companies to the Upper Sangin River Valley.

In February 2012, there was controversy when a September 2010 photograph was published showing members of Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, posing in front of a flag with a logo resembling that of the German Schutzstaffel while serving in Afghanistan.

1st Recon Battalion in Afghanistan

1st Recon Battalion in Afghanistan

Jim Cole reacted to Ralph Witkin's post: "ALERT: I've become aware of at least 4 different attempts to SCAM Marine veterans via email. Both Recon Bn Assoc & Div Assoc members have been targeted. 

Jim Cole reacted to Ralph Witkin's post: "ALERT: I've become aware of at least 4 different attempts to SCAM Marine veterans via email. Both Recon Bn Assoc & Div Assoc members have been targeted. The 'fake" emails are supposedly from an Assoc officer requesting help with a payment usually via either Gift Cards, PayPal or Zelle. All of those payment methods are 'like cash" and once they're issued/sent -- you have no chance to get your money back. Senior Citizens have always been a group that con artists focus on, and the internet along with modern technology have made their attempts so much trickier. Do NOT reply to those emails, it's best if you don't even open them (but sometimes that's the only way you can find out they're not legitimate)."

The 1st Recon Battalion Association is a non-profit organization for former and current members of the 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Its mission is to help locate former Recon Marines and their families, recognize those who paid the ultimate price, and establish a memorial fund for a permanent memorial at the Marine Corps Historical Museum at Camp Quantico, Virginia. The association also aims to reunite all eras of the 1st Recon Battalion and offers free membership to its members.

I am just starting to research your beginnings. I may have some insight to 1st Recon (Scout Sniper Tank) in China from a letter I found that my father wrote to my mom about WWII and Tientsin, China in 1945-46.

I recently found this and thought you might be interested

The unit was founded in 1937 as the 1st Tank Company of the 1st Marine Brigade and went through several name changes before it became the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in 1958."

I found this in none other than Wikipedia of all places. Many people do not know that tanks were once part of the Marine Recon asset.

Joe Shimkonis

1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon 1967-1970

Over 200

1st Recon Battalion Marines involved in this story.

The story is a work in progress over the next 3 months.

Over 100 Patrol Reports.

Some Give It All

Last chance to submit your stories I will not be accepting any more after April 15th, 2025

for this project. 

The image shows the Seven Sailors Butte in the Valley of the Gods, part of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah

HM3 Jack Francis

Michael "Mike" Shokatz

Laton Ernest "Ernie" Mahan

John W. Calvert

Herbert N "Ryder or Buddy" Haskell


Delta Company June 1966 - May 1967

2nd Platoon Team Bennington

Hill 200

Roger Toby LaRue

Roger served in the Vietnam War, reenlisting twice for a total of two tours; Roger served with distinction in the Marine Corps. Serving in the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, he was a prisoner of war, and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, he attended Fort Hayes State and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. He got his first job in Hays, Kansas as a police officer, but afterwards moved to Olathe, Kansas and began a career on the Olathe Police Department. 

Floyd A Nagler

Gordon Russell Willson

passed away peacefully on September 23rd, 2023 in Springfield Oregon. He was born in Rapid City South Dakota on September 3rd, 1941 to Russell and Florence Willson. He graduated from the Naval Academy with a BS in engineering in 1964. He served two tours in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps, First Force Recon, where he received numerous accolades for his bravery and valor including a Silver Star, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Randall "Randy" Dierlam

passed away on August 11, 2024, in La Jolla, California, at the
age of 65. Randy succumbed after a long fight against complications from service-related
injuries, kidney disease, and stroke. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend
who touched the lives of all who knew him. Randy was born on December 23, 1958, in Pasco,
Washington, to Irene Van Hollebeke and William Calvin Dierlam. Following the death of his
father William, when Randy was four months old, he and his mother relocated to Phoenix,
Arizona, after she remarried to Richard Jayne, of Spokane, WA. Randy grew up with his
brothers, Kevin and Allen Jayne. He attended Desert View Elementary and Sunnyslope High
School, graduating in 1977. While in elementary and high school some of his hobbies included
playing pop-warner, baseball leagues, attending basketball camp, playing on his high-school
baseball, basketball and football teams, rifle club, participating in Scouts, and driving fast cars.
Randy spent many childhood summers with family at his uncle's wheat farm in Washinton where
he enjoyed riding on his Grandfathers tractor, shooting at birds and enjoying the great outdoors
with his cousins.


