DaNang
 | The bridge at DaNang
this bridge going to Camp Tinsha? I was in 1st Bridge Company, 7th Engineers USMC back in April of 1966 and we built a pontoon bridge across this river but it didn't last long because the monson's took it out.
Semper Fi,
Jim Hyland // JH112747@aol.com
Comment by: Ken Bruno on Feb 24, 2008 03:18 PM
this picture is of the Namo bridge, just north of Danang on the way to hai van pass. i was stationed at hai van pass with 1st LAAM btn, USMC from 10/66-11/67 and passed this bridge many times. ken bruno
Comment by: Chuck "IGOR" Burin on Feb 24, 2008 04:09 PM
This is the "Twin Bridges" between Da Nang and Marble not NAMO. This was the check point for Bronco's going into Da Nang. You called "twin Bridges" for landing and turned right or left depending on the landing runway (17 or 35). Not the LST landing area to the left of the photo.
Comment by: Dave Barry on Sep 5, 2009 04:43 PM
Those are the North bridges. The south bridge, that bordered the southern end of the fast mover runway at DaNang was a single bridge at a much narrow part of the river, guarded with one or two Marines that shot everything floating. This southern bridge was also the \"marker\" for for a north approach to Marble Mountain. MACS-6 Marine 67-69.
Posted by Curtis T King on 2010-02-08 |  | Da Nang
Da Nang
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-08 |  | CH-46 resting on 1st. MAW postoffice in DaNang
Comment by: Larry Cannon on Sep 17, 2007 01:25 AM
I was Tango Security MG Platoon Commander when this happened. Gunny Baker, the Guard Chief, came into the houch laughing his butt off. All the SNCOs jumped into the Mighty Mite, and ran down to take a look. The most interesting thing that happened that week. Gunny Cannon-Ret.
Comment by: Clinton Brownell on Sep 26, 2009 10:59 PM
When where was this taken. I think I was there with a few feet of the camera. Anyone know?
Comment by: RON MCCARTY on Feb 6, 2010 08:21 PM
FAR LEFT IS CPL SHERWOOD KRAMMER FROM P.A. (DOING A RIGHT FACE) L/CPL FRANK ?FROM N.Y. WITH SHORT SLEEVES)AND TO HIS RIGHT IS CPL. RON MCCARTY FROM IL. CPL. RON MCCARTY
Posted by Curtis T King on 2010-02-07 |  | Mortuary Da Nang
Mortuary Da Nang
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / DEC 2002
Comment by: G-MAN on Jul 27, 2006 02:10 PM
FROM WHAT I RECALL THERE WAS A SIGN OUT FRONT THAT READ 'IN REVERENCE, PLEASE UNCOVER"
I WAS WITH MAG 11
Comment by: JoJo Creech on Nov 14, 2006 10:29 PM
I wish I'd ever seen it this empty.
Comment by: Marjorie Garner on Jul 31, 2007 10:30 PM
My brother (PFC Gary Sooter) was KIA during Operation Utah March 5, 1966. We have been trying to locate the mortuary where he would have been taken. Is this the mortuary where they were processed before being sent to the States?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Marjorie (Sooter) Garner
Comment by: robert turek on Feb 10, 2008 07:19 PM
I don\'t know if this photo was taken at \"c\"med at freedom hill or not, but if it is, a partner and I were sent to emergency repair a refer that went down on a hot july day. We repaired the refer and the division sgt/maj gave us a case of beer. It was a very humbling job.
Comment by: Robert S. Leon on Apr 23, 2008 06:25 PM
I remember stretchers stacked 4 or 5 high and 6 or 7 slabs with guys working. I never could get that picture out of my mind. 3rdMarDiv Casualty Liason to 22nd CSF at USAF compound in Danang. 68/69 stationed in Danang and Quang Tri. Semper Fi
Comment by: Bob Lamarre on Apr 3, 2009 09:52 PM
I remember flying into Danang late at night from the Mekong Delta. I was there to escort the remains of my freind Lcpl Dave Duranceau. I had walked from the flight line to the mortuary. It was very dark and misty night. The events of that night are for ever in my mind.
Comment by: Jim Beecher on Jun 17, 2009 05:05 PM
Worked at Mortuary from 2/69-9/70. We now have a reunion yearly.
Comment by: Peter Smith on Feb 4, 2010 09:19 AM
I was a aerial photo interpreter in 1967 assigned to drive personnel each day to the Danang air field from III MAF HQ. On the way back one morning I had to stop the jeep as a forklift with aluminum coffins crossed the road to the airfield from the mortuary. The morning sun gleamed off the coffins held high by the arms of the forklift. That was one poignant and noble moment I'll never forget.
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-06 |  | Mushroom cloud over Da Nang
May 1969- The day the ammo dump blew.
Comment by: james d. prim on Sep 4, 2006 08:45 PM
I remember that day very well, I was in DaNang at Hq Squadron and we had to leave the buildings and stay outside and watch the waves in the sky due to the explosions. We were in front of "dogpatch"
Comment by: Randall C. Wooten on Jan 16, 2007 12:26 PM
I remember this too really well. I was there in Happy Valley at the time. We had to be evacuated from our battallion on tanks. Tha ammo dump blew for thre days and completely destroyed our battallion area.
Comment by: John Daniels on Mar 11, 2007 01:26 PM
That was some thing I won't ever forget! I was at 1st. Med Bn. right down the road. Stuff was landing all over the place.
Comment by: Richard Kast on Sep 3, 2007 06:43 PM
I remember this scene. We were down on the beach that day and I was the only one who had a weapon.
Being a Corpsman, we only had my 45 and my unit#1. We jumped in the jeep to get back to headquarters and had to go out around. It took us approximately 2-3 hours.
I have pictures similiar, but they are on slides.
After this we took the roofs from the clubs that were destroyed and delivered them to the people outside the compound.
I was a Corpsman with the Wing Surgeon's Office, 1stMAW at the time.
Comment by: Charlie Klotz on Nov 3, 2008 06:54 PM
I remember that day, I was up in a gun tower at Namo Bridge with Echo company 2/26. We thought it was a nuclear explosion. You could feel the heat waves eight miles away.
Something I will never forget...
Comment by: Ken Van Arsdel on Nov 16, 2008 02:48 PM
What a sight that was! I was assigned to the Special Forces camp at the base of Marble Mountain, south of Danang. I remember watching the shock waves spread through the clouds, like ripples on a pond.
Comment by: ed baba on Apr 1, 2009 02:44 PM
I too was there . we were at Camp Hoover next to r&r center our camp was leveled. MCB 5
Comment by: Michael R. Haase on Jan 24, 2010 06:43 PM
I remember. The explosion shook are building at Camp Tien Sha many miles to the north.
Posted by Ronnie Foster on 2010-02-03 |  | HMM-365 Loading for Battle
HMM-365 "Loading for Battle" West side of the (Da Nang) strip, 1965 Our Sandpiper = Loadmaster SSGT Warren F. Atwood (right foreground)
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-03 |  | Mess Hall, DaNang 1963
Good reason for taking this picture. Don't forget where you work,sleep AND eat!
Colonel Gomez was the CO of MAG 16. He frequently flew down from Okniwa to Da Nang but was not there most of the time.
Cpl David B. Wright
HMM 261
Comment by: Richard Tompkins on Aug 28, 2009 07:50 AM
These flics bring back so many memories and takes me back some 40 years. Thanks for keeping and sharing these memories of a huge part of our lives. Semper Fi
Comment by: Michael J Carroll sr on Nov 23, 2009 06:35 PM
Good old Mess hall were i got Dysentery twice .
