MCAF Santa Ana/Tustin - "The end of an era."

[Mike Amtower]

Hello All!

What follows is a "quest" undertaken by fellow members of HMH-463 --- some "banished" some not.

Many thanks to Lt Col (Ret) Larry M. Collins and Don York for their
perseverance and help in this quest.

Many of us remember Ed Ruvolis, he was killed 8 days before we returned to CONUS in a freak, minor, mortar attack.

On the base at Santa Ana/Tustin a street was named in his honor: "Ruvolis Ct" it was a
cul-de-sac off of Link St. in the enlisted housing section.

The base is in the process of demolition.

I started a thread on another site:

"Here are a couple of pics of Ed's street sign at Tustin.

I wish I knew how it might be saved.

Mike"

... and it went from there ....

[Mike Amtower]

Don York sent the following message to the demolition contractor with a positive response:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got a reply from Three D Service Demolition. Would you care to take it from here Larry?

----- Original Message -----
From: Don York
To: info@tdsdemo.com
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 9:49 AM
Subject: Tustin Marine Base


It's my understanding that your company is in the process of
demolishing the Marine Air Base at Tustin. I'm a member of a USMC group
who would like to save one of the street signs, that was named in the memory
of Edward Ruvolis-KIA in Vietnam, May 12, 1968, while in Heavy Marine
Helicopter squadron 463. We would like to send the sign to his widow.
The street sign is in the Moffet Meadows Enlisted housing area. Any help
you could lend to this endeavor would be greatly appreciated.
Don

--- Don York


"MR. YORK,
THE AREA THE SIGN IS IN IS NOT IN OUR AREA OF WORK, HOWEVER WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO GET THE SIGN FOR YOU. OUR PROJECT AGENT MR. DICK BALES, (A FORMER MARINE) WILL GO TO THE SITE PERSONALY TO FIND THE SIGN FOR YOU. YOU MAY REACH HIM AT nnn/nnn-nnn OFFICE AND nnn/nnn-nnnn CELL PHONE, PLEASE FELL FREE TO CALL IF THERE IS ANY THING ELSE WE CAN DO FOR YOU, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ."

Quote:

MR. YORK, THE AREA THE SIGN IS IN IS NOT IN OUR AREA OF WORK, HOWEVER WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO GET THE SIGN FOR YOU.

OUR PROJECT AGENT MR. DICK BALES, (A FORMER MARINE) WILL GO TO THE SITE PERSONALY TO FIND THE SIGN FOR YOU. "
----------------------------------------------

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 5:10 pm Post subject: Larry-Your mission, should you choose to accept it.

(Larry lives in Orange County)

----------------------------------------------
From Larry Collins ---

Quote:
Once upon a time - 1630 hours, Friday, Orange County California - I would have been sipping BUD at either the El Toro or Tustin O'Club .... and during the latter part of the Vietnam War showing my appreciation to either the "A" or "B" Team. A decade later I was even OIC of both+ (Director, Combined Club Management System).

Today, at Don's suggestion, I called a former Marine on his cell phone to ask a favor. It was a gratifying telecon I'm happy to share with Don and whomever reads this .... happy ending! Especially for you, Mike-san!

Dick Bales is one of us! He was in the Corps for "2 years, 10 months" [like whose counting, gyrene] '68-70. MCRD San Diego and crypto school. Went to Okinawa and expected to be "part of TET III".

We had a good conversation ... if you read the Register article ... he is the one that said "We made a mess." Turns out the pictures I posted from the Register was all they have distroyed thus far. It was a dog and pony show for VIPS ... one warehouse and one EMQ. They will not get to the Moffett Housing Area for a couple of weeks .... so our sign is safe.

Dick told me he will personally get the sign and deliver it to me next week. I told him I'd like to return to my favorite duty station and perhaps get myself a souvenir. I told him I was stationed there three times. Hngr #1 as a Captain, Hngr #2 as a Major and Hngr #3 as a LtCol. I said I surmised that the "warehouse" was the old Group Supply Building I am so familiar with as CO H&MS-16. He said I was a "charlie".

So, bottom line he will call me next week and I'll meet him on base (security is lax) and he will give me "Ruvolis Court" and perhaps a Hangar #1 or #2 for moi!

Ain't cyberspace something?

Semper Fidelis, Larry

.... to be continued ....

