Archive for the 4thplatoon Category

I was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program at the University of Illinois. I believe that I was only able to graduate because professors thought that keeping me in college would help me avoid the draft. After TBS, I was off to flight training at Pensacola, where I believe the Marine instructors saw that my completing the program meant that I could go to Viet Nam keeping them from going back a second or third time. While at Pensacola I married the former Pamela Weissenborn, who I had known since high school.

After Pensacola, I was assigned to MAG 26 at New River for transition training in the CH46. I joined HMM 162 for what I expected to be a short stay. The Officer Assignment Section at HQMC had other ideas. They had determined that they were not sending enough aircraft commanders to Viet Nam and rather than send pilots back they would keep new pilots stateside until they were aircraft commanders. Eleven months, including the birth of our son John, a three month cruise to the Caribbean, and a HAC check later, I was on my way to Okinawa. For whatever reason, I made the cut and was off to Viet Nam. My Viet Nam experience was relatively uneventful. In country I flew with the Purple Foxes of HMM 364 out of Marble Mountain. When the squadron left country, I finished up my tour in the Group S1 shop.

A three year accompanied Okinawa tour at MCAS Futenma followed Viet Nam. Jobs there included Security Officer, Assistant Airfield Ops, and Services Officer. The island reverted to Japanese control while we were there. The biggest impact that reversion had was that it seemed local prices were converted from dollars to Yen at 360 to 1 while the actual exchange rate was closer to 120 to 1. We had a great time living in Okinawa and took advantage of opportunities to travel throughout that part of the world.

Returning state side, I was assigned to HMM 263 at Quantico. That’s right, when 263 came out of Viet Nam there wasn’t room for them at New River so they ended up at Quantico. My year in 263 included a six month Med cruise. When the squadron packed up to move to New River, I talked my way into AWS where I quickly learned that not having seen even a five paragraph order in eight years put me at a disadvantage compared to the ground officers in the class. I made it through OK and was assigned to the Development Center at Quantico upon graduation. Working on aviation programs, one of my jobs was to sell the idea of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (drones). No one was listening in 1977. After four years at Quantico it was my turn for an unaccompanied tour in Okinawa where I spent a comfortable year at the helicopter desk in the Wing G-3.

When I checked in at MAG 26 at New River the Group Commander asked me what I wanted to do. I told him that I wanted to be able to stay at home and get a lot of flight time. He said he had just the spot for me and sent me to HMM 162. The flight time was good but within a few months we were deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as part of a MEU. We spent a month down there showing President Carter’s “resolve”. My last two years at New River, and my last two years of flying, were spent as the XO of HMT 204 where we transitioned newly minted pilots to the CH 46 and CH 53.

Next it was off to the frozen north via Norfolk as a member of the 4th MAB staff. I participated in exercises in Denmark and North Norway, first as the G4 A and later as the G4. While on the staff as the G4, I had a bit of a Basic School flashback. I am sure that you remember the Van Riper twins from TBS; tall, lean, razor sharp, ultra-professional, and more medals than a Second Lieutenant could count. The first face I saw when checking in to TBS was one of the Van Ripers, can’t remember which one. I got to the MAB staff as LtCol selectee. Also on the staff was LtCol Jim Van Riper who was the G3 Ops Officer, still tall, lean, razor sharp, ultra professional, and more medals than a Major could count. While still a Major, my interactions with Van Riper were easy. He was Colonel or sir and I was John. Shortly after being promoted to Lt Col, I had occasion to call Van Riper at his home. Someone else answered and I asked for Colonel Van Riper. While waiting for him to come to the phone it hit me, how was I going to address him? I was a LtCol, he was a LtCol, but could I bring myself to address this almost larger than life person from my past as Jim? If I hadn’t given my name I might have hung up. In the end, I screwed up my courage and determined that it had to happen sometime so when he came on the line, I said “Jim this is John…”. I must admit that, even after that, at work he was almost always sir.

I finished my Marine Corps career in the Wargaming business. First for three years at the Naval Warfare Gaming Center at the Naval War College in Newport, RI and then a year-and-a-half at the Wargaming and Assessment Center at Quantico.

After retiring from the Corps I worked as a defense contractor for about 20 years before retiring for good in 2009. I now live in Virginia’s historic Northern Neck with my loving wife of 47 years and a 17 year old cat named Pedro.

In country, I served in 3rd Tracks at Marble Mountain and Da Nang. Mostly young 19-21 year olds were in my platoon, They were fantastic young men. I can see most of them in my mind today. Our greatest threats were mines planted in the sand that ignited gasoline in the continental V-12 engines. We had no fire proof clothing. Numerous Marines had severe burns, some died even after they were sent to Japan for initial treatment. My platoon provided troop movement, re -supply in the sand where trucks could not move and riverine operations.

