GUEST BOOK
Entries 1998
Thursday, March 26, 1998 12:07 AM
Dave,
You're page is very well done and reflects the love of a brother. I hope its construction brings you closer to the peace you deserve and an understanding and closure we're all searching for... As I told you earlier, your brother was a fine Marine who served his country proudly. We all suffer his loss... Time heals all wounds but you never forget.... Thanks for thinking of me.
Semper Fi
Ken Miller
aka Mil
P.S. I have also forwarded an email I received tonight from another K 3/3 Marine reaching out from Second platoon. Take care of yourself.
First: William
Last: Chalko
Email: [email protected]
Date: 29 Mar 1998
Comments:
Please change my e-mail address to as indicated. Yes, after seining a picture of him, I do remember him. I remember him from the ship....from training prior to going overseas....yes.
E3 Gonzales, Juan should be E5 Carey, Franklin Lee....he knew your brother and we all left on the same ship MSTS General LeRoy.....Corporal Carey was KIA 15 Oct 1967....he was from Amelia CH, VA Take care...you do honor to your brother. I will send you e-mail to Sgt Gonzales, he lives in CO.
Bill
First: Grant
Last: Vineyard
Email: [email protected]
Date: 01 Apr 1998
First: Matthew
Last: Carmichael
Email: [email protected]
Date: 01 May 1998
Comments:
Every day that I open my eyes and realize I have another day, I give thanks to GOD and to brave men like Dale who fought and died for my freedom.
First: Les (LBJ)
Last: Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Date: 03 Jun 1998
Comments:
Hi Dave,
this is former cpl. Les Johnson (LBJ),squad leader with 2nd. plt.L/3/3(LIMA) ,1966&67 First let me say that you have created a super Memorial here for you brother and i’ts and it’s great to see the response from the Marines of Kilo company !! Since you live so cloce to the Washington DC area you should consider coming to the 3/3 reunion in aug. of this year. you would be welcomed with open arms and perhaps you would find others there that knew your brother,maybe even pictures.If you were not aware of the reunion,or havent spoken to anyone from 3/3 about coming there i would be happy to give you a phone # to call for more information.
I enjoyed the stories and pictures on you page immensely and hope you get more
response.
Let me know by e-mail if i can be of any assistance in any way.
SEMPER FIDELIS!!
LBJ
First: Sid "Fish"
Last: Patricio
Email: [email protected]
Date: 03 Jun 1998
Comments:
This site is awesome. It’s folks like you that make me proud to be a Viet Vet. Was in Khe Sanh ‘67 ‘68 with Delta 1/26
First: Paul
Last: Blakely
Email: [email protected]
Date: 04 Jun 1998
Comments:
I enjoyed visiting your website honoring your brother. It's good that he is not forgotten.
I salute him as an American hero. I was there at the same time but in Mike Company 3/3
where I served as the Senior Corpsman. Semper Fi.
Doc Blakely
First: Michael
Last: Thill
Email: [email protected]
Date: 04 Jun 1998
Comments:
This morning I visited the Memorial site you created for your brother - I was very touched by the compassion, dignity and heartfelt sentiment. The recollections of former members of 3/3 were haunting and triggered memories of a past that few people can even imagine. When I closed my eyes, I could almost see the battle "screened" on the insides of my eyelids. I have always respected those Marines whose "life resume" includes the "hill" battles, Khe Sanh, Con Thien and time in Leatherneck Square. Marines like Dale, and so many others, who left footprints on 881, 861 et al.; those who have a special understanding of courage and enormous sacrifice. Tragically, the war machine in Quang Tri Province had an insatiable appetite. I, too, have been on the "menu" and watched it feed. In 1967 I served as 1st squad leader with 1st platoon of Kilo 3/1 in Quang Nam and Quang Tri Provinces. While on Operation Badger Tooth, on December 27th, 1967, we had a fierce battle with the 116th NVA battalion in an area of eastern Quang Tri Province which the French named the "Street Without Joy". By late afternoon, the open sandy perimeter surrounding the village of Thon Tham Khe was littered with the bodies of 136 young Marines - 48 dead and 88 wounded. I received several gunshot wounds that afternoon and for thirty years I have carried two rounds in my chest; silent reminders of an afternoon of carnage, terror, senseless waste and the psychodrama of war. I was one of the fortunate ones - I survived my wounds and December 27th "suddenly" became my last day in country. At Bethesda Naval Hospital the wards were filled with badly wounded Marines. I am sure that 3/3 was well represented. I wish that your brother, Dale, and so many others, could have been among those of us who "cheated" death. He was obviously a fine man and I have great empathy for your family’s immeasurable grief. I hope that your Memorial site is well visited and that it helps raise consciousness with respect to the intensity of the Marine experience and sacrifice
First: JIm
Last: Wodecki
Email: [email protected]
Date: 04 Jun 1998
Comments:
Sister,
What a wonderful tribute to you brother. Not knowing him personally but being there at the same time and knowing of the terrible time they had on that hill it is by luck alone some survived the ordeal to tell the story. God Bless and Semper Fi.
