Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Khe Sanh

Lost my uncle there with 1/26 Marines. God bless your Dad and all who served there.

Semper Fi

Force Recon Marine, I knew got bayonet twice in Khe Sanh, Survived but now passed.

I worked with Force Recon quite a bit in the A Shau Valley quite a bit late ‘69-‘71. Perfect maniacs they were.

Cold Chisel had a hit in Australia of the same name.
Big act there, didn't break in the US

When I was a kid, I spent way too much time and money at a place called Comic Kingdom in Detroit. It was owned by a man named Bob Hellems; a Marine RTO that spent the entire 77 days at Khe Sanh calling in air strikes and artillery. He was a little gruff, but he loved us kids and gave us a safe place to hang out.

Some might call it temporary insanity, as Dan put it. That's apt. Doing some things while under fire isn't courage - you don't have time for courage. It's most often just the only thing you can do at this moment.

Courage is for calmer times. Knowing you are going to get your ass shot at on this flight, but strapping in anyway.

I'm needing some clarification on this. Note that I am not saying that your father was not at Khe Sanh. Not saying that at all. I have no way of knowing either way. You stated that his rank was that of 1st lieutenant, but the photo you posted was clearly that of a naval officer. Someone suggested that it may have been a Naval Academy uniform, but the hat insignia is clearly that of a U.S. Navy officer and not of a Naval Academy midshipman. The navy does not have a rank of 1st lieutenant. They do have a lieutenant, junior grade (often referred to as a "j.g.") O-2, which is equivalent to a USMC or Army or USAF 1st lieutenant O-2, and a rank of lieutenant which is equivalent to a USMC, Army, or USAF captain O-3. Naval officer rank can be a bit confusing to those not well versed in it. On that particular naval officer uniform coat, the rank insignia is only indicated by sleeve stripes which are unseen in the photo. Honors to your father for his service.

The middle Service Ribbon, the Globe & Anchor with 2 stars? I'm guessing the stars indicate tours? Have never seen this configuration. Somebody enlighten me.

One of my childhood friends passed away a few weeks ago, pancreatic cancer. He was four years older than me. He was at Khe Sahn during the siege. Marine infantryman 67-70, Purple Heart at Khe Sahn. One of the best guys I’d ever known. Very humble. His dad (who worked with my Dad) always took time to show me the photos and letters he sent home. I asked him if anyone ever used his first name (Charlie) in VN, he laughed and said no way!

I would listen for hours to my good friend and shortstop, Chuck Nixon, tell me of his time on that plateau! He was with the 4th ID. Gives me chills recalling what they all encountered!