Semper Fi Mike Carroll sr
Comment by: Michael R. Haase on Jan 24, 2010 06:22 PM
Where is this chow hall? I was in the Navy at Camp Tien Sha beneath Monkey Mountain. Prior to that time I was in the Security Department living in the Marine Barracks on Naval Station Adak, Alaska.
Posted by Mike Lindh on 2010-01-25 |  | Barracks at the French Compound at Danang, late 1964
This appears to be a photo of the MWHG-1, H&HS-1, 1st MAW hooches I stayed in during my tour from Aug68-May69. The water tower spoken of in Photo #3715 would be behind where the photographer of this picture is standing. It appears to be exactly the same as when I was there four years after being taken even down to the 55 gallon drums on the corner of the buildings. These held water for fire protection. I don't remember for certain but I think the smaller building in the middle of the picture was the shower facility. I don't recall seeing the building on the right side but the mess hall would have been in that direction. The compound ended about where the trees are at the end with an ARVN compound adjoining beyond them. Choppers used to land just beyond those trees and a bit off to the right on a helo pad that was there in 68-69. During one of the many rocket attacks the building that was at the far end on the right side of the picture just beyond what is visible in this photo took quite a bit of shrapnel from a 122. It was my first introduction to 'incoming' and happened around 0400 my third or fourth night in country. I was housed in probably the third building from the end and attached to "Tango Security". TS was used to man the bunkers and towers on the perimeter and run patrols out beyond dogpatch. I have several pictures I will have digitized and eventually post on this website that bring more detail to some of what is missing from these two photos. Semper Fi Ron Beaman 817-232-5741 Ft. Worth, TX DaNang RVN Aug68-May69
I lived in the third building just this side of the small one. The building on the right was a barber shop in 68 when I was there. I was a 2111 (Armorer) and was in H&HS-1, MWHG-1. I worked in a butler building and may have issued you your rifle. I worked with SSgt Long. I had to take turns on guard duty and recall going to the Tango Security guard shack by walking to the end of the row, crossing the open field (helo pad?) and then behind a small PX finding the small room where we checked in.
I would really like copies (digital) of this and any other pics you have of that area.
Bill McCormack
Bill McCormack
Practitioner Faculty
University of Phoenix Online
Email: wmccormack@uophx.edu
Alternate email: bmccormack1@yahoo.com
Comment by: Michael Cook on Feb 22, 2008 09:46 AM
I lived in the first building just side of the small one. I was in Mt and was in Danang in 1963-64
It is so strange seeing these pictures after all of these years. The bar and out side movie theater are also in the picture and at the end of the barracks, all the way to the right was sick bay. Do not know what was there in 68. I hauled beer to the club and worked at the motor pool at the end of the air strip.
Comment by: Terry Jahraus on Jul 19, 2008 03:07 AM
There is no doubt about it...that is MWHG-1, 1st MAW,....I worked in the Radio/Relay section that lived in the 1st or 2nd building on the left in 1970/71. The highway was further left of these buildings. The small building in the middle on the left that the Marine is walking to, is the "shitter" and the showers. Straight ahead is the ARVN compound. You can find this base is still standing by going to Google Earth and typing in Da Nang, Vietnam. You will quickly find the air strip and MWHG-1 is still there! ....although it look abandoned. Radio Relay had a "shot" with a TRC-97 to Monkey Mountain and two TRC-97's aimed at Marble Mountain.
Comment by: Tom Kane on Jan 25, 2009 02:35 AM
HMM261 used these facilities from June 65 until late August/early Sept. when we moved to Marble Mountain. When we were there, there were sandbags at the doors. We had houseboys to keep the area clean and do our clothes. We always knew when it was Sunday, as when we came home from flying all day, there were steaks flown in.
Comment by: William Baltzer on Jun 22, 2009 04:54 PM
I was in Danang in 1963-64, also. Lotta memories. I was a corpsman and worked in the sick bay and had to fire up the gas autoclave to sterilize instruments -a dangerous job in itself in those days. The building to the right was the EM Club I believe, don't remember where the chow hall was . There were no ARVN barracks then that I recall, just the old French parade ground with a flagpole in the middle -across from the sick bay at the far end. But ARVN troops did guard duty at night on our perimeter fence. Dogpatch was on the other side of the train tracks to the left of the barracks in the picture. And, yes, we had sandbags in front of the doors on both ends of our barracks. 631018 was the day we lost two H34's and twelve of our friends including two corpsmen and a doctor on a SAR.
Comment by: Johnny Lawson on Nov 24, 2009 12:50 AM
I was in MWCS-1 MWHG-1 Radio Relay during the sept.68 to Oct 69 time frame. I also lived in those old French barracks. We were hit with rockets and
and I still have a piece of shrapnel that I removed from my flack jacket. The small building in the middle was the shower/shitter.
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-01-20 |  | Repose
In flight passing the hospital ship USS Repose in Da Nang harbor. 1967 "Picture by Bob Houston"
Found your website by . Scrolling through the pictures when I came to this one it was like getting hit with I don't know what. 7Jun04 ceased to exist. Suddenly, it was shortly after Tet of 68 and the Repose was riding at anchor in DaNang Harbor just as she is in the picture. I'd just been medevaced to the Repose with Malaria and Dysentery. Almost a month later I left the Repose and returned to my unit. I still haven't fully gotten it back together after seeing that picture. I printed a copy of it. It's gonna be framed and put up on the bulkhead with some other things I have. Semper Fi, Frank Walker (USMC - 3/62-11/82, RVN - 6/67-7/68) //Frank Walker [fwalker1@tampabay.rr.com]
had eye surgery on the Repose in 1965 while the ship cruised up & down the coast about 25/30 miles out...was transferred to Oakland, CA to recooperate,,,,couldn't see well enough to sight my weapon...so they sent me home.... Dick Kindelspire MCB#3 US NAVY SeaBee // Dick [dick@gohighspeed.com]
Before the repose, there was the HOPE. sister ship to the Repose. this was during 1964 and 1965. I left viet nam for the last time in july of 1966. left many friends there to finish telling the story. great pics. navy from 1963 to 1966. U.S.S. WINSTON AKA94. felipe salazar [felipeyana@sbcglobal.net]
From: , Tuesday, December 13, 2005 2:10 PM
July of 1967, HMM 363, Capt. Rat fell off the side of the USS Repose. I was the Corpsman on the medivac. Our wheels touched the ocean. Capt Rat over boosted and slammed on to the helo deck. We had 6 wounded marines from Delta Med , we pulled out the IV's and put life jackets on all the stretchers. We flew back to Dong Ha with the chip light on. Would like to know the Crew Chief and Capt Rat's name. Was a hairy ride that night. -Doc Mac
Comment by: jaime brown on Jul 7, 2007 10:08 PM
that is a great pic of the repose. My grandfather was on the repose in 1945 to 1947 I have lots of pics of the inside of the ship as was as the outside that he took, jaime brown
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-01-18 | | Repose
In flight passing the hospital ship USS Repose in Da Nang harbor. 1967 "Picture by Bob Houston"
Found your website by . Scrolling through the pictures when I came to this one it was like getting hit with I don't know what. 7Jun04 ceased to exist. Suddenly, it was shortly after Tet of 68 and the Repose was riding at anchor in DaNang Harbor just as she is in the picture. I'd just been medevaced to the Repose with Malaria and Dysentery. Almost a month later I left the Repose and returned to my unit. I still haven't fully gotten it back together after seeing that picture. I printed a copy of it. It's gonna be framed and put up on the bulkhead with some other things I have. Semper Fi, Frank Walker (USMC - 3/62-11/82, RVN - 6/67-7/68) //Frank Walker [fwalker1@tampabay.rr.com]
had eye surgery on the Repose in 1965 while the ship cruised up & down the coast about 25/30 miles out...was transferred to Oakland, CA to recooperate,,,,couldn't see well enough to sight my weapon...so they sent me home.... Dick Kindelspire MCB#3 US NAVY SeaBee // Dick [dick@gohighspeed.com]
Before the repose, there was the HOPE. sister ship to the Repose. this was during 1964 and 1965. I left viet nam for the last time in july of 1966. left many friends there to finish telling the story. great pics. navy from 1963 to 1966. U.S.S. WINSTON AKA94. felipe salazar [felipeyana@sbcglobal.net]
From: , Tuesday, December 13, 2005 2:10 PM
July of 1967, HMM 363, Capt. Rat fell off the side of the USS Repose. I was the Corpsman on the medivac. Our wheels touched the ocean. Capt Rat over boosted and slammed on to the helo deck. We had 6 wounded marines from Delta Med , we pulled out the IV's and put life jackets on all the stretchers. We flew back to Dong Ha with the chip light on. Would like to know the Crew Chief and Capt Rat's name. Was a hairy ride that night. -Doc Mac
Comment by: jaime brown on Jul 7, 2007 10:08 PM
that is a great pic of the repose. My grandfather was on the repose in 1945 to 1947 I have lots of pics of the inside of the ship as was as the outside that he took, jaime brown
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-01-18 |  | Ammo Dump Fire, 1969
Ammo dump fire near Da Nang. Photo taken from MMAF.