Jim
First: Terry
Last: Crouson
Email: [email protected]
Date: 04 Jun 1998
Comments:
Dear Dave,
What a wonderful dedication! Dale would be quite touched. Lost my brother 10Dec66 on
the Rockpile in Quang Tri. He was Pfc Michael Lee Crouson, Weapons 3rd Platoon,
Mike Company, 3/3/3. We miss him still.I am a former Marine, brother Thomas is a former
Marine, and the youngest brother, Lewis (Luke) retired from the USMC as a Capt(LDO) after
22 years.
Again, was very impressed and touched by your tribute.
Best wishes and Semper Fi!
Terry N. Crouson
First: ron
Last: asher
Email: [email protected]
Date: 05 Jun 1998
Comments:
Nice memorial. I was with 1/3, we got pulled out of the Philippines because of this particular battle. we were special landing force - alpha and when 1/9 and 3/3 got hit we went aboard the uss okinawa, a helo ship with ch-34’s and left for nam. we didn’t get there untill the 28th, . i spent the next 13 months on 24 different ops. wish i could have helped in your brothers, semper fi. ron
First: Sonny
Last: Reeves
Email: [email protected]
Date: 06 Jun 1998
Comments:
I was a freind of Tommy Barrow. He will forever be 18 to me. I wanted to join when he
did. I was not able to until a year later. Your website and the Khe Sanh Veterans site
have helped me with his memory. Thanks ,
Semper Fi to You all.
First: Nick
Last: Wiltse
Email: [email protected]
Date: 07 Jun 1998
Comments:
Served with Mike Company, 3rd platoon, 3rd squad, 1965 Chu-Lai, South Vietnam................never a finer group of Marines to be with in combat. Semper Fi to all Marines who served in Vietnam...........
First: Jerry
Last: Ericsson
Email: [email protected]
Date: 08 Jun 1998
Comments:
So sorry for your loss - keep in mind that when a soldier (marine) fights and dies he fights not just for his country, home and apple pie, like the movies tell us, he realy fights to keep himself AND HIS BUDDIES from being killed -
First: Michael
Last: Douglas
Email: McEwan
Date: 10 Jun 1998
Comments:
Perth Scotland Grandfather James Douglas Carmichael M.A C de L
First: John W.
Last: Norman Jr.
Email: [email protected]
Date: 20 Jun 1998
Comments:
Member of KiLo Co First Plt Third Squad Rotated home April 9, 1966. As I read over this page I can still see the faces of my friends as I walked up the hill to rotate. Today I see them again and now know the fate that befell some. SEMPER FI & KEEP THE FAITH. I will never forget
First: JUAN AKA JOHN
Last: GONZALES
Email: [email protected]
Date: 14 Jun 1998
Comments:
I WAS WITH 1ST PLATOON K/3/3 SEPT66 TO OCT67 IWAS THE RIGHT GUIDE THEN 1ST SQUAD LEADER SGT. I ALSO LOST MY BROTHER IN VIET NAM SAME AGE AS DALE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME 303 838 5603 BAILEY CO. 80421 I WILL BE GOING TO THE REUNION SEMPER FI
First: Vincent
Last: Talese
Email: [email protected]
Date: 29 Jun 1998
Comments:
A beautiful tribute to your brother and to all the Marines he served with. I am sure to this day the majority of Americans do not understand what a hell that place was, and that we fought not for ideas but as much to stay alive and for the Marine next to us.
