First Radio Battalion Assignment Vietnam

Third Detachment, Sub Unit One, First Radio
Battalion, FMF located with the Third Marine Division
combat base in Dong Ha, South Vietnam.

Dong Ha Combat base. Home of the Third Marine
Division.

Third Detachment Operational area located in the Dong
Ha Combat Base. This combat base was the home for
the Third Marine Division.

3rd Detachment, Sub Unit One, 1st Radio Bn, FMF
3rd Marine Division, Dong Ha Combat Base, Republic
South Vietnam.

Staff NCO's from the 3rd Detachment at the Dong Ha
combat base: Read left to right St Hilaire,Jim Parks,Harry Wilborn, George Salinas and FNU Brower.

Rocky Bruner on a supply run to one of the detachments
along the demilittarized zone. He was a legendary and
fearless Marine.

SSgt Goldie Davis locked and cocked ready to go
resupply one of the detachments by the DMZ.

George Salinas and Tom Laws returning to Dong Ha
combat base after a supply run to one of the detachments
along the Demilitarized zone. Note the SNCO only
Jeep transportation vehicle.

One of the frequent sand bag reinforcement duties that
was a common practice.

If you look carefully, you can see the direction finding
antenna that was located at the 3rd detachment operational area in Dong Ha.

Huey helicopter lands near the 3rd Detachment
Perimeter.

A damaged Helicopter is hauled away to a safe zone.
Note the bi-conical antenna. Photo is dated May of
1968.

Army Huey with liaison Radio Research personnel
lands near the 3rd detachment perimeter.

Korean vintage Marine helicopters flying support missions
in the 3rd Marine Division area of operations near Dong Ha.

Marine Crew prepares Ch 46 helicopter for flight. A third
detachment Marine courier will board this chopper and
fly to Sub Unit One in Danang.

Marine tank on patrol in the 3rd Marine Division area of
operation (AO).

Marine tank on patrol in the 3rd Marine Division area of
operation (AO).

A Marine Ontos tank on patrol in the Third Marine
Division area of operations in the Northern Quang Tri
province. They were affectionately known as "The Thing" and were armed sith 6 106 mm recoilles rifles.

175 mm artillery piece located in the 3rd Marine Division
area of operations near Dong Ha.

Quad 50 caliber machine guns on patrol on the
3rd Marine Division Area of Operations near Dong
Ha, Republic of South Vietnam.

K9 and handler returning to 3rd Marine Division combat
base in Dong Ha after a patrol.

3rd Detachment, Sub Unit One, 1st Radio Bn FMF
3rd Division Dong Ha Combat Base, Republic
South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese can be seen
tending their rice paddies.

3rd Detachment view of the rice paddies from the
direction finding bunker.

A Marine outlook post and another view of the
Dong Ha area rice paddies.

This is a view of an Vietnamese rice paddy with their
complex irrigation system. On the left side you can
see some water buffalo being tended to.

This is a Vietnamese rice paddy with the complex irrigation
system. In the middle of the photo you can see some people moving water from a low to higher level. A wheel
with buckets was paddled with bicycle type gear.
Burial mounds can be seen in the fields.

A rice paddy near Dong Ha, South Vietnam is being irragated manually.

Water buffalo grazing near a rice paddy close to Dong Ha, South Vietnam.

Quarters area for members of the 3rd Detachment. They were located in the 3rd Marine Division Combat base in
Dong Ha, Republic of South Vietnam.

This was the standard sleeping area that was called
"HOME" for close to a year in the 3rd Detachment operations area in the Dong Ha Combat base.

This Marine had just returned to the 3rd Detachment
compound after a run to the different Sub Unit 1 detachments in the northern Quang Tri province area.

1stLt Anderson speaks to troops about the Presidential
Unit Citation being awarded to the personnel of
the 3rd Detachment, Dong Ha. SSgt Goldie Davis
with Cigarette in mouth. If anybody can Identify the
troops let me know.

