Dear Rev. Stubbe:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been nominated by Messrs. David C. Smith and Robert M. Reed, Sr. to receive The Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award.

Shortly after the Chapel's dedication in 1951 by President Harry S. Truman, the founders established the Legion of Honor Program to publicly recognize persons who have rendered selfless service to humanity without regard to race, religion, or creed. We believe the service you have rendered to others is worthy of recognition, and are pleased to invite you to become a member of the Chapel's Legion of Honor. You will receive an Award Certificate which depicts, in symbolic form, our interfaith credo.

This award will be presented to you on Saturday, July 17, 1999, at the Best Western West Port Park Hotel, 2434 Old Dorcest Road, Maryland Heights, MO. Once again, congratulations on your nomination.

Sincerely,

Kimberly T. Pierce Executive Director

History of the Khe Sanh Monument

Ken Penn established the concept for a monument and tree to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery in 1993, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the siege of Khe Sanh.

Ray Stubbe was instrumental in selecting an appropriate tree. The ginkgo tree is a symbol of eternal perseverance despite adversity. It has endured the past, is withstanding the present and will survive the future.

Ken and Bernice Penn did fundraising in the Chicago area, with an event called TET REMEMBERED. Some of the local Khe Sanh veterans assisted in this fundraiser. No funds from the Khe Sanh organization were used. 95% of the monies raised for the purchase of the monument and ginkgo tree came from outside of the organization. The first and original monument was dedicated on 2 July 1993, in Arlington National Cemetery. Bernice Penn designed the memorial. The design includes much symbolism pertaining to REMEMBER as a command. All those who were at Khe Sanh were commanded to hold the base and hills at whatever cost The cost was great, many were lost, and those who survived still recall the horror of it all. REMEMBER is a forceful statement for civilians. It is for those who happen to cast their eyes upon this monument. Maybe they'll get a book, find an article and discover what our brave and courageous warriors had accomplished and the extent of the cost. They held the hills, the base, they won.

The diamond shape dividing the words "Served Sacrificed" represents the symbol on the Vietnam Veterans Wall for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The curving words "KHE SANH--WE ARE ETERNALLY BONDED" represents the hills, the rising sun, (which was used on several issues of the KSV magazine) and the leaf of the Ginkgo tree.

William Griffith was the originator of the phrase "Eternally Bonded. Hill Fights 1967, Siege 1968, the renowned battles in the Khe Sanh area." As Khe Sanh was a Marine Corps combat base, the Marine Corps emblem is predominant. It is strategic on the monument, as was the area of Khe Sanh a strategic position for the NVA to try and capture.

The Army, Navy and Air Force emblems depict the base itself and extend to those military services that were also at Khe Sanh. The unity of the four military branches is of utmost importance as they were there together, fought together shared together the horrors of war and brotherhood.

Semper Fidelis, "Always Faithful," applies to all those who were at Khe Sanh, Remember all those who served at Khe Sanh are Eternally Bonded.

The survivors of Khe Sanh, have much work to do. They have stories to tell, books to write, and lives to live; they can affect the world once again.

This can only be accomplished by one thing. They must start taking better care of themselves. Go to the doctor, get a complete check up (physical) and follow the doctors' advice. It really is not that hard. It might save your life. Ken is in critical condition in I.C.U., as I write this. He had a stroke only one and a half years ago. He failed to take proper care of himself.

Bernice Penn
"Gunny"

HILL 950

Dear Ernie,

I am writing to clarify some of the actions of Delta 1/26. I also seek more on the history of Hill 950. It is my understanding that after the June 6, 1967 attack of the small relay site, two platoons of D 1/26 outposted the hill to develop stronger defensive positions. After Delta developed the site, 1/26 would rotate a single platoon to 950 on approximately a 30-day rotation. So far I have pinned down the following on Hill 950: Lt. Long, Bravo 11/26 10/67 Delta 3, 1/26 11/67-12/67 Lt. Wells, Charlie 3 1/26

10/12/67-25/12/67 Lt. Williams, Alpha 3 1/26 25/12/6707/04/67 Co ?, 5/7 Cav 4/68 Plt H&S, 1/1 Apr to June Plt, E/2/4 Aug 68

Army Sgt. Cavaiani earned the Medal of Honor up on 950 in 1971. In June '67 John Burke (original member of 1/26 formed at Camp Pendleton in April '66) earned the Navy Cross. Both Skip Wells and Maxie Williams earned their first Purple Hearts on 950.

Who was Delta 3 Platoon Commander during Nov Dec '67? Was it Walt Chapman? (Ed. yes)

I came to the 26th Marines from a Med Cruise with A/1/6. It appears that a disproportionately large number of both 5-67 TBS (The Basic School) officers and A/1/6 enlisted, ended up at Khe Sanh. In Delta 1/26, Lt. Dan McGravey was from TBS 5-67 and both Lance Cpl. Bill Purdy and Lance Cpl. Carl Golf were from A/1/6. Goff was wounded in the action where Bill Purdy snatched the SKS away from an NVA and clubbed him with it in a late December '67 operation into the valley north of 950. Any further recollections on 950 or about Purdy and Goff or awards given? (Ed: What I remember is that night after things settled down, puking my guts out. Is that an award? For more on 950 see the piece on Buffalo Belt.) After Maxie Williams' death on 10 April, the next Alpha officer to fall was Lt. Paul McGrath who joined Alpha as weapons platoon commander on 6 May '68. Before that, from Dec '67 to May '68, he served as the 106RR Platoon Commander. He fell on 7 June '68 along with his TBS 667 classmate Sam Hannah, Delta 3, 1/26. Both at Christmas Tree Hill/My Loc.

Semper Fi,

Patrick Wayne

J.L. Stanton -- Where Are You?

Re: Red Clay Issue #44 (Summer '99)

Thirty-seven years ago while I was a Desk Sgt. with Shore Patrol Headquarters, Santa Ana (El Toro) California, I reported for duty and found a small box of clothing and a swagger stick.

The owner never claimed the items. I still have the swagger stick. The name on the stick is "J.L. Stanton. Page 11 of the aforementioned Red Clay has an article written by a Jim Stanton. There is also an inquiry by the editor, wanting to know the whereabouts of Colonel Jim Stanton. I am sorry I don't know his whereabouts either as I would like to return the swagger stick to him if it is his. The stick however is an enlisted stick, having brass tips. If I can get this to the rightful owner I would be glad to do so.

Ewing E. LaPorte Sgt. Major USMC (RET)
1969 NE 12th St.
 Hickory, NC 28601-1602

MONTANA MEMORIAL

Andy DeBona is chairman of the Veterans Memorial in Ennis, Montana. The memorial is dedicated to all who honorably served, living or deceased. The centerpiece will be a 60 foot flagpole flying 20x30 foot national colors. The cost of construction is being financed by the sale of tax deductible commemorative bricks.

For further info contact: Andy at
P.O. Box 995
Ennis, MT 59729 
ph. (406) 682-7337