The ammo dump blew in March of 69. I know because I was A dog handler, our kennels were next to the dump on the south side of hill 327. I just happened to be in our rear that day. Semper Fi, Frank Herschler, 1st. Scout Dog Plt.
The dump blew in late April 1969. I knew the approximate date but Mike Wolter confirmed the exact date for me from his journal. I lost his email to me when my computer crashed. It most definately was not in March J Dullighan
The dump blew on 27 April, 1969
I was with 5th Comm, South of China Beach. The day of the ammo dump explosion, I was in the back of a pickup, somewhere in Danang. I saw the mushroom cloud explosion and thought the truck would overturn. The was a significant shock wave but no damage. The dump blew all day and into the night. The sky was overcast that night and we sat on the top of out hootch, drinking beer and watching the shockwaves in the sky. Tony Mastriani tmastriani@hotmail.com
You have a great site. I was w/ MCB-5 (SEABEES) from 1/69 to 9/69 @ Camp Hoover, just below the Freedom Hill PX complex. ASP # 1 blew on 27 April 1969. Our camp was about 97% destroyed. We spent about 17 hours in our perimeter fighting holes. Frank Musumeci Fmoose@citlink.net
The ammo dump pictured went up late April 69. I had just returned from ridding gun for a medivac and we were sitting at the MMAF Sergeant's Club wondering who did it! We heard sappers and/or an accident. Our sympathy was with MCB-5 as they got nailed. Those folks were our premo source of steaks and other "hard-to-get" items!!!! // Semper Fi Chet Russo // Chet Russo [c.w.russo@verizon.net]
The asp-1 explosion in April '69 was an accident. My dad was there and was a month short and had to finish up at asp-2. The "logistics bad luck" that led to this accident is as follows, according to a Warrant Officer Carr, when Dad was talking to him....papa san was burning some trash in a field, when the wind whipped up and spread it into a large grass fire. In vain, the men used fire extinguishers to put it out,but it caught the Grade 3 (faulty) ammo on fire. The cooking off and exploding ammo spread the fire, resulting in a mass detonation as $80-$100 million of ammo went up in smoke,taking 40 percent of Force Logistics Command's ammo and fuel supply,as well as Air Force Bombs in a three day fire that leveled Camp Monahan's hooches and damaged the Freedom Hill Exchange. A shitty shame, as Dad found out that the main fire truck was in for PM that day, and the back up wasn't around. Anyway, God bless all of you vets, and thank you for all you have done. Son of an E-3 Marine, Ammo-Tech, Basic. gandkmcgregor@comcast.net, Semper Fi!!
Remember this incident well, although the exact date slips my mind. I was with HMH-463 at MMAF when the ammo dump went up. We could see the shock wave ripple through the air as ordinance exploded. Someone decided that there were chemical weapons in the dump, so rumor spread and we were told to carry gas masks around the squadron area. Can remember climbing up and down the sides of the 53's checking main rotor dampers and having a gas mask strapped to my leg while watching shock waves coming from the dump. I have to believe that the gas masks were an over reaction, but at 19 years of age….who the heck cared. CHARLIE PETTYS EDS-BPO/CPS 31011 Viking Parkway Westlake, Ohio 44145 440-250-5030 charlie.pettys@eds.com
From: Gatehead@aol.com, Sunday, December 04, 2005 5:56 PM
I was in the barracks accross the street , the two story building collapsed on me. I was waiting to come home. I'd like to hear from anyone in that barracks. Leatherneck magazine did a super story on it a few years ago.
From: Dale Newsome , Date: Dec 24, 2005 9:25 PM
I was a Marine stationed with the 1st Medical Battalion during that explosion. I volunteered to stay behind while the outfit was evacuated. Slept in an old French bunker that night while battling the giant cockroaches. The next day I somehow got picked to do a sweep thru a village near the dump. Sure messed up Hill 327 and the Sea Bee's. Probably wiped out Dog Patch too, but I really don't remember. Dale Newsome, Cpl, USMC
Comment by: cpl. cliff collar on Mar 3, 2006 08:38 PM
I was stationed 1st maw Hq 1/2 mile from 327 ,early sunday morning we could hear small round cooking off sounded like popcorn .went to Em club about 0900 sat at the bar for a few minutes ,Then all hell broke loose the doors blew off the ceiling came down we were knocked off are bar stools .I went running back to the hooch to get my duce gear about 300yards away when the 2nd major blast went off .Looking up I could see the blast blow out and over hill 327 and then suck back in and up forming a mushroom cloud. the shock wave came at me ,I could see tin roofs ripping off in dog patch as the air distorted with the wave . I hit the deck and covered my head ,the blast pushed me back about 3 feet. All the buildings that were sealed or air conditioned had walls blowed out or were flattened (IE officers BOQ'S, church, officers mess) Blasts would happen on and off for 48 hours, stayed in holes all night . About sundown a W.P bunker went up
looked like thousand rolls of toilet paper streeming down around dog patch and 4 corner area.
Comment by: Jim Hogan on Apr 26, 2006 02:50 AM
I was with first batt. 1st Marines Bravo company when the dump blew, we where a long ways off across a river but near DaNang. Our site got hit with morter rounds that blew and rockets from that explosition what a day! I am 100% PTSD from Maine. thanks for the web site great!
Comment by: DJ Conners on May 22, 2006 04:59 PM
The ammo dump blew April 27th, 1969. I was at the foot of Hill 327 at the Transit Facility. Our compund was destroyed. I have a bunch of pictures of it blowing up and of our compund during the explosion. DJ Conners, corporal USMC, Force Logistics Command 2481240
Comment by: Ken Vaughn on May 23, 2006 11:55 AM
I was with MCB5 when the dump went up, you were in the hole and the ground would drop out from under you and you would get slambed when it came back. When it was done and clear I hit my head on something when I was getting out of the hole. It was a 105 round. CM-3 This is something I will never forget........
Comment by: william j. march on Jun 9, 2006 08:33 AM
i was with HML-167 at MMAF when the dump went off. a bunch of us sat on our bunker and had some beers while we watched the show.
what i remember most after that was that we had to go out on missions with less ammo, most of which we expended in one gun run.
