Archive for the Biographies Category

5 August 1945 – 3 November 1973
Mt. Hope Cemetery, St James MN – alongside wife Patricia

Photographs:
Mike Sandberg circa 1972 serving with the Lancers of VMFA-212 at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; Captain and Mrs. Mike Sandberg (Patricia Mays) 5 June 1971.

Captain Michael Bruce Sandberg was born on 5 August 1945 in St. James, Watonwan County, Minnesota, the son of William Arthur Sandberg and Madeleine Elsie Wahl. Michael was the second of four boys: William Allen -1939, Steven Bradley –1949, and Irving Lee –1951.

Mike attended St. James High School. He was the senior class vice president and a member of the National Honor Society. He attended the University of Utah at Salt Lake City on a NROTC scholarship from 1963 to 1967 earning a BS in Physics. While at the U of UT, Mike was in the NROTC with a Marine Corps option and attended the 6-week Bulldog Program, between his Junior and Senior years, at MCB Quantico, VA.

Mike accepted a regular commission in the USMC upon graduation from the University of Utah and reported to Officers Basic School Class 1-68 Alpha Company 5th Platoon, in June 1967. Upon graduation in November 1967 he reported to NAS Pensacola for the Naval Flight Officer (NFO) pipeline training, where he took Basic and Intermediate flight school. At the culmination of NFO training, Mike received his wings as an F-4 Phantom Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) flying with the VMFA F-4 Phantom II squadrons. He was assigned to an F-4 squadron.

Mike deployed to Vietnam flying with VFMA-115. It is said that he may have had a three month tour as a Forward Air Controller with a Marine ground unit. At the conclusion of his Vietnam tours, Mike was stationed with the Lancers, VMFA-212 MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

While stationed in Hawaii, Mike met Patricia Mays. Patricia was employed in Hawaii and both were enrolled in post graduate work at the University of Hawaii.

Captain Sandberg and Patricia Mays were married on 5 June 1971 in a military ceremony at the Kaneohe, MCAS base chapel with a reception at the officers club. Both the Sandberg and Mays families were in attendance. Michael was released from active duty on 31 July 1973 and he and Patricia moved to Tucson, AZ where both were enrolled at the University of Arizona as graduate students. Mike was studying for a master’s degree in Physics and Patricia was also working toward a master’s degree.

In a tragic twist of fate, Mike and his wife, Patricia, were brutally shot and killed on 3 November 1973 in their Tucson condominium during a home invasion. Both killers were apprehended and convicted. One of the killers died of liver disease in 1987 while awaiting execution on Arizona’s death row. The other was executed on 3 June 1998.

USMC Resume:
TBS Class 1-68 Alpha Company, 5th Platoon June-Nov 1967
Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API), NAS Pensacola FL.
Basic and intermediate flight school for Naval Flight Officers (NFO), VT-10, NAS Pensacola FL. and Corpus Christi, TX.
F-4 Phantom II RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) School, VT-86, NAS Glynco, NFO wings upon graduation.
Assigned to an F-4 training / operational squadron.
Assigned to an operational squadron: VMFA-115, VFMA-212, possible others.
Forward Air Controller (FAC) Spent 3 months as a FAC with Marine ground forces.
Release from active duty: 31 July 1973

Personal Reflections about Michael Sandberg:
From Stephen Silver (TBS 6-67) 2 Apr 2015: “Mike and I were friends in VMFA-115 in Vietnam, where our tours overlapped. He had a great sense of humor. We had a deal – whichever one of us got to Japan on R&R first would buy the other guy’s stereo gear and ship it home for him. Somehow I got there first – I think he might have been detached for a FAC [Forward Air Control] tour?? – and spent the day in the base stereo store. I remember him being delighted and I never told him that I had slept on my wallet that had both of our money in it and then walked out of my cubicle and left my wallet under my pillow. When I suddenly realized what I’d done more than an hour later, I sprinted back. The wallet was still there and his stereo gear made it home.”
Editor’s Note: “Patricia Mays was born 15 May 1941 in Los Angeles, CA to Roderick Ainsworth Mays and Dorothy Ellen Perkins. Roderick and Dorothy were both graduates of UC-Berkeley. Patricia had one older brother, Peter born 2 May 1939 also in Los Angeles. Both Peter and Patricia attended the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA). Patricia graduated with a BA in Psychology. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority just as her mother was at UC-Berkeley.”

Obituary:
Jules B. Selden, of Norwell, MA passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2022.  He was born in Philadelphia, PA to Bernard and Thelma Selden and raised in Vineland, NJ. Jules attended the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1967 and served in the Marine Corps from 1967 through 1972, including service in Vietnam.  After returning from Vietnam, Jules was stationed in Boston where he met his beloved wife Nancy. Jules and Nancy were married on June 4, 1972 and the two have lived in Norwell since 1975.  Jules is survived by his wife Nancy Selden, son Jonathan Selden, daughter-in-law Erin Conneely Selden and his sister Michele St Coeur.  After graduating law school in 1977, Jules eventually worked at Clean Harbors Environmental Services for over twenty years, acting as Vice President and Chief of Commercial Litigation.  While Jules and Nancy only became dog owners in recent years, they loved their sweet and gentle Bernie, and the slightly more rambunctious Brady who they adopted a couple of years ago.  A memorial service will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 10:45am on Monday, May 23rd.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Autobiography:
At TBS I chose Combat Engineer Officer as my MOS. However, when TBS Class 1-68 graduated, the Combat Engineer Officer Course at Camp Lejeune was not scheduled to begin until the next TBS class graduated. So, immediately after TBS I was assigned to Headquarters Company, Service Battalion, MCB Quantico as the XO. Within a few days I wound up as Acting CO.

