1st Recon Battalion Association

1st Recon Battalion Association

Thanks for your service.

Part 33

2025

February 1st 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!

February 2025 - 1st 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

.....

Rest in Peace

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

Patrol Report #359-68

This patrol covered a period of 119 hours with contact with an estimated 40 or more VC/NVA that resulted in 8 USMC KIA, 7 USMC WIA on Hill 200 June 3rd, 1968.

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 34

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

February 2025 - 1st 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

Work in Progress

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

Part 34  - 2025

February 2025 - 1st Half Newsletter

How to Maintain a Healthy Level
Of Insanity in Senior living.

At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on, point a hair dryer at passing cars and watch them slow down!

Skip down the street rather than walk, and see how many looks you get.

With a serious face, order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat.

Sing along at The Opera.

When the money comes out of the ATM, scream 'I Won! I Won!'

When leaving the Zoo, start running towards the car park, yelling, 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

Pick up a box of condoms at the pharmacy, go to the counter and ask where the fitting room is.

And The
Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity: My Favourite...


Go to a large Department store's fitting room, drop your drawers to your ankles and yell out, "There's no paper in here!"

Now send this email to someone to make them SMILE...

it’s called 'therapy'!

From the: WEEKLY GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER



MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

February 22-26, 2025 – The American Legion’s 65th Annual Washington Conference will
be held at the Washington Hilton Hotel. This conference provides an opportunity for
Legionnaires to meet with their respective lawmakers and hear from members of
Congress and VA leadership. The National Commander will also address attendees on
legislative priorities during the National Commander’s Rally. More details, such as
agendas and schedules, will be updated here

A Brave Marine's Last Words!

The 1st Recon Battalion Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the orders for and post-patrol report from A Company's "PARALLEL BARS" team. The patrol was to be inserted on 19 September and extracted three days later on the 22nd. The schedule slipped a day and PARALLEL BARS, consisting of eight men, was inserted at noon on 20 Sep 1969.

At 1630 the patrol smelled cooking and heard voices and the sounds of domestic fowl from a knoll. The team leader, Corporal Frank Montez, and three men moved toward the noise while the other members began to encircle the knoll.

Montez' group was fired upon by a single NVA/VC and returned fire, killing the enemy soldier. Two other NVA/VC then recovered the dead soldier and withdrew. The other group saw several enemy soldiers approaching from the south and took them under fire. Noticing other enemy troops to the east, PARALLEL BARS regrouped and started moving out. However, they took fire from the intended direction of movement and on the advice of an aerial observer reversed direction.

By this time it was apparent they were surrounded and the team went into a 360-degree defense while calling for extraction.

The aerial observer took the enemy under fire with rockets, but shrapnel also hit two team members. The extraction helo added to the close-in fighting with its machine guns before successfully extracting the team at 2030H.

Corporal Montez had been killed in the action and three others wounded - Hospital Corpsman Viento twice (once by enemy and once by friendly fire), Pfc Head and Pfc Goldmeyer once each.

HM3 Viento and Pfc Head recovered from their injuries, but Pfc Charles Goldmeyer died five days later.

Carl Medin "Got my new plates today. Took me 5 years for Recon to come available!"

Late December of 1968. On the way to the range, I think! Anyone know who this is? I was in Echo Co. Thank You, Carl Medin

Hank Williams

Golden Age of Country

The most comprehensive collection on the Web devoted to the country music of the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s this collection of over 300 musical videos. Brings together the most influential country & western artists of the decades that truly represented the "golden age" in country music history.

of Country Music

Vietnam War 1st Recon Battalion 1965-1971

What I was doing 55 years ago to date.