MSgt Williams reads the Presidential Unit Citation
(PUC) that is being awarded to SSgt Lewis and
Cpl Pasco. Location is the 3rd Detachment in
the Dong Ha Combat Base.

1stLt Anderson presents the Presidential Unit Citation
(PUC) to Cpl Pasco and SSgt Lewis. Location is
at the 3rd Detachment (Loc at Dong Ha Combat Base)
of Sub Unit One.

MSgt Rokis on the left, visiting, watches as SSgt Lewis
and Cpl Pasco are awarded the Presidential Unit Citation
in the 3rd Detachment compound in Dong Ha.

On 10 Nov 1968, personnel from the 3rd Detachment
in Dong Ha celebrated the Corps' birthday. This picture
depicts the oldest and youngest Marine.It is believed that
the oldest Marine was SSgt Gene Dietz. The name
of the youngest Marine is not known. Can anybody
identify him?

Marines from the 3rd detachment spent a wet and dreary
Marine Corps Birthday in Dong Ha. SSgt Gene Dietz
was the oldest Marine and the youngest Marine was
represented by uniknown name.

SSgt Gene Dietz on and left and Gunny St Hilaire on
the right. Photo dated 10 Nov 1968 and taken in the
3rd Detachment compound in Dong Ha, Republic of South Vietnam.

Marine Corps birthday in the 3rd Detachment compound,
Dong Ha, Republic of South Vietnam. From left to right,
our cryptographer (crippy) name unknown, SSgt Gene Dietz and youngest Marine name unknown. The Marine over SSgt Dietz right shoulder is Sgt Tim Hauck our cryptologist.

Gifts from Sub Unit One are passed around at the Marine
Corps birthday celebration on 10 Nov 1968 in the 3rd Detachment compound. SSgt Parks has back toward
camera and SSgt Harry Wilborn with short chain dog tags. Other names unknown.

SSgt Harry Wilborn, Marine extraordinair, stands besides
troop quarters in the 3rd Detachment operations area in the Dong Ha Combat base.

The vaunted Chinese produced AK 47 assault rifle
used by the North Vietnamese troops.

The 3rd Detachment mascot called "The Dawg."

Personnel from the 3rd Detachment drew a number of
insignia drawings for consideration as the unit logo. This one was voted as the most favorite one.

In an unusually rare event some beer was sent to the
3rd Detahment. A party was started and the troops held a contest to see who could drink a beer the fastest.

Some funds were generated and bets were taken on who would drink a 12 oz beer the quickest. Timing started when the beer was placed on the lips and stopped when the empty beer can was placed on the head.

OIC 3rd Detachment Capt Smith joins the contest. His time was over 60 seconds and he was out of the contest.

SSgt Doug McQuate tosses his hat into the ring as a contender.

On and on the contest went as the troops aspired to get the fastest time.

Navy man Steve Lambert joins the contest. Timing was off and he was out of the contest.

SSgt Doug McQuate reigns supreme in the beer drinking contest. He consumed a 12 oz can of beer in 2 seconds flat. Yes thats correct, 2 seconds flat.

Two battle tested Marines reunite at the 3rd Detachment operations area in the Dong Ha combat base. Both Marines had previously served together with the Company G MarSptBn unit in warm and sunny Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico. SSgt Rivera's exploits in the northern Quang Tri
area were legendary. If anybody knows where he is
please let me know.

a mortar round strikes the 3rd Detachment concertina
security fence line.

Hercules C-130 departs the short run Dong Ha
Combat base airfield.

This Hercules C-130 aircraft had its rear wheels damaged
by artillery fire while landing at the short runway in Dong Ha. Some personnel from the 3rd Detachment were on
board.

Hercules C-130 had its rear wheels damaged by artillery fire while landing at the short runway in Dong Ha.

Hercules C-130 making several passes attempting a
landing during foggy conditions at the short run Dong Ha
airfield.

Marine vehicle damaged by road side explosion near
the Third Marine Division combat base in
Dong Ha, South Vietnam.