Mike

[Mike Amtower]

I then got in contact with Ed's family when I knew that the "quest" was a viable mission.

--------------------------------------------------------

" I heard back from Ed & Nancy's daughter, Rachael...

" Mike,
Thank you for the information. I just spoke with my mother Nancy and she said that she would like for Eddy's brother Mike to have the sign. I also spoke to Mike and he would love to have it. His address is

Michael Ruvolis
xxxx Constitution Dr.
Allentown, Pa. 18103

Thank you,
Rachael Dusenberry "

Thank you all, again! "

Gentlemen & Marines! Here we have an example of the true level of brotherhood that we share.

I knew and worked with Ed and it was a terrible fluke how he was lost so shortly before we came home.

I am pleased that we could do this for the family.

OOHRAH !!!

[pm3777]

Good example that most Marines know. We dont leave any of our Marines behind live or deceased!! Guess needs reminding as time fades things into the everyday routine. Semper Fi PM

[Mike Amtower]

Here is a pic of the Moffett Meadows Enlisted Housing area on the base at Tustin.

The main street is Link St. with the cul-de-sac being Ruvolis Ct.

[Ed Egan]

Now, THA's brotherhood through and through. We don't leave our brothers behind, not even their signs.

'Way to go, guys!!!

[Roth]

Quite the operation!!!

Congrats to all involved! Particulary to Mike, Larry and Don!!

I wonder about the rest of the signs. Anyone have any idea if they are, too, named in honor of our fallen? Is there any way some one in the area could find out.

Maybe this is a worthy cause that would reflect well upon us, the helicopter community, to attempt to do.

It seems that time would be of the essence and perhaps Popasmoke should see if the "assets in place" would be willing to donate more of their time to see if any other "streets" should be save and, perhaps, archived with our orginization.

Just a thought.....

[Mike Amtower]

Hello all!

We have been tremendously successful!

Larry was able to save the following signs:

Ruvolis
Link
Belknap St
Bennett Cr
Dyer Ct
Bancroft Way/Brand St
Ehnis Way/Rolstadt Place
Rose Lane/Tessier St

We have been in touch with the Ruvolis, Ehnis and Tessier families
and are in the process of creating presentable mountings for said signs for the families.

We are conducting a search for the remaining names.

I am very grateful for all the help I received from what was at first only a suggestion.

OOHRAH !!!

[Jack S. Warner]

In a major rocket attack on Marble Mountain, late '67, HMM 363 lost a Sgt. Link..... He was a great Marine and I had just spent the day before with the 1st. Sgt. and C.O. trying to get him promoted to Staff. He was a fantastic Marine and Crew Chief and I wanted to see him promoted. Unfortunately, that night we were hit with a lot of incoming rockets and Sgt. Link was killed, Sgt. Powell was severly wounded and there were many other casualities, none forgotten.

If this road was named for Sgt. Link I would like to know. Can we find out what method was used to name these streets????

Jack "The Screw" Warner

[GEORGE CURTIS]

Caller, Michael Jay LCpl Grnd Casualty H&MS-16 MAG-15 (O&R Okinawa) 670828 (vvm 25E:056)
Ecker, Terry Lee Cpl Grnd Casualty MABS-16 MAG-16 670828 (vvm 25E:056)
Link, Raymond Patrick Sgt Grnd Casualty HMM-363 MAG-16 670828 (vvm 25E:058)
Steele, Robert Hugh Cpl Grnd Casualty H&MS-16 MAG-16 670828 (vvm 25E:060)



http://www.popasmoke.com/kia/inciden...incident_id=94

[Mike Amtower]

Jack,

We're working on that.

From all appearences, it being a major Marine helicopter base, the streets were named
after fallen pilots and aircrew. We are attempting to confirm this with HQMC.

i.e. ---- Ruvolis, Tessier, Ehnis, Link & Deetz .... These are only a few of the names out
there and a few we have confirmed as known pilots and aircrew.

The Deetz sign is one I have not been able to recover. The Deetz family has contacted
me in the past and I would like to recover this sign also.

Mike

[Joe Reed]

Was he in HMM-365 in New River before he went over seas? If so, he might be the guy that had a '61 Impala convertible, tri-power 348 4 speed car that I helped him with. Carb and trans linkage issues. Name sure rings familiar......
Semper Fi
Joe

[Mike Amtower]

At long last, folks ........I got Ed Ruvolis' plaque off to his brother Mike this morning.

