Vietnam Operation Medina 18 October 1967

Much has been written 
About Charlie Company 1st Battalion 1st Marines.
And Hotel Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines. 
On Operation Medina
This is an attempt to tell the side and role.
One of mercy and caring for our wounded.
Also our dead on Operation Medina.
By Golf Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines. 

Memories 
Of Staff Sergeant Ricardo (Richard) Jacques USMC
Platoon Sergeant 
In Golf Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines
I'm writing this in May of 2007.
About forty years removed.
From what took place on 17-18 October 1967.
My mind has block a lot.
So it's hard to recall a lot of what occurred.
I think we were heli-lifted to a Landing Zone (LZ).
In the Hai Lang National Forest. 
In the Republic of South Vietnam.
My company with my platoon as the point.
We moving to a near-by hill to set up for the night.
After digging in the military crest.
We had set our watches for the night. 
At 0000 or mid-night, I had just taken over the watch.
And was manning the radio. 
I wasn't able to see or hear.
With my helmet on, as I was in a fighting hole.
So I decided to take it off.
At that moment an artillery round went.
Over our position and exploded in the valley below. 
Well, with that my platoon leader jumps up.
He had an illumination round in a canister, in a side pocket.
That flew out and hit me dead square on my uncovered head. 
I started cursing a storm, when it dawned on me, who I was cursing.
At dawn of the 18  October, we started getting ready to move.
After eating our c-ration breakfast. 
My platoon still had the point.
A little while later, we came on a VC/NVA base camp.
It appeared about company to battalion size.
They had everything we had back in the United States.
But all their's was made out of bamboo and mud.
There was class rooms, a galley or kitchen.
Some of their packs were still there, which we searched.
We also found a good number of weapons.
The kitchen, I went in to investigate.
It was dark, and I had a flashlight, as I was going back out.
I happen to glances at the entrance, where I had came in.
There was a booby-trap hand-grenade.
Which they must have forgot to arm.
When they left, on our approach.
I just had a thought go through my mind; 
"What If", 
I had been too stupid for going in the first place.
After doing some more searching.
The Captain or our Battalion Commanding Officer.
Lt. Colonel Archie Van Winkle must have decided to blow up.
Everything we could not carry out.
After we did that, we left.
With my platoon still on the point.
We were on this trail that led us to Highway 1.
Where some trucks were to pick us up.
Somewhere we made contact.
With Hotel Company of our battalion.
Our two companies were suppose to march out in column.
I was reconning by fire.
Because the vegetation on either side was really thick.
You couldn't see less than ten feet off that trail.
After a while the Captain passes the word to cut it out.
And to get to Highway 1 as fast as possible.
Than I get the word to go over this ridge on our left.
That would take us close to this river.
I was saying to myself.
"They won't booby-trap this trail; 
But they surely will booby-trap along the river."
It was so thick, we had several Marines with machetes.
Trying to cut their way up towards the ridge.
But it was taking too long.
Next I hear, come back down to the trail.
At that very moment, all hell broke loose.
There was fire from AK-47s towards the rear of our column. 
And mortar rounds were being shot in our direction.
But those mortar rounds were way out of range.
One moment my platoon was together!
The next moment I look, there only six Marines close to me. 
I had everybody get in a good size circle.
With everybody feet pointing towards the center.
That way, everybody had inter-locking fire towards the front.
Something told me; 
"Do something!" 
"Even if it appears stupid."
Next thing I hear my platoon-commander yelling.
"How many do you have with you?" 
I answer six, he than tells me.
To come down towards his location.
That he had five and the right guide had about another six.
After  our platoon got together.
We were ordered to go back and pick-up.
The most serious wounded first than the dead.
While we were going back.
Towards the rear of our two-companies column.
Some Marines were starting to clear.
An area for a medvac landing zone.
My memory of the first Marine.
That we were bring up to the LZ.
His lips and ears started turning blue.
I knew we were or had lost him.
That was confirmed.
When we got to the LZ.
They told us to put him in the area.
For the dead to be medvac after the wounded.
Even in times such as these.
Some funny thing stands out in your mind.
As we were getting close to the area.
Set aside to care for our wounded.
Somebody yells out.
"Is he alive or is he dead?"
The group after us, 
The Marine they were carrying.
Sits up and yells back;
"I'm a Live!"
They than yelled back;
"Get his ass up here."
We all wanted to laugh.
But things were too serious.
For any laughter.
I can't remember how many trips we made.
Possibly four.
Only one other Marine.
Stands out on my mind.
Because he was a Mexican, like myself.
Also he was the last Marine that we carried.
He had taken so many rounds.
They almost shot off one of his legs.
It was just hanging or it was bended to the side.
When the chopter landed and we got him on-board.
The poncho he was covered with, came off.
And the crew-chief just about froze.
That got me to cursing. 
There was nothing we or they could do.
I yell "just get the hell out of here!" 
Because as soon a chopter landed.
We started taking incoming rifle-fire.
After we got everybody out.
We made it to Highway 1. 
Where the trucks were waiting for us.
They took us back.
To where we were staying close to Quang Tri.
The name of the Operation was Medina.
To me it was hell on earth!

