Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

Hey Bros heading to cruise inn tomorrow at a vfw post and watch the heads turn when I pull in with the truck. Have a safe weekend and see you all latter. S/F Terry Brooks

Having this article, it seems that there is some misinformation , concerning the emergency repair of USAF H-53 JG43.Capt. Roland Purser was the Pilot and made a single engine (#2 Eng. only) on the USS CORAL SEA.
I have stated before, on this site that I made the emergency repair to the #1 Eng Fuel line, giving instruction to the pilot to start # 1 Eng. for a leak check, No leaks !! Being an HC-1 Quality Assurance Supervisor of US Navy Helicopter Squadron One, Det. 3, I cleared Mr. Purser for a flight back to his base, not for going back in country.
I very much appreciate his trust in my quality of work and opted to go in country and rescue many US Marines, whom needed to be removed from danger very quickly.
The emergency repair was given to the Crew Chief of JG 43.
I have a letter of commendation, from my Detachment Officer in Charge, that was sent From a USAF Gen.
I am planning on joining the JG bunch, as soon as I can get an address for the organization.

I would also like to meet Col. Purser.

PJ Imhof (850)221-1five237


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I was a First Sergeant stationed at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand when the Mayaguez in ident happened. A cH-3 helicopter with 23 Air Force Security Police and 5 crew members crashed with the loss of all lives while still in country. They had been tasked as I understand it to be a security force aboard the Mayaguez but I guess that was rescinded? I knew several of the SP's personally. I salute all the Airmen, Marines and Sailors who lost their lives in that operation.

To all my Kohtang brothers and families... A day of remembrance for the 41 brothers, for each of us that cannot and will not ever forget this day 42 years ago....Semper Fi

I graduated highschool in June of '74 but messed around for a year before I enlisted in Aug. 1975. I remember hearing about the Mayaguez Operation on the radio while I was working at a warehouse in East L.A.

Anyway, after boot camp and ITS I ended up in 2/9 in March of '76. There were still a few of the guys from the operation around that had not rotated back to the States yet and so I got to talk to them in person and hear a little bit about what you all went through.

I have a friend at work who was stationed at U Tapao and remembers the Marines coming through. We always keep the Mayaguez/Koh Tang Op in mind, especially at this time of year.

I'm sixty now, and anytime I start to feel old, I just think of the 42 years I've been lucky enough to have that the guys that didn't make it out never had.

With Respect and Best Wishes:
Ron Lunceford, SGT USMC
81mm Mortars 2/9
Camp Schwab, 76-77

[PART 2] I was watching all the chaos on the flight deck while it unfolded. It was starting to get dark now but still enough light to see. As the first helos arrived with the wounded I followed, thru the lens of my Yashica, the stretchers as I leaned over till they disappeared into the ships island. The first MAN seemed to be shot multiple times across his body, the second MAN appeared to have wounds to his lower extremities and so on. I NEVER COULD SNAP THOSE PHOTOS! The next morning after shift I went to the flight deck and took pictures of damaged helos. I remember the hanger deck with all the wounded. I remember the Marine who stayed with our division. He was quiet from trauma and shock most of the time. If he is out there I hope he sees this posting. GOD BLESS ALL OF THOSE (AND THEIR FAMILIES) WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THAT DAY!!! YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!

[PART 1] I opened this box of chocolates and couldn't believe the piece I found. Wow! George B. Nelson of Company 375. I remember your very long flowing dark hair before you went to the butcher shop. I arrived on board the USS CORAL SEA late November 1974 after 2 west pac cruises on board USS RANGER. Assigned to operations department in weather(OA Division). Jim Bruck there too. If I recall I saw you last the day I got out when I went to personnel to get paperwork. I still remember the look of envy on your face. I recall May 15, 1975. I was working night shift and was awakened that afternoon ahead of schedule. I went to the 09 level and took my camera with me. Dusk was closing in but still very visible. I took and still have picture of large bomb that struck the island.

Terry Brooks outstanding job on the truckGod bless all my brothers brothers who ate my brothers Tim J.

TODAY MARKS THE 42 ND YEAR OF THE ENDING OF THE VIETNAM WAR.BUT FOR THOSE OF US THAT FOUGHT IN THE LAST BATTLE IT IS A DAY OF SORROW. ON THIS DAY A TOLTAL OF 41 GREAT MEN GAVE THIER ALL FOR A COUNTRY AT THE TIME. EVEN THO AMERICA TREATED US LIKE GARBAGE COMMING HOME DOES NOT KNOW HOW WE FEEL, HOW WE ARE TAKING OUR LOSS OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. I KNOW MANY MARINES THAT WERE THERE THAT DAY ON THE BEACH FIGHTING, ON THE SHIPS THAT WERE THERE TO PROTECT AND RECUE THE SS MAYAQUEZ, AND THE AIR FORCE THAT RISK EVERYTHING TO BRING THEM THERE AND EVEN MORE TAKING THEM OFF. THIS DAY HUNTS US FOREVER AND WE LIVE WITH IT YEAR OUT AND YEAR IN. TO MY BROTHER I SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WELCOME HOME. THIS DAY WILL ALWAY BE A DAY THAT OUR FAMILIES GOT BIGGER AND I AM GREATFUL FOR ALL OF THEM FOR WE ARE NOT ALONE WE ARE FAMILY NOW AND FOREVER. FOR THE 41 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACARFICE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. SEMPER FI, OOOOOOORAH SIR

we were to be the second wave to go from camp Hansen. we got the call to ready and were waiting deployment. the call never came thanks to my brothers actions that day. semper-fi