I let his daughter Rachael know that Mike should be looking for a UPS truck this weekend.

I missed my target of May 12th (the 36th anniversary of Ed's passing) as a delivery date, but the thought was there.

I may not be timely, but I persevere.

I want to thank ALL those that made this gesture possible and contributed time and effort to the project.

That's, Larry Collins, Don York, Rick Hargreaves and many others. Including Mr. Dick Bales,
(former Marine) "one of us".

Ed's presentation piece turned out to be 28 inches by 14 inches and about 1 1/2 inches thick.
The Ruvolis sign was an unusual rectangular trapezoid shaped aluminum box, about an inch
thick. It was not a normal flat street sign, as is the Tessier sign.

I about have the Tessier plaque done also and am still trying to get in contact with the Tessier family.

Thanks to Don, I can get a letter off to a man that might be his father.

[Joe Reed]

Mikey,
You guys deserve some atta boys for this, for sure! Give 'em to ya' in Reno!
Semper Fi
Joe

[Ricky Brohmer]

What a great base with the greatest wooden structures ever built. I will never forget the times w/ HMH361 sending in trainees from the flight line all the way in to the hangar to get me a "Can of T5" or into the flight shack to ask the Gunny for the "Key to the Gust Lock." It makes me smile justhinking about some 30 yrs ago!

Rick

[Joe Reed]

Was K.W.Andrus the skipper, then? He's a great guy and a great C.O. I had him in HMM-365 in New River. He's also a Popasmoke member and should be at the Fort Worth reunion, fyi.
Semper Fi
Joe

[commish361]

For all who had a hand in this most honorable quest, two thumbs up and Semper Fi! Attaboys all around and any other compliments are well deserved! Never was stationed there, but have many acquaintances who were.
Joe: LtCol K. W. "Andy" Andrus was HMH-361 CO from late 1968 to Dec 1969 or Jan 1970. He took us, molded into a very competitive, cohesive unit and deployed us from New River to Viet Nam after the transition to CH-53s. He became the MAG-16 S-3 until his tour ended. Had the distinct privelege and honor to work with him there as well. LtCol C. A. Block took over HMH-361 and re-deployed them to CONUS. (Early 1970)

[Joe Reed]

Paul,
Sounds like you and I share the same opinion of "Andy"! Great guy and inspiring leader. I run out of adjectives..........
Take care.
Semper Fi
Joe

[Mike Amtower]

We should have the culmination of the Tessier quest next Monday, 13 June, 2005.

I have been in touch with the husband of Capt. Tessier's sister.

I will be in Reston, Va next week on business and they live very close to that location.

I am trying to arrange for former Capt. & Pilot Rae Scott and I to visit them and present the Tessier presentation piece that I had Dave Gromaski help me construct.

Some of you might know both of these gentlemen. Capt. Scott was a pilot with us in the original 463 group that went over on the Tripoli, and Dave was a high time crewchief in '68, '69 & '70. Dave had the Woody Woodpecker 53.

[Robert Wemheuer]

Mike,

I would like to thank you for your superior effort in the quest to recover the street signs named after fallen Marine Pilots and Aircrew Members that were located on board MCAS Tustin. These are more than just street signs they are a small recognition of the sacrifices that these Marines made to our Country and Corp. The names - Ruvolis - Link - Belknap - Bennett - Dyer - Bancroft - Brand - Ehnis - Rolstadt - Rose - Tessier - and Deetz displayed in these signs will not be forgotten in a trash heap because of your efforts. Thanks again.

Robert "Bull" Wemheuer
Former C.O. MCAS Tustin

[Mike Amtower]

Thank you, Bob.

It just seemed like the right thing to do!

..... and the familys have appreciated it.

Mike

[Mike Amtower]

Got these pics from a friend.

The place SURE looks different!

The hangars still appear to be in pretty good shape.
__________________________________________________ __________

I TOOK SOME PICTURES:
#001: IN THE PARKING LOT BETWEEN COSTCO AND LOWE'S. HANGAR 2 IS A SIGHT FOR "SORE EYES"
FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN IT FOR YEARS, YOU GOTTA GET THAT REMINISCENCE OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

THE DISTRICT AS THIS SHOPPING CENTER IS NOW CALLED IS ALMOST 100% OPERATIONAL. IF YOU
LIVE NEARBY, DROP BY AND SEE THE VAST IMPROVEMENT THE CIVILIAN POPULATION MADE. THE
MARINES THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTA TO KEEP "CLEAR THE FIELD OF VISION" SO THE ENEMIES
COULD NOT PULL A SURPRISE ATTACK ON THE BASE. EXCUSE ME...?