At the beginning of January 1968 I reported to Courthouse Bay, Camp Lejeune to begin the Combat Engineer Officer Course along the other A Co. Class 1-68 Combat Engineer Officers. Immediately after graduation, I took some leave, packed away my trash, and headed to 1st Mar Div. I arrived in RVN around the beginning of April 1968. On that day there were only two Officers reporting in — me and Chuck Robb (whose father-in-law was President Johnson). Instead of low-level briefings, we were briefed and entertained by the actual Chiefs of Staff and then had “afternoon tea” with the CG. Chuck went to 7th Marines and I went to 7th Engineer Battalion, and we kept in touch for many years after our tours ended.

7th Engineers assigned me to 1st Platoon, 3rd Bridge Company. At that time, 3rd Bridge was adcon and opcon to 7th Engineers (from 11th Engineers, 3rd MarDiv). My platoon was based at Gai Le Combat Base, a click or so north of Phu Bai. Our primary mission was to immediately respond to and replace blown bridges with temporary spans, and then provide security for the Seabees who made permanent repairs. We also accompanied recons into various areas and assessed the ability of the old French bridges to handle tanks and other equipment. Our AO was the area from just north of the Hai Van pass to just north of Hue City.

In October 1968, when 3rd Bridge was transferred back to 11th Engineers, I transferred to Dong Ha and took over First Platoon, Alpha Co, 11th EngrBn. I spent some time at LZ Stud/Vandegrift Combat Base, the Rockpile and Cam Lo. My platoon did quite a few mine sweeps. Every other day we swept from the old Dong Ha bridge on Route 1 north to Gio Linh on the DMZ. On alternate days we swept west on Route 9 from Dong Ha to Cam Lo. Also, for a number of weeks, my platoon was turned into grunts and we did daily patrols and provided security for engineers working along Route 9 in the area of Cam Lo.

Upon return to CONUS I did a three-year tour at Marine Barracks, U.S. Naval Base, Boston. I frequently saw J.J. O’Brien and Beirne Lovely who had similar duty at Marine Barracks Newport and Quonset Point, RI. I was taking my physical prior to heading back to WestPac in the spring of 1972, when some past wounds and injuries caught up with me and I had to go before the Med Board. As I result, I was retired from the field of battle, married a local gal, and stayed in Boston. From 1973 through 1988 I worked for Stone & Webster Engineering and also got my law degree. In 1988 I joined Clean Harbors Environmental Services where I spent around 20 years as in-house counsel, retiring as Vice President and Chief of Litigation. I then hung out my shingle at my home office in Norwell, MA, and handle a small number of clients.

20 March 1944 – 8 November 2001
1^st Lieutenant USMC; 4 Jun 1967 – 15 Nov 1971
Arlington National Cemetery, VA 22212

Rich Sergo passed away on 8 Nov 2001, at the age of 57, of renal cell carcinoma in Naples, FL. Richard Alan Sergo was born 20 Mar 1944 in Berwyn, IL to John Robert Sergo and Helen Julia Swad. Rich was one of three children with one brother, John Robert Sergo, Jr. and one sister. He attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois.

A June 1967 graduate from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, he received his BS in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation he accepted a Regular commission as a USMC 2nd Lt and reported to the Officers Basic school (TBS) Class 1-68 Alpha Company, 5th Platoon.

Al Woods (L) & Sergo (R)

Rich served one and a half tours in Vietnam. In addition to various assignments, he served as both an infantry platoon commander and company commander.  He was discharged from active duty as a 1st Lieutenant on 15 Nov 1971.

Rich is survived by his wife Margaret and daughter Alexandra of Naples Florida. He is also survived by children Pamela and Kelly Sergo (Susan Sergo); and Jason Alan and Jaclyn Anne Sergo (Cynthia Lane Sergo) from previous marriages.

“Upon being discharged from active duty, he worked as a design engineer for Litton Industries, General Electric and Exxon.  He was Director of Software Development for Exxon Office Systems.  Prior to co-founding his own company, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Eagle Computer and the Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Vista Technologies.  He co-founded Sentinel System and Paradigm Computer Systems where he served as the Chief Executive Officer.  He developed the architecture for the first real time industry standard compatible fault tolerant computer and was a recognized industry authority on fault tolerant computing.  He was credited with establishing the criteria for a fault tolerant computer.  He was active in the IEEE and served as the Chair Person of the IEEE Fault Tolerant Standards Committee.”

