1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Battalion Association

Thanks Mike,

Hope to see you in Louisville, Kentucky at the reunion this August. (God Willing)

Thanks for stopping by today.

See You All in 2021

(God Willing)

All new updates are found at the bottom of this page.

2021 Reunion Information

Coming Soon

Message Board

Click Here

Part 2

2019-2020

Message from the 1st Recon Battalion Association Membership Director & Webmaster

March 24th, 2019

I apologize to all our new & existing members for the delay in all updates to this website. But I only will do a full update every quarter. It takes 2-3 weeks per update. Check back from time to time for the completed update.

I will update the "Taps" section of this website when notified of a fallen brother or other urgent matters. Please mark your emails accordingly.

2019 REUNION INFORMATION

The Registration Form and Program for the week is now available on our Home page of this website.

1ST Marine Division Association (FMDA ) and

1ST Reconnaissance Battalion Association Reunions will be held at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky,

August 3rd-12th, 2019 & 1st Recon reunion events will be August 7th-11th, 2019.


Additional reunion details will be posted on this website soon,
as they become available, and in the spring Patrol Report.

Please start making your plans to join us in a week of tradition, fun, and comradery.

Jim Fossos in Hospital

Check our Jim's webpage:

 Click Here

Louisville, Kentucky

See You All in Louisville, Kentucky (God Willing)

"You only live once, but if you live right, once is enough."

October 17th, 2018

Email from Mike Collins:

 

Floyd, Here is the website and incident report from HMH 364 Purple Fox regrading the helicopter crash we were involved during resupplying our OP. The crew chief Charlie Bassett posted the report on their website. My son Patrick found it. After reading he referenced that he knew I was Medivaced to Japan but didn't know if I survived. I contacted Charlie to let him know I did survive the crash. He asked me to add my recollection of that day and they added to their website. Maybe you can add this to our website. Thanks, Mike Collins

Mike, I apologize for the delay in your updates to this website.

Mike's Webpage

Message from Grandle Starling marine1@stardevil.com

Subject: Recon Marine Patrick Sanchez

Message: Another Marine is looking to locate this Brother who served with him in the early 90's. He was also at 3rd Rec for a bit. Probably from the Los Angeles area.

Thanks,

Grandle Starling Cpl E-4 1959/1963

Father of SSGT Jeffrey R. Starling

Aboard Ch-46 helicopter that crashed off the coast of San Diego (Point Loma)California on December 09, 1999.

Message from Emily Martin emartin@usni.org

Subject: USNI Photo Request

I am the photo researcher for the U.S. Naval Institute, a non-profit located in Annapolis Maryland. For the upcoming issue of Naval History, our bi-monthly periodical, we are featuring an article by a former Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to Charlies Company, 1st Reconnaissabce Battalion, 1st Marine Division in 1967.

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His article covers a patrol he was on in May 1967 out of Da Nang. We're looking for photos from the time period of 1st Recon Battalion with Corpsman on patrol.

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Is it possible that any of your members might be able to help?

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Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to hearing from you.

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Thank you,

Emily Martin

Corpsman, Up! By Ralph DiPietro

Naval History Magazine - April 2019 Volume 33, Number 2

SSgt Jeffrey R. Starling
Died 09 December, 1999

SSGT Jeffrey R. Starling

Click Jeffrey Photo

January 19th, 2019

Let the memory of Jeffrey be with us forever

Thanks Grandle for the message!

Message: Hello

I was a member of the 1st platoon, 1st Recon Btn. in 1968. I ran numerous patrols as a member of a Btn. Recon unit, and was later transferred to 1st Force Recon when they arrived in Da Nang (Camp Reasoner) in the fall of 1968. I would love to get in contact with some of my old teammates.

I wrote a book "Chasing Charlie" about my experiences in both units and wondered if you could include my book in your list of books and articles about the Vietnam War.

My website is: http://firstforcerecon.com 

I have included a link to your website on the page.

I commend your efforts to publicize the heroic actions of all Recon units, and wish you the best of luck

All the best.

-Dick Fleming
dickfleming@hypermediadsign.com
207-801-1187

December 18th, 2018

Naval History Magazine - February 2019 Volume 33, Number 1

Naval History Magazine - December 2018 Volume 32, Number 6

Click the Magazine

Click the Magazine

Click the Magazine

A Navy corpsman in the Vietnam War pens a gripping firsthand account of the night in 1967 that still haunts him to this day.