Comment by: Mike Moses on Sep 2, 2006 03:51 PM
Thats right, this thing explode on a Sunday morning and was still going almost 2 days after. It is the first time I saw the ground shake and everthing around us was destroyed. Beer club went first-what a shame. After everthing was over with we had to move to Red Beach and set up new camp. I was with 1st FSR/FLC Suppy Battalion from Sep 1968- Oct 1969. Most evrey one evalculated the area, but our Marine outfit staed and rode it out.
Comment by: Richard D. Sawyer on Jan 3, 2007 04:59 PM
I remember this event very well. I was on top of hill 327 surving with \\\"C\\\" Battery 1st LAAM Bn at the time. It happened on 27 April 1969. We lost most of the top of the hill in two days. I have photos and movies of these explosions. 38,000 ton of ammo went up in two days. The atomic bomb droped on Hiroshima was only 20,000 tons, but it did take two days for our 38,000 tons to go up. BIG BANG!!!!!!!
Comment by: bill currie on Jul 27, 2007 02:23 PM
I was in MCB 8 at Camp Haskins when this blew. We were also in the perimeter holes for about a day and a half. I believe we were about 2 miles away, and had little damage. I remember watching the shock waves when one blew then the ground shook. It sure got on our nerves though.
Comment by: Mickey Krakowski on Oct 27, 2007 01:59 PM
I was with 1st Tanks to the south of ASP1.. It still sends chills up my spine when I remeber the dump going up.. I still have a iece of 155 shrapnel that landed next to me outside my bunker.. I have some photos I took of the explosions, where can I send thewm to be displayed? Mickey
Comment by: HE Smith on Nov 29, 2007 07:52 PM
Sorry bout that During our Deployment to Da Nang we built ASP1 on 327 I myself drilled holes for the fence that was strung over the hill area and watched as two of our TD15 Dozers worked on rolling one of the French bunker down the hill. Also one of the funniest things I ever saw there was a group of Marines moving a hut that was on the top of Hill 327 I set there in my truck and they looked like a centipede they got all around that hut and quick stepped it down the road I thought I was going to crap when they did that.
Comment by: Roy H. Tompkins on Apr 26, 2009 09:25 AM
I was on the mortar crew with the Naval Security group south of Marble Mtn. We did security for the communications grid south of Chin Strap. I have a photo of the explosion from our compound. The pressure wave opened the doors of our hooch as it passed by. I sent a photo to Vietnam magazine five or six years ago with coments, but they did not publish it. Was quite a distance from it. Have lost contact will all but one of our group. On the mortar crew, I went by the name of "Dogman".
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-01-15 |  | DaNang '70-'71
from Arm Pitt taken by M. McGrew VMO-2
Posted by Roy M. Pitt on 2010-01-12 |  | suburbandanangstreet
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Semper Fi...... "Doc" John Hackworth, Flight surgeon HML-167 Senior Medical Officer MMAF 1969. Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-03 |  | Ammo Dump Fire, April (?) 1969
This fire burned for days and produced some spectacular light shows. It was reported to have happened when a clerk was burning paper and the fire got out of control. If you believe that I have a bridge near by here I can sell you....real cheap.
have some great video transferred from an 8mm movie reel. Got the "really big" ball of fire whose shock wave almost knocked me over. Spen the afternoon and evening on alert in the fighting positions in the S. Cantonement area (By the Med Evac Area). GORDON FRENCH flic5180@earthlink.net
Was sitting up at Phu Bai getting ready for R & R when they announced on AFVN that all those going on R & R report to China Beach instead of the Transit Area. Combined with info from guys up from Danang we knew something was up. Wayne Stafford
This is a great shot! I have others, but until I get my scanner on line they will remain slides or photos. I believe this was May of '68 when the ammo dump at 327 went up from a mortar or rocket attack. I was at MMAF from April '68 until May '69 and remember riding a hootch while watching the explosions and timing them from 327 to MMAF. We could see the shock waves rolling toward us through the thick smoke and when they got to us, the hootch would shake like a mother. This would be right around the same time we had out POL lot at MMAF hit by rockets. I have wonderful memories of watching a Marine run from the "sh**er" to a bunker with his pants around his ankles. Wasn't it funny what we laughed at then. The poor guy was scared to death because a rocket had just gone off behind his perch. // Bruce Hennell [hennell@direcway.com]
Comment by: BOB WAGNER on Nov 9, 2008 07:23 PM
I remember it well. All the hanging lights in the chow hall came down, my bunker would jump when you saw one of the expanding black circles in the sky get to you. Its exciting to think of it now but it was scary then.
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-01-03 |  | Gold Diggers
Posted by William Blair on 2009-12-25 |  | Da Nang Flight Line September 1962
Aerial view of Marine helicopter flight line at Da Nang
shortly after SHUFLY's relocation to I Corps in September 1962. (Official
USMC Photo).
Source: U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Advisory & Combat Assistance
Era, 1954-1964
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-10 |  | Ann-Margret Show at Da Nang Air Base 1966
Ann-Margret Show at Da Nang Air Base 1966 Submitted by: Bob Carroll -
Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Comment by: pat callahan on Dec 17, 2006 06:12 PM
i was there for that show. miss universe was star of the show .
Comment by: pat callahan on Dec 17, 2006 06:12 PM
i was there for that show. miss universe was star of the show .
Comment by: Michael J Carroll sr on Dec 2, 2009 06:40 PM
I was there also that day.What a show .
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-04 |  | USO at Freedom Hill DaNang.
USO at Freedom Hill DaNang.
HMM-262/HMM-364. 1968 Submitted by:Mike Greene Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / DEC 2002
Comment by: Chuck O'Donnell on May 8, 2006 11:36 AM
Is that the "Beer Garden." I got so wasted there, a R.O.K. Marine stole my sidearm .45. You almost forgot you were in a war. I got written up for losing my pistol but we had much more to worry about.
TET 68 was just about to start.
Dinky Dau Marine (Guns up)
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-03 |  | Visit to Freedom Hill (Da Nang)
LCpl Roger Collins visit to Freedom Hill complex on his 19th birthday, Sep 5, 1968. Member of VMO 2 (68-70)
Posted by Roger Collins on 2009-12-01 |  | Da Nang Runway
Da Nang Runway
Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth , Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Comment by: Peter Leonard on Nov 10, 2006 09:42 PM
China beach just above the engine cowling just south of Monkey Mountain.
Brings back memories as I spent 3 tours in this area and flew along this beach many times taking patients into the 95th evac hospital........Pete L.
Comment by: Peter Leonard on Nov 10, 2006 09:42 PM
China beach just above the engine cowling just south of Monkey Mountain.
Brings back memories as I spent 3 tours in this area and flew along this beach many times taking patients into the 95th evac hospital........Pete L.
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-24 |  | Namo Bridge
Namo Bridge Between DaNang and Hai Van Pass leading to Phu Bai 1967
This photo does not look like NamO bridge. I was there in approx. Nov. 1969 and NamO was being blown up every few days. The "sea-bees" kept rebuilding it but there was a lot of sniper activity. I was sent there from Hill 55 to get rid of the sniper and to help with the destruction of excess wood planks etc.. I was with K 3/1 and there was no arch/cover to the bridge that I remember. It was more of a flat wood or planked bridge as I recall. I could be wrong??? "0311" L/Cpl Robert Klucsarits // Robert Klucsarits [robertkl@cebridge.net]
NamO was a five-span steel structure that crossed the Song Ca De between the airfield and Hai Van Pass. It was an important supply route to the North, and a much threatened target of the Viet Cong. // source // http://www.companyh.org/TuyLoan.html
I was a 2nd Lt. and arrived there in June,'69. After a couple of months I took a rifle
platoon with Mike, 3/26 and went to the north of there, Hai Van pass and outskirts,
Hills 357, 327, 190, etc, My platton returrned to guard it in Dec., '69 and I was there,
doing this untill I left for R&R in mid-Jan., '70. It was still intact and never, to that point
had been blown up. We did get hit a few times, but no sequalae.
