G 2/5 October Newsletter

President s Corner:

Greetings!

I d like to start off this message to you with a Thank You to all the Golf 2/5ers that were at the August Reunion! I was lucky to have been able to spend a lot of time with many, getting to know everyone better and sharing our experiences in Vietnam. This was my first reunion where I spent the entire four days. I have to say, it was quite different for the better. There was just more time to spend with my brothers. I hope all of you who were there enjoyed yourselves as much as I did.

I received a copy of the video that Mario and his wife took during our visit to MCRD San Diego, thanks Mario! It was good to relive that visit and share that experience with my wife. We did have a good time, didn t we? It was like I had never been to MCRD before, so many changes have happened since 1968. And yet, there was still that Marine discipline, and the DI s were still very intimidating. I had heard so many things about how the training had changed and thought how could the Marine Corps turn out high caliber people with out the stringent training? I now think that the changes have been for the good. The intensity of the training has not changed, and the depths that a recruit has to reach for to make it have remained. By no means is Boot Camp a walk in the park!

Our hospitality suite was a very comfortable gathering point for us. I want to thank my wife, Sherry, for getting the ball rolling on that acquisition. Looking back on it, there are a number of things I would like to have added or done different. I'll make sure that is added to my to do list for our next gathering. We did discuss our next reunion at our Membership meeting on Saturday, August 12. Our past tradition was to follow the 1st Marine Division Association events every other year, which we will continue. Their 2002 gathering is scheduled for New York, which many of our members said would be very expensive, if not prohibitive for many. 1st Mar Div s 2003 gathering is going to be back in California, Palm Desert I believe. This possibly could be our targeted next reunion; the decision hasn t been finalized yet. The G 2/5 Assn. Members at the meeting agreed that possibly we (the association) could do a reunion on our own, somewhere in the middle of the country. That will be looked into, and all suggestions are welcome. For sure though, the Division s 2004 gathering in D.C. will be on for us. That's where our roots are, both as the Golf 2/5 Association, and where the memorial to our Buddies is The Wall.

It was brought up at our meeting to raise the membership dues, and/or make a Life Membership available. The consensus of the membership was to leave the dues where they are ($10/year), not to have a Life Membership, and leave it to the individuals to donate to the association if they desire. I concur.

We are spread out all over this wonderful country. That can make it harder on picking a place where the most people can come to for our biennial reunion. Fortunately we do have alternatives in between, such as the annual USS Hue City gathering in Florida, and some mini-reunions that happen. I wish one day there would be a place where we'd all be able to come we'll put that on the wish list as the #1 item, I hope you agree.

With all the worrying I did about making sure everything I had planned in San Diego went well, I was particularly happy with how our Golf 2/5 Dinner turned out. The food was great, but the companionship and fellowship was the best part. As it worked out the DJ wasn t needed for dancing, but was very good to have as dinner music in the background. Instead we had a great quick look at Danny s video of his 1998 trip to Vietnam. Even though we fast-forwarded through most of the tape (it s a two-hour tape), I enjoyed it thoroughly. Richie ( Alphabet ) made a copy of the tape for me and I m looking forward to watching it, thanks Richie! One of the highlights of our dinner was totally unplanned. It was suggested that the microphone be passed around to everyone to introduce themselves and tell about their time with Golf Company. What a wonderful suggestion! As it turned out it was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. To hear my fellow Golf 2/5ers stories, and their love for each other all I can say is "WOW!" You all are special people, and I am proud to be amongst you.

L to R: Steve Hancock, Larry Ortiz, Dan Cholewa George Haught, Joe Snead, Barney Barnes At the G 2/5 Dinner

To Colonel Chuck Meadows, it was an honor to make your acquaintance. Your efforts founded this association, and it has grown to what it is now. Thank you for making this happen! Your stories were captivating for me, and it is my distinct pleasure to have shared the time with you at the reunion. Without your founding of this group it would not have been possible for me to reconnect with so many friends, and to get to know the others who share the heritage of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines.

