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Marty Chavez - Member since 2014
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At age 21 I joined the Marine Corps. I reported for boot camp at MCRD San Diego on July 1st, 1964, Graduating on Sept 23, 1964.
After Infantry Training and 30 days leave I reported to Bravo Battery-1st Battalion-11th Marines-1st Marine Div. at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
I was assigned to a 105mm Howitzer gun crew as a truck driver / gunner. Life was great with the big guns and training missions including weeks at 29 Palms Range playing war games.
On Aug.06, 1965 I reported for duty to my unit as usual. During morning formation the company was informed that we were on lock-down and wouldn’t be able to leave the base. Top Secret, They wouldn’t tell us what was going on, but we knew we were headed to Vietnam or parts unknown. At this time I was married, had a ten day old baby and lived off base in Oceanside, Calif. We brown baggers (married personal) were told to have our spouses bring all our necessary personal and military equipment (??) from home to the barracks.
Two days later we were aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD5) with all six 105’s and vehicles, plus support personal and equipment. Other units of the 1st Marines boarded
the USS Bexar (APA-237) as well. I had never been on such a big ship, much less try to back up a 2 ½ ton truck with a 105 unto a ramp of a swaying ship. It was scary but the training had paid off. I didn’t drive off into the ocean.
We shipped out of San Diego on the night of Aug.09, 1965. By the end of August we were on Okinawa (Camp Hansen). By the end of Sept. after some fundamental (jungle) training on the Island we boarded the USS Monticello (LSD-35) as a unit along with W/1/11 (Mortars) and BLT 2/1. We were a SLF (Special landing Force) making raids on the coast of Vietnam. From last part of Sept, 1965 until Dec.19, 1965 our SLF engaged in Operation DaggerThrust l-V. Where the BLT lost 3 tanks and one amtrac sunk crossing a river, drowning all (9) aboard including PFC Michael Beringer, a friend from boot camp.
We also supported units during Operation Harvest Moon, becoming a provisional rifle company for the security of CP/Aid Station. We served on Operation Harvest Moon from Dec.10th to 19th while part of SFL (BLT 2/1). We then re-embarked aboard ship and set sail for Hue arriving there around Dec.21st and trucked down to Phu Bai where we relieved the direct support battery already in place at Phu Bai. The relieved units were taken aboard ship and we were assigned to HQ/4/12th Marines. We participated in many more Operations in support of the infantry in the northern part of Vietnam, close to the DMZ.
My tour in Nam was quite an experience for a farm boy from Belen, New Mexico, but the Marine Corps trained me well and I stuck to being a cannon cocker. I did not volunteer for patrols, but did have to go out at least once a week on perimeter patrols. Not my favorite thing to do.
My only R& R consisted of one day liberty in the city of Hue with some friends from our unit.
On Aug.14, 1966 I departed the Republic of So. Vietnam arrived in Okinawa for debriefing, shots, etc on the same day. Four days later Aug.18th I was on my way to El Toro, arriving on Aug.19th. Changed to civilian clothes per instructions and flew into Albq. New Mexico and family.
My next duty station was 155mm Gun Battery (SP). Camp LeJeune, N.C. I packed up my wife and 14 month old son, and we drove to North Carolina. We lived on base housing just outside the gates. First in a tiny trailer then later we qualified for a two bed room house.
The duty station was great as we also participated in many training fire missions plus two fabulous training tours in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Our company boarded the USS Terrebonne Parrish (LST1156) on Jan.21, 1967, did some war games on the island, pulled liberty in San Juan PR. and came back to Morehead City N.C. on Feb.14, 1967.
On Sept 6th,1967 we boarded the USS Raleigh (LPD-1) and headed once more to Vieques PR for more war games on the island, returning aboard the USS Lorain County (LST-1177) arriving at Morehead City on Oct.15th,1967.
That was the last of my tours and I spent the remainder of time assigned to the Trk.Co H&S Batt.as a Sgt. My active enlistment in the Marine Corps ended on June 28th, 1968.
We then moved to Denver Colorado and have lived in the metro area since.
I worked at a few auto repair shops in Denver and Lakewood while going to Red Rocks Community College. I also went to Denver Automotive & Diesel College, got hired on by RTD as a bus mechanic for 12 years then became a maintenance supervisor for the next 21 years there. I retired from RTD in 2011 after 33 years, I became a member of 1071 in April,2014 and took over the duties as chapter secretary in April,2015. I have truly enjoyed my past two years as a VVA 1071 member. This chapter has great veterans who really care about the forgotten ones.