Messase from: Gregg Heineman
Address: 1 Cooper Court Hawthorn Woods Illinois 60047 United States
Email: gregg.heineman@gmail.com
Phone Number: 847-910-3619

.
Subject: Thomas Duane Worrel
Message: I am going to be taking Vietnam Marine Veteran Bruce Merchant on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC the last weekend in April. He has asked if he can get two names stenciled on paper from the wall. The one I am looking for assistance with is Thomas Duane Worrel. I have found info on Thomas on the Virtual Wall site, but I was wondering if you have any more information about this man that I can share with Bruce. He was in 1st Marine Division in the Recon unit. I am not a member of your organization, but I thought I would just ask you first before trying other options. Thank you very much.

From: Frank Thomas SSgt
Email: frank.ctzcc@yahoo.com
Subject: GySgt Terry Moore, Delta company 
Message: Searching for anyone with knowledge of a WIA incident which occurred on 20Jan70 at Hill 119 OP, Quang Tin (Quang Nam), involving LtCol JJ Grace (CO, 1stBn), several members of his HQ staff, Major T. Turner (XO), GySgt Terry Moore (D Co), and the unkn wounded 2dLt platoon commander (B Co) of the OP. An explosive boobytrap seriously wounded LtCol Grace and the B Co 2dlt. Gy Moore raced a klick over boobytrapped ground, reached a radio and arranged a MedEvac and treated LtCol Grace's wounds. Then, as the MedEvac rotor wash disclosed a larger explosive boobytrap very nearby, Moore shielded the device with his own body, thereby preventing its detonation during the Evac. Moore then disarmed the device. When LtCol "Wild Bill" Drumright replaced LtCol Grace, he found a recommendation for the Navy Achievement Medal prepared for Gy Moore, and signed it before he knew all the details of the event. 

Message 

 Colonel Drumright twice attempted to have the award upgraded to a Silver Star, but neither attempt reached Col PX Kelley at Regiment or in retirement. We buried Terry L. Moore (LtCol TDO/LDO, Ret) last summer and discovered one of Col Drumright's upgrade recommendations among his belongings, returned from an erroneous address for General Kelley (CMC, Ret).
On behalf of his family, I seek contact information for any witnesses to that event, in an attempt to resubmit the request to upgrade the award posthumously. Captain/Major/LtCol Moore was the finest Marine I ever served with and became one of my very few personal heroes. Moore served over 5 years in Nam, all with Recon (3d and 1st) or MACV-SOG. Anyone with knowledge of this 20Jan70 event, please email me with your recollection or with contact information for anyone who was involved.
Semper Fi,
SSgt Frank(USMC Disab)

IT IS WITH A DEEP SADNESS THAT WE INFORM THE RECON COMMUNITY OF THE PASSING OF SGT JOHN SLEEPER, COMPANY C, 1ST RECON BN., 1ST MAR DIV AND 1ST FORCE RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY, TASK FORCE X-RAY, VIETNAM 1967-1969. SERVICES INFORMATION FOLLOWS:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/telegram/obituary.aspx?n=john-sleeper&pid=189872405&fhid=8667 
THOSE WHO KNEW HIM CASUALLY AND THOSE IN HIS VARIOUS RECON TEAMS KNOW WHAT A BRILLIANT, CUNNING AND DECISIVE JUNGLE FIGHTER HE WAS. THE 1968 TET OFFENSIVE AT HUE CITY DID NOT START ON JANUARY 31, 1968 AT 0200 HOURS WHEN 8,000 NVA TROOPS LAUNCHED A SURPRISE ATTACK ON THAT ANCIENT IMPERIAL CAPITAL DURING AN AGREED UPON HOLIDAY “CEASE FIRE”. INSTEAD, IT STARTED 14 HOURS EARLIER, BY MARINE CORPS RECON, AT NOON ON JANUARY 30, 1968, 15 MILES DUE SOUTHEAST OF HUE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF PHU LOC#4. WHEN SGT. SLEEPERS TEAM DECIMATED AN NVA COMPANY ENROUTE TO 