Lance Machamer, our Treasurer, brought copies of a very moving painting of the Battle of Hue City. They are available for all association members to purchase, contact Lance or myself. The cost is $8 per copy plus $3 shipping (correct me if I m wrong, Lance). We also had many people asking about association t-shirts. We didn t have any at this reunion, but we still have the artwork of two, the one at the 95 reunion and the ones that Stu put together. We will try and get a source for these shirts soon and have them available to you. I really like wearing mine, but I wear them so much they are almost worn out. I'm a t-shirt guy most of the time, so I have motivation to make this happen. J

The 2/5 website was discussed as well and suggestions were made to use it better. I am not an expert webmaster by any stretch of the imagination, but I learn fast. As time allows I will be implementing the suggestions, and hopefully even more. My first attempt at creating a talk list has run into a few problems, which I have no doubt I will work out. In the mean time, sign up on the 2/5 home page (http://www.2ndbn5thmarines.com) and when the bugs are worked out we should have another tool in our arsenal for keeping in touch with each other.

I want to finish off by saying to everyone, those whom I ve met and those I will meet, and it is an honor to serve as your president. I don t treat the position as no body else wanted to do it, by no means. I take it very seriously and will do my best for you. To all of you who attended the reunion a Thanks for sharing your time with me and our fellow Marines. I'm already looking forward to our next meeting!

Semper Fi My Brothers!

Tom Hohmann

tomh47@aol.com

A word from the Sec/Treas.:

For Sale:

Full color Lithographic copies of the Battle of Hue City Painting, 12" x 24", signed by the artist Austin Deuel (see below). $8.00 each, $3.00 shipping for up to 3 prints. Send orders to Lance Machamer, 8550 E. Turney Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Lance Machamer FQBandG@aol.com

San Diego Reunion by Larry Ortiz

The G 2/5 reunion was held in San Diego from August 9 - 13, 2000 in combination with the 1st Marine Division Association. I think this was my seventh reunion since first reestablishing contact with the G 2/5 Association at the reunion in Washington, D. C. in 1987.

Before I go any further writing more about the reunion, I must extend my apologies and the apologies of the other officers, for not getting another newsletter out before the reunion. It was my intention to do that and provide all the last up to the minute details so everyone would know what was going on. But as it turned out, arrangements for the hospitality suite, the planned trips to MCRD and Camp Pendleton, and other arrangements were not all finalized in sufficient time to get the newsletter out. We sincerely hope this did not affect anyone s plans by not having this information.

All the previous reunions required airline travel for Melba and me. But since San Diego is only a 4 to 5 hour drive from Santa Barbara, it was a welcome change to be able to drive (even though my Ford Explorer was equipped with Firestone tires that had just been recalled prior to the trip).

The main reunion hotel, the Town & Country, filled up immediately so all of the guys (with the exception of Joe and Kathy Snead who were the only ones to get into the hotel) ended up at various other hotels in the area called Hotel Circle . Fortunately, all the hotels where we all stayed were in easy walking distance of one another.

Shortly after we drove into the Seven Seas motel where we were staying, we were greeted by my good friend George Haught who had arrived the previous day. I was counseled on the way down by Melba who says she sometimes feels a little left out at these reunions because she complains I drop her like a hot potato as soon as I see my friends. I guess that has happened at previous reunions but it s so great to see all the guys that I kind of get swept up in all the emotion.

Some of the guys came in a day or two early to make a vacation of it, as there are so many fun and interesting things to do and see in San Diego. My brother, Jerry, and his wife, Terry, also joined us. He s accompanied me to other reunions and also went back with me to the Nam in June 1998, so I feel he s an honorary G 2/5er now.

Shortly after checking in, we also ran into Dick Ducasse, Steve Molnar and Cosmo Parisi. They already knew the lay-of-the-land and had reported seeing several other guys already at some of the other hotels in the area. There was still a little confusion as to where the hospitality suite was but we finally found out that it was at the Quality Inn which was just up a block or so from the Seven Seas. Tom Hohmann arrived and opened up the hospitality suite which was well stocked with beer and sodas and an assortment of munchies.

The rest of that day was spent connecting with my brother and sister-in-law and heading into downtown San Diego for dinner. There s a several block section of downtown San Diego called the Gas Lamp District that has many nice restaurants, clubs and shopping it was really nice. After dinner I dropped by the hospitality suite and saw many more of the guys that had arrived that day. Barney and Mona Barnes, Dennis and Terry Studenny, Col. Meadows, Tom Hohmann, Mario and Irma Mu“iz, Henry and Dolly Perez, Rich Durrum, Joe and Kathy Snead and Tony "Limey" and Mary Cartlidge were all there. I think all us vets must be getting old because it seemed like more guys were drinking sodas than beer what a change from previous reunions! It was great visiting with all the guys and catching up. No matter what intentions most of us had to get some decent rest, we always end up shooting the breeze till late in the morning and this reunion was no different. I don t think any of us got much rest but no one cared.

