Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

38 long years have passed by since the “Brave Men” of the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) risks their lives to provide much needed Naval Gunfire Support for ground forces on the island of Koh Tang on May 15, 1975, along with conducting Rescue Missions for downed aircrew personnel uses the ship’s gig with volunteer crew. If you see pictures of this historic event the ship closet to the island is the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7). Read the Deck Log for that day... You’ll be surprised to read that over 156 rounds of 5” 54 rounds were fired and over 60,000 50 Cal rounds... Unfortunately, the Navy has "never recognized" these “Brave and Heroic” Men by awarding them with a well-deserved *Combat Action Ribbon*; even after all of this Historic Documentation has been presented on this extraordinary website! It’s shameful at best that this has happened!! Request Your Comments:

In Response to comments by Buddy Lewis.
Buddy, I want to thank you for your comments. In 1975 I was an OS1 and a member and M-60 gunner on both Gig crews during the KT operation. I stayed in the Navy for over 25 years, and I can say without reservation that the Henry B. was the best of the seven ships that I served on. What made it the best, of course, was the crew that we had in May 1975.

I have attended several of the Koh Tang reunions and it makes me so very proud to hear many of the 2/9 marines say that they owe their lives to the actions of the Henry B. Wilson. These comments are a credit to you, me, and the entire crew of the Henry B. Wilson.

I sincerely wish that you and every member of the crew of the Henry B. would have received some form of personal recognition. As far as the Combat Action is concerned, I must explain.

The Navy and Marine Corps’ criteria for the Combat Action (CA) ribbon is “to have received enemy fire and returned fire”. I know of many incidents where units that received fire were awarded the CA, even though it was not entirely clear whether or not they actually returned fire. However, I know of no unit
that received the CA unless they were actually fired upon. The eight members of the second Gig crew did receive the Combat Action ribbon because they received fire; the Henry B. Wilson fired, but did not receive fire.

Here is another example of the criteria for the ribbon: In 1968 I was on Swift Boats (Coastal Division 12) Danang and Chu Lai Vietnam. Swift Boat Crews never received the CA until they were actually in a fire fight. One Officer in Charge tried to get the CA awarded to his crew for doing H&I (harassment and interdiction) fire, but was turned down because the boat did not receive fire.

Here is another Navy criteria story: The day after Koh Tang I noticed a small scratch on my left elbow. I thought I scratched myself when we put the gig in the water. I did not go to sick bay because as you remember Doc Poorman was a little busy at that time. Anyway, my elbow kept giving me trouble over the years. I took every kind of pill known to man for tennis elbow, golf elbow, and every other elbow ailment. Finely, in 2009, I went to the VA. They did an X-ray and found “traumatic injury to left elbow with imbedded and retained shrapnel” (their words). When it dawned on me that the scratch I had noticed on my elbow 34 years earlier was a shrapnel wound, I applied for a belated purple heart with the help of Senator Dick Lugar from Indiana. I was turned down. The reason the VA gave me was that I was not treated at the time of the injury. However, I was told, if two witnesses who saw me get hit would write statements, the VA would consider my application. I told them that no one saw me get hit because I did not know it myself! Case closed. I did not meet the criteria.

Buddy, I thank you for your service as well as your comments. My hope is that you will come to the next reunion so you can hear for yourself the gratitude and respect for the crew of the Henry B. Wilson. Believe me, that is worth more than a ribbon denied because it did not meet strict criteria.

Tom Noble
Lieutenant Commander USN (ret)

Wore my AFOUA with V Monday for Veterans Day. Thought about the guys who died so young and just wanted to do a good job. Cannot stop thinking the Navy Admiral quoted in the Wikipedia article owes us an apology. Sounded like he was trying to blame the Air Force general for the screw up at the island when the crew had already been released. We were just doing our job and were proud to help the Marines who had to land on the island. We could have jumped onto an empty ship just as easy as the Admirals marines who stepped over to it