Mutter's Ridge Marine

To tell the truth of times long gone, for those who cannot be here now. See my other blog at: http://3rd-marine-photo-log.tumblr.com/

[3rd-marine-photo-log]

The best to every one of you on Memorial Day, every friend I went to war with except one was killed in action in 1969, and believe me that I do appreciate Memorial Day. Every day of the year.

[3rd-marine]

On the bottom is a full Platoon of Marines. I am in the first row of four, directly behind the D.I.’s. Second from left between the two Staff Sergeants. On the right is our Guide On flag pennant with our Platoon number on it, and a streamer that we won for drill.

The top picture is our Platoon and our three sister Platoons from Boot Camp, brought together into one Company for Infantry Training School. O Company. On the left our Guide On is carrying our company flag, second training regiment. I am in the ninth row down from the top, tenth from the left.

[3rd-marine]

“Shipwreck On The River”

Just playing with my ink pens. I love ballpoint pens, they’re so easy to doodle and draw with.

[3rd-marine]

“Post No. 3″

In every war, someone always has to be on watch despite the place or condition. It was the same then, it was the same when I was in the USMC in 1969, it’s the same now.

[3rd-marine]

The last four sketches I have of Marine Guards In Space. I sure enjoyed doing them, and I continue to draw and will continue to draw as long as I am able. For no fame or fortune either.

[3rd-marine]

The primary artillery pieces found at Fire Support Base Elliot, summer 1969.

The long barrel of the 175mm, the largest piece of artillery used in Vietnam, and above it is a 155mm artillery piece tract. 2nd largest next to the 8 inch.

Top is the duster, a pom-pom gun from WW2 days straight off a Navy battleship and put on tanks to use as infantry support. A loud, mean, nasty weapon.

Pictures from “Armor In Vietnam” by Jim Mesko.

[3rd-marine]

One page shows the weapons carried by both Marines and the NVA, the other page shows Puff The Magic Dragon with a very nice inside/outside shot, rarely seen.

Below, the CH-46 Sea Knight, the workhorse transport for Marines in the DMZ.

[3rd-marine]

This is a USS Battleship, New Jersey, BB62, this the exact battleship that shot up the valley I went through (seen in an earlier picture) in the DMZ that eliminated an entire NVA unit, believed to be a regiment.

[3rd-marine]

Black and white photo: November. My hair’s coming back, and they’d been working on my leg. The guy sitting next to me is a wounded Marine, and the guy in the bed had his shoulder shot away and is waiting to have it rebuilt. Notice the open window, it was a neat old hospital and I loved it.

Top right: Showing my wounds, getting ready for skin grafts. 

Top left: man standing next to patient in bed is Corpsman, the other three are wounded Marines.

Bottom left: him and me both had bad leg wounds. I kept mine, he lost his, and we were still buddies supporting each other.

[3rd-marine]

Marine Casualty Ward, Bremerton Naval Hospital, Bremerton Washington. As bad as everything was, I still didn’t forget the holidays. As always they help me along.

The little picture at the top, the little white sign is the office of the Red Cross where many veterans went for recreation. Only place in the hospital, OLD hospital, Spanish-American War hospital. One elevator hospital. But they had a little canteen in the basement, made the best deluxe burgers and chili, and I was always in trouble with the doctor because I wasn’t supposed to be eating there (but I bribed the Corpsman).

[3rd-marine]

The disclaimer.

R.D. Free, USMC. L Company, 2nd Platoon, 3rd BATT, 3rd REGT. 3rdMARDIV.

[3rd-marine]

Paperwork for the wounded. USMC, 1969.

[3rd-marine]

The casualty hospital I was taken to, serving the 3rd Marine Division. This is what a REAL M.A.S.H. looks like. I am very thankful and grateful for their care.

[3rd-marine]

The REAL morning after. As few people, thankfully, never experience.

The how and why of it all, I still haven’t figured out.

[3rd-marine]

Enemy fire wouldn’t subside so medivac could come in, F4 Phantom Jets came in and dropped napalm right on top of us, heat so intense it dried out uniforms instantly and allowed the Sea Knight (CH-46) to come down and pick up me and several other wounded.

[3rd-marine]

First: repulsing the second NVA attack on our front. Repulsed by team of HUEY (HU1 Helicopter) firing rockets and machineguns.

Second: Third attack on my right, early in the morning. Very cold, it woke me up and I saw the attack and then it faltered and I lost consciousness.

Third: Next morning, pulled off the pile of my dead friends and hauled uphill across the NVA who had been killed in the third attack.

Fourth: Being hauled up the hill, the enemy reengaged and a machinegun duel ensued, and jets had to be brought in before it was taken care of and I could be medevaced.

[3rd-marine]

A marine, I believe was our Lieutenant, came over and did his best to help the wounded then left again.