The next day (Thursday) Tom Hohmann had arranged for a bus to pick up all the G 2/5ers who wanted to go on a trip to MCRD you know, the place where us Hollywood Marines went to boot camp. I had talked to Danny Cholewa a few days before the reunion and he had wanted to make the MCRD trip but didn t get into San Diego until around noon on Thursday so wasn t able to make it.

Of course we heard all the cracks about being Hollywood Marines from all the Paris Island guys on the bus ride over to MCRD but we San Diego Marines knew all along the Paris Island guys were jealous because we got issued sun glasses and they didn t!

A DI at MCRD who, as it turned out, is Vietnamese (a little bit of irony there) greeted us. He was very respectful and courteous to us and from where we met the DI; we drove over to the receiving barracks where the recruits are first received you know, where the yellow footprints are. There we were greeted by another DI who burst onto the bus and started shouting and screaming at us as if we were brand new boots arriving for boot camp it was great! He scrambled us off the bus onto the yellow footprints. Some of the new recruits were a little slow to the DI s liking, mostly the wives, and they got yelled at (much to their shock). After some more yelling at us, amongst some instruction, by the DI, we double-timed it into the building where we lined up in front of the bins that contained the provisions new recruits were issued.

G 2/5ers at MCRD

After that another DI took over and the staged part of our arrival at MCRD was over. The DI then went on to explain the way recruits are processed now quite different than when I was at MCRD. We were then taken into another auditorium where another sergeant greeted us and showed us the presentation given to recruits. There the recruits are again asked (as they were when they enlisted) if they had any criminal record or other things in their past that would disqualify them from becoming a Marine. This was an interesting presentation and we had a chance to ask questions afterwards. Emmanuel "Pineapple" Credo was with us and he expressed his surprise at how differently the recruits are treated now than the way he was treated when he was a recruit. And yes, the DI s aren t supposed to touch the recruits or swear at them or anything like that anymore. Sort of takes the "fun" out of boot camp. . . .

Henry Perez & "Pineapple" Credo getting ready For their Recruit Haircut

From there we had a chance to go to the P' where the recruits go. We swarmed the P' buying all manner of Marine Corps T-shirts, and all kinds of other Marine Corps "stuff" it was great. While we waited for all the guys to get through and checked out, we saw several platoons, obviously at very different stages of their training, marching by. The DI s were still in-their-face and many of the faces of the new recruits expressed sheer fear and terror (I m sure more than one of them were wondering if they had made the right decision or a terrible mistake).

From there we went to lunch and were treated like VIPs. Everybody addressed us as Sir and it felt really great to be treated so courteously and respectfully. After that we had another chance to do some shopping at the main PX where we again made off with a bunch of Marine Corps memorabilia. We then had an opportunity to visit the Marine Corps Museum there at MCRD. It's small but has a lot of interesting exhibits and unfortunately, we did not have the time to go through the museum at our leisure. We left MCRD mid-afternoon and all that went on the trip enjoyed it thoroughly including the wives who went.

We had hoped to see a recruit graduation while we were there which is usually held on Friday's. As it turned out, there was no graduation ceremony scheduled for that week.

Tom Hohmann had also tried to schedule a trip to visit 2/5 at Camp Pendleton but he had been advised that 2/5 was out. Barney and Stu and wives did make a trip to Pendleton and traipsed all over the base looking for Gen. Pete Pace's son whom they eventually did find. The report back from the wives was that they didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the MCRD trip.

The rest of the days were filled with some of the guys heading down to Tijuana, the zoo, shopping, going in to Old Town or any number of other activities in the San Diego area and dropping in whenever at the hospitality suite. The last big scheduled event for G 2/5 was the dinner on Saturday night. It was held in a private dining room at the Quality Inn and we had a great turnout. Rudy and Rosie Bustamante finally made it in that Saturday morning and were able to join us for the dinner.

At the MCRD Museum L to R: Jerry Ortiz, Larry Ortiz, Mario Muniz, Tony "Limey" Cartlidge, Tom Hohmann

Lt. Steve Hancock also joined us at the dinner as well as a couple of other late comers. We had a social hour with open bar and a DJ playing music from the 60 s. It was a great time to mingle and talk and catch up before dinner.