August 11 at 12:05 AM

Message from: Paul Olenski

 HUE WITH HEAVY WEAPONS AND 200 ELITE TROOPS. TO SLEEPER, THERE WAS NO “OBSERVE AND REPORT” OR “RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE” TYPE MISSIONS. INSTEAD, IT WAS, “WE WILL MAKE CONTACT” AND “WE TAKE A PRISONER”, AS HIS OWN POINTMAN, PFC RAY BAEL (LATER MASTER GUNNERY SGT RAY BAEL), PUT IT. THERE WERE MANY MORE SUCH OPS RUN BY SGT SLEEPER. AND HIS TEAMMATES CONTINUED THAT HUNTER/KILLER ATTITUDE FOR DECADES MORE IN THE CORPS’ RECON UNITS. HE INSPIRED HUNDREDS AND THEY INSPIRED HUNDREDS. HE WAS THAT TYPE OF MARINE CORPS NCO.
SGT SLEEPER’S SILVER STAR CITATION READS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/41223

John A. Sleeper

My name is: Shawn R Hazelton 

Email: Shawnrobert032@gmail.com 
Subject: Michael Lee Hazelton
Message: My father is Michael Lee Hazelton, and he passed away when I was 12 all I can find out about him is he served in Vietnam with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Does anyone remember him and can email me what they remember cause I would like to know more about my dad. Thank you.

Message from Michael's Son

Michael was a member of Marine Recruit Platoon 145 - The Arizona Platoon - that went through boot camp at MCRD San Diego in 1965. Served with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in Viet Nam. Discharged at the rank of Sergeant on June 30, 1968.

Subject: Delta Company 1st Recon Bn

Good Morning, 

My name is John Peeples Jr., son of SSgt Peeples, John of Delta Company 1st Recon Bn. Marines 1967.  I wanted to update your records that my father passed away from agent orange/ cancer throughout his whole body and brain.  He passed in October 2008.  He is remembered by his wife Patricia, Daughter Julie and his son John Peeples Jr.  He has a grandson named after him John Peeples III, who is 18 years old. 

Please update his record as 

Email address – nptt13@yahoo.com

Phone – 856 430 9090 

Thank you 

Email October 12, 2018

Respectfully, 

SFC Peeples Jr.,

John W

US Army (RET)

Airborne Infantry

John & Patricia Peeples

Delta Company

1

9

6

7

May 29th, 2019

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Does anyone know what awards were presented to the Bn. in Vietnam, such as the Presidential Unit citation?

Dean S Demmery

Email: ddemmery@carolina.rr.com

Phone: 704-845-5621

Dean, June 28th,2019

1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Honors Awarded
Da Nang, Vietnam

Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with One Silver and Four Bronze Stars
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with One Silver and One Bronze Star
National Defense Service Streamer with One Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer
Vietnam Service Streamer with Two Silver Stars and Two Bronze Stars
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer
Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer

Click Here

On July 2, 2019 at 3:58 PM Doc Lakernick wrote: Subject: Dave Apgar and Jim Fossos update. Message: For those of you that did not know Dave had a Heart Attack 7 weeks ago and is in rehab and not permitted to travel and as of last Wednesday told me he would not make this years Reunion and wants everyone to have a great time. Jim Fossos doctors have told his family that he is not going to be able to travel for the foreseeable future. So Jim will not be in attendance this year also.

Thanks

Doc for the Update.

Friday, July 12, 2019 6:03 AM

Subject: 2019 reunion

Message: Hope to be there knee sugery on the 15 aug

Name: Doc Daniel Bracken Maj ret
Email: majdbracken@gmail.com
Phone number: 513 5219757

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7/12/19 10:59AM - Email to Doc,

Hope you can make it to the reunion and that all goes well with the surgery. Hope you have a speedy recovery. 

.

S/F

Floyd 

Monday, July 08, 2019 5:14 PM

Name: mark vandriel
Email: markdriel@gmail.com
Phone number: 9082176690
Subject: 1st Recon Batt. 1st Div.

Message: Hello and thanks for the board, my uncle Gerald R Land USMC was with 1st Recon Battalion 1st Marine Div. Co. E during 1967-68. He has since passed and did not let loose much information about his time in Vietnam. Any information is greatly appreciated as I am trying to piece together family history. After his service we spent a lot of time together and he was one tough, prepared but scarred guy. Thanks in advance, Mark VanDriel.