Marine vehicle gets damaged by road side explosion
near the Third Marine Division combat base in Dong Ha,
South Vietnam.

View from the 3rd Detachment bunker while North
Vietnames gunners walk their artillery rounds through
the 3rd Marine Division combat base.

North Vietnamese gunners commence an artillery barrage
of the 3rd Marine Division combat base. The gunners
were able to walk and or direct their rounds ultimately to
the massive ammunition dump.

The Dong Ha combat base burns and explodes as North Vietnamese gunners score repeated artillery hits on the ammunition depot.

View from the 3rd Detachment as the North Vietnamese
artillery gunners walk their rounds into the 3rd Marine Division ammunition dump and get a lucky hit.

Ammunition dump for the 3rd Marine Division explodes
after an artillery round direct hit.

Alert levels o up and the flack jackets are donned.

The ammunition dump explodes again and again as the
massive deposit of ammunition rounds feed on each other.
Photo dated 20 June 1968.

The 3rd Division ammunition dump in the Dong Ha combat
base produces nuclear type in appearance explosions as
the North Vietnames gunners located near the Demilitarized Zone pound the area with a lethal artillery
barrage.

Seaman Steve Lambert, SSgt Goldie Davis and SSgt Harry Wilburn cautiously watch as explosion after explosions destroy the Dong Ha ammunitions depot. Photo dated 20 June 1968.

North Vietnames artillery gunners score lucky hit on the 3rd Marine Division munitions depot in the Dong Ha combat base.

North Vietnamese artillery gunners score lucky hit on the 3rd Marine Division munitions depot in Dong Ha combat base. Photo dated 28 June 1968.

Dong Ha Combat Base burns and explodes as North Vietnamese Artillery gunners score a direct hit on the Third Marine division ammunition depot.

Ammunition dump explodes under North Vietnamese
artillery fire.Photo dated 20 June 1968.

No respect for sleeping Marines. Incoming artillery barrage
wakes Marine just off of mid shift. It is important to note
that he is heading off to a bunker equiped with his rifle,
helmet, flack jacket, M16 rifle and skivies.

North Vietnamese gunners located near the Demilitarized
Zone unleashed a lethal artillery barrage on the 3rd Marine
Division ammunition dump. The explosions, nuclear like in
appearance, shook the area over and over as the blast
and explosives material was blown all over. Photo was taken on 20 June 1968.

A white phosporus ammunition dump was hit by
North Vietnames artillery gunners located near the
Demilitarized Zone. The white phosporus dump was
in the Third Marine Division combat base in Dong Ha,
South Vietnam. The chemical is highly caustic.

USA fighter aircraft strike a target near the Third Detachment perimeter in the Dong Ha combat base. Photo dated May 1968.

A Cannon Pelix camera was left with an open
shutter for several minutes.

The AC 47D aircraft affectionatly called Puff the Magic Dragon is orbiting near the 3rd Detachment area looking for a target. All the camera registered is the blinking tail light.

AC 47D gunship, known as Puff the Magic Dragon
finds a target and opens up. The gunship was armed with three 7.62 mm gatling guns. Each gun could fire 100 round per second. Accordingly, when all three guns were firing, they were capable of spewing 6000 rounds per minute.

AC 47D gunship affectionately known as Puff the Magic Dragon unleashes a blistering and lethal fire on a target near the Third Marine Division area of operation in Dong Ha, South Vietnam.

The AC 47D gunship affectionately known as Puff the Magic Dragon unleashes a blistering and lethal attack on a target. Notice that from whatever position the aircraft fires the direction of the rounds is always to the same area.

Water water everywhere. 3rd Detachment troops
attempting to repair leaks.

A new operations Center under construction for the 3rd Detachment, Dong Ha combat base.

Heavy monsoon rains flood the new 3rd Detachment
operations center.

This is a painting of a photograph taken during a monsoon
period sunset in the Dong Ha Combat Base, South
Vietnam.