After dinner, Tom Hohmann got the microphone and said a few words. After he had finished what he had planned to say, he said that another of the Marines, had suggested that the microphone be passed around the dining room and that each (former) Marine get up and say a few words about when and where he was in the Nam, and a few words about what each of us is now doing. Everyone that got up to say something spoke from their hearts and really shared their deep feelings of what Vietnam has meant in their lives and how the friendships, the bonding and the love among us all sustained us through that terrible ordeal and how it sustains us now. There weren t many dry eyes in the place going through this process but it was a truly unique and wonderful sharing experience for all of us that were there. This was his first reunion and I apologize for not remembering his name but want to personally express my gratitude to him for this terrific suggestion.

After dinner Danny Cholewa showed some of the video he had taken on the trip he and I took back to Nam in June 1998. The DJ started up with some more music after the video and of course played the song voted number one every year in the Nam and that was, We Gotta Get Out of This Place by the Animals. Several of the guys drifted out to the hospitality suite and after the DJ closed up, the rest of us headed on down to the hospitality suite. Several guys had early flights the next morning (Sunday) so many said their final good-byes and headed off to get some shuteye.

Melba and I, and George Haught were headed back to the Seven Seas and Barney Barnes and Danny Cholewa and his friend, Donna, joined us for a nightcap at the outdoor restaurant at the motel. Dick Ducasse and Steve Molnar were a couple of the guys who had early flights the next morning but Danny went and rousted them out of bed about 1:00 AM and they joined us for an hour or so on the patio. I guess all of us just didn t want the good feelings of the whole reunion to end and wanted to enjoy them a little bit longer.

We inevitably talked about some specific things that happened in the Nam and I was a little concerned Melba and Donna would either be bored by the conversation or feel left out, or both. I glanced at them several times and to my surprise, it looked as if they were both really interested in the discussion (of course I could have been all wrong). There was also some discussion amongst us vets as to how Vietnam had affected our lives and our relationships after Vietnam. George finally had the presence of mind to ask Melba and Donna what they felt about what was being discussed and if they were feeling left out. This was the first time Donna had been exposed to any Vietnam Vets in general and to a Vietnam Vet reunion in particular so she said she found it all very interesting. Melba expressed her appreciation at being included in the conversation and felt more a part of it than at other reunions. (After we returned to Santa Barbara and had more of an opportunity for the full impact of the reunion to settle in, Melba also felt that this reunion had a rather profound impact on her; more so than other reunions. She wants to share some of that experience with the membership in a future newsletter.)

I finally walked Melba back to the room about 2:00 AM and returned to our small group as Dick Ducasse and Steve Molnar had returned to their room to try and get a little sleep before they had to leave for the airport. So George, Barney, Danny and I ended up talking until almost 3:00 but it was one of those special times where there was so much positive feeling amongst us all. There was real sharing going on and it s those times and moments that are so meaningful to me. It s times like that that make me feel that everything we went through was worth it. Because if I hadn t have gone through Vietnam, I would never have known all the terrific Marines I knew when I was there and that have been a very integral part of my life then and will continue to be a part of my life until the day I die. And for that, I am truly blessed.

Semper Fi,

Larry S. Ortiz

Change of Command Ceremony by Barney Barnes

Fellow Marines,

Barney here, reporting on the Promotion and Change of Command Ceremony for our own General (as in 4 Stars) Pete Pace at what is the Southern Command Hdq. in Miami, Florida on Sept. 8, 2000. Mona and I left on Wednesday the 6Th going to Lester & Cheryl's (Tully). As has grown to be the custom, again we had flight delays. We were to leave Tulsa at 3:45 PM and arrive in Tallahassee at 9:30 PM...didn't happen! We finally got into Tallahassee around 2:00. Poor Cheryl had been waiting there since midnight for us to arrive. And she had to get up at 5:30 and get ready for work. Bless her heart, what a trooper!! She and Lester both had to work on that Thursday, then we would head out to Miami around 5:30 in the evening.

We went to visit Lester's job site, he's doing all the electrical work on one of the premier retirement centers being built in Tallahassee. What a mansion, just like having your own apartment. I asked LT if he got to choose a room for himself as part of his payment!! This place had everything. Anyway, LT, took half a day off and bought Mona and I dinner. We then went back to his house where he just proceeded to trounce me in pool, while Miss Mona watched, as she says, " her stories " on TV.

