Vieques

[Ray Norton]

Many of us who passed through New River spent time on this island either just before or after an in country tour.

The Navy and Marines have left, and it is changing.

If you are interested in an update: see

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/travel/index.html

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[jim-uc62]

Does anyone have pictures and/or info on what when on with Treasure Island? Lots of people did a short stay there before and after too. I understand its all closed up.

[pm3777]

Dont have any pictures except in my mind. Spent couple weeks there Dec 52 awaiting ship to Korea. Spent most days in the bowling Alley until we boarded ship. There as Marine replacements we ended up guarding group of Army Deserters all the way to Korea where they were sent to the front lines. Not much about the Island except it was under the Bridge going to SF. Semper Fi PM

[popasmoke]

I went on 2 cruises with HMM-261 and spent about 6 weeks plus on Vieques. Carib 3-68, and Carib 1-70.

[Carl E Boley]

Spent a couple weeks at T I in Sept 54. Had the pleasure of walking MP duty in Oakland almost every night until I received orders.

[1chuck]

I spent my first 4 years as a grunt with 3/8 out of camp swampy and got to make several landing on vieques as well as I was there with 461 just before the Santo Domingo rebellion.

I was with Mike/3/8 in 60 when we were pulled off the island and sent to gitmo to guard the perimiter of leward point air station. My first trip in a plane and it was one of the old Flying Boxcars I was too dumb to be scared I should have been. We were the first of the Marines to go in there and that made it interesting very intersting indeed.

[george mckee]

off loaded from lph to vieques during my '66 cruise. we had a landing mat parking area and lived in those round top buildings. i have to describe them because i don't think i can spell quanset hut. grunts had tents. remember the head was a row of cut-out holes leading into a cement trench below. there was a cement holding tank that had water flowing into it from somewhere. had a large can that floated to the surface as the tank filled and at the appropriate time released the water to flush all that had accumulated to somewhere.

[4frank]

I returned from Korea in the first ship to bring rotated troops home in April 1951. After a short stay at the Oak Knol Naval Hospital, I was sent to Treasure Island to await orders. After spending several days doing nasty working parties, I lucked out on becoming a prison chaser at the brig. I would report each morning and afternoon (weekdays), then armed with a M-1 carbine with live ammo, I would take 4 prisoners out to pick up trash, cut grass, clear brush, etc. It was a great job. Only got challenged once by a prisoner, but when I let the bolt fly home, the challenge ended. I repoted the incident upon their retun to the brig. Lord knows what happened then, but I'll bet he was sorry. Some of the prisoners were marines, but I never knew which of them were. Hadn't thought about all that in many years.
Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce.
Frank

[stonko34]

I returned to the states in October 54 after my 14 months in country with HMR 163. Received 45 days delay enroute to Peter Field, Jacksonville, NC. Left home after a couple weeks bored. Checked in with my new squadron VMO 1. They were very happy to see me because they were short-handed for the detachment going to Vieques. My complaining did no good as it was explained to me that I should not bow when meeting the squadron commander. That I needed some retraining. We left on the LSD Fort Mandan with about a 35 man detachment for range clearance and air-sea rescue duty.
Must have been among the first there because it was a barren island with only the village Isabella Segunda and wild horses there. Lived in squad tents next to the runway. Day on, day off duty with range clearance in AM and rescue the remainder. Fishing, swimming on off days. Tough. Sadly, we lost two men in a crash of an OE-1 while there. We did shoot aerials for the Movie "Away All Boats" with Jeff Chandler and George Nader during our stay. They lunched with us off and on. Went stateside end of May 55 just before my discharge in June.

[stonko34]

I returned to the states in October 54 after my 14 months in country with HMR 163. Received 45 days delay enroute to Peter Field, Jacksonville, NC. Left home after a couple weeks bored. Checked in with my new squadron VMO 1. They were very happy to see me becaause they were short-handed for the detachment going to Vieques. My complaining did no good as it was explained to me that I should not bow when meeting the squadron commander. That I needed some retraining. We left on the LSD Fort Mandan with about a 35 man detachment for range clearance and air-sea rescue duty.
Must have been among the first there because it was a barren island with only the village Isabella Segunda and wild horses there. Day on, day off range clearance in AM and rescue the remainder. Fishing on off days. Tough. Sadly, we lost two men in a crash of an OE-1 while there. We did shoot aerials for the Movie "Away All Boats" with Jeff Chandler and George Nader while there. Went stateside end of May 55.

[Jerome HALL]

I went on 2 cruises with HMM-261 and spent about 6 weeks plus on Vieques. Carib 3-68, and Carib 1-70.

J D We prepare the Island for you Hmm 261, For we was on Carib. 2-68 Hmm-264. I also spent time on Sub unit Hmm 264 (UH 34's) 10 or 11 -67 to 1-68, to cover for Hmm-365 while they Had the 46es grounded for Aft Pylon's Repairs.

[Ray Norton]

According to the link which claims, "The Carribean the Way it used to Be," Vieques was really pretty good duty! Ah, the Old Corps!

/http://www.viequestravelguide.com/

[Jerome HALL]

According to the link which claims, "The Carribean the Way it used to Be," Vieques was really pretty good duty! Ah, the Old Corps!

/http://www.viequestravelguide.com/

RAY I just know there are stories out there that should be put in a book,over the years it would make a good story also. My first Christmas away from home was on this little Island (not known by to many) and here NO Snow and temp in the 80's and the beach
was something neat. At least until I jump into the water and all the salt. I was from MICHIGAN and we have great fresh WATER,and this stuff would not rise off. Mostly since there was no water at the beach.

[timothy]

Ah Vieques, I loved it there went twice. Once with 262 in 66 pre Nam and with 162 after Nam 68. Nothing wrong with salt water JJ, no need to rinse it off. It would cure all your ills!

[middy]

made a trip or "two", Ooohhh yes isabella segunda,,, being from Rocksburry Mass i had no problem with the young ladies,,, better be holding there hand before you turn out the lights. LOL,, i loved it, but the southern boys had a little trouble at first. LOL LOL,, walking down the dirt roads,,, one night we got out in the boondocks and tried to catch those horses. thanks for jogging the memory. "middy"

[Jerome HALL]

Sure was a cute little town,but the 1st time I was in the Co'c jeep with His Driver and another Marine. NOT THE CO! His Driver took us down to see the Beach, nice it was picture of a Post card . Now on the way back the Driver said "this jeep can go right up that hill and over HUH ??///??? Whats He saying!! Thats what he did and we came down the other side, going into the Barn yard of a Farmer, opening the gates to get out and into the end of TOWN. I was sure we was going to get in trouble!! Right? So the driver then went right down the road to the main gate to go back into the Airwing Base.
No way! ! We got to stop and show our order's Oh now what! Just act like nothings wrong and they just slaute US because we got the Co's Jeep with his Flag on it. Just knew we was going to be standing tall before the old man. Story came out better then I thought it was going. TIM I still say"There's nothing like fresh water Swimming"