"Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances."
--Thomas Jefferson
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
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USMC in Beirut: 1982 - 1984
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Foreword
This book is a straight forward account of the deployment of Marines to Lebanon in the period 1982-1984. The story begins with the landing of the 32d Marine Amphibious Unit (32d MAU) in Beirut in August 1982 at the request of the Lebanese Government to assist, together with French and Italian military units, in supervising the evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organization. It ends in February 1984 with the withdrawal of the 22d Marine Amphibious Unit following the effective end of its mission and the nearly complete breakdown of order in Lebanon. In between is an ambiguous Marine mission of presence of 18 months' duration. Together with the British, French, and Italian members of the Multi-National Force, the Marines attempted, as "peacekeepers," to assist the Lebanese Government in achieving stability and ending the factional fighting which has all but destroyed Lebanon as a viable political entity.
For any number of reasons, none of which are the concern of this book, the mission of peacekeeping failed, and in the process, those who were there to help Lebanon achieve the peace so many Lebanese wanted—but too many others did not—were sorely tried and severely mauled. As a history strictly of the Marines' role in Lebanon, this book does not deal with the major, high-level decisions of the administration which put and kept Marines in that country. Nor does the book deal with American diplomatic efforts in the Middle East in this period except in those instances when the MAU Marines were directly involved. This is simply the story of Marine Corps presence and operations in Lebanon for the period concerned. It draws no conclusions
The author, Benis M. Frank, is the head of the Marine Corps Oral History Program.
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Dear Members,
I would like to thank everyone who attended the Louisville, KY reunion. Hope everyone who was there had a good time and that everyone made it home safely.
Here are the newly elected Association Officers to serve the 2019-2021 term:
President - Jim Fossos (Acting President Jerry Johs)
Vice President - A.J. Burn
DVP East - Elmer Hawkins
DVP Central - Phil Peeler
DVP West - Larry V. Miller
Chaplain - Denny Weisgerber
Sgt-at-Arms - Tom Clark
Secretary - Pierre Sims
Legal - James T. Allison
DAL West - Steve Dulin
DAL Central - Jerry Corrento
DAL East - Steve "Doc" Lakernick
Jim Fossos is still making progress on his health. The Executive Board voted to extend my service as President until the Anniversary in January. At that time the Board will decide our course.
Cheryl would like to thank everyone who donated items for her silent auction. Also would like to thank all the ladies who attended the ladies luncheon. And a big thank you to KJ Reimensnyder-Wagner for entertaining us at the ladies luncheon and before the banquet.
Attention retired senior officers and staff NCOs:
We are searching for a Volunteer Executive Director.
A great volunteer opportunity with the First Marine Division Association.
This volunteer would work directly with the president and board of this iconic veterans association (IRS C19) and fund raising efforts in support of the First Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund (IRS C3).
Applicants should be within commuting distance of Camp Pendleton.
Contact President Jerry Johs at geronamo0122@gmail.com for more information.
The deadline for submissions to appear in the Jul-Sep-Aug edition of The Old Breed News is upon us. Get your story to HQ next week to be included.
Please make plans to attend the upcoming FMDA Anniversary. The dates are set.
Arrive: Sunday, January 26
Depart: Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Please watch for more details in the BDN and OBN.
Semper Fi,
Jerry Johs
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72nd Annual Reunion
Louisville, Kentucky
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Mrs. Global America Rhonda Howdyshell and June Cormier
welcome Reunion attendees.
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Board of Directors at Saturday's General Membership meeting.
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Members at the General Meeting.
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Paul Wojahn and Elmer Hawkins welcome MajGen Robert F. Castellvi to the Reunion.
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Olga Fincher and Captain Bruce at the banquet.
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GySgt Denny Weisgerber MC's at the head table.
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KJ Reimensnyder-Wagner entertained at the Ladies' Lunch and at the Banquet.
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Color Guard Sgt Joseph Ng, Sgt Michael Laswell, Sgt Nater, Sgt Stevens,
and Cpl DeShields at the Banquet.
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Table 2 sat the Loudermilks, Warrs, Mullans, and Howdyshells.
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Report of the 72nd Annual Reunion
The Association gathered August 5th - 10th for our 72nd Annual Reunion in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a meeting of new and old friends, and was generally enjoyed by all the attendees. Registrations came in at 145, besting the count of 132 last year in Colorado. Spouses and guests bring the total attendance to 243.