Cheryl came in from work and we loaded up the car and left at 5:30 and drove till around 10:30 and stopped at Weeki Wachee, Fl. to get some sleep. Got up the next morning, ate a hardy breakfast and was on the road again, heading for Ft. Myers, Alligator Alley and the Everglades. We got into Miami, around 1:30. Soon after, Mary and Dick Lahan and some friends of theirs arrived, met up with Dennis Studenny who had flown in from Tulsa that afternoon, and went to have a drink or two before General Pace's Promotion Ceremony.

The Ceremony began at 5:00, and let me tell you, brothers, there was more BRASS in that one room than this ol' "Hillbilly," as Sgt. Zachary so lovingly bestowed on me many many years ago, had ever seen (including two Medal of Honor wearers!). So as we walked in we were met at the door by Mrs. Pace and she thanked us so very much for coming and told us that we did not know how much it meant to Pete for us to be there. Truth of the matter is that it was indeed our HONOR and our PRIVILEGE to be there. Shortly after we were seated, Lt. Rogers came in, so we had, counting our wives, 8 of us to honor General Pace and represent the company. Soon General Pace came in, and there were the usual hugs and heartfelt greetings between us, and then it was time to start. I had no idea who would promote General Pace, I was hoping that it would be the Commandant, but I just didn't know. Sure enough, they call the official party to the front of the room and it is indeed, General Jones who will do the honors.

General Pace receiving flag from Secretary Cohen

During General Jones opening remarks, he made it known that this was a very special day for him, because he was promoting his BEST FRIEND to the rank of General. He told the audience that back in '69 when he reported to Marine Barracks, there was an officer there who took him in and made him feel right at home and that officer was none other than General Peter Pace, and from that time own, they and their families have been the best of friends.

He swore General Pace in and then Pete's son and daughter came forward and proceeded to pin his 4 stars on. Great Ceremony!!! General Pace took the floor and very eloquently thanked those in attendance for coming. He went on to say a few things about the Commandant, thanked his family, especially his wife, Lynn, and went on to acknowledge the rest of his family and in-laws that were there. Then, he said that there were three very special people out in the audience that he wanted to publicly thank and with that, he said, I would like for Barney Barnes, Lester Tully, and Dennis Studenny to come forward. I had no idea and was caught off guard to say the least. I was shaking like a leaf as I made my way forward and up on that stage. Well we get up there and General Pace says to the audience, " I don't know what you see up here. But I see a 2nd Lt. and his three squad leaders! " And with that, he asked his aid to bring him something. Well, that something, just happened to be FOUR STARS and he proceeded to pin them on Lester, Dennis and me. He shook our hands, embraced us, told us that he loved us and thanks because if not for us, he wouldn't be where he is today...need I say there wasn't a dry eye among us up on that stage and very few in the audience as well. We turned to leave and then I saw the Commandant rise from his chair and start to clap, then the whole audience followed. It will be one of those special moments that will live in my heart and mind for ever.

L. to R. Barney Barnes, Lester Tully and General Wilhelm

We then went outside to attend the Change of Command Ceremony. It was a BIG DEAL ...I had no idea just how important or how big that position that General Pace now has was--it's a huge responsibility. At the Dinner on Saturday night after

Lt. P. Pace Jr., Daughter, Gen. Pace, Mrs. Lynn Pace

the Ceremony, I don't know how many General's, Bird Colonels, Sgt. Majors, etc came up to us and introduced themselves and told us that General Pace pinning those stars on us made the ceremony for them and it was nice to be a part of it all. What can I say.

I'll just say this...it was and is an HONOR and a PRIVILEGE to have served as General Pace's Squad Leader. I owe much to that man all of what I was back then, and a lot of what I have been since then, I attribute to him, for his leadership, teachings, genuine care and concern for his men, and most of all for his love for me and all Marines. What a man!!!!!

Semper Fi....Barney

United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

The Change of Command Ceremony was hosted by the U. S. Secretary of Defense, William S. Cohen. As Barney stated above, this is really a big deal ! Here s a brief synopsis of the of how big a deal it actually is:

United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is the unified command responsible for all U.S. military activities on the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico; the waters adjacent to Central and South America; the Caribbean Sea, with its 13 island nations, and European and U.S. territories; the Gulf of Mexico; and a portion of the Atlantic Ocean. Since 26 September 1997, the command headquarters has been located at Miami, Florida. It is the smallest of the nine unified commands (five of which are regional or geographic unified commands) under the U.S. Department of Defense. * Southern Command's area of responsibility encompasses 32 countries (19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean) and covers about 12.1 million square miles (31.3 million square kilometers). The region represents about one-sixth of the landmass of the world assigned to regional unified commands.