First: Frank
Last: Millen
Email: [email protected]
Date: 05 Jul 1998
Comments:
Dave, your tribute to Dale moved me so much I was unable to comment here in the book on that last visit. I spent 26 � years in the USAF. Was a Flight Engineer on C130s. and spent a total of about 3 years in country.
Flew a lot of missions in and out of I Corp, even made a few quick trips in to Khe Sanh. Nowhere in Viet nam were our troops put under more pressure than what the Marines had to face in that northern area. I salute Dale and all those other brave Marines who served so well and so proudly. All of America shouls be thankful for their fine service. God bless them all.
Dale would be real proud of this site you made in his honor. Muff
First: Robert
Last: Pittman
Email: [email protected]
Date: 10 Jul 1998
Comments:
I was a grunt in India 3/3, 1966, then a sniper attached to different grunt companies until I left RVN in Oct. 1967. I’m glad I missed the fight on Hill 861 that took Dale’s life. Your web page is a riveting tribute to your brother. I know he would be proud. But words cannot express my thoughts and feelings. The chills I feel reading and looking at the web site speak for me. I cannot imagine the pain you and your family experience in missing the presence of Dale.
Your web site reminds me of my time in RVN, when at times I was in very similar situations as Dale was in. Once I knew for sure that I was going to die any moment - it was then that I experienced a profound sense of peace and allowed me to perform calmly and with a clearhead, because, I think, it was due to me accepting the fact that I was going to die, and I was having no regrets. I was ready to die, even though I fought on. I know from talking to others that they experienced this peace also.
I hope your brother experienced this peace, I believe he did. I know that this is no consolation for Dale’s loss, but it may slightly ease your pain. Thanks for maintaining this web site.
Robert (Bud) Pittman,
Kingsport, TN
First: Edward
Last: Moran
Email: [email protected]
Date: 13 Jul 1998
Comments:
M Bttry, 4-12 3dr Mar. Div. 1963-1964. I was stationed at Sukiran, the town of Fatima was outside the gate. I’m told the base is no longer there,,, it was next door to Camp Butler.
First: Michael
Last: Panagiotopoulos
Email: [email protected]
Date: 14 Jul 1998
Comments:
Impressive site! Photos and descriptions take you back to the time and place this all happened. Although I am from a different country, I have the age that might have qualified me to having been there if I was in the U.S.A... I remember watching newsreels from Khe San on TV at the time... Let their memory live for ever...Dona eis Requiem Eternam.
Michael Panagiotopoulos (ATC Webring manager)
First: DENNIS
Last: CAUDILL
Email: [email protected]
Date: 17 Jul 1998
Comments:
CPL DENNIS E. CAUDILL 2035799 ORINIAL UNIT FROM OKINAWA LANDED IN CHU LAI WITH K/3/3 2ND PLATOON 1965 LIKE YOUR PAGE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK HAVE YOU ANY CONTACTS FROM THIS TIME PERIOD PLEASE EMAIL
First: Donald
Last: Bigler
Email: [email protected]
Date: 22 Jul 1998
Comments:
Dave, your tribute to your brother is awesome. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing us together again to remember the brave Marines who died a physical or mental death that April day in 1967. April 25th and 26th have been unspoken anniversaries for many of us for over thirty years now, and your tribute surely brings it all into focus. May GOD grant you the peace you seek. Semper fi, Dale, semper fi.
First: Stephen
Last: Adamski
Email: [email protected]
Date: 23 Jul 1998
First: Arthur
Last: Massey
Email: [email protected]
Date: 24 Jul 1998
Comments:
nice page. Was in 3/3 in 65 at Operation Starlite. Best of luck
Art
First: Bob
Last: Miecznikowski
Email: [email protected]
Date: 24 Jul 1998
Comments:
Great site, Found it from the Wash Post "Peace Church" story. I was a Marine A4 Skyhawk pilot in 65-66 at Chu Lai and supported the Grunts many times in the I Corps area. When I look back at those days there was only one thought that I remember all the pilots had in common that was to put our ordance on any target that would help the Marines on the ground. I know of many missions that we droped 250 lb snake eyes within 20 oe 30 meters of our friendlys, I don't know of any FAC that would let anyone but a Marine pilot do that because we knew we could keep our bombs and nap away from our troops. I often stated that if you put a x on the ground we could put a 250 lb bomb with in a foot of it. I left in May of 66 before the S hit the fan during Tet & Kie San. I returned in 68 and found that the situation was worse than when I left. Our great political leaders sucumed to letting the NVA use every effort to support and reenforce their troops in the south and not allow us to get them up North. I know that there has to be a lot of those leaders who find it hard to go to sleep at night. I could go on however I'm only concerned today that we never get into the situation that we allowed to occure in VN.