Ronald Holloway
Comment by: Richard D. Sawyer on Aug 28, 2006 03:24 AM
Once again I took this photo, and I still have it on a slide, The night the Nano Bridge was blown was April 11-12 1967. I was with \"A\" battery 1st LAAM on Hill 724 at Haivan Pass, and was on my way down to Danang to go on R&R when I took this photo. I have sent Bob Milby photos in the past and he posted this photo on this site.
Comment by: Greg Dougan on Aug 5, 2007 11:51 PM
As I recall it Capt. B.L. Williams USMC FLC G2 officer at Red Beach (Camp Books) told me it was 1st blown June 67. When we couldn't figure out how to repair it a pontoon bridge was put in a couple of months later.
Comment by: joe murray on Sep 5, 2007 10:22 AM
I was at Red Beach in 1967 when Namo bridge was blown.
Comment by: david valle on Feb 24, 2008 09:46 AM
I was with the first marine division, 1st tanks at namo bridge in 1970 our job was to guard this bridge with two tanks on the north end one on the south. I heard that after we left and the arvins took over it was blown, dont know for sure.
Comment by: Joel Breckenridge on Nov 13, 2008 07:44 PM
Served @ Namo Bridge 69-70 C Co. 1st Tanks Death Dealers Charlie 24 Rat,Bock,Chuck,Corkey. Joel (Cpl.) Breckenridge
Comment by: izzy watson on May 24, 2009 04:42 PM
Was at the bridge April, May of 68, spent about 45 days operating with the grunts, (Tractor rat here) Bridge looks exactly as I remember it. The bridge spent more time in the water than above it, was blown,and rebuilt shortly before I arrived, and shortly after I left to rotate back to the world. Good grenade fishing spot. The river had the biggest Lizards I had ever seen.
Posted by User Deleted on 2009-11-24 |  | Downtown DaNang, summer '65
We actually had one liberty in DaNang before it became off limits. Note the two Marines walking down the sidewalk. DaNang was a beautiful city and the people were friendly. We went to a steak house that was on a boat in the river and visited several bars in town.
Comment by: Chuck O'Donnell on May 8, 2006 12:15 PM
I remember sneaking into the city, It was off limits then, and going to the Hung Dao Hotel and couldn't believe they had flush toilets there. You just squatted over a hole in the floor and let loose, pull a chain and it flushed. Ran into C.I.A.guys there in civilian clothes. Weird war.
Dinky Dau Marine (guns up)
Comment by: Gary Moore on Mar 22, 2009 04:03 PM
I was in that area from 7/66 to 8/67, DaNang was never off limits while I was there. We went to the USC, the DaNang Hotel, the White Elephant, and the Officers Cub often. I borrowed my Lt's 2ns Lt bars are he got his JG bars. Ha. I think the Statute of Limitations is up by now.
The only trouble we ever had in DaNang was with the QC. They hated us, and we hated them. The people were mostly of French Extraction. At least the ones in the hotels and businesseOh, one more thing. That doesn't look like DaNang. That looks like Dog Patch, and Dog Patch was put off limits because too many Marines were coming down with the CLAP. I had a friend at the 1st MAW who used to crawl under the fence and go visit his sweetie every time he could. She made this false wall out of beer cans and put it up in front of the bed to keep the MP's from finding him. It was about three feet in from the side wall, so it was hard to decide if it was a real wall or a false wall.
Dog Patch was on the other side of DaNang and on the road that ran by what you call Freedom Hill. We called it the Marine PX on Hill 327. The CB's ran that hill. Good bunch of guys.s.
Comment by: Ray Long SK3 on Aug 11, 2009 12:28 PM
I remember Dog Patch - had a 2nd Class that just couldn't stand it - just had to get some - escaped to Dog Patch on his day off (once every 17 days) and ended up with the clap at least twice that I can remember.
I spent one night in a very elegant hotel on the river side and didn't sleep very well - scared shitless!
Worked nights in E. Danang, liberty for us was going to the PX at the AFB. First group to house at Camp Tien Sha - before white picket fences and security sailors with polished boots - ugh! 1965 - 1966
Posted by Philip Sweet on 2009-11-21 |  | French Compound "DOGPATCH" 1964
attached is a picture of the sandbags protecting the doorways on the side facing Dogpatch. French Compound Danang 1964
Arthur Corbett [seven82gear@worldnet.att.net]
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-20 |  | Enlisted Club at The French Compound Danang, late 1964
spent a few good nights here in 68//Robert Parks [reparks1@verizon.net]
As a sergeant, I was standing Duty NCO in this club one night in the fall of 65. Due to a number of fights and other somewhat rowdy behavior, it was deemed that the club required supervision. The crowd was noisy but orderly so I thought. There was one Marine sitting on the floor near a wall with a pyramid of beer cans in front of him that he had built after consuming their contents. Suddenly in pops Brigadier General Marion Carl, the WW II flying ace and the Asst. CG of the 1st MAW. He was very religious and was attending Saturday evening confession at the chapel located one or two buildings over.
I immediately yell attention and salute. General Carl says in a loud voice, “Quiet down! We’re holding confession in the chapel.” The young Marine who was constructing the beer can pyramid and who had not yet gotten off the floor, yells in reply, “Let’s all go to confession!” Before I could move, Gen. Carl goes over to the Marine and yells “On your feet!” The Gen. asked the Marine if he know who he was talking to and even in his drunken stupor, the Marine came to attention and his jaw dropped. General Carl instructed the Marine to report to him in the morning and for me to get his name, rank, etc. I thought I would be in for it for not exercising better control over the club but nothing came of it and I didn’t hear of anything serious happening to the pyramid builder.
David E. Goyette, SSgt, USMC, RVN 65/66
// David E. Goyette [dearlis@comcast.net]
Posted by User Deleted on 2009-11-20 |  | Da Nang Beach
Da Nang Beach
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-20 |  | DaNang '70-'71
Posted by Arm Pitt taken by M. McGrew VMO-2
Posted by Roy M. Pitt on 2009-11-09 |  | 1st Medical Btn at DaNang
1st Medical Btn at DaNang
HMH-463 MISC, 1968-1969 Submitted by:Dick Blume Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-08 |  | danang
danang
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2009-11-08 |  | Bridge in DaNang area
Any help on location of this bridge in the area around DaNang.
This is "Cam Le" bridge about 5 miles Southwest of DaNang. We engaged massive VC forces on this bridge in Jan. 68 and had local box up the bodies right on site. We had over 600 dead VC to remove with a loss of 14 Marines. They VC kept attacking North over the bridge in waves and would use the corpses from the previous assault for cover. We had 2 Quad 50s at the North end wreaking havoc.
Bill McCormack
Practitioner Faculty
University of Phoenix Online
Email: wmccormack@uophx.edu
Alternate email: bmccormack1@yahoo.com
Posted by Allyn Hinton on 2009-11-06 |  | Remember the German hospital ship anchored at Danang?
Comment by: Arthur Pepper on Apr 15, 2007 11:41 PM
Was this the ship that some nurses were kidnapped when they drove out into the countryside? Seems to me I remember an incident like that. I was chaplain with 2/1 south of DaNang in 1969
Comment by: Doc W.P. Monaghan on Apr 16, 2008 11:15 AM
This ship "The Helgoland" was operated by a German medical foundation. The rumor was that when it left it's port in DaNang in the early evening "that it was going to be a hot time in the town tonight". Which usually meant some rocket attacks!