USSOUTHCOM Mission

The mission of U.S. Southern Command is to shape the environment within our area of responsibility by conducting military to military engagement and counterdrug activities throughout the theater to promote democracy, stability, and collective approaches to threats to regional security.

The command will, when required, respond unilaterally or multilaterally to crises that threaten regional stability or national interests, and prepare to meet future hemispheric challenges.

Area of Responsibility (AOR)

The USSOUTHCOM AOR includes the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico; the waters adjacent to Central and South America; the Caribbean Sea, its 13 island nations, European and U.S. territories; the Gulf of Mexico; and a portion of the Atlantic Ocean. It encompasses 32 countries (19 in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean) and covers about 12.1 million square miles (31.3 million square kilometers). The region represents about one-sixth of the landmass of the world assigned to regional unified commands.

G 2/5 s Own , General Peter Pace

We G 2/5ers are especially proud of General Pace s promotion. Some of you may not know that General Pace was a G 2/5-platoon commander in 1968. I remember (then) Lt. Pace very well although I did not serve in his platoon but under Lt. Bill Rogers.

L to R: Dennis Studenny, Barney Barnes and General Peter Pace at Change of Command Ceremony

I often reflect how things may have turned out differently for me in Viet Nam if I hadn t enlisted in the Marine Corps but had enlisted in the Army or been drafted. There is no doubt in my mind that my training was the best, that I served with the best and that we were led by the best.

General Pace, I know I speak for all of our Golf 2/5 vets, Congratulations! on your well-deserved promotion. We are proud of what you have accomplished and in your continued service to our great country. We are still hopeful and confident that you will become the next Marine Corps Commandant Semper Fi, the editor.

I think it s appropriate to share with the membership, Gen. Pace's record of accomplishments while in the Marine Corps.

Peter Pace
General, United States Marine Corps
Commander in Chief
United States Southern Command

General Peter Pace was promoted to General and assumed duties as the Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command on 8 September 2000. General Pace previously served as the Commander, U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic/Europe/South from 23 November 1997 to 8 September 2000.

General Pace was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. He received his commission in June 1967, following graduation from the United States Naval Academy. He also holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University (1972). Upon completion of The Basic School, Quantico, Va., in 1968, he was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam, serving first as a Rifle Platoon Leader and subsequently as Assistant Operations Officer.

Returning from overseas in March 1969, he reported to Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C. During this tour, he served as Head, Infantry Writer Unit, Marine Corps Institute; Platoon Leader, Guard Company; Security Detachment Commander, Camp David; White House Social Aide; and Platoon Leader, Special Ceremonial Platoon. He was promoted to Captain in April 1971. In September 1971, General Pace attended the Infantry Officers' Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Ga. Returning overseas in October 1972, he was assigned to the Security Element, Marine Aircraft Group 15, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Nam Phong, Thailand, where he served as Operations Officer and then Executive Officer.

In October 1973, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D. C., for duty as the Assistant Majors' Monitor. During October 1976, he reported to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Ca., where he served as Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines; Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines; and Division Staff Secretary. He was promoted to Major in November 1977. In August 1979, he reported to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College as a student.

Upon completion of school in June 1980, he was assigned duty as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Buffalo, N. Y. While in this assignment, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October 1982. Reassigned to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, General Pace served from June 1983 until June 1985 as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines. In June 1985, he was selected to attend the National War College in Washington, D. C.

After graduation the following June, he was assigned to the Combined/Joint Staff in Seoul, Korea. He served as Chief, Ground Forces Branch until April 1987, when he became Executive Officer to the Assistant Chief of Staff, C/J/G3, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea/Eighth United States Army.

General Pace returned to Marine Barracks in Washington, D. C. in August 1988 for duty as Commanding Officer. He was promoted to Colonel in October 1988. In August 1991, he was assigned duty as Chief of Staff, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune. During February 1992, he was assigned duty as Assistant Division Commander. He was advanced to Brigadier General on April 6, 1992, and was assigned duty as the President, Marine Corps University/Commanding General, Marine Corps Schools, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Va., on July 13, 1992. While serving in this capacity, he also served as Deputy Commander, Marine Forces, Somalia, from December 1992 - February 1993, and as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force - Somalia from October 1993 - March 1994. General Pace was advanced to Major General on June 21, 1994, and was assigned as the Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, U. S. Forces, Japan. He was promoted to Lieutenant General and assigned as the Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, D. C., on August 5, 1996. General Pace attended Harvard University in the program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.