Epilogue
Sometime after we got everybody out.
Either alive or dead.
I started shaking like a leave. 
Caught in  some strong wind.
I think it was just the nerves.
Telling me how close we came.
To dying that day.

A Perspective 
Of Operation Medina 
October 1967
From a perspective years removed from Operation Medina.
There was no way there could be security on our flanks.
Due to the heavy under-growth and the trees of that natural forest.
Where we were conducting Operation Medina.
They had inserted our two companies with the aid of helicopters.
Of that Marine Air squadron that was in support.
But the planners made no plans of how we would leave the area.
Other than us just walking out.
We had to used the trails the Vietnamese had cut.
Or had used since time began, without any flank security.
All we could do was recon by fire, hoping it would draw a response.
Or they would give away their positions if they had planned to ambush us.
Than an order came to cease the firing.
My sixth sense told me that the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) were close by.
I could almost feel them.
I don't know if it was luck or a higher being.
That allowed us to walk past the killing zone of their ambush.
They hit the last platoon of Hotel Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines hard.
That were following my infantry company Golf Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.
They had about 15 dead and 14 wounded, that was most of that infantry platoon.

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Permalink Reply by Ricardo Jacques on April 15, 2012 at 7:31pm

A follow up on Operation Medina of 1967.

Soon after moving to Altoona, Pennsylvania.

From Hammond Indiana.

My son got a job with a McDonald's here in Altoona.

He met a man there, that told my son.

That he had been in the Marine Corps. 

His name is Ollie Kunks.

Later I was to meet him at our house.

While we were talking, Operation Medina came up.

I was to find that Ollie.

Was with Charlie Company 1st Battalion 1st Marines.

There's a book about Charlie 1/1 titled; The Lions of Medina.

And I was with Golf Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.

Which is the first part of this discussion.

They were at the start of Operation Medina.

And one Marine that was attached to Charlie 1/1.

Became a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

When he jumped on a hand grenade.

Saving the lives of many Marines.

Charlie 1/1 was also ambushed by the NVA.

There's one part, when they were almost out of ammo.

Somebody started singing 'The Marine's Hymn'.

Soon everybody close-by started joining in the singing. 

I think that must have effect on those attacking. 

Ollie survived the hell named Operation Medina.

To be wound fighting in Hue city during Tet of 1968.

Now both of us have fought the battle against cancer.

Like a jacket another dear friend and fellow Marine.

Named Dan Gil had on the back;

'I took a licking,

But I'm still Ticking'.

Both Ollie and I did all that.

Permalink Reply by Ricardo Jacques on September 9, 2012 at 9:47am

Sometime back, I was send an E-Mail by a Mr. Willard Gass seeking any information on his brother Charles Lee Gass.

