Special Operations.Com
Following is a letter from but one
of the brave Marine Pilots who supported SOG operations
in Nam. It is included here so that the USMC
contribution to SOG is not forgotten.
Marine
Light Helicopter Squadron 367 and VMO-3
Robert:
Yesterday I spoke with a squadron mate that I had
erroneously believed had been KIA in 1969 on his second
tour. It was a fluke that his son, a Penn state highway
patrol trooper had written to my old CO, Colonel Nelson,
still hanging on to life asking about some of the
"Klondikes" in our association. When he relayed to
his dad that I was alive and well, his father couldn't
believe it...not having had any contact since leaving
country in '68. Then out of the blue, I got this call
yesterday--at first believing that it was a horribly
crude and tasteless practical joke. Well it wasn't.
The name I had off the wall was ANOTHER Marine Major
by the same name and with the same MOS and our sister
squadron, which fit the whole picture, but wrong focus!
Anyway, you could have heard the tears falling even
over the phones--what a wonderful gift!
And somehow, during that whole hour-long phone reunion,
the SOG mission arose--and he's another one of those
few Marines who had the privilege of fighting with
the SOG warriors in the '67 time frame--when the Corps
disavowed and disallowed our mission or efforts. He
ended up as the Group Awards Officer and confirmed
to me that there was an unwritten policy NEVER to
admit or pursue any SOG awards in those days--it just
wasn't politically allowed! Still, almost unbelieving,
I asked him if he remembered the one single thing
I had asked him to do for me--besides ship my foot
locker home when I left country on 12.31.67--and he
immediately answered, "yes...I still do, but I still
don't know why"...he was one of two men I had swear
to me not to process any personal citations or awards
for doing my duty with brother Marines. Of course,
"swapping" those for in-country R&R's down to
the Delta Med setup with cold beer and hot showers
and lovely nurses to render "first aid" was much more
of a "reward" for me back then...but he still remembers
exactly what and how I had turned down a number of
writeups. Today, in perspective, he and I both agree
that had I received even some of those, especially
this one that the CO wanted so badly and the PH that
never got put in for--when push came to shove years
later, I would more than likely have been allowed
to stay in or at least transfer to another branch
so as to serve out my 20 and giving full use of my
experience and background. I was too damned stupid
and idealistic to realize what would happen when the
Corps shrank from 320,000 back to 185,000! And even
for me, the 21.5% disability was totally inadequate
in exchange for 12.5 years of my hard-earned service...no
retirement, no pension, no shit!
But this is not why I write this...I simply needed
to include on final attachment...it is the true story
and revelation of who and what Kimo Andrews believed
in--and still believes. That is why I can face the
graves and The Wall of the Missing at Punchbowl in
Hawaii without shame and knowing that I did not break
faith or dishonor theirs--or of men like your brother's
sacrifices--for my personal gain or aggrandizement--that
is why I can live with myself today.
Send it on, please, so Steve and Major Alexander can
at least know where I am coming from...both Senators
Akaka and Inouye know me personally well enough from
decades of family and personal relationships, that
these words need not be said to them--but others who
have not served with me may not understand unless
they read them too. They may choose not to believe
them--but that's their problem--it is the truth regardless
of anything else. It is my honor on the line, and
more so, it is the only way I can reconcile the war
and my part in it. Maybe that's why fellow pilots
and crewchiefs and even "snuffy" gunners still maintain
contact and fellowship with me after 30+ years--I'd
still use my last round, my last gallon, and even
my last drop of blood to come in after them...Semper
Fi is two words...ALWAYS Faithful...not just when
it's convenient or easy.
Well enough of this "preaching" for now...sorry to
get up on such a soapbox...but not sorry for the way
it is with me.