During the week we toured Fort Knox, Churchill Downs, the Louisville Slugger factory, and bourbon distilleries. Thursday's Bowling Night was the sports highlight of the week. Beer, hot dogs, and chili were downed as we slammed the pins.
At Saturday's General Membership members voted to meet next year in Washington D.C.
The week finished with the Saturday night banquet. First Marine Division Commanding General MajGen Robert F. Castellvi was guest of honor. He was accompanied from Camp Pendleton by Capt Bruce, SgtMaj Whitcomb, the Division Color Guard, and a bugler from the Division Band. Association Chaplain GySgt Denny Weisgerber served as MC.
The raffle winners were drawn at the banquet. The 50/50 prize of $515 went to Paul Javins. Steve Dulin took the KA-BAR. President Jerry Johs won the AR-10.
We are still putting the accounting details together, but, preliminarily, it appears we finished this Reunion in the black. A full report will appear in the next edition.
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Cheryl and President Jerry Johs grab a souvenir after a long week of fun.
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1ST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
SCHOLARSHIP, INC.
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Things are Bigger in Texas
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Tex Stiteler reports Alamo Chapter will be donating $10,000 to Scholarship Fund. Proceeds from 7th Annual Sporting Clay Scholarship Shoot.
Good work, Alamo.
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Future Nurse Delaney Dixon Says Thank You
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As about 3 million more people will soon be eligible to shop at
military stores, officials are working to make sure these new customers will have access to bases, and that the shelves will be stocked.
Starting Jan. 1, all service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary veteran caregivers will be eligible to shop at
commissaries and exchanges, and officials from three federal agencies are preparing the way.
The newly eligible customers will also be able to use certain morale, welfare and recreation activities.
It’s the largest patronage expansion in more than 60 years, said Virginia Penrod, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, who spoke at a recent meeting of the American Logistics Association.
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The Cognitive Neuroscience Lab of Memory at UT Dallas was recently awarded a grant for a replication of an earlier study looking at a novel treatment for
combat related PTSD
. Our lab is currently recruiting for this new clinical trial, a multisite replication of the previous project that found positive effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) paired with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) in Veterans from post 9/11 combat cohorts.
The success of the initial project was directly related to the assistance that we received from organizations like yours in getting this information out to Veterans who might benefit from participation. We also want to be able to direct the Veterans who participate in our study to local organizations like yours that could help them in other areas of their lives. Can you help us distribute this information?
There are a variety of ways that you can assist with this effort. Are there events we could attend coming up in the next 6 months? Please let me know if you would like additional information and if you would like either printed or electronic materials for distribution. We would be happy to schedule a time for you to call or come tour our facility to learn more about our team and project. We’d also like to schedule a time to come to you to learn more specifics about the services you offer.
Best,
Kelsey Watson
Kelsey Watson, MPsy |
Research Coordinator
Cognitive Neuroscience Lab of Memory | The University of Texas at Dallas
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Members are invited to attend the 2019 Annual Retiree Expo
aboard Camp Pendleton, California on 7 September, 2019. The FMDA staff is planning to participate as an exhibitor.
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WE APPRECIATE AND HONOR YOU!
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is proud to roll out the red carpet to honor our military Retirees at the 2019 Retiree Expo! There will be various organizations at the event to cater to the unique needs of our Retirees:
Defense Finance & Accounting Service
Military Officers Association of America
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Net Federal Services (TRICARE West)
...and many others!
We look forward to your attendance!
2019 Retiree Expo
7 September 2019
Doors will open at 7:30am
Event will begin at 8:30am
Pacific Views Event Center
202850 San Jacinto Road
MCB Camp Pendleton, CA
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Join us for the special tour for the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive. It was February 1968. It was at that time when the Marines attacked and defeated 10,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers in Hue City. Include in our tour will be visits to the Khe Sanh, Dong Ha, Rockpile, Route 9 & Hwy 1, Hue City, Con Thien, Leatherneck Square, Da Nang, An Hoa, the Que Sons, China Beach, the Hai Van Pass. At the end of the of our tour we go the Hanoi where the late Senator John McCain was held prisoner of war for over 7 years. You do not want to miss the provocative tour led by Col. Dave Wall, USMC (Ret).
