Unit Operations

1stMarDiv Korea Feb-Nov 1952 
3drMarDiv Vietnam Jul1968 - Aug1969 

Awards/Badges

Navy Commendation Medal w/"V" Bronze Star w/1"*" Combat Action Ribbon 

Most Memorable Moment

May 1952 while serving as Platoon Leader 1st Platoon E-2-7. Our platoon conducted a night raid against Hill 67 in the vicinity of Panmunjom. The objective was defended by two platoons in well prepared positions: bunkers, mines, barbed wire, etc. We suffered no fatalities while destroying the enemy positions on the objective--many of the bunkers were still occupied when blown. Our WIA (three medevac) fully recovered from their wounds. Two of my Marines received Silver Stars and one a Bronze Star for their heroic actions in the conduct of the raid. When I arrived in Korea in February with a contingent of other second lieutenants the 7th Marines regimental commander told us we were about to get the best job we would ever have in our lives--Marine rifle platoon commander. I thought "Oh sure!", but you know he was absolutely right--to quote Patton, "..all else pales into insignificance". 

Any comments or anecdotes to add

A couple weeks before the raid I pulled one that truly belongs in Beatle Baily. 1stPlatoon occupied MLR positions that straddled the no-fire zone along the road leading out to Panmunjom. As you may recall the then current rules called for wearing helmet and flak jacket anytime outside a bunker. Since I was in the no-fire zone this made little sense to this young warrior. One day as I was sitting in back of my bunker (stripped to the waist to get a tan, reading a twobit sex book and sipping a beer) a noticed a pair of boots next to me. I slowly looked up and saw the dreaded red scarf denoting division HQ--it was the assistant division commander! "Would the General care to see my positions?" Gruff response: "Get your helmet and flak jacket and lets go." Everything went along nicely for a while (meaning that I gave the right answers). We came to a bunker and I was asked "What's in here?". I responded with my best command voice, "Until this morning there was a heavy in here from Weapons Company but it is empty now". The General's aide (a FIRST lieutenant) stooped over, looked in and said "Oh". The General then looked and said "Oh". I then looked and said "Oh Shit!". There sat an A6 that the angels must have brought. I still don't know where it came from. We finally got to the other end of our positions (non too soon for me). The General's jeep was parked in the road on the other side of the biggest deepest trench I had. We stepped across, the General got in his jeep and I saluted and bade him farewell. I then turned to leave, forgetting all about the trench. I hit the bottom and came up spitting dirt and looked up to see the good General leaning over the trench and looking down at me while slowly shaking his head (I assume in disbelief). This little episode was not in vain. From the laughter coming from my troops I figure they enjoyed it immensely. 
Post Script: A week or so later the General again visited 1st Platoon, this time on OP 2. This time he came alone with no sign of his Aide. That guy probably figured he could get shot out there and that I would probably arrange it. 

Career After USMC

I completed my masters degree and went in to data processing for a few years. Then a few years doing tax returns in local H R Block office. Now I operate in general support, i.e., I keep house while my wife works as a school teacher. 

Current Affiliations

1st Marine Division Association-Life member NE Florida Chapter of 1st Marine Division Association Marine Corps League-Life Member (inactive) 

Family Information

In 1953 I married Mary Claire Haynie of McComb, Mississippi. She is an Army Brat. We just celebrated our 50th. She has great patience. We have three boys, a grand daughter and a grand son. 

Hobbies

Yard work. Computer, primarily maintaining a web site dedicated to 9th Special Basic Class comrades with emphasis on Korea 

Degrees/Schools

BS Chemistry-College of the Holy Cross MS Information Technology-George Washington University BA International Studies-University of North Florida 

Current Address

62 Willow Drive St Augustine, FL 32080 
jimvan@aug.com  
Tel: (904) 471-3254