After Infantry Training and 30 days leave I reported to Bravo Battery-1st Battalion-11th Marines-1st Marine Div. at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
I was assigned to a 105mm Howitzer gun crew as a truck driver / gunner. Life was great with the big guns and training missions including weeks at 29 Palms Range playing war games.
On Aug.06, 1965 I reported for duty to my unit as usual. During morning formation the company was informed that we were on lock-down and wouldn’t be able to leave the base. Top Secret, They wouldn’t tell us what was going on, but we knew we were headed to Vietnam or parts unknown. At this time I was married, had a ten day old baby and lived off base in Oceanside, Calif. We brown baggers (married personal) were told to have our spouses bring all our necessary personal and military equipment (??) from home to the barracks.
Two days later we were aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD5) with all six 105’s and vehicles, plus support personal and equipment. Other units of the 1st Marines boarded
the USS Bexar (APA-237) as well. I had never been on such a big ship, much less try to back up a 2 ½ ton truck with a 105 unto a ramp of a swaying ship. It was scary but the training had paid off. I didn’t drive off into the ocean.
We shipped out of San Diego on the night of Aug.09, 1965. By the end of August we were on Okinawa (Camp Hansen). By the end of Sept. after some fundamental (jungle) training on the Island we boarded the USS Monticello (LSD-35) as a unit along with W/1/11 (Mortars) and BLT 2/1. We were a SLF (Special landing Force) making raids on the coast of Vietnam. From last part of Sept, 1965 until Dec.19, 1965 our SLF engaged in Operation DaggerThrust l-V. Where the BLT lost 3 tanks and one amtrac sunk crossing a river, drowning all (9) aboard including PFC Michael Beringer, a friend from boot camp.
We also supported units during Operation Harvest Moon, becoming a provisional rifle company for the security of CP/Aid Station. We served on Operation Harvest Moon from Dec.10th to 19th while part of SFL (BLT 2/1). We then re-embarked aboard ship and set sail for Hue arriving there around Dec.21st and trucked down to Phu Bai where we relieved the direct support battery already in place at Phu Bai. The relieved units were taken aboard ship and we were assigned to HQ/4/12th Marines. We participated in many more Operations in support of the infantry in the northern part of Vietnam, close to the DMZ.
My tour in Nam was quite an experience for a farm boy from Belen, New Mexico, but the Marine Corps trained me well and I stuck to being a cannon cocker. I did not volunteer for patrols, but did have to go out at least once a week on perimeter patrols. Not my favorite thing to do.
My only R& R consisted of one day liberty in the city of Hue with some friends from our unit.
On Aug.14, 1966 I departed the Republic of So. Vietnam arrived in Okinawa for debriefing, shots, etc on the same day. Four days later Aug.18th I was on my way to El Toro, arriving on Aug.19th. Changed to civilian clothes per instructions and flew into Albq. New Mexico and family.
My next duty station was 155mm Gun Battery (SP). Camp LeJeune, N.C. I packed up my wife and 14 month old son, and we drove to North Carolina. We lived on base housing just outside the gates. First in a tiny trailer then later we qualified for a two bed room house.
The duty station was great as we also participated in many training fire missions plus two fabulous training tours in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Our company boarded the USS Terrebonne Parrish (LST1156) on Jan.21, 1967, did some war games on the island, pulled liberty in San Juan PR. and came back to Morehead City N.C. on Feb.14, 1967.
On Sept 6th,1967 we boarded the USS Raleigh (LPD-1) and headed once more to Vieques PR for more war games on the island, returning aboard the USS Lorain County (LST-1177) arriving at Morehead City on Oct.15th,1967.
That was the last of my tours and I spent the remainder of time assigned to the Trk.Co H&S Batt.as a Sgt. My active enlistment in the Marine Corps ended on June 28th, 1968.
We then moved to Denver Colorado and have lived in the metro area since.
I worked at a few auto repair shops in Denver and Lakewood while going to Red Rocks Community College. I also went to Denver Automotive & Diesel College, got hired on by RTD as a bus mechanic for 12 years then became a maintenance supervisor for the next 21 years there. I retired from RTD in 2011 after 33 years, I became a member of 1071 in April,2014 and took over the duties as chapter secretary in April,2015. I have truly enjoyed my past two years as a VVA 1071 member. This chapter has great veterans who really care about the forgotten ones.