We operated out of a fishing village south of Marble Mountain with the ROK’s. They were great. Made several amphibious landings including Hue City. Marble Mountain HQ was attacked by satchel charged 14-17 year-old VC preceded by mortar attacks. They came up out of the surf line knocked out one track and penetrated the wire.

I was in and out of Philippines several times to re-outfit the platoon. Vehicles then were archaic compared to today.

I am sad today about how our constitution is being shattered and lack of respect for where this country came from and ISIS and other countries taking advantage of us in the name of diversity and political correctness. My only political incorrect statement; Obama is not an American.

I miss Terry Ranstead, Tom Pearson, and Jim Muir. I would love to meet their families.

Family: My wife Susan is a great hearted Kansas girl — married twenty years. I worked for the Menninger Clinic 14 years as a Major and Planned Gifts Officer traveling the central US. Susan is the reason I can keep steady and live life. Menninger is a world renowned psychiatric hospital founded in 1926. Susan has worked there over 20 years in Business Development. I now work three days a week doing the same thing for a non-profit hospice. We have six grandchildren. One daughter served five years in the Navy as an air controller, now is a US Customs agent in Wilmington, North Carolina. She tells “Russian ship Captains how it is.”Another is a physical therapist in Monument CO. Third daughter works in fraud prevention at a savings bank in Topeka and is expecting third child.

Interests: I am still a runner: run obstacles, do hot yoga, hunt pheasant and quail, and enjoy training pointing dogs (Vizsla and Drahthaars). I obtained a black belt in Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan karate some time ago; also trained in mind body connection with Tai Chi. My life-long friend, Optometrist Kent Dobbins from Lawrence Kansas, is also in our class, and he is an accomplished tri-athlete including several Iron Man competitions. He was a Tank commander. I am guided in my life as a Christian and seek His support more and more as I age. I have always been interested in Native American history including the great chiefs. I recommend Red Cloud The Heart of Everything That Is.

“Those who shun the whimsy of things, will experience rigor mortis before death.” Tom Robbins

Commissioned from NROTC Unit, University of North Carolina.

Following TBS and Ft Sill, I reported to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. Although a 1st MarDiv outfit, we were at Khe Sanh following the siege. I was assigned to B/1/1 as an FO. We operated in the hills around Khe Sanh and along the DMZ from Con Thien until August 1968 when we returned to the 1st MarDiv. There we patrolled the Rocket Belt around Da Nang. I finished the tour as the fire support coordinator for 1/1.

Upon return to the States I trained recruits at San Diego, studied Arabic for a year, did three billets in 2nd Radio Battalion, and served as an aide de camp. After the artillery advanced course at Ft Sill, I returned to WestPac and served as a staff officer in the 12th Marines and as CO, I/3/12. We deployed as part of BLT 2/9 to recover the S.S. Mayaguez in May 1975.

I then had a job in the Personnel Procurement Division at HQMC where I managed the accession of officers from the Naval Academy and NROTC Program. That was followed by a naval gunfire R & D assignment with the Navy. After Command and Staff College at Quantico I returned to the Operating Forces with the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii where I served as the OpsO, Brigade Service Support Group-1 and CO, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines. Then back to WestPac as G-3 OpsO, 3rd MarDiv.

An assortment of assignments then followed: USMC Rep to the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto; USMC Member, Naval Physical Evaluation Board; top-level school with the State Department; and Plans Division, HQMC. The ‘90s were filled with two overseas assignments: three years in London as the Marine attaché in our embassy and, for the third time, in the 3rd MarDiv. I spent my last two years of service as chief of staff of the Division.

There was great circle to my career, ending it where it began: in a Marine division in WestPac. When commissioned, I did not intend to remain beyond my obligation. At my retirement in 1997 I related my initial plan: “In 1967 I said that there was as much chance that I would spend a career in the Marine Corps as there was that the British would give Hong Kong back to the Chinese.” Tastier words have never been eaten.

We returned to a 70-year-old house in Arlington, Virginia which we had bought about a decade before. We dragged it into the 20th Century just in time to see the 21st open. We have volunteer jobs that give us great joy and we travel as much as we can.

I married Tanni Dixon of San Francisco in 1978.

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” Tom Robbins

Raymond J. Norton graduated from the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1967. He also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1988 from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts.

From 1967 to 1976, He was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was a helicopter pilot and is a Vietnam veteran. Among numerous medal awards for performances during combat, I received a Distinguished Flying Cross.

