Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

Thank you to all who have shared pictures and stories about my brother, Dick Brims. They have touched me and inspired my son (one of America's newest Marines) to follow in his Uncle's footsteps flying helicopters.

God bless you all and thank you from the bottem of my heart for your service to our country.

A hand salute to all (Marine, Air Force & Navy) who were there, thank you for your service to our nation. And more so to those whose names appear on the wall. I was on board a Navy supply ship (U.S.S. Vega) that was sent along with the U.S.S. Holt as part of the Navy support contingent for the incident. For years, when I have mentioned the Mayaguez Operation to people, most of the time they have no idea what I’m talking about. Now I can send them to this web site.

Many regards,
David E. Swaim – IC2
U.S.S. Vega AF-59 (1975 to 1977)

May God bless Ed Freeman, who recently passed away. Without a doubt, one of our biggest heroes.

Got a phone call from Al, will try to make the next reunion. Have been contacted by a Spectre crewman and Jolly mx guy here in CA, will get them to check out the site.

A Reply to Guest Book message HORTON. Yes, efforts are underway, this is an ongoing project and we could use everyone’s help.

Missing from the Participation List is crew information of the Air Forces OV-10s (Nails 47, 51, 68, 69), AC-130 (Spectre’s 11, 21, 61) and the F-111s. The Navy pilots on the A7 Corsairs, F4 Phantoms, those on the ships of the Wilson, Holt, Coral Sea. For the ground forces, we are identifying which chopper you where on, both insertion and extraction. Also, a big importance is for all of us to reach out to the wives and family members of those that have gone before us.

Telephone calls from Al (Sgt of Arms/Hospitality Chairman) have begun; your fed back is welcome.

There are several brothers and sisters that are in need of our concern and prayer. To mention a few Jeff Kern (Marine) diagnosed recently with Lou Gehrigs disease. Jesse DeJesus (Air Force) his wife Jane is battling terminal cancer and Bob Douchniak (Marine) spinal cord injuries. Heart problems, diabetes, liver and a variety of illnesses (not mentioning the PTSD) are affecting many. Numerous are struggling financially. So please keep them in your thoughts and prayer.

I thank for this opportunity of learning and being apart of your piece of history. The Battle on Koh Tang Island and the rescue of the SS Mayaguez and its crew formed A TRUE BAND OF BROTHERS.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR COUNTRY IT HURTS TO KNOW THAT YOU ALL SUFFERED IN MANY WAYS. I THINK ITS WONDERFUL THAT YOU ALL HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER AND ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO STICK TOGETHER. KEEP UP THE SUPPORT AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

Semper FI Marines,
Today is another day to say some extra prayers when you go to church or just have time to pray. Fred Morris needs some help with his surgery that he is having so please pray for him for every thing to go well.
Semper FI

I was assigned to H&S Company, 2/9 on May 15,1975. I'll never forget earlier watching "Magnum Force" at the base movie theater at Camp Schwab. The movie stopped and we were told to get back to our units.

Later we were transported down to Kadena and boarded C-141 transports. It was very unplanned because the floor of the C-141 had ropes stretched across and we were told to sit and hold on to the ropes during take-off.

Landed hours later at U-Tapao Air Force Base. Everyone was very upbeat inside the hangar. Outside was a U-2 recon jet that took off, apparently on a mission over Koh Tang.

Recon intelligence left an awful lot to be desired on 5/15. Making an air assault in HH-53s wasn't that great either.

Semper Fi

Good information - Thanx

My husband, John W. Lairson, was in the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, and was there during the Recovery of the
SS Mayaguez,May 1975, But we are having a difficult time in finding documentation to that effect. Where would we look for any information proving that he was there. He was in Okinawa,Subic Bay, & The Phillipines.
Thank You for you help.
John & Judy Lairson