PATROL REPORT

NEWSLETTER

The Memory Remains, Not All Wounds Are Visible

The association's "Patrol Report" is published twice yearly with reunion information and other Recon news. Join by clicking on the Application link at the top of this page.

2004 Volume Eleven - Issue One

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In my April VFW magazine I noted your name re the 1st recon. bn. reunion
Sullivan, my cousin thru marriage, would only discuss his activities from 1941 thru his final discharge, when I "dragged" it out of him. Including various island invasions during WW2 thru Korea and Viet Nam.
If your organization has any background on him I would appreciate anything you can provide.
Art died from brain cancer, probably from agent orange. His wife died about 3-4 years ago. He had a son and daughter who really did not get to know him since he was gone most of the time when they were growing up,
I remember him as a true "hero" from his didication. After he retired he got rid of most of his marine collection.
When I was stationed in Tokyo and Korea, many years ago, I had the opportunity to spend a full day with him in Tokyo
The last time I saw him before he died he was suffering from brain cancer. From all of 194l thru Viet Nam he never was wounded--However, he went to mass every day that he could. Also, he would never let his wife see him off when he was heading overseas.
After he died I could not find any photos of him --I have been searching for something to hang onto for memories. If you have anything I would appreciate it if you could tell me how I can find something . He was in Iran at the time of the revolution and they ran for the plane with whatever they could carry
The thing that ticks me off is that the enemy never could wound him but his own country got him with agent orange.

Fred Neiser, Boxf410, Sugar Grove, Il. 60554. (630) 466-7777 NeiserIns@aol.com
Thank.

Message is: It is with great sadness I must report the passing of my uncle,
Gy Sgt Clay Beymer, who died Saturday 5/15/04 of complications after back
surgery. He was 71. He served in RVN with the First Force Recon for two
tours, and some family members think it may have been three tours. I would
very much like to hear from anyone who knew Gy Beymer, or knows of him:
Where served, dates, etc. Condolences are welcome and will be passed on to
the immediate family. Thank you, and Semper Fi.Please contact: Jim Therrell
Mailing address: 14126 Randall Drive
City, State, Zip: Woodbridge VA 22191

The Killer Elite - Click Here

Part 2

ARLINGTON, Va.(June 1, 2004 ) -- The bronze image of World War II heroes raising the American flag at Iwo Jima provided the backdrop for a ceremony here today honoring a modern-day hero. Cpl. James Wright received the Bronze Star with valor device from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz in front of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial for his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Gen. William L. Nyland, assistant Marine Corps commandant, and Marine Barracks Washington Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia assisted Wolfowitz with the presentation. Also in attendance were seven Iraqis who, under Saddam Hussein's regime, had their hands amputated for dealing in foreign currency. They were fitted with prosthetic hands and are in the United States for medical treatment. One of the men, with the aid of a translator, spoke on behalf of the group.
"We will never forget those who have sacrificed their limbs and those who have died and given us their blood," said Basim al-Fadhly. "And we will always remain grateful for all you have given to us."
Wright's patrol was in the Anbar province of Iraq when it came under attack. According to the award citation, "he immediately engaged the enemy with his squad automatic weapon, continuing to fire until his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade." Wright lost both of his hands and sustained severe damage to his leg because of the RPG, but remained calm and continued to give orders to his Marines to call for support and on how to render first aid. According to the citation, "He also pointed out enemy machine gun emplacements ... assisting in the demise of 26 enemies killed in action."
It was all a part of his job, said Wright, who served as the assistant team leader with Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.
Wolfowitz compared Wright to those who served 60 years ago, honored over the
Memorial Day weekend with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.
"This past weekend, the country once again paid fitting tribute to that 'Greatest Generation' that saved this country and the world from the menace of Nazism in World War II. Corporal Wright and his comrades are every bit as great as that 'Greatest Generation,'" Wolfowitz said.
"I never expected anything of this magnitude," said Wright. "I'm flattered that the Marine Corps would go this far to present me with this award, but I really didn't expect it."

Recon ran gauntlet, but no one died
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2003814163918


Story by Pfc. Macario P. Mora Jr.


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(August 14, 2003) -- In the blitzkrieg that marked Operation Iraqi Freedom, they were on the leading edge - moving so quickly in their humvees that other 1st Marine Division units couldn't keep up.

They were fast on the draw, too, knocking out enemy targets before they could attack or simply overpowering them with some of the heaviest and most accurate firepower of the war.

The men of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion surgically and forcefully destroyed the Iraqi opposition - without suffering a single fatality. It's an accomplishment born out of extensive training, independent thinking and quick reactions, according to Recon platoon leaders involved in the unit's biggest test - a four-hour firefight, a "cannonball run," of sorts - through a gauntlet of Iraqi fighters down narrow streets in a southern Iraqi town.

Fortunately, the unit had plenty of time to prepare before that harrowing day at the end of March.

The Killer Elite was written by Evan Wright who was embedded with the Bn and his 3 part article appeared in Rolling Stone Magazine. His article was not well received by those who served as well as others I have talked to from the Recon community. I decided to include it to give a sense of what the Bn. did in Iraq.

The true story of bullets, bombs and a Marine platoon at war in Iraq

By Evan Wright

The Killer Elite

It all started with training before deployment. The Marines found out they weren't going to be doing the typical recon mission, said Sgt. Charles Graves, a team leader for C Company's 1st Platoon. Instead, they'd use vehicles and heavy guns.

"We spent most of our time getting ready by getting used to the equipment," said Graves, who served as a sniper in Iraq.

The unit left in mid-January and made the most of its time while underway.

"For the five weeks we were on ship, we trained from (7 a.m. to midnight) every day on things such as weapons skills," said Staff Sgt. Rick A. Rardon, a platoon sergeant for A Company. "My platoon was mostly formed up of guys straight out of (the School of Infantry), and Recon Marines with a bit of experience, and guys with great experience. We did a lot of weapons skills and weapons handling."

According to Rardon, the exercises helped prepare the younger Marines for primetime warfare.

Once in Kuwait, the Recon team stayed busy with live-fire training, Graves said, making sure all the weapons - and the Marines using them - were ready.

They crossed over into Iraq on March 21, Graves said, and were surprised at receiving no enemy fire over the first few days on the long, dusty trail.

"We thought from day one we were going to be utilized," said Rardon. "Everyone was itching to do their jobs, but they just weren't seeing anything, and it almost seemed like they had been let down.

"Every time you turned the corner you were thinking this could be it right here," he added. "It was just all part of the war."

In retrospect, Rardon believes the early quiet was good.

"Not everyone had a mission that put them on the front lines right when they got there," said Rardon. "Our first mission was to set a screen, and we did it without any contact. I think it was a good thing for the simple fact that it gave guys a chance to get used to their equipment and get used to the fact that they were in war."

Read the full store: Recon Gauntlet  Click Here