Dave: Quiero expresarle mi admiracion por el maravilloso tributo que le ofrece a su hermano en esta pagina web. Es una especial forma de demostrar los sentimientos que se llevan en el corazon, por personas tan valientes como El. Con este mensaje me quiero unir a todos aquellos que se solidarizan con sus sentimientos. Cielo
First: Bill
Last: Masciangelo
Email: [email protected]
Date: 14 Aug 1998
Comments:
Glad you could join us and what a wonderful tribute to your brother.
Bill Masciangelo
First: Norm
Last:
Email:
Date: 18 Aug 1998
Comments:
Beautiful. Thank You
First: Terry
Last: Crouson
Email: [email protected]
Date: 10 Sep 1998
Comments:
Dear Dave,
What a wonderful thing to do for your brother. My younger brother, Pfc Michael Lee
Crouson, Weapons 3rd Platoon, Mike Company, 3rdBn, 3rdMarRegt, 3rdMarDiv, was
KIA near the Rockpile in Quang Tri 10Dec66. My family understands your loss most deeply.
Michael had just turned 22 four days earlier, was married to a Janet Park Crouson,
formerly of Trimble, TN. They resided in Pocatello, ID, where Michael is interred. Michael
had four brothers, three of which were also Marines, including me, and one sister. My
oldest son was named after him. Semper Fi.
First: ron
Last: mac donald
Email: [email protected]
Date: 21 Sep 1998
Comments:
I was in k/3/3/ 3rd plt. same as james tustin i think i knew your brother
i was wounded on hill 881 when cpl dickison was killed just writting this to see if anyone
remembers me was in nam 66-67
First: Nikki
Last: Blackner
Email: [email protected]
Date: 26 Sep 1998
Comments:
God Bless You !! My father served with the United States Marine Corps from 1964-1968 and
served 3 terms in Vietnam. I have learned great respect for all who served for our
country. May the lord be with your family always.
First: Jack
Last: Simpson
Email: [email protected]
Date: 30 Sep 1998
Comments:
member of K/3/3 & G/2/26 1968--medically retired 100% service connected 11 NOV 1968
First: Raymond
Last: Peter
Email: Farrell
Date: 11 Nov 1998
Comments:
Dave,
I sincerely appreciate the ultimate sacrifice that Dale made, so that others may live.
During the period when many were seeking deferrals & exemptions, Dale stepped forward
and performed his honorable duty. It is for men like these, my fore-brothers, that make me
strive for excellence. My contributions to God-Country-Corps is but a small pin prick on a
knats ass in comparison!
Semper Fidelis!
First: Frederick
Last: Miller
Email: [email protected]
Date: 17 Nov 1998
Comments:
At a quick glance the unit diary should have listed me as WIA-4/67and my service number was 1852177. Dana L. Dick was a Sergeant E-5 at the time. Both of our home States is Ohio. This is a great Web Site. Keep up the good work.
First: RONALD
Last: DUERRING
Email: [email protected]
Date: 22 Nov 1998
Comments:
This is truly a great tribute to a fellow Marine. I served with the 9th MEB in 1966 at Danang. I was in an advanced party for the 1st MAW. My best freind Joe Kennick served with Kilo Company in 1965 and 1966. He is searching for one of his guys that was K.I.A. between Oct., 1965 and March 1966. All he knows is his marine was called "Blacky". Joe was there when Blackly went done, and Joe really needs to know this brothers name. So he can pay his respects at the WALL. We need any info that can help us on our mission. Such as a Kilo roster for the above dates. Blacky’s mos was 0311.
First: raymond
Last: harton
Email: [email protected]
Date: 31 Dec 1998
Comments:
Cpl.R.B harton, USMC RET. co/m/3rd bn/5thMar/ 1st Mar.Div. Quang-Tin prov. WIA Sept.4, l967. God Bless your brother, lost some good freinds, I hope and pray that it wasn’t for not. Wonderful web site. God bless you and your family. Semper Fi.
http://www.MaxPages.com/khesanhveteran/home