#002: IN FRONT OF HANGAR 2 DOORS.

THE STREET IS TUSTIN RANCH ROAD (TRR). THERE ARE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WITH THE FLASHING
RED LIGHTS AS THE TRR COMES TO A DEAD END. WARNER MERGES INTO TRR @ THE LIGHTS.
TRR WILL CONTINUE LATER TOWARD EDINGER, AS AN OVERPASS (TRAIN TRACKS) TO JOIN T
HE ORIGINAL TRR IN TUSTIN.

#003: A LITTLE VIEW OF THE SNOW-CAPPED YAMA (MOUNTAINS WAY YONDER).

#004: A BETTER LOOK AT THE SNOW-CAPPED (I THINK IT'S) SADDLEBACK MOUNTAINS.

I HAD TO "EDIT" #002 & 003 TO GET A CLEARER LOOK.

THE FORMER FUEL PITS AREA IS BEING BEEN LEVELED AND GRADED AS I TYPE. WHEREABOUT WILL
THE GOLF COURSE WILL BE, I DON'T KNOW.

I DRIVE BY ON JAMBOREE EVERY DAY SO ANY CHANGES MADE ON THE BASE IS HARDLY NOTICEABLE,
FOR NOW. WHEN WILL THE NORTH HANGAR BE DEMOLISHED, I DON'T KNOW. I ASSUME WHENEVER
CONGRESS APPROVES IT (BOTH HANGARS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITES) AND THE
CITY OF TUSTIN SAYS OKAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE PUBLIC IS ADVERTISED, I'LL BE THERE
WITH MY CAMERA.

WELL, OLD SHOE/OLD SALT, I LEAVE YOU WITH A LITTLE MEMORY, OUR OLD LTA WITH ITS NEW "FACE."

[Mike Amtower]

Wally put this link up on the Junk on the Bunk thread and I also
brought it over here, as it is pertinent to this thread subject.

It was a GREAT FIND on Wally's part!

This is the history of the hangars from the Town of Tustin. Very good!

http://www.tustinca.org/departments/...sofHistory.pdf

[pm3777]

Photo of the first 19 Officers & 243 Enlisted 1951 when we opened the base. Apparently dosent show here. SF PM ( Should Be HMR 161 VS HMM)

[Mike Amtower]

OK, Paul,

Thanks for the "heads up!" ..... I think I've fixed the link where it should work now.

[USMCTPDOG]

OMG, what pictures and memories. I can hardly believe it.

I spent many years stationed on Tustin both with H&HS station Operations and with 161 and 764. I remember standing on the steps of the MAG-16 HQ's as GDO and listening to taps being played and later the wonderful quiet. Wow, am I feeling old now!

[steven444]

informative post

[Joe Reed]

Mike,
Thanks for the link. Lotsa memories there. When I got there in early 1969 it was stilll called Santa Ana. I was confused by the Tustin handle until I read the info in the link.

[Mike Amtower]

Joe,

Back in '66 & '68 (the two times I was aboard), it was known as Santa Ana.

It only became "Tustin" sometime later, and I was out of the Corps in New
River in August of '68.

I was only aboard for a short time in June of '68 to pick up a leave advance.

That was the day of the "famous jack hammer" incident on the main drag of
downtown Santa Ana. When I tried to bail out of my moving car with my
bride to be in the passenger seat.

I had 30 days leave and 10 days travel time starting around the first week
of June in 1968. I got to New River sometime near the end of July and was
out of the Corps on the 26th of August. I had about three weeks of duty at NR.

[Joe Reed]

I had about three weeks of duty at NR.

LOL! That was more than enough for some, Mike! I liked it because it was close to home and I could "Swoop" nearly every weekend to Atlanta. No I-20 then so it was up to Charlotte and back down to Atlanta....Was in New River with Bo and Nash last year and the changes over the years are dramatic, to say the least. Looks like a real "big time" place now. (sorry to hijack the LTA thread)