Semper Fi,
Ron Campbell USMC (Ret)
13198 Centerpointe Way, Ste. 202
Woodbridge, VA 22193-5258
www.miltours.com
Tel: 1 (703) 590-1295
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The Association receives 6% of each sale of the KA-BAR/EK
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The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
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26th Marines Association
26th Marines Association Annual Reunion. August 23, 24 and 25th, 2019 in New Orleans, La. 26’ers of all times, Iwo to current (Regiment, MEU, and supporting units) are welcome. See
www.26thMarines.com
for details. Or call Sonny at 512-825-4730 or email
sonnyusmc@gmail.com
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Samuel Ortiz Verdeja
Delta Company
‘69/’70
A HISTORICAL REMEMBRANCE
The 1/1 Reunion Committee has been planning a great schedule for the
October 23rd -26th
1st Battalion, 1st Marines Reunion to be held in
San Diego
. One of the highlights during the Reunion is the “Day at MCRD” where a special section for the Recruit Graduation and Parade Ceremony has been designated for the 1/1 group.
The Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Brigadier General Ryan P. Heritage has been invited to help welcome the 1/1 Vietnam Veterans, their families and invited guest, and to speak about the history and significance of MCRD as a military depot. Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient will be acknowledged and recognized for his heroic actions in Hue City during the Vietnam War. Immediately after the ceremony we will be transported to the Bayview Café for a luncheon. After the luncheon there will be plenty of FREE TIME to wander and explore MCRD Museum and other sites. The day will end with a spectacular sunset view from Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
We are getting a positive response and are beginning to receive registrations for the Reunion. As Board Chairman, along with the Reunion Committee Board of Directors we invite you to register ASAP, and also ask that you contact other 1/1-Marines and encourage them to register and attend the Reunion. Please visit the
1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com
website for registration form and all details regarding the 2019 Reunion.
This Reunion promises to be a Historical Remembrance for many reasons. However, I continue to be reminded that this may be the last time that some of us may go back to our beginnings as young Marine recruits. That in itself is worth attending!
Finally, an update will be posted first week of every month on the web site until reunion time. Meanwhile if you have any questions or thoughts, please let us know via the website:
1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com
Questions?
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MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS, AWARDS, AND UNIT HISTORIES
(See the attached pdf file, or go to the URL at bottom here)
A New Congressional Research Service Publication on U.S. Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories
The Congressional Research Service has just published a short reference document that might be of interest to many:
The guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS reports.
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None to report this period
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1STLT CLARENCE E. ADAMSON, 3 Nov 2016
SGT EUGENE E. ADDISON, 12 Dec 2013
SGT MIKE ADRAGNA, 10 Jan 2010
SSGT RICHARD V. ALBERT USMC (Ret), 28 Jan 2016
SGT FRANCIS M. ALBIN, 19 May 2019
MRS. GRACE ALAMIA, 12 Jan 2010
MRS. CECIL CLIPPER, 9 Jan 2002
LTCOL PAUL L. HIRT, 10 Aug 2019
SGT RICHARD J. HUBANY, 8 Nov 2011
CPL SAM E. KELLEY, 21 Feb 2016
MRS BONNIE J. MCFADDEN, 4 Mar 2015
MAJ JOHN P. MCFADDEN USMC (Ret), 26 Apr 2008
LTCOL JOHN MESKO USMC (Ret), 27 Apr 2012
PFC STANLEY J. MIKULAK, 2 Apr 2018
HM1 RUSSELL A. O'DAY USN (Ret), 15 Feb 2015
MSGT CHARLES H. OWENS USMC (Ret), 8 Jun 2016
CPL GENE "SMITTY" SMITHSON,
CTOCS/E-8 JACKIE L. STULL, 1 Aug 2013
SSGT STEPHEN W. WODRICH, 5 Mar 2019
SGT WILLIAM G. WHITE, 12 Dec 2018
CPL LOUIS J. WIHL, 16 Nov 2012
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We previously listed A-1 Recon's
Sgt Garry D. Kline, of Mesa, Arizona, as deceased. He called into HQ to dispute that report. We apologize for the listing, and are happy to hear from Garry.
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Association's Challenge Coins Available
From: Steve "Doc" Lakernick
These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968 are available to members. The price is $5 per coin, plus shipping.
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Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email:
geronamo0122@gmail.com
First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051
(760) 763-3268
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Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News. Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.
Semper Fidelis
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