Comment by: Donald on May 4, 2009 01:52 PM
I remember taking Vietnamese civilians to this ship. In our village there were vicitims of Black Plague, also along with a young Vietnamese child that had a tumor growing on top of her head. That was in 1970. I remember the Ships deck as being spotless clean.
Thanks for the picture you posted. It bring back a time almost forgotten. Semper Fi.
Comment by: LEHADOAN on Aug 13, 2009 05:35 AM
HOSPITAL HELGOLAND
Posted by Curtis T King on 2009-10-05 |  | Nam O Bridge - April 67 (AT 934-834)
Nam O Bridge leading to Hai Van Pass from DaNang. Can"t remember it was 66 or 67.
I was with the seabees mcb1deltaco and worked on this bridge. the year was 1967 it was blown around aug. and reopened in nov 67 we installed the lighting security system for the nam-o bridge. semper fi, Wally Young,
Hotel co. 2nd bat 1st marines were there when the sappers came in at night from the water [choppernese@hotmail.com]
This is a photo of the Namo Bridge just north of Danang. The Bridge was blown on the night of 11 - 12 April 1967. How do I know this?, easy this is my photo, I took it. I was on my way on R & R to Hawaii on the morning of the 12. I was with "A" Battery 1st LAAM Bn on hill 724 at Haivan pass. This is one of 10 photos I have from this bridge that morning. Richard D. Sawyer richard.sawyer@gvltec.edu or sawyer_54@hotmail.com Comment by: Walter R Parsons on Apr 25, 2006 08:42 PM
I was there in 69 and until late febuary 70. Got wounded. Was flowin home after hospital stay. Not fun. Served with 2/26 Marines 1st btn.
Comment by: Joseph D. Murray Sr. on Jun 8, 2006 01:45 PM
I was with the Navy Seabees (MCB1) A co. at Camp
Haskins. approx 2 Miles from the bridge. I remember having to use the ferry to cross our equipment across the river to work on Highway 1 on Hai Van Pass. Almost 40 years ago but still very clear in my memory.
Comment by: Richard D. Sawyer on Nov 7, 2006 06:27 PM
New email address. I am the one that took this photo 12 April 1967. richardsawyer@bellsouth.net
Comment by: john mastrangelo on Apr 24, 2007 12:34 PM
i was guarding that bridge in may and june, july of 1968. i was with india co. 3rd.bat. 1st marine division. i dropped c4 in the water every 5 minutes to guard against the enemy blowing up the bridge. i also remember the esso plant on the hill to the north. also there was a army base on the north end of the bridge. i remember this like it was yesturday. semper fi
Posted by Bob Milby on 2009-09-24 |  | C-130 - a/c shot down Feb \'66
C-130 at DaNang 1963
This A/C tail #809 was lost 01 Feb 66/ 149809/ KC130F /VMGR-152 /Shot Down NVN over sea B B Pemberton VMGR-152 '66-67 Bill Pemberton [billbp@trib.com]
Comment by: Robin Morgan on Nov 14, 2006 10:56 PM
Great to see a fine photo of a "GV1". This bird was lost in Feb 66 and 813 was lost at Khe Sanh in Feb 68. God bless the Marines aboard and all who fly to keep brother Marines alive and going home someday. Semper Fidelis Marines
Posted by Mike Lindh on 2009-09-15 |  | The Danang downtown market.
Posted by Curtis T King on 2009-09-05 |  | USMC Compound Da Nang
the living quarters we moved into in late September 1962, when we came up form Soc Trang. Joe D'Arcangelo HMM163 Shu-Fly
Same compound I was in in 1964/65 With HMM365 Paul Maynard GySgt USMC Ret
This appears to be the same compound that I was billeted in 1968-69. I was there with the Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 1 (MWHG-1, H&HS-1, 1st MAW). To the top of the picture (west side) was Highway 1 (or was it 101?) and across the road was "the Ville" also known as Dogpatch. Dogpatch was also along the left hand side fence (south). On the right side off picture (north) was a parade ground with a flagpole and big old artillery piece. The Commanding General's house and mess were located in this compound (off picture) and one of the most prominent features was a huge water tower with a blinking red light on it at night. I often thought that that red light would make a good aiming point for Charlie's rockets, and we did frequently get rockets in and around the compound. The barracks were old French Foreign Legion barracks, and the story was that the Viet Minh had snuck in there during the night and went through and slit every other man's throat. I'm not sure it that's true or not, but you could imagine the pyschological affect on the survivors if it was a true story. My hootch was the 2nd one from the left in the upper left hand corner of the picture. I am nearly 100% sure this is the same compound where I was stationed in Da Nang, RVN. This compound would have located on the west side of the Airbase, along the perimeter fence. The base dump was less than a 1000 meters to the south, and when it caught fire in April of 1969, the blasts severely damaged our buildings. We had to go out and sit in the fighting holes for about 18 hours as the light fixtures were knocked out of the ceilings and roofs and siding were being wrecked on the metal buildings. The tan stucco buildings with the red tile roofs came through it in pretty good shape. I would be interested in hearing from anyone else who's hearing was damaged by the dump explosions. William (Bill) Wynne Corporal, USMC 1967-1970
Just wanted to drop you a note I found a photo at this weblink: http://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=3715 that appears to have been posted by you from when you were in Nam. I was with this same unit (Headquarters Squadron 1st MAW) on this compound from Aug 68 to May 69. I remember the dump blowing up and other things you describe in your photo commentary very vividly. I worked in the communications center as a teletype operator after finishing up my first 30 days with tango security. Seems like my hooch was near the water tower you described. It was located off the photo to the extreme right end (north ??) of the compound up against the fence. I think there was an ARVN compound next to ours too. Just wanted to drop a note and thank you for posting your pic. Sure brings back a lot of memories. Feel free to write anytime. If you know how to contact William Wynne I'd like to email him too. Thanks . . . Semper Fi Ron Beaman 817-232-5741 Ft. Worth, TX DaNang RVN Aug68-May69
The buildings at the lower end were warehouses and such. I believe by the time I arrived (Aug 68) the center area at the bottom had 2 all metal Butler Buildings erected and I worked in one with the weapons and another was the "Case Lots building where all the beer and soda came from.. One of the buildings on the left side, (about 3 down from top left corner was the "Sgt's Club". We had lost of Sgts there. The vacant on the corner near the top left inside the old French buildings is where the "Animal Pit" was built. They served E-4s and below 3.2 beer there. Can I get a copy of this? Oh, I think the building at the top right (with the open door) was the H& HS office, but it may have been the one to the right as well. The larger building in the lower center were the Wing Headquarters, CGs quarters, and Officer's Quarters. On Dec 23rd of 68 a 122mm rocket killed a LtCol taking a shower in the large building and another struck a small storage building where a friend of mine Sgt Gary Fain was sleeping along with another guy and Gary was killed. The other guy (can't recall name) was a SSgt who had over 20 pieces of shrapnel hit him, lived, and returned to duty a few weeks later. At the very top left corner in 68 there was a sandbag tower where we could toss a few MPC attached to a rock over the fence and a mamasan would toss a bottle of homebrew whiskey back. USMC Sgts (E-5) and below could not buy hard liquor there so we used mamasan or sometimes sent our Corpsman to the PX on Hill 327 (Freedom Hill) to buy some "medical supplies" Those were crazy days. By the time I got there the red tile roofs were mostly in pieces on the ground around each building and had been replaced with corrugated steel since it did not produce as much debris when hit by rockets or mortars. I retired in 1986 as a MSGT. Bill McCormack Practitioner Faculty University of Phoenix Online Email: wmccormack@uophx.edu Alternate email: bmccormack1@yahoo.com
I was also there when the ammo dump went up. I have ringing in my ears and they tested and found lose. They attributed that to loud noise but I never associated it with the dump or the airfield.. Let me know if anyone got that from the dump. I worked the galley there. i'll answer anyone interested about that area as i rmemeber. bob parks ....reparks@cs.com
