Acly, Peter (PAA), 1st Platoon

Acly, Peter (PAA), 1st Platoon
Acly- Golf 2Bn 4th Marines 1968

Acly- Golf 2Bn 4th Marines 1968

For me, serving as an officer of Marines was one of the most influential experiences in my life. Yes, it did help me grow up, and become better disciplined and more self-confident; but it also, perhaps inevitably as a result of my war experiences, made me more skeptical of authority. These were powerful and formative years.

I entered the Corps via NROTC at Yale, where I majored in Southeast Asian Studies. I did summer cruises on USS Intrepid (CVS-11) in the Med; Naval air at Corpus Christi; amphibious operations at Little Creek; and then an OCS-type six weeks at Quantico after junior year. Following Basic School I attended the Army artillery school at Ft. Sill, Okla., and set off for WestPac assigned to 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade – specifically Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, based aboard USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2). My billet was artillery Forward Observer with Golf Co. 2/4.

Paradoxically, we rarely saw the ship, since our rifle companies were firmly committed ashore. We were overextended, covering a vast TAOR north of the Cua Viet river and south of the DMZ. Vietnam combat operations consisted initially of patrolling north of the Cua Viet near Dong Ha. After I had been in-country a mere two weeks, this came to a head with the battle at Dai Do, 4/30 to 5/3/68. Artillery fire was a critical factor for us here; our four companies had to be committed piecemeal and had to operate more or less independently. (If interested, this battle is covered by Keith William Nolan in The Magnificent Bastards: The Joint Army-Marine Defense of Dong Ha, 1968; Presidio Press, 1994.)

After Dai Do we operated north of Route 9 west of Ca Lu, then did a week of perimeter duty at Khe Sanh and then garrisoned the infamous Hill 861 up north (quiet while we were there, other than a gruesome incident involving a patrol that strayed into an uncharted French minefield).

I was then reassigned back to my home 105 battery (Hotel 3/12) at LZ Cates, also north of Route 9. I served there as Fire Direction Officer (working up the gun firing data) and then as Battery XO. Toward the end of my tour I served briefly at 12th Marines (Rear) and then as a platoon commander at MP Company, 3rd MarDiv, at Quang Tri Combat Base. My rotation out of Vietnam from Danang was delayed several days because the ammo dump caught fire and started blowing up, thus shutting down air transport services.

My re-entry into the U.S. was uneventful and I was lucky — I was never subjected to any anger or disrespect on the part of others; instead I remember people trying to buy me a beer at various airports. I finished my four years in the Corps at Base H&S Battalion, Camp Lejeune.

My memories of the Corps remain strong and I cherish many of the relationships I’ve had. I greatly value our sense of tradition, our almost palpable links to the past. The history of my Vietnam unit, 4th Marines, for example, stretches back to Bataan, the Boxer Rebellion, and beyond. And it struck me that some of the instructors I’ve had over the years were true Old Corps veterans of the Pacific war; one elderly major had even been a private on Guadalcanal! Knowing them was a wonderful link to our illustrious past.

I moved to DC to attend Georgetown University in Latin American Studies, eventually parlaying that into a stint in the hotel business, doing marketing for properties in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Barbados. I then put in eight years at the Environmental Protection Agency doing media relations on water pollution control and safe drinking water programs. Some of my work involved handling communications with the media during oil spills and other man-made disasters.

I left for the private sector in 1981, joining General Foods Corp. outside of New York City. I was responsible for media and public communications relating to food science and safety issues. Unavoidably, some of my work was in media relations relating to food tampering incidents. My last corporate slot was with Miller Brewing in Milwaukee in corporate communications.

My wife, Ellen, accepted a senior executive role at Tennessee Valley Authority, prompting a move to Knoxville in 2001. These days, I spend my time working on various non-profit boards (historic preservation; opera). I have chaired a major downtown arts festival, and helped to save one of our city’s arts organizations from oblivion. I’m also pleased to report that I survived a battle with lung cancer ten long years ago; so far, all is well.

East Tennessee is a beautiful area, Knoxville being just the right size. There’s a lot of hustle and bustle, but you still run into people you know on the street almost every day. My hobbies include reading history and operating Lionel electric trains, which I share with kids at the local children’s museum, in addition to trying to “manage” our two Jack Russells.

In closing, I’d like to thank and commend all the guys who spent so much time pulling this Reunion together. Having worked on a similar (but smaller) project a few years ago, I know how much work this can entail.

Allen, Joseph Ebert (Joe), 1st Platoon

Allen, Joseph Ebert (Joe), 1st Platoon

17 July 1945 – 24 May 1968
Long Beach City Cemetery, Long Beach, MS

Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines,  FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF:  KIA 24 May 1968.”