USMC Resume:
College 5 yrs – 1967
The Basic School – Quantico, VA Jun-Nov 1967
Vietnam Service 680109-700505; 3rd Recon Bn.
Airborne Course Okinawa 1968
MCV Recondo School Nha Trang RVN-1968
Basic Embarkation School Little Creek VA ;1969
Basic Staff Planning, Little Creek, VA 1967
Jungle Warfare School Ft. Sherman PC 1970
Purple Hearts x2
Combat Action Ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendation

Personal Reflections about Rich Sergo:


From Jack Sammons, 1 Feb 2014: “Rich Sergo was a great roommate: warm, friendly, very easy company, terrific sense of humor, and with a wide range of interests.  We went to D.C. together a couple of times for movies, music, and bars, but I never had any contact with Rich after we left TBS, I’m sad to say, and didn’t know his story.  Thanks for reminding me of Rich; it’s very nice to remember him.”

From Jules Seldon, 20 Mar 2015: “In early 1969 I was based at Dong Ha Combat Base.  I ran into Jim Seagraves there and then one day General’s Aide 1stLt Sanborn were touring with General Carney and we spoke.  Anyway, Dong Ha was also the HQ of 3rd Recon Bn and my platoon assisted them with demolitions from time to time.  One day I ran into Rich Sergo in 3rd Recon’s area.  He was dressed in clean utilities (which appeared to have been pressed) and was wearing gold jumpwings.   He gave me one of those “look where I’ve been” looks, but we did not have time to chat.  Years later I was reading a book on 3rd Recon Bn and Sergo’s name was on the list of Marines and Corpsmen who had served in ‘Nam with the Battalion.”

(17 Apr 1945 – 6 May 2022)

OBITUARY:  Kenneth L. Shackelford was born in Atascadero, California on April 17, 1945 and died at home in Thayne, Wyoming on May 6, 2022. His life was filled with many personal and professional accomplishments. After high school he attended San Jose State College from 1963-1967 on a track scholarship, where he held the American and World records in the 880 and 1 mile team relay.

After graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Once he completed OCS in Quantico, VA, he was selected for flight training and earned his Navy wings of gold. Ken proudly served his country from 1969-1970 in Vietnam, flying 229 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom.

Upon his return to the US he became an instructor pilot in the Advanced Naval Training Command based in Kingsville, Texas, and was selected to be the Marine alternate for the Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels.
He married his wife of 50 years, Carol, in May 1972, and after resigning his commission in the fall, he and Carol returned to So. California. Ken was hired by Western Airlines as a pilot based in Los Angeles, eventually transferring to Minneapolis.

While in Minneapolis he successfully opened three Apple computer stores and was chosen by Apple to be one of the only people in the state of Minnesota to be trained on the “Lisa” which was the precursor to the Mac computers we have today.

In 1984 the family sold the computer stores, and moved to Park City, UT where Ken began a new chapter in the airline business as Western merged with Delta Airlines. Ken’s drive and leadership lead him to culminate his career as Chief Line Check Pilot for the Delta 737 fleet from July 1996 until 2000, retiring in 2003.

Ken leaves behind his loving wife Carol; Daughter Kelly, her partner Matt Gridley and her three daughters Emma, Abby and Olivia; Daughter Kathleen, her husband Brooks Holmes and their two sons Teigen and Torin; Son Kenneth Ill and his wife Niko Perez.
No service is planned at this time.
“When the sun of life sets, the stars of memory shine.”

AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Came into the USMC through the PLC program. Attended San Jose State University California 1963-67 on a track scholarship and was member of relay team holding the 880 yd World Record in 1967. B.A. Public Administration. Later M.A. Administration from University Of California 1977.

Basic School TBS 1-68 July 1967 – Graduated 14 of 219. Flight Training March 1968 to March 1969. Third Marine Air Wing A-4 syllabus but while at MCAS El Toro orders changed to F-4 Phantom as one of the first four “students” in the newly commissioned VMFAT 101. Assigned to Fleet Squadron VMFA 531. July 1969. Ordered to WESPAC November 1969 assigned to VMFA 314 Chu Lai RVN where I flew 229 combat missions in support of Marine ground forces. Awarded 17 Air Medals.

Returned to CONUS November 1970 and assigned to VT -23 Advanced Jet Training, Kingsville, Texas as a flight instructor. Resigned USMC August 1972.

Flew the Boeing 737 and 727 for Western Air Lines as first officer and crew member and was a ground school instructor. Joined Delta Airlines when Western and Delta merged in 1987. For Delta was a Captain on the B737, Check Pilot for B737 Delta Flight Standards 1986 – 2001, Lead Check Pilot Salt Lake City, Utah 1988-89, and Chief Line Check Pilot B-737 Fleet Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, GA 1989-2001. Retired March 2003.

Married Carol Ann Davidson at NAS Miramar May 13, 1972. We have two Daughters: Kelly 37yrs and Katie 35yrs, one Son, Ken Jr. 30yrs and five Grandchildren.

We live on five acres next to the Jim Bridger National Forest Wyoming and winter in Temecula CA. My hobbies are Woodworking, Golf, Fishing, and traveling.