I was stationed here from July 65 to 2/66 with MWHG 1. We were cramped for room and had to live in tents in the middle of the compound until the units housed in them were moved. I lived in the second building in from the top right (right across from Dogpatch). At the center top was the enlisted head and the small building directly across from it was for staff NCOs and officers. Due to a limited water supply, the staff and officers got to shower every night but sergeants and below only got showers every few days. Another sergeant (Bob Russ) and I started wearing our towels to the staff/officers head and with an air of confidence, just went in and showered. It worked for about two weeks when we were noticed by a staff NCO in our unit. Fortunately he saw the humor in it and never reported us. I eventually got to work in a newly constructed fiberglass bubble that sat in the compound next to the TAC Center, an oblong fiberglass bubble. Both buildings were surrounded by 8 foot sandbag walls and air conditioned. Even the CG only had a ceiling fan. Someone got the word I was living the good life and I was transferred to Ky Ha in March 66 where I served in MABS 36 Operations. I finally made staff but there was a better water supply at Ky Ha so shower privileges didn’t apply. Great site! Semper Fi. David Goyette SSgt USMC, RVN 1965 - 1966 // David E. Goyette [dearlis@comcast.net]
Wow, the comments from the other Marine vets from MWHG-1, H&HS-1, 1st MAW, or the other units stationed in the old French barracks are bringing back memories. and Semper Fi to Joe D'Arcangelo, Ron Beaman (my email address is cmqh@centurytel.net, alternate is bwynne@aol.com), Bob Parks, Gunny Paul Maynard, MSgt. Bill McCormack, and SSgt. David Goyette, and last, but not least George Curtis. In each case, things are just as they described. I have a memory loss as to whether the red tile roofs were actually still there or whether they had been replaced by metal roofs when I was there. The description of the Butler buildings was right on, and Bill McCormick was probably the one who made me give up my M14 and take an M16 (made by Mattel, it's swell). Actually, I think my "M16" said "XM15" on the side of the magazine well. I am sure it was an early because it didn't have the chrome plated bore. My bore would rust every night, and I had to clean it every day religiously. I lived in fear that someone would pull a surprise rifle inspection. I don't think there was any rifling left in the bore. I worked at the warehouse next to the armory (the beer and soda warehouse which supplied all of the 1st Marine Air Wing clubs) and our Butler building was badly damaged by the dump explosion. The SeaBee's had to come in and repair it when they got the higher priority stuff done. The south end doors got blown into the building and the north end doors got blown out by the concussions. The roof and west side of the building were all dented in too. David Goyette's story about the shower reminded me of the night I was walking from my hootch, second from left in the upper left hand corner, to the head to take a shower. I was wearing nothing but a towel and a smile. As I walked across the opening between the first and second building (or maybe the second and third building) from the head, automatic rifle rounds went zipping by me, between the buildings. I ducked behind the nearest building until everyone fell out of the barracks in their helmets and flak jackets and weapons, then I flip-flopped my way back to my hootch and got dressed and went out to my fighting hole between the barracks and the highway. I spotted a Vietnamese head sticking up above a garbage can or water barrel across the highway and passed the word up the line. The Lieutenant ordered us to hold our fire. That Vietnamese must have had 40 rifles pointed at his nose. We ended up sitting out there for most of the night. I was also in Tango Security for a while, and the next day, we went out on patrol in "The Ville" across the highway to see what we could find. I never did learn whether it was "friendly fire" or if they were actually at me. Another time, I was walking guard out beyond the helicopter pad, up and down between the towers on the perimeter past the cesspool. The honeydumper trucks would come in and dump in the cesspool, and needless to say, it didn't smell that good. I was trudging up and down on what I recall as a six hour tour of guard duty, when I heard a whooshing over my head. I stopped and looked up, and then heard an explosion over near the runway. Then there was a second and third explosion, working their way south down the runway. I thought, A ROCKET ATTACK!!!, and then thought, well, now I can get in a fighting hole and sit down and take a break. I was waiting for the loudspeaker to blare "ROCKETS, ROCKETS, ROCKETS, ALL PERSONEL TAKE COVER". I went ahead and climbed into a fighting hole and sat down on a sand bag about the time the fourth rocket hit. This one was more to my front, to the right of the third one, the runway was to my left as I was facing south. The fifth one was between where the fourth one hit and ME!!! I said "Oh S**T" and ducked my head down between my knees. The sixth rocket went over my head and hit between me and the cesspool, about 25 yards away to my left. Just about then the loudspeaker finally kicked in and made his annoucement. After about five minutes, they sounded the all clear, and I had to get up and start walking my post again. I think I have a photo of the BOQ building that got severely damaged by shrapnel from the fifth rocket, mentioned by Bill McCormack, or maybe the one mentioned by Ron Beaman for Photo 292. I went back the next day in the daylight to take pictures of the damage and I may have a photo of the grave size crater left near the cesspool. I was told that they were Soviet made 122 mm rockets. I bought a small, cheap 35mm at the PX mentioned by Bill McCormack in his comment about Photo 292 and took a lot of pictures while I was there. When we rotated back to the states we could ship up to 200 lbs. as I recall on our orders. The procedure was to take your stuff to a shipping point where it was inspected and then you packed it in a wooden crate to be shipped home. They wouldn't let you ship any "contraband" including pictures of or wounded. So, someone "inspected" every picture you were shipping home. I had packed my photos, probably 10 or 12 rolls of film worth in my crate. When I got home, while on leave I received a call that I had to go to a freight company office to pick up a crate. I went down there to get it, and it was my crate from Vietnam. There was a boot toe shaped hole punched in one end. When I got the crate home and opened it, the only thing I could figure out that was missing was my photographs. So, I confess, I've been looking for some of them on here. If "anyone" has them, I'd sure like to get a copy of them if possible, no questions asked. Most of them would be meaningless to most people. They are mostly pictures of the countryside, pagodas, aircraft, etc. nothing special really. The only photos that I actually got home with were from an early roll that I had mailed home, and from the film that was in the camera when I brought it back to the states. Photos #4309 and 4379 appear to be photos of our same buildings. Bill Wynne, cmqh@centurytel.net // Bill [cmqh@centurytel.net]
Comment by: JAMES KAZIK on Mar 2, 2006 04:24 PM
I was at the same base H&HS-1 MWHG-1 1st MAW in Da Nang. I was there in 1967 to 1968 during TET. When I was there a driver and Lt. were killed when they hit a land mine going off base. And one of my Sgts. shot himself because his wife sent him a “Dear John” letter right after he re-upped. I need help if any body was there when I was and know of any of this or anything please send me an e-mail telling me what you had to go through at that time. Thank you for your help. If James Applegate reads this, Jim get in touch with me. To all my Marine Brothers who were there with me God Bless.
Comment by: john jennings on Apr 21, 2006 10:29 PM
Great photo. I was a combat and battalion photographer Army there for Freedom Hill Ammo dump explosion. Do I know you?My photo lab was at the 212th about 3 buildings down from the supply building, Don Lentz was supply seargent.