.

7/15/2019 Email sent to Mark,

Can you send me more Info on your Uncle's passing a date and a link to he's obituary will help us. Send Info to Floyd Ruggles at: floyd@weststpaulantiques.com I'll post this on our Message Board at 1streconbn.org Thanks for your help...

S/F
Floyd

Wednesday, July 10, 2019 3:31 AM

Message from:  Michael J Coffino
Email: michael@michaelcoffino.com 
Phone number: 4155334633
Subject: Making Contact

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I am a writer working on a book project with a Marine who served with 1st Recon (Darren Walton) in 1969-70 . We have tried without success to make contact with Sgt. Michael Larkins, with whom Darren served.

We are also trying to identify anyone who served in Recon as a patrol leader, radioman or corpsman.

Can anyone help with any of this? Much thanks.

On Thu, Jul 11, 2019 at 8:34 AM Floyd Ruggles < floyd@weststpaulantiques.com> wrote:

Thanks for the message I'll post it to our website...

Floyd Ruggles

Email Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 11:53 AM

Thank you Floyd.
My Latest Book, # 1  New Release in Youth Sports Coaching, is available! 


The Other Classroom: The Essential Importance of High School Athletics 

MichaelCoffino.com

(415) 533 4633
Author | Memoir Writer| Editor

Michael Coffino

"Marines:

Honor our fallen recon teammates. Join members, family and friends of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association as we place a wreath at the battalion memorial, Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico , VA at 1200 Saturday, 25 May. Immediately following the ceremony. there will be a no host lunch at the Globe and Laurel restaurant, 3987 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, VA. All are welcome to attend.

RSVP to Creg Howland at: creghowland@gmail.com / (703) 786-5788 "

In addition, will you provide me with the names of 1st Recon Marines and Corpsmen that passed away in the period June 2018 - May 2019 Thanks.


Semper fidelis,

Charlie Kershaw

Sent: Monday, July 22, 2019 6:22 PM

Name: Brian Boyd
Address: 1708 Lakecliffe Dr Unit A Wheaton IL 60189 United States
Email: brian@eldersplace.org
Phone Number: 6302278001
Subject: Showing my support for our country?s service members
Message: Hello there,

I come from a military family (my father and grandfather both served), and I have unwavering, immense respect for our country?s active and retired military members. Since you are also clearly so passionate about these heroes, I was wondering if you?d like some additional information to add to your site? maybe on this page? (-http://1streconbn.org/members-websites.html )

Wherever you put them, here are some helpful tools that I think will be useful for the service members who visit your pages.

The Military Dad: Dealing with Deployment
http://purplecrying.info/sub-pages/information-for-dads/the-military-dad-dealing-with-deployment.php

10 Financial Tips to Do Before You Deploy
http://www.sdflc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Financial-PreparationTips-Before-Deployment.pdf

Do You Qualify for Low Rate VA Loans?
https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/mortgage-rates/va.php

Constant Contact: How Much Is Too Much During Deployments?
https://www.ausa.org/articles/how-much-contact-during-deployments

7 Medicare Facts Every Veteran Should Know
https://www.medicareadvantage.com/resources/medicare-for-veterans

You?ve Earned It: These Grants Can Help Disabled Veterans
https://www.veteransunited.com/futurehomeowners/youve-earned-it-these-grants-can-give-disabled-vets-a-hand/

The Veteran's Guide to Creating a Peaceful At-Home Atmosphere After Returning Home
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/veterans-guide-to-creating-a-peaceful-home/

The Military Separation Guide for Active Duty Personnel: An Overview of What You Should Know Before You Leave Military Service
http://www.vetsfirst.org/military-separation-guide/

This is just a really tiny way I can show my appreciation to our country?s heroes, but of course there are lots of great ways we can honor active service members and veterans. Would you like me to write an article for you that you can share on your site with ideas on how citizens can show their support? Let me know!

