This scene must have been repeated many times in 1967-1968. We, Kilo 3/1, looked eeriely similar on the Cua Viet in January 1968. -Submitted by: chris giordano [cpgiord@yahoo.com] 2006-03-13

The picture has my dad Donald Lee Kolnsberg in it. He is holding the Marine at the front of the tanke. he has a toy octopus or something tie dto the front of his helmet. Please advise when this picture was taken and where it was posted. -Submitted by: Shannon Z Kolnsberg [zackk@charter.net] 2006-03-25

I was a Marine tank commander involved in the fighting in Hue City during the Tet celebration in Feb of 1968. While this photo is not of my tank, we did carry an un-Godly amount of WIA Marine grunts out of harms was during the month-long battle for control of the city. I believe that this specific tank had been part of the 1st Tank Batallion that was fighting on the north side of the Perfume River attempting to recapture The Citidel during the final phase of the battle. I had a copy of the original Life magazine article that this photo appeared in way back when. We also have this image posted on the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association webstite (www.usmcvta.org) as well. Not that long ago the mother of one of these WIA Marines in this amazing photo contacted me via email and thanked me profusely for saving the life of her son. Evidnetly she recognized him as one of these hapless Marines. While I thanked her for the kind words I did correct her that it was not my tank in the picture. She told me that it did not matter that this photo was not of my tank. She knew in ther heart that my tank had helped a lot of Marines make it home. That is one of the many things that Semper Fidelis is all about. Semper Fidelis, John Wear New Hope, PA Sgt 3rd Tank Bn RVN '68 - '69 -Submitted by: John Wear [johnwear@yahoo.com] 2006-08-25

The end of a bad day -Submitted by: Billy Singing Bear [singingbear@backroads.net] 2007-09-25

There are two photographs with Marines on tanks during the battle of Hue that was published. One of them has a black Marine with a M-16 with the bayonet attached. Can anyone tell me what happened to him and is this the same tank? Was he killed by a sniper before this famous pic was taken? I believe both pics were snapped by John. -Submitted by: Steve Haylock [effewe2@gmail.com] 2008-01-08

As a member of 3/1, 67-68, grunt, gunner, this method of getting the wounded out was alot better than dragging our sorry asses through mud, bambo or whatever, but it had its dis-advantages also. I wish the politicians would have kept themselves out of this one and let us do the dirty work without any strings attached, if you know what I mean? Please visit the www.3onevet.com website for members of the 3/1 RVN members. -Submitted by: Van Scheurich [vsch47@Yahoo.com] 2008-06-23

Went to high school with James Blaine in Spokane, Wa. A good person with a big heart! -Submitted by: Dave Faraca [dfaraca@comcast.net] 2008-08-16

Jim Beals, who is holding the bottle in this photo, had the bottle shot out of his hand by a sniper or stray bullet moments after this shop was taken. He wound up taking minor shrapnel from it. Thank you for your service, Uncle Jim. I'm glad you made it home from this day and the war. -Submitted by: Al Billings [albill@arcanology.com] 2008-11-19

Tried to forget my time over there for years.Didn't work.These pictures bring back tears,but also warm feelings for the brotherhood and respect we had for each other.Maybe someday I'll be able to talk & act like a normal person -Submitted by: gary leirmoe [gleirmoe@c.i.elk-river.mn.us] 2009-10-15

Does anyone have a point of contact for two Marines shown in the foreground of this iconic photo: Corpsman Richard Schlagel (holding PFC James Blaine), or Jim Beals (holding the drip bottle)? I am conducting some historical research on this photo, and would invite contacting either man to inquire about this battle in Hue, and photo. Kind Thanks, Alex Villalva Vietnam War historian and researcher -Submitted by: Alex Villalva [alejandro.villalva@brooks.af.mil] 2009-11-25

I served as a Marine in Beirut. My brother served in Viet Nam in 1967 as a Marine. I have two other uncles who are Marine brothers. I have an ancesteor that goes back to 1775 as an Lt. in the Continental Marines. I have viewed this picture many times with a heavy heart. You MARINES in Hue were so awesome and brave. No matter what the NVA threw at you, the love you dislplayed for each other conquered all. To this day the Marines and Corpsman who fought in Hue are my benchmark for courage. This picture says two words. SEMPER FIDELIS! John Lothrop -Submitted by: john thomas lothrop [john.lothrop@parrishmed.com] 2010-08-27

US Navy Seabee doing a research paper on the Battle of Hue and wouldnt you know it the archives.gov site doesnt have anything. This is why I am requesting the photo to use as a primary source document for my project to show how we cared for our wounded Brothers in arms. -Submitted by: Earl A. Doan III [edoan1981@gmail.com] 2010-09-09

great photo -Submitted by: w.d.jones [betterduck@bellsouth.net] 2011-01-01

I served with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, in Quang Tri Province (I-Corps) from 1967through the Tet Offensive of 1968. If you think our grunts look pretty beat up on that tank, you should see the other guys in the NVA! We kicked their asses everytime they dared to stand and fight. -Submitted by: William Brooks, PFC, 5th Marines 1967-1968 [daystar1949@aol.com] 2011-09-26