I have visited this website before a cpl.x
The way the music stays with me as I navigate thru the website is very soothing for me.
Who am I; briefly:
Vietnam from 3/1968~to April 1969.
U.S.M.C. Enlisted out of high school in August 1967.
Age as a Recruit: 17yrs
Recruit training at Parris Island, SC.
M.O.S. Training at Camp Pendelton, CA.
M.O.S. :2531~Field Radio Operator
Prepare for live fire in Vietnam at specialized training course @ CPCA
Deployed to Vietnam March, 1968
Arrived Okinawa; waited a few days.
Departed Okinawa for Vietnam
Arrived DaNang Airport, South Vietnam
Gathered in a aircraft hangar, received our Units and Destinations.
Departed DaNang airport for Phu Bai, South Vietnam
Arrived Phu Bai airport.
Checked in with my unit: 1st.Btln.11thMarines 1st MarDiv~ I-Corps
Convoyed to Khesahn from Phu Bai, stopped a few palces along the way.
Arrived Ca Lu, South Vietnam.
Fortified our existing positions. Stayed about a week +/-
Convoyed into KheSanh with Operation Pegasus.
Found immediate cover and ground positions.
Operated against the NVA with outgoing ordinance from the 11thMarines FDC
Received heavy incomming artillery and rocket fire daily.
As Field Radio Operator I listened for FireMission on 7~>10 PRC25 radios, transcribed to the FDC
Communicated with units for corrections to the enemy coordinates and relayed to the FDC
Ate C-rations for months in the hot RedClay of the mountains.
Advance party out of KheSanh to beach on Gulf of Tonkin for a 5-8 day rest.
Back to the DMZ at ConThien.
Similiar to KheSanh but, in visual range of DMZ.
Advance party again to 13 miles SW of DaNang.
Another operations against, this time, more VC than NVA. Tactical differances between the two.
Mess Hall and almost zero threat from VC
Short Timer Stick got short, rotated back to the USA, again vis Okinawa for a few days.
Depart Okinawa airport, to Japan, to LAX
Home Sweet Home.
Next Duty: Marine Barracks 8th and I, Washington, DC main function: Funerals at ANC, Firing Squad.
My story goes on to Camp Lejune, NC, a Summary Courts Martial, Brig Time and Honorable Discharge from the Brig.
Greyhound to Baltimore Maryland, HOME.
circa 2008: 100% compensated from the US Dept of Veterans Affairs for Service Connection.
Married, boucoup children and grandchildren.
So, what is my name? Walter Olschewske a friend of John Marfia thru Internet introduction.
Semfer~Fidelis
59 on my next birthday in November.
Hand Salute
End of Message.