01-allen-joe2Joseph Ebert Allen was born on 17 July 1945 in New Orleans, LA to Mr. and Mrs. Ebert Ayers Allen. His mother later remarried Col. Nunez C. Pilet, of Bay St. Louis. He had a sister, Barbara Allen. He spent most of his childhood in Pass Christian where he briefly attended elementary school before entering Christ Episcopal Day School in Bay St. Louis.  He attended Gulfport West Junior High School where he received the God and Country award from the Joe Graham Post 119, American Legion.  He was an honor student and student body president. Joe was a Cub Scout, attaining the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts and was elected to the Order of the Arrow.   Upon receiving his Eagle Scout Award, he stated, “I’ve been real lucky in having good leaders, good teachers and good friends who have given me much of their time and taught me so many of their skills.” He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian where he served as acolyte and Crucifer before entering Tulane University on a full Naval Reserve Officer Training Scholarship which he received on graduation from Gulfport High School in 1963.

An honor graduate of Gulfport High, Joe had an outstanding career at Tulane where he was elected to the military fraternities, Scabbard and Blade, and initiated into Kappa Delta Pi, honorary leadership fraternity. He was an officer of the junior class at Tulane and was selected for a summer cruise to Europe with a group of midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He received his wings from paratrooper school at Ft. Benning, GA while a junior and served as battalion executive officer and commanding officer.  On graduation, he received the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association Plaque and the Award of Merit. He also was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity and served as its president in his senior year. He graduated from Tulane with a double major in English and Latin American studies and was selected for intensive training in the Vietnamese language.

Upon graduation from Tulane, Joe was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC with a regular commission.  Reporting to his first assignment in June 1967, Joe became part of 1st Platoon, A Company, Basic Officers’ Class 1-68.  Late in the course, Joe received his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) assignment of 0301, Basic Infantry Officer and orders to report to Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Western Pacific Ground Forces following graduation. The class graduated on 22 November 1967.

Joe arrived in Vietnam on 11 Feb 1968 and was killed on 24 May 1968 by hostile small arms fire during an Operation Houston night engagement 12 KM south-southeast of the Phu Bai airfield—Thua Thien Province, UTM Grid YD950050.  Joe’s name on The Wall is at Panel 76E, Line 003. Joe was buried in the Long Beach City Cemetery in Long Beach, MS. Second Lieutenant John Joe Ebert Allen was awarded a silver star for gallantry in action during the Vietnam War.

USMC Resume:
The Basic School Class 1­68 Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, Jun-Nov 1967
Vietnam: 11 Feb 1968 ­ 24 May 1968; Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth
Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
Silver Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon

The following is an excerpt of his Silver Star award:
“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Joe Ebert Allen (MCSN: 0-103089), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 24 May 1968, Second Lieutenant Allen’s platoon established an ambush on a suspected enemy infiltration route in Thua Thien Province. Alertly observing a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force moving near his position, he immediately adjusted mortar fire on the enemy and quickly led his platoon to an advantageous position from which the Marines commenced delivering accurate fire upon the hostile force. Although painfully wounded in the initial moments of the fire fight, he boldly moved among his men, shouting words of encouragement and directing their fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Second Lieutenant Allen was maneuvering his squads into an assault formation when he sustained a second wound from an enemy hand grenade. Steadfastly refusing medical aid, he advanced to the most forward position and fearlessly led a determined assault on the enemy positions until he fell seriously injured by the hostile fire. Inspired by his bold leadership and resolute determination, his men continued the attack, killing ten enemy soldiers and seizing numerous weapons. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Allen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Action Date: May 24, 1968,
Service: Marine Corps,
Rank: Second Lieutenant,
Company: Company D,
Battalion: 1st Battalion,
Regiment: 5th Marines,
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

Personal Reflections about Joe Allen:
Colonel and Mrs. Pilet received a letter Tuesday from their son dated May 15, 1968, in which he wrote:: “Not much to report.  Everything is going well here and my platoon is still doing a fine job for me. We are doing nearly all of our work at night now since that’s about the only time that the Vietcong (North Vietnam Army) are moving.  At first everyone thought that the Vietcong had the advantage at night, but right now we are proving different. Documents and letters we have captured indicated that the North Vietnam Army is tired of this war and don’t understand why they are here.  They are hungry and their supply lines are inadequate.  They are fine soldiers and I have a great deal of respect for them.  As good as they are, the Marines are better. I feel that I have done a lot here to have my men prepared and with one exception (a few nights ago a couple of our captured got away) we have taken full advantage of our contacts with them. Captain Harrington always accepts my ideas and plans and they have proved fruitful so that always makes me happy.  It’s just like hunting, and the same techniques I learned when I hunted behind our house apply.”