Hill 200
February 27 - March 11, 1969
Click Here

Elephant Valley
March 15-19, 1969

The Thuong Duc TAOR
(Tactical Area of Operational Responsibility)

Hill 422 - Blocking Force
March 25-29, 1969

Famous groundhog gives his 139th forecast

2025

2025

2025

Legend of Groundhog's Day

Legend of Groundhog's Day

Famous groundhog gives his 139th forecast

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2, each year. In weather lore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If, on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. Candlemas is usually celebrated on the same day in Europe, and has similar weather lore about the coming weather, making it a possible origin of the holiday in North America.

On 01/30/2025 12:24 PM EST  wrote:

Name: Dale PPp Lantzer II
Email: removed from the email
Phone number: removed from the email
Subject: Fathers passing
Message: Just wanted to let you know my father Dale P Lantzer who served in 1st recon in 1970-71 in Vietnam passed away on Tuesday January 28. 2025

Email

Dale P Lantzer: Alpha Company 3rd platoon, March 1970 - Oct. 1970

from: Louisville, OH

More Info coming in the next newsletter.

January 23 to February 2

The 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival will run from January 23 to February 2. The festival will feature a variety of engaging events, including Klondike Kate’s Cabaret and the lively Bingo Blitz1. It is expected to attract over 100,000 people from Saint Paul and beyond to celebrate winter in Minnesota.

2025 Saint Paul Winter Carnival

Welcome to our Museums

Legend of Groundhog’s Day - Famous groundhog gives his 139th forecast

Friday, February 3, 1967

Robert Laymon Armitage
Private First Class

Friday, February 3, 1967

Robert Laurence Shafer - Corporal, Edward Francis Smith - Private First Class & Robert French Starbuck - Sergeant

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Sergeant Robert Starbuck was the team leader of a recon team from 2nd Plt, A/1st Recon, inserted near the abandoned village of Sa Khom on a mountain top about 10 kilometers southwest of the Duc Pho airfield. The body of the post-patrol report contained in the 1st Recon Bn's Feb 1967

This patrol covered a period of 18-1/2 hours with 1 sighting
of 3 VC. Patrol was attacked by an estimated reinforced platoon of VC at
032103H [9:03pm, 03 Feb]. Patrol had 4 KIA and 5 WIA. Flare ship was
over area. Both radios were hit. Patrol was extracted at 040800H.

Monday, February 6, 1967

James Allen Angermiller
Private First Class

Monday, February 6, 1967

Roger Vincent Paul Burke
Corporal

William Ernest Franklin, Jr
Corporal

Tuesday, February 7, 1967

Kenneth Lamar Deavers, Jr
Lance Corporal

Served with 3rd Platoon of Delta Company,1st Recon Battalion,1st Marine Division.

Monday, February 20, 1967

Bruce Stephen La Porte
Hospitalman
H&S CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF

John A. Sleeper

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant John A. Sleeper (MCSN: 2249559), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 January 1968, Sergeant Sleeper was Patrol Leader of a twelve-man long range reconnaissance team assigned a reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the mountainous area of the Phu Loc District in an attempt to capture hostile weapons and an enemy prisoner. Exhibiting exceptional professional ability, he maneuvered his patrol through enemy controlled territory to establish a combination harbor site and rally point. Then, moving with three of his men to a point overlooking a well used trail, he established an ambush, employing two claymore mines approximately 150 feet apart on the trail and deploying his men into effective positions where cross-fire could cover the area between the mines. After nearly three hours of waiting, an estimated company-size North Vietnamese Army force carrying unassembled .50 caliber machine guns and rocket launcher tubes was observed approaching the ambush site. Exhibiting outstanding tactical skill and calm presence of mind, Sergeant Sleeper allowed the four-man enemy point to pass the forward claymore mine before detonating it, killing ten North Vietnamese soldiers and destroying numerous weapons and items of equipment. Immediately directing fire against the lead elements, he succeeded in killing the four point men. Delaying briefly to allow the rear portion of the enemy column to move forward, he then detonated the rear mine, causing additional casualties and confusion among the North Vietnamese. In an effort to capture a prisoner of enemy weapons, he quickly moved toward the trail but was halted by extremely heavy hostile small arms fire. Upon observing more enemy troops moving forward, Sergeant Sleeper decided that further action at the ambush site would endanger his small group. Skillfully utilizing hand grenades and covering fire, he maneuvered his men out of the hazardous area and moved them back to the rally point. Demonstrating an extensive knowledge of the tactical employment of supporting arms, Staff Sergeant Sleeper immediately requested fixed wing aircraft and armed helicopter gunship strikes against the enemy, directing their attacks along the trail and other suspected enemy positions around his perimeter. When darkness fell, he directed flare ships in illuminating the area and gunships in attacks against hostile soldiers crawling to within grenade throwing distance of the team’s position. Subsequently calling for artillery support, he accurately adjusted fire to within twenty-five meters of his position, successfully repulsing the North Vietnamese attacks. Realizing that his position was untenable against the numerically superior enemy force, he led his men over 1,000 meters through the darkness and over hazardous jungle terrain to a landing zone where a helicopter extracted the reconnaissance team. In large measure due to his bold initiative and outstanding professional skill, he undoubtedly thwarted the attempt of a large North Vietnamese force to attack a Marine unit in the Phu Loc area and accounted for twenty enemy confirmed killed and the destruction of several heavy weapons without sustaining a single friendly casualty. By his superior leadership, steadfast courage and unfaltering devotion to duty, Sergeant Sleeper upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

John Sleeper

1948 - 2018

Robert Ryan
I don't remember looking like that when on a chopper headed to an AO

Freedom Hill (Vietnam) Bob Hope's Christmas Show 1969

Ralph Witkin

SSgt Vincent Sabasteanski

Extract 09 December, 1999

 

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Memorial services were conducted at 1300, 20 December 1999 in the Base Theater,
Mainside, Camp Pendleton, CA. CMC and CG, MARFORPAC were in
attendence.

SSGT. VINCENT A. SABASTEANSKI, 1ST FORCE RECON - CUMBERLAND, ME

SSGT. DAVID E. GALLOWAY, 1ST FORCE RECON - OREGON CITY, OR

SSGT. JEFFERY R. STARLING, 1ST FORCE RECON - SOUTH DAYTON, FL

HM1 JAY J. ASIS, 1ST FORCE - QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES

CPL. MARK A. BACA, 1ST FORCE RECON - JEFFERSON CITY, CO

GYSGT JAMES P PAIGE, JR, CREW CHIEF, HMM 166 - MIDDLESEX, NJ

SSGT. WILLIAM C. DAME, EOD, MSSG-15 - YUMA, AZ

All were reported missing and now presumed dead after their CH-46 helicopter got
tangled with the netting on the USNS Pecos and the pilot lost control and was pitched
upside down into the pacific ocean off Point Loma, CA. All Force
Recon personnel were from the 5th Platoon. They were standing up and preparing to "Fast
Rope" on to the deck of the USNS Pecos as part of a training exercise in preparation for
deployment with the 15th MEU(SOC) next month. This was a Joint Operation with the
SEALS, who were in the water aboard their boats preparing to assualt from the sea. As the
"bird" quickly sank (5 seconds), eleven (11) survivors "popped up" to the surface and were
immediately picked up by the SEAL's.

The Eleven (11) survivors were:

CAPT. JAMES I. LUKEHART, JR, HMM-166, CLARK, OH
CAPT. ANDREW Q. SMITH, HMM-166, GA
CAPT. ERIC L. KAPITULIK, 1ST FORCE RECON - GROSVENORDALE, CT
1/LT MICHAEL J. BUTLER, 1ST FORCE RECON - COBB, GA
GYSGT. VOJIN MARJANOVICH, 1ST FORCE RECON - LAKE STATION, IN
SSGT. TIMOTHY J. MUELLER, 1ST FORCE RECON - DONIPHAN, KS
SSGT. MICHAEL S. ARCHER, 1ST FORCE RECON - ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL
SSGT. MARK R. SCHMIDT, 1ST FORCE RECON - MARSHALLTOWN, LA
SSGT. ROBERT G. WARD, 1ST FORCE RECON - TACOMA, WA
SGT. ROBERT T. EVERS, HMM-166, SPOKANE, WA
CPL. ADAM L. JOHNS, HMM-166, BUTLER, OH

