Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

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

The Associated Press - Today in History: "1975 - U.S. forces invaded the Cambodian island of Koh Tang and captured the American merchant ship Mayaguez, which had been seized by the Khmer Rouge. (All 39 crew member had already been released by Cambodia; some 40 U.S. servicemen were killed in the operation.)

May their souls Rest In Peace!

Never Forget May 15, 1975

From the NTA to Thailand and beyond. I'm thinking of all that are here, that we lost during the operation and that we have lost since to time. Semper Fi to all Marines, Navy and Air Force.
Thank you for your service. We will all meet on the other side of Freedom someday.