From 1976 to 1978, He was an account executive with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. He joined Shearson Lehman Brothers (which was E.F. Hutton) in 1978 as a Financial Consultant. In 1981, after successfully completing a rigorous training program, he was designated a Portfolio Manager. He was appointed Assistant Vice President in 1985 and Vice President in 1987.

In 1987, He was also promoted to Senior Portfolio Manager. During this time He also served as an instructor to new portfolio managers and made academic presentations to the Directors of Shearson’s Consulting Services Program. His subjects were asset allocation, bond portfolio management and risk measurement.

In 1993, He was promoted to Senior Portfolio Management Director. He has been the President of Norton Capital Management, Inc. since he formed the firm in May 1993.

The third person report above is public information. It can be found on the government web site of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Regarding my military service, I report the following: – Twelve months of service in Vietnam as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander. – (Helicopter pilot by choice, not assignment.) – Eleven of those months I served as Section Leader. – Qualified Maintenance Check Pilot, CH 46, T28. – Qualified NATOPS check pilot CH 46, T28. – Held Green Instrument Card for CH 46 and T28. – Graduate Navy Aviation Safety School, Monterey. – Qualified Expert Rifle, Expert Pistol. – Two times scored 300 (Perfect Score) on Physical Fitness Test. Both accomplished while attending a professional school at Quantico.

In addition to my awards for Valor, I received a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and the Navy Achievement Medal. Oh, one of those Air Medal things with two stars and a 36 plus a DFC. I say it with a little disdain because Marine Helicopter Crews in Vietnam earned an award every day. We like to say that every mission was just another day at the office. Anyone who needed us in a big way would understand. We just did not bother with the paper work. I remain proud of my service, especially what I was able to contribute to HMM 161 and HMM 263 in Vietnam. The men in those squadrons gave more than was asked every day. It was a joy to be a part of it.

I am a long time member of The Rotary Club of Norfolk and Christ and St. Luke’s Church in Norfolk, and have served them in various leadership positions.

I am married to the most wonderful person in the world, Kimberly (Kim). We have an adopted son, William Coleman who came to us when he was seven days old. He is now a third year student at Savannah College of Art and Design where he on the Dean’s List. He began his exceptional journey by earning a national achievement at age five, but I will save my pride and stories for another day.

My principles stem from life at The Basic School. Management is not leadership. Leadership is SET THE EXAMPLE AND FOLLOW ME.

Nunziato Buckley Weber is an experienced civil litigation firm

Tom A. Nunziato
As an aggressive litigator, a former US Marine, and an Assistant Attorney General in the state of Ohio working the Consumer Frauds and Crimes section, Tom specializes in complex litigation. Tom has represented clients in the following areas:

Misfeasance by Fiduciaries – most recently taking control of a $15 million dollar+ trust after a lengthy bench trial (Estate of Jennie Laura Masi – Case No RPR 01521 and Case No. OPR 4193)

Breach of an Insurance Contract – securing a $17 million+ judgment on a cross-complaint (Sequoia Insurance Company v. William Schlegel)

Professional Malpractice

Represented Plaintiffs and Defendants in fraud, securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, Lanham Act, unfair business practices and employment disputes in both state and Federal actions. Tom is comfortable trying cases before a judge or arbitrator but his forte are jury trials

Education Georgetown School of Law (Master of Tax) LLM 1978
Case Western Reserve Law School JD 1973

Admissions State Bar of Ohio, 1973
State Bar of California 1975

Pilot CH-46 w/ HMM-263 @ Marble Mtn 09/69-09/70; Pilot CH-53 w/ HMH-362 @AMCM North Vietnam 11/73-07/74.

LtCol. James M. O’Brien, USMC (Ret), TBS Class 1-68

Helicopters
CH-46D   4/1969- 3/1972 (Vietnam 10/1969-9/1970)
CH-53D   4/1972 – 6/1982 (Operation End-Sweep 11/1973 -8/1974.  The Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) operation conducted in the coastal waters and inlets of North Vietnam, directed by the Paris Peace Accord 1973.  First time the CH53D helicopter minesweeping mission (a Navy mission, augmented by 4 Marine CH53D squadrons) had been conducted in live minefields)
Ch-53E    6/1977 – 5/1985 (Operator Test Director CH53E, Final operational evaluation before congressional certification for full-scale production), Commanding Officer HMH-465, 3/1983-5/1985)
VH3D    2/1977-6/1982 (HMX-1, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Dept,  Presidential Command Pilot for Presidents Carter and Regan)

UH-1E   10/1977-6/1982 (HMX-1)

Air Awards

Air Medal – w/numerals 35

Thanks Ken to you and all the “classmates” who made the reunion possible.  Regrefully my wife Mary Jane and I will not be able to attend.

Semper Fi,

Jim O’Brien