Immediately upon graduating high school, Randy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at
Camp Pendleton, where he served as an infantry unit leader, Staff Sergeant, and a
reconnaissance Marine, he served in 1st and 3rd Recon Battalion from 1977-1985 and was a
long-time member of the Force Recon Association. Honorably discharged, he joined the San
Diego Police Academy and served as a San Diego city officer. His career then took a turn when
he was asked to work for the U.S. State Department at the U.S. Embassy in South Africa. Upon
his return from South Africa, Randy pursued higher education, graduating from Thomas
Jefferson Law School with a Juris Doctor degree and immediately passed the California State
Bar. He dedicated 30 years to practicing civil and family law and in more recent years worked
for the National Guard as a civilian Lawyer in Sacramento, CA.

Jerome P. McCart, 

Delta Company

65/67

Jack Francis, born on October 15, 1936, peacefully passed away on February 9, 2024 at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento CA.

He was born in Colorado Springs, CO. and spent his formative years in Lakewood, CO.


Jack served his country in the United States Marine Corp., 2/20/1956-12/19/1957.


Throughout his life, Jack made significant contributions in his professional career as an Aviation Sales Representative for various companies.

He spent at least 20 years at GATX Capital in San Francisco, CA, he retired in 2001.

Blas George Mendez, Sr.

Blas, the youngest of 13 children, was born on February 3, 1947, to Jose and Adelaida Mendez in San Marcos, Texas. After Blas graduated from San Marcos High School in 1966, he went on to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. in July 1966 and served until May 1972. He returned to his hometown where he became a patrolman for the San Marcos Police Department from 1972 to 1981.

Blas is a survivor of the Vietnam War and a survivor of Cancer. He is our hero. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Guadalupe R Mendez; his four sons, Blas G Mendez, Jr. (Letty), Brian Mendez (Sylvia), Bob G Mendez (Stephanie), and Brandon G Mendez (Patricia Torres); his only daughter, Belinda G Macejewski (Mark); his grandchildren, Alana G Mendez, Katalina M Mendez, Blas G Mendez, III, Aubrey L Mendez, and Jax G Mendez; his brothers, Raymond Mendez (Belia), Pete Mendez (Alice), and Joe Mendez (Dora); sisters, Terry Cruz (Dan), and Mary Ann Gonzales (Robert).

A retiree from the Milwaukee Public Schools system, Mike found pride in his service as a Warehouse Manager. A distinguished veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he proudly served in the 1st reconnaissance battalion, Bravo Company. Adding to his impressive resume, Mike was a loyal member of the Codgers and Sons Softball team for over 54 years.

Ernie was a proud United States Marine veteran who served in Vietnam. He worked in Force Reconnaissance from 1966–1968, causing him to be exposed to Agent Orange, which would affect him later in his life. He proudly claimed himself as a soldier and did not let this stop him from helping others and his community until the ripe age of 74. His passion for helping others followed him into his jobs in human services including being a police benevolent, an EMT, a volunteer firefighter for the Northern Tazewell Fire Department, and a court-appointed children’s advocate through CASA.

Nolan Byron Warren

Echo Company January 1969-August 1969

Starting at fourteen, he delivered the Austin American Statesman in the area around the University of Texas. He managed to get a driver's license the next year, opening a new world of opportunities for work and wild adventures. Immediately after graduation from Reagan High School (Austin) in 1968, he enlisted in the Marines at the age of 18. This was the beginning of his lifelong dedication to public service that literally ended the day before his death when he attended a meeting at the VA hospital.

The Marines assigned Byron to 1st Marine Division, 1st Recon Battalion, and after advanced sniper training, shipped him to Vietnam. In Vietnam, he worked in seven-man teams that were dropped into the jungle for patrols that lasted several days. In August 1969, Byron was wounded when his team encountered heavy fire and was evacuated to Oakland Naval Hospital where he recovered.

H&S Company

January 1959 - MARCH 1960

At the age of 18, he joined the Marines. He received specialized training in reconnaissance and served 2 tours in Viet Nam in that capacity. The second tour was with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. During this tour, he received three Purple Hearts. In May 1967 he suffered significant multiple injuries during an attack. He underwent extensive surgeries and rehabilitation but ultimately was medically retired from the Marines as a 100% disabled veteran. His dream of being a career Marine vanished.

 

Ryder’s experiences in Viet Nam changed him in profound ways and he spent the next 56 years of his life discovering new ways to approach life.

In Remembrance of our fallen brothers

1st Recon Battalion Association

Bravo Company

7/70-8/72