General Pace's personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with Combat V; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with gold star; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; Navy Achievement Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Lest We Forget. . .!

Corpsman Donald Kirkham KIA 1/31/68

Cpl. Glen A. Lucas KIA 1/31/68

L/Cpl. Alan W. Ashenfelter KIA 8/12/70

In our thoughts and prayers. . .

The San Diego reunion was somewhat saddened by the news that Capt. Baggs passed away on Aug. 8, 2000. In Mrs. Baggs words:

Capt. Marion Baggs Dear Marines,

My wonderful friend and husband passed from earthly life this morning (8/8/00) about ten o'clock. His battle with the liver cancer is finished and he is at rest. His condition quickly deteriorated on Sunday. Up until that time, we were able to get along and enjoy a limited family life. He was so strong and did not give up easily. A Marine to the end! He was buried in the Baggs Family Cemetery in Ludowici, Ga. He will join his Revolutionary War ancestors in that hallowed ground. Marion received a letter from the Commandant on Saturday and was very appreciative of his kind words and proud as always to be a Marine. Marion was larger than life so it will not be as much fun without him. (Mrs.) Sherleen Baggs

Please accept our deepest sympathies . . .the editor.

Lance and Nancy Machamer joined us briefly in San Diego for the reunion. Shortly after the reunion, Lance had surgery on his neck and reports that it was a success and he is now able to move his fat ass around much better (his words).

Lance glad to hear the surgery went well and we wish you a speedy recovery the editor.

Sit Reps

Vet Newsbriefs:

Ö George Haught attended the San Diego reunion and while there, complained of some back pain. He's since reported that he had a CT scan and the Doctors found he has three herniated discs and one about to go. Unfortunately, it looks like surgery will be required in the not too distant future.

We ll be pulling for you for a successful surgery and speedy recovery the editor.

Ö Mario Mu“iz will also go under the knife in the near future. It seems that carrying that heavy mailbag around on his postal route has really messed up his neck. The surgery will involve taking a piece of bone from his hip and grafting onto a vertebra in his neck doesn t sound like any fun to me.

We ll also be pulling for you and hope that all goes well with the surgery and wish you a speedy recovery the editor.

Ö Joe Scoccola called during the San Diego reunion and wanted to say to everyone that he really wished he could have made it and to say hi to all his friends and fellow Marines. Joe is living in Italy and since he was recently in the States in May visiting his brother and to attend the graduation of his two daughters in Louisville, Kentucky, he couldn t swing another trip in August we understand. We missed you the editor.

Ö Kenneth Buchanan reports that he has been in touch with Corpsman Donald Kirkham s father Donald was killed on Jan. 31, 1968 in Hue City. Donald s father, Eward E. Kirkham would like to hear from any G 2/5ers who knew Donald. Mr. Kirkham can be reached as follows:

Edward E. Kirkham

1795 Steeple Chase

Brookfield, WI 53045

Phone: (262)782-7415

Ö Barney Barnes has found another G 2/5er, in Hutchinson, Kansas, Jim Newboles! Barney writes that Jim has had no contact with anyone in G 2/5 since he was hit in Hue 32 years ago! Welcome back into the fold, Jim. Jim s address is:

James Newboles

906 East 95^th

Hutchinson, KS 67502

Phone (319)663-7466

Ö Now seems like an appropriate time to remind our membership to try and find some of our other brothers and bring them back into the fold! I've tried to find several Marines I served with but lost contact with after they got back to the world without much success but I'm still trying and if we all tried to find at least one of our good friends and former Marines, I'm sure there would be a greater success. The editor

Ö A special Thank You to Tech Sergeant Lee Roberts who provided the photos of Gen. Pace receiving the flag from Secretary of Defense Cohen and the group photo of Gen. Pace with the Secretary of Defense and General Wilhelm and wives.

Ö I also want to give special credit to Barney Barnes for all his assistance with this edition of the newsletter and the photos he provided of Gen. Pace s Change of Command Ceremony the editor.