************************************************

Los Angeles Times
December 21, 1999
Pg. 10

Servicemen Killed In Crash Are Eulogized As Heroes

By Tony Perry, Times Staff Writer

CAMP PENDLETON -- In a solemn ceremony that brought tears to the eyes of Marines and surviving family members alike, the seven enlisted men who died in a helicopter crash this month were remembered Monday as "American heroes" who gladly accepted the risks of their profession.

"Theirs were lives of unselfishness, bravery and dedication," Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James L. Jones told the 1,400 people who attended a memorial service for the seven who died Dec. 9.

Navy Secretary Richard Danzig said, "I like what the chaplain said: 'These are the peacekeepers, these are the children of God.'"

As the families of the seven left the service amid a bagpiper's playing of "Amazing Grace," a child left fatherless by the crash could be heard to cry out, "Goodbye . . . ."

The service was held just hours after the Navy announced that it had located the last four bodies of those killed when the twin-rotor CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, crashed 14 miles off San Diego in 3,900 feet of water. Three bodies were recovered Saturday. Eleven men survived the mishap.

"I've asked the Marines of the 15th MEU [Marine Expeditionary Unit] to let their tears flow today so they can go on to the joy of what they do," said Sgt. Major Al McMichael, the senior enlisted man in the corps and an advisor to the commandant.

Six of the dead were posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal by Danzig: Staff Sgt. Vincent Sebasteanski, Navy Petty Officer Jay Asis, Staff Sgt. David Galloway, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Starling, Cpl. Mark Baca and Staff Sgt. William Dame.

The final Marine, Gunnery Sgt. James Paige, was awarded the meritorious service medal by President Clinton. Paige's medal was based on his 20 years' service and continued leadership as a helicopter crew chief, Marine officials said.

Jones said Paige may also be commended, at a later date, for actions in trying to save others aboard the sinking helicopter.

Lt. Col. Matthew D. Redfern, his voice breaking, remembered Paige as a Marine who always wanted to be "in the middle of the action," had survived the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, and declined to use his seniority to avoid risky missions.

Paige was so dedicated to the corps, Redfern said, that he had given his 2-year-old daughter the middle name Marine.

Danzig noted that the seven died as they were in training for one of the Marine Corps' riskiest maneuvers: boarding a hostile ship on the high seas by "fast-roping" down from a hovering helicopter.

The accident occurred when one of the helicopter's rear wheels caught on a safety screen on the oiler Pecos and the big chopper tumbled into the sea, sinking within seconds.

Aboard the Sea Knight were four helicopter crewmen and 14 members of an elite reconnaissance unit, training for a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf.

Danzig said there was bravery shown by SEALs, Special Warfare Command boat crewmen and Marines aboard the helicopter. "It's amazing that 11 survived, and I think one reason is the heroic actions of a number of personnel that day," he told reporters.

The seven left 10 children among them. Six of the men were married and the other, Starling, was engaged. His fiance sat with his parents at the memorial service. Each family was given a folded American flag.

"America and her families lost the very best this nation has to offer,'' said Col. Richard Zilmer. "There is oftentimes a steep price to pay for the blessings and security we enjoy as .Americans."

Jones said after the memorial, "In 33 years in the Marine Corps, in peace and war, I've been to quite a few of these memorials. They never get easier."

Danzig said it may take months to know why the helicopter became enmeshed in the safety net. He added, "We will take every possible step to make sure this particular series of events does not occur" again.

SSgt Vincent Sabasteanski

2025 Saint Paul Winter Carnival