He wasn't sure if his brother had been a member of either Golf Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines (2/1) or Hotel 2/1.

I did some searching on the web and I found a few web pages that stated he had been in Golf 2/1 and a few that stated he had been in Hotel 2/1.

There a web sites for 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, so I decided to contact the web master for that site.

Asking for any information, he might have or some of the Corpsmen s in the battalion in 1967.

He than E-Mail me that he would put a request in the next newsletter.

Just the other day, I got a reply from a gentleman named Jimmy (Jimmie) Jeter.

"Charles Lee Gass was with Hotel 2/1 and died in the ambush on Operation Medina. 

He was in the column next to David Alan Oberle who was also killed.
I was just in front of the two with my M60."
Jimmie Jeter

"I remember the day like it was yesterday."
Jimmie Jeter

Remember the name Jimmy Jeter because of what's below;

From L/Cpl Holly web page on Operation Medina...

Lt. McKnight - RIP
Doc. Gallagher - RIP
Doc. Danny Michael Moyer - RIP
Richard “Hombre” Allen - RIP
David Zywicke - RIP
Jim Burns - RIP
Francis “Rocco” Muraco - RIP
JJ Martinez - RIP
Paul MacKay - RIP
Anthony Perez - RIP
Jim Felecia - RIP
Jimmy Jeter - RIP -
Mistake as you can see from the author of the E-Mail I recieved today.
Charles Ingels - RIP
Henry M. Decker - RIP
Courtsey of Thomas A. Holloran aka L/Cpl. Holly

L/Cpl. Holly also does not list L/Cpl David Alan Oberle USMC.
5/30/1947 - 10/18/1967 from Walnut Creek, CA

I think L/Cpl Holly should make these additions;
Charles Lee Gass - RIP
David Alan Oberle - RIP
And remove Jimmy (Jimmie) Jeter off his KIAs list.

In a E-Mail I send Jimmie after his "I remember the day like it was yesterday."

Jimmie
Every year in the month of October, I think back to that day.
Besides a night in either June or July of 1967.
When Golf 2/1 lost a young L/Cpl to a booby-trapped hand grenade.
I will take his screams to my grave.
For a long time, I drank ed to try and drown those events.
Finally one day, when I was filling out a form at an outreach clinic.
It dawned on me, what happened I had no control.
I was not God, finally I could put my demons away.
I feel your pain.
On a side note, I think you might contact L/Cpl 'Holly'.
On his web page about Operation Medina.
He has you listed as being a KIA.
It reads Jimmy Jeter - RIP
Seeing your E-Mail, I know you're very much alive.

Semper Fidelis
Richard (Ricardo) Jacques
Former Staff Sergeant
Golf 2/1

Permalink Reply by Ricardo Jacques on September 27, 2012 at 12:43pm

Its almost that time again...

Some notes from MARINE CORPS BATTLES IN VIETNAM

"It was a war in which you could only depend on your enemy. 
He would be professional, brave, tenacious, resourceful and merciless. 
You could not depend on your ally, in one day and place. 
He might loyal and courageous. 
In another time and place he might be feckless, and corrupt. 
Cowardly, inept or even murderous. 
If it suited his purpose of the day."

"Depending upon where you were in the complex landscape. 
It was a war fought amid shifting sand dunes. 
The stinking mud of rice paddies and steaming jungles.. 
Of steep and stony mountains, where the cold night. 
Chilled you to the bone or all of the above."

"The only clear division between how the war. 
Was experienced was geographic. 
With a conventional war with the NVA. 
North of the Hai Van Pass. 
And a guerrilla war against the VC. 
South of the Hai Van Pass. 
Even that distinction eventually fell away."

"Under pinning everything was the question. 
Of why America was fighting the war. 
It is true there was a flawed contemporary vision. 
Of a monolithic communism. 
Marching toward world domination. 
Flawed because we could not see. 
The nationalistic cracks. 
In global communism movement."