Comment by: TERRY RANDALL on Aug 24, 2006 06:36 AM
I just posted and reread the story andAnd read the post by MSGT Bill McCORMACK. Where he said thet the SSGT was sleeping in the storage building with SGT Gary Fain is incorect. He was in his room in the back of the CG'S MESSHAUL. There were only about 4 feet between his wall and the wall of the storage building. I can't remember his name but he was the ncoic of the messhall and he was from North Carolina. I was the bartender at the mess hall and Gary Fain was my closest friend. If there are any marines that were serving in the CG'S MESS HALL between DEC 67 andSept 69 please email me or post on this sight. I have lost contact with everyone. THANKS. CPL TERRY RANDALL-txholdem@alltel.net Please post or email me at above address.
Comment by: thomas john lipton (sgt) on Aug 30, 2007 08:43 PM
just like yesterday. was resident of this fine facility 1969-1970. thanks for the memories.
Comment by: Bob C. Jeske on Sep 3, 2009 10:27 PM
Great photo! I spent my tour here also. Jan 69-Feb-70. Was there when the ammo dump went up in April 69 due to a grass fire. We all spent the night in the foxholes along the perimeter. I sure do remember the many nights of sirens followed by the rockets. Also, the occasional shows in the enlisted club. Drank a lot of beer in that club. My barracks was in the row along the top of the photo, 2nd one on the right side of the smaller building in the center (4th from the right at top). If I remember correctly, that smaller building in the center/top was the latrine/shower. When I arrived, I took a Sgt. Hernandez\'s job in MWHG-1, H&HS-1 and here\'s some people I served with: Gunny Brockway, Gary Allen, Greg Gonyou, Larry LaLonde, Bob Fuller, Gary Nester to name a few. Wow, 40 years ago. Sure like to see it now.
Semper Fi, Bob Jeske, Cpl. USMC
Posted by Admin on 2009-09-04 |  | VMO-2 DaNang June-July '65
This is our Motor "T" group. I believe the third from right is Sgt. Resendez but can't remember the name of the others.
Posted by Philip Sweet on 2009-08-25 |  | VMO-2 tent area DaNang \'65
Me, L/Cpl Phil Sweet outside my tent June-July 1965.
Posted by Philip Sweet on 2009-08-20 |  | VMO-2 DaNang June-July '65
John Bender "snapping in" with his M-60.
Posted by Philip Sweet on 2009-08-13 |  | DaNang BOQ
Rick Carr, Lenny Demko and Fritz Zander at DaNang BOQ. HMM-162
Posted by Kelly Lea on 2009-07-29 |  | DID YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND???
I want to submit these on behalf of my husband. This photo is him in front of sick bay MASS-2 MAG-18 located near 1st MARDIV Here is more information on him. Volunteered US Navy and served one tour with an extension as Corpsman with MAG 36 Phu Bai, MAG 39 (HMM163) Quang Tri and MAG 18 (MASS-2/3) southwest of Da Nang from 1967-69. Volunteered for Air Crew assignment to MAG-36. Volunteered for Air Crew at MAG-39. MED EVAC: One or more flights to one set of coordinates. He flew approximately 100 missions between November 13th 1967 and February 21st, 1968. The helicopter was struck with ground fire16 times. Thank you very much! **Greet someone using a walking aid or wheelchair and share a smile. ** Best Wishes, Jean Sumption jnsump@gmail.com
Posted by Admin on 2009-06-26 | | DID YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND???
I want to submit these on behalf of my husband. This photo is him in front of sick bay MASS-2 MAG-18 located near 1st MARDIV Here is more information on him. Volunteered US Navy and served one tour with an extension as Corpsman with MAG 36 Phu Bai, MAG 39 (HMM163) Quang Tri and MAG 18 (MASS-2/3) southwest of Da Nang from 1967-69. Volunteered for Air Crew assignment to MAG-36. Volunteered for Air Crew at MAG-39. MED EVAC: One or more flights to one set of coordinates. He flew approximately 100 missions between November 13th 1967 and February 21st, 1968. The helicopter was struck with ground fire16 times. Thank you very much! **Greet someone using a walking aid or wheelchair and share a smile. ** Best Wishes, Jean Sumption jnsump@gmail.com
Posted by Admin on 2009-06-26 |  | DaNang harbor summer '65
Sampans in DaNang harbor.
Posted by Philip Sweet on 2009-06-23 |  | Freedom Hill PX "post 1969 Ammo Dump strike"
picture of part of the damage at FH in early 1969 > after a grassfire lit off an ammo dump nearby. . > > Jim Berg, President > Matson Multi Media > > 403 E. Ramsey #101 > San Antonio, TX 78216 > > 210.349.3674 > 210.340.5710 fax // "Jim Berg"
I was with the 1st MAW , Tango Security 69’ – 70’. I think I was in the barracks 3rd from right at the bottom of the picture. Dog Patch and highway 1 side? I remember when the ammo dump went. I was sent to man a bunker by the main gate to dog patch with a field phone.(That was highway 1 by the way). I remember an old gunny that jumped into the bunker with me. When I checked in to the command post they asked if everything was ok. I said yea, just me and the old gunny here keeping our heads down. They told me to get the gunny the hell out of there. Felt sorry for the old guy when I told him he had to leave. Was one hell of a mess.
Photo brings back some memories. Some good some bad. My buddy Toby Jackson was killed here…
D. Alexandroni… (WOP) ..1st MAW 69’-70’…
// Domenic Alexandroni [dalexandroni@new.rr.com]
Posted by Admin on 2009-05-23 |  | Disbanding HMM-161
Around the middle of December 66; HMM-161 had been to Okinawa for a short 5 weeks (better than nothing) and had been stood down, flag and records sent stateside and the personnel sent back to RVN. The C-130 has just landed and offloaded everyone and their bags; standing around waiting for whatever. Lts. Smithson and Jasmine talking it over before being trucked to MMAF and further scattering.
Comment by: TomWestfield on Sep 3, 2006 02:33 PM
I was one of the guys who flew in on VMGR & got sent back to HMH 263 on the USS Okinawa. I remember there was a Major who was an airline pilot, myself and 3 or 4 other snuffies and a First Sgt (maybe a gunny) we had a pretty sweet deal on Oki all the liberty you could handle. One day we were told by Top to sweep up a hangar at Futenma..no problem..liberty was great.. The Major screwed up when he told Top to grab a broom and start sweeping himself. It wasnt pretty! Top rules you can't make this stuff up.
Posted by hugh smith on 2009-05-17 |  | Hangar Area
DaNang 1963. Taken from an Marine H-34 Helicopter
Colonel Gomez was the CO of MAG 16. He frequently flew down from Okniwa to Da Nang but was not there most of the time.
Cpl David B. Wright
HMM 261
Posted by Mike Lindh on 2009-04-16 |  | DaNang 1968
South Korea, South Vietnam, United States flags
Posted by Charles Maddocks on 2009-02-17 |  | HMM-365 Quarters, Da Nang, Aug '65
Our second return to Viet-Nam and our "QUARTERS". West side of the Da Nang airstrip. 10 May '65 to 2 August '65. Photo by: Harry Clemence - 1LT., Helicopter Pilot, HMM-365 Submitted by: Will Reeves
Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / JAN 2003
Posted by Admin on 2009-02-12 |  | Hai Van Pass 1966
Leaving A Btry 1st. LAAM Bn. Hai Van Pass 1966. Between Phu Bai and DaNang.
Posted by Bob Milby on 2009-02-03 |  | danangbay
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Semper Fi...... "Doc" John Hackworth, Flight surgeon HML-167 Senior Medical Officer MMAF 1969. Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Posted by Admin on 2009-01-21 |  | "ROCK SITE"
A Rock Marine site somewhere south of DaNang,
HMM-265, 1969
Posted by Ed Jameson on 2009-01-20 |  | Da Nang
Da Nang
Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth , Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Posted by Admin on 2009-01-09 |
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