Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

Thank you for your website! I am so grateful to finally be able to learn the complete and factual story of what went on during the Mayaguez battle. I was there, and flew two missions in support of the operation to get you all to safety. I was a young Ltjg and a F-4 Phantom pilot with VF-111, on USS Coral Sea. I flew once as escort for the A-7's that bombed Rheem airfield, and once to escort the photo reconnaissance RF-8 that took the photos we have all seen of the downed H-53's at the east beach. As I remember, a bunch of you guys, who were evacuated under fire, from the island, were flown out to Coral Sea, as she stood about 10 miles off from the island. You were all gathered up in "vulture's row", on the island of the ship, and were waving and cheering me on as I taxied my F-4 to the catapult and launched on the mission to go photograph Koh Tang Island, looking for any signs of any Marines still there. We drew quite a bit of fire from those little bastards, but since we kept the speed way up, it was very ineffective.
I also remember one of the H -53's being brought out to the ship while still plugged into a C-130 tanker. He was shot up so badly that he was leaking fuel out as fast as they could pump it into him. Once he landed on the ship, he was done. The helo couldn't fly off on it's own, and since it was too big to be sent below to the hanger deck, it was pushed overboard into the sea.
We knew that the Air Force was going to drop the 15,000 lb. pallet bomb called a "Daisy Cutter", and watched as it happened. I never knew what the point of that was, but it sure made one helluva big explosion.
The word we got, as guys on the bottom of the pecking order, was that although there was initially a lot of confusion as to if all of you guys got off of the beach, confusion because you were evacuated to different ships, in the end, everyone was off and accounted for. That was my understanding as we sailed away to take you guys back to Subic Bay, and it remained so for many, many years. I went on for several more years, flying in the Navy, and then as a pilot with Delta Air Lines, whom I retired from several years ago, after a thirty year career. I didn't learn that we had left three heroes behind until over 20 years after the fact, and that we did has haunted me ever since. I am so sorry, for them and their families, and I just pray that we have learned from the mistakes that were made there those days long ago.
I am so happy to see that so many of you true hero's have gotten back in touch with each other and are doing well. I thank you for your service, and the sacrifices that you made that day, and wish you all the best!
Fair winds!
Bruce Harris

I was one of Greg Copenhaver's teachers and a fellow Marine. He came back to school to visit after boot camp and he was one proud Marine. It was the last time I saw him. I'd like to pay my respects at his gravesite. I know there is a group site at Arlington but I heard that his body was recovered much earlier? Thank you all. Semper Fi!

THANK YOU Jerry for leaving a message on the KTMV Guest Book and for your service to our county. Gregory is buried in Rosebank Cemetery, Rising Sun, MD go to below link, which has more information and pictures.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15996166

The 2015 challenge coins are in and for sale please let us know how many you would like. It is a 2 inch coin really nice and great for a collectible.
Let us know and show your support for the organization.

Thank you

First of all I would like to personally thank both Fred Morris and David Fowler for their Generosity and Friendship since finding this web site.. I was a Crew Member on board the USS Coral Sea CVA-43. I was assigned to the Aviation Fuel Maintenance Team (V-4 div), and was on the Flight Deck during the time of the Mayaquez Recovery Incident. I know the recovery of the Mayaquez was the mission but I remember the 53's landing on the flight deck with wounded Brothers and assisting,as needed with transportation to the elevators where they were taken down to the Hanger Deck for treatment. I remember gladly, giving up our bunks to you, my brothers who were brought aboard that day... Soon after, all hell broke loose and we launched Alfa Strikes. I remember being so ampt up, so many things going on, bombs rolling off the elevators and being loaded onto every aircraft that could fly.. I am Proud to have been a part of the mission. Proud of each and every one of you who were there with us, Boots on, in the Air and on the Seas. BROTHERS, WE DID GOOD THAT DAY!!!!!!! I will never forget this time and I will Never Forget my BROTHERS who made the Ultimate Sacrafice for their Country..NEVER FORGET!!!!!!! Thank you for letting me vent.......

I was aboard the USS Coral Sea. I was in G division. We built 500 and 1000 lb. bombs for almost 72 hours straight. I was also the one who played taps on the ship for the fallen 41 who lost their lives in combat.

The return mission to Koh Tang on May 15, 2015, for the 40th Anniversary was a success, mostly due to the enormous planning on the part of John Muller. On May 15th, I spoke at the morning flag raising on the Embassy grounds. I had six other brothers in front of me, John Lucas, Don Raatz, Larry Barnett, Fred Morris, Gale Rogers, Scott Standfast, Gale's wife, Debbie, Scott's wife, Phyllis, and my dear wife, Teresa. If I had faltered during my speech, any one of them would have taken the podium. Thanks to them, they kept their emotions together, which in turn, helped me. We were there to remember our fallen brothers. We honored them.

Just caught part of the Military History Program on TV. Started searching and found your site.
I'm PJ Imhof AMS1 USN (Ret.).
I'm looking for pictures for the four H-53's that landed on the USS CORAL SEA during the MAYAGUEZ Incident.
I am the person that repaired the #1 Engine fuel line on JG 43, by installing a piece of thick rubber hose and 4 automotive hose clamps.

While awaiting for the hose, I checked the other H-53's. The vCrew Chief of the second Helo to land called me over to look at a collar surrounding the Main Transmission Output Shaft, which had a hole from a round passing through. I downed that Helo and the other two H-53's were OK.

On The USS CORAL SEA, I was the Quality Assurance Rep. attached to HC-1 Det. 3.

I received a Letter of Commendation from my OinC, CDR Habich, which stemmed from USAF GEN. Paul K. Carlton.
Even though I was not in country, I would have liked to attend some of your Reunions.
In the 1980's I worked with one of the USAF Officers that was on one of the Helo's. His name is Mark Nelson. I would appreciate any leads in finding him.

Greetin's brothers who served in 2/9's during ops and 81's plt & Al Bailey.
Had Buck over for the 40 yrs show and James Draper really did nice nice job for all of us at GR Ford Museum. Outstanding.
Semper-Fi Gentlemen
Fast Harleys and hot Women are still in mass even these days.

Hard to believe it has been 40 years.
I raise a glass to all of my fallen brothers.
Semper Fi
Bob

Regards and much respect to the Mayaguez/Koh Tang vets, on this, the 40th anniversary of the action.

R.D. Lunceford
Former-SGT, USMC
81mm Mortars
2nd Bn. 9th Mar.
Camp Schwab, Okinawa
1976-77