"We seemed to have no overarching political counter-plan. 
At least not one with a clear strategy for victory. 
Our only definition of success. 
Was to keep the enemy from winning. 
It was a recipe for failure."

"The Vietnam War was unlike almost all of America's wars. 
In thirty-five years after it ended the story. 
Of how, or even why, we fought it baffles historians. 
However, the war was very much like other wars. 
On more primal level, at one time the men. 
And a few women, who fought in Vietnam. 
Had one crystal clear vision. 
Of why they were there. 
It was because fate had cast them. 
All together, eye deep in hell. 
They needed each other. 
As they never would again in this world."

"To add to its other ambiguities, the Vietnam War. 
Is quite poorly documented at the operational level. 
The common perception of the military. 
Is that they are obsessive compilers. 
Of documentation and paperwork. 
That much is true, and there is a form. 
And a process for everything. 
Often, though, the executors of the process. 
Are nineteen-year old clerks. 
Who don't want to be there. 
Supervised by harried staff officers. 
With too much to do. 
This alliance records everything. 
Then at various intervals. 
They burn the records."

"For Vietnam, the greatest complication. 
Is the loss of any sense of time. 
For the combat troops. 
Vietnam was a mentally paralyzing series. 
Of the same battles fought over the same ground. 
Against the same enemy units."

My Note; 
If we were to change a few words; were its Vietnam to Iraq or Afghanistan. 
Might it also be true? 
In the words of another veteran of Vietnam; I apologize to the veterans of WW II and Korea because they could not fix our war in Vietnam. 
No more than we can fix this one (Iraq). 
Leaving those veterans of Iraq thinking why did we allow it to happen to them. 

Many a day; I would think, was it worth all we suffered in Vietnam?

Will there be a why, other that we were opposing world communism?

Than to have our hands tied with silly rules of engagement.

Made our war the supreme folly of all time.

Permalink Reply by Claudia Bartow on September 30, 2012 at 9:57pm
Interesting thoughts, Ricardo. Thanks for sharing.
Permalink Reply by Ricardo Jacques on October 15, 2012 at 6:08pm

Well, it just three days till 18 October, time to think back to a time, not a place.

Maybe, we were lucky in a way, some of the NVA units that were based in the area of Operation Medina.

May have been moving to a location for Tet of 1968.

Operation Medina, being so close to Tet of 1968, it's hardly noticed.

The deaths of this operation, are very few measured against the battles of World War II.

And the side of mercy by Marines of Golf 2/1 is only known to those of us that were part of Operation Medina.

It's not even part of the history of the Vietnam War.

Lately, I was watching a PBS program; The Most Dangerous Man In America; Daniel Ellsberg USMC.

Yes, he was a Marine officer, and the one that made available the 'Pentagon Papers.

He stated that in 1965, over 1000 officers or enlisted knew about all the lies.

That got us into Vietnam, starting with Truman to LBJ.

But none had the courage to speak up.

Are all those names on the Vietnam Memorial, including all those of Operation Medina because some lacked in courage?

A Marine friend R.M 'Cook' Barela; once wrote; 

"We fought for democracy and for a dream.
That was obtainable by the people of Vietnam.
We felt honored to have served our country,
To have been given the opportunity in life.
To be more than a witness to history.

If we failed,
It was not because we did not do our duty,
It was because others entrusted,
With higher responsibilities,
Failed to do theirs."

Some failed in their duty by not speaking up about what they knew.

If Daniel Ellsberg is telling us the truth, he also outspoken on our war in Iraq.

Much like a Marine buddy of mine, Bill Ojala USMC, google that name.

And you will see he was against our war in Vietnam.

You would think, that I would not want to do anything with Bill.

He was well past his time for serving, he was trying to fix our war, not trying to dodge serving.

A good number of us veterans of Vietnam, are looking out to serve these new veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan just like Bill Ojala.

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