 

Ames (was Anuszewski), John (JWA Jr.), 1st Platoon

Ames (was Anuszewski), John (JWA Jr.), 1st Platoon
Ames Family

AMES: Ames Family

Ames Wedding

AMES: John Ames (Anuszewski) Wedding

During one of our few weekends off during TBS, the “long Labor Day weekend,” Bob Hagan drove me to National Airport to fly to Louisville to marry the very lovely Janet Spalding on 2 September 1967. We moved to Woodbridge Forrest Apartments through April 1968, with TBS graduation in November and Comm School from February to April.

My tour in Vietnam started with 5th Comm, five difficult months at III MAF HQ in DaNang. Then Radio PLT CDR for the rest of the 13 months. May 1969, back to MCB Quantico for the Senior Comm Course then instead of 2 Tracy Gentry had my orders changed to work at the Long Range Study Panel at MCDEC in Quantico.

Next stop August 1971, University of Louisville School of Law. Compared to the Corps., this was a piece of cake, even working full time, as a Law Clerk, and teaching Political Science at University of Louisville at night. Managed to graduate 1st, then settled in to two main areas of law, International Law & Bankruptcy Law. I fit a semester at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel in summer, 1972 and one at University of Thessaloniki, Greece in summer, 1973.

My main life accomplishment was Janet, and our having four fantastic kids. Christy, now a lawyer, is married to an assistant U.S. Attorney. Caroline is married to a soon­to­be LtCol USMC, Greg Summa (currently XO of a F­35 Squadron at MCAS Yuma and as of 1 August 2015, the CO of a F­35 Squadron at MCAS Beaufort, S.C.). Two sons: John (not a Jr. though), working with Aetna, and married to a fantastic young lady, Anna and son Jeff, a banker and married to another fantastic young lady, Jessica. In total there are 10 grandkids, three each for the girls, two each for the boys.

I was fortunate enough to specialize in bankruptcy when it exploded in the 80’s and 90’s. I became involved with the American Bankruptcy Institute, becoming its 18 with tons of writing opportunities and lecturing as an adjunct professor at UofL School of Law, and also as a lecturer around the world speaking on five continents and approximately 30 countries.

I tried taking Janet and one or more of the kids with me during my travels. It gave them an appreciation of how large this world is, and how glorious especially Istanbul, Athens and Europe and other parts of the world are.

Unfortunately, none were able to join me for my lectures in Hanoi, Danang and HCMC (aka Saigon) in 2007. It was my first time back to Vietnam since heading out in 9 May 1969. I managed to go to Vietnam back seven more times from 2007-­2010. It is a long story about how all this came about, and how close I came to bagging the initial 2007 trip but it has been a fantastic experience. I’m glad I went, I’m glad I spent five days in I Corps., Phu Bai, Hue City, Dong Ha, Khe Sanh and Danang.

I’ve been a lawyer since May 1974, had some fascinating cases, i.e. like thinking I was going to London/Germany to finalize a deal, only to be in Athens for three months with some characters like the PLO and the Mafia involved. Of course there were more mundane cases like being the U.S. District Court appointed Special Master Commissioner for the Jefferson County, Alabama (Birmingham, Alabama) Sewer District. I’ve also been a Chapter 7, 11 and 12 Trustee in Bankruptcy Courts. That is now slipping to a secondary role, with traveling and visiting with family the primary and best role.

Janet and I presently live in Prospect, Kentucky, a rural county close to Louisville, where we enjoy rescuing dogs and horses. We are down to four dogs, accepting those with special needs (one with three legs, one was blind, another with one eye) as well as assorted other canine ailments. We are also down to two horses, mine “Undertaker” had a bout with a fungus infection last year and lost an eye. Janet’s beautiful Friesian, Otto, remains a joy, albeit a lazy joy. Retirement is around the corner, but not yet … not yet!

Amick, Les (LEA III), 1st Platoon

Amick, Les (LEA III), 1st Platoon

VMFA-115 Squadron Member Profiles: Updated 2/19/2015;
Job/Duties:
Rank: Capt
Maj Lester E. Amick III, CO NJROTC 24 yrs.Spouse Susie;
Hometown;
Squadron VMFA-115:  Years From 1969 Years To 1970 ;
Civilian Occupation: Senior Naval Science Instructor, Brother Martin High School
Special Hobbies:
Favorite Memory:
Worst Memory:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Special Comments:

The Brother Martin Community would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” Major Lester E. Amick, III, USMC (Ret.) for his dedication to Brother Martin High School and in particular the NJROTC program. Major Amick answered the call to return for the 2014 school year after the departure of his original relief. After 24 years of service to Brother Martin (retired 2009)  he is going back into retirement.

Andresen, Gary David (GDA), 1st Platoon

Andresen, Gary David (GDA), 1st Platoon
WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.