Thanks,
Brian

Brian Boyd, brian@eldersplace.org
eldersplace.org
1708 Lakecliffe Dr. Unit A, Wheaton, IL 60189

If this isn?t helpful information, please send me an email with ?no more contact? in the subject line,

Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2019 9:53 AM

Name: George McTaggart
Email: gmctaggart1@gmail.com
Subject: 3rd PLT A Co 1st Reacon
Message: Good Morning,

.

I'm an enthusiast and collector of military history and have been starting to research more about the Vietnam War. My grandfather was a spook and Air Commando in Vietnam from the late 50s to early 70s. My other was a Capatain in the ARVN who was wounded by a mine and spemt a decade in a labour camp after the war. My question to the assocaition pertains to that I recently acquired a SVN flag signed by members of 1st Reacon and would be curious if I could contact any of the members to learn more about it and what they did. I apologize if it takes me awhile to respond back as I am attending AIT at Ft. SILL for Field Artillery.

P.S Names I could make out were PFC Vernon Harris, John Easterling, Robert Scott, Walt Klien, Sgt Nick Nicklow, Eleazar Rosas, Ronald Mangum, Doc McCadthy, Sgt. Thomas R Sellers, James "The Dog" Morgan III, J. A Muldowney, Doc Thomas, Sgt. R W Weeks, Sgt. B.E Bartlett, Sgt. A. F Brauch, Sgt. John. H Williams, Cpl W.W Allen, Ray Xossi, Pete Ochoa, PFC Finley Mondia, Jospeh A Patrovich,

Good Morning Floyd,

What are your thoughts re posting the below on our web site?  I did post it on our fB page and personally feel that it has relevance to our membership.


I want to share this important information that I received from Floyd Nagler, 3rd Recon Association National Veterans Service Officer.
Many veterans do not know of or do not take advantage of the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, (VAMC) Patient Advocate Office which does a great job interceding for vets to get them thru the bureaucracy when trying to get help. They are really good at dealing with frustrated PTSD vets. Each VA medical center has one. Most of them are very customer-oriented folks and well trained to deal with PTSD vets who get easily frustrated with the VAMC bureaucracy.

The other issue is to have your guys contact their new Community Health Care civilian care referral manager (an RN) that handles the last two numbers of their SSN. They can call their nearest VAMC and get the direct dial number to this 10-person unit. This is the new civilian care referral system that allows vets who live more than 30 miles from their nearest VAMC to get a referral to civilian medical services near them. The new law passed Sept 2018 went into effect 6/8 this year. Here is a link to specific information. Fact Sheets - Community Care 

Thanks Floyd for this informative information.

s/f
 

Dave ‘Doc’ Snider

August 24th, 2019 - 10:36 AM

From Name: Willey o Williamson
Email: wow22355@yahoo.com
Phone number: 361-550-0850
Subject: Camp Talega


Message: I was sent to Talega as a Cpl in charge of a working party to get it cleaned up and ready for 1st Recon Btln.
This was in late 76. I was with H and S commo as the wire chief.


We were in the second Quanset hut on the N side of the main drag.


I built the stairs that went up over the tech shop.
Was there from 76 to 78 left as a Sgt. and called Tex.


Would like to hear from anyone else from during that time. SIMPER FI

E-mail August 6th, 2019 - 8:09PM

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

Camp Reasoner, Da Nang

June 15th, 2020

My Marine friend, Gunny Joe Roque is trying to find the grid co-ordinates for a 1st Force Recon base that he visited in Sept. 1969. I found reference that may be a location, mentioned in the after action report dated Sept 1969 map 6640-111. "Depart HLZ 469 at 310800H" is listed. Does anyone know the grid co-ordinates for this? Semper fi, Steve Lovejoy USMC 1966-69 Mike 3/5 1st Mar Div Feb 1967 - Mar 1968

Contact Me at: sal0311@gmail.com

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

1st Recon Battalion Association
"Swift. Silent. Deadly."

1ST RECON BATTALION VOTED THE FITTEST UNIT IN THE MARINE CORPS 2020

To achieve this honor, the 1st Recon Marines had to beat not only the other Recon battalions but also the Marine Raider units.

Check Out New Messages 2020

Part 3 - Click Here

Part 1 2018

Part 3 2019

Part 4 2020

Part 5 2020

Part 6 2020

Part 7 2020

Part 8 2020

Part 9 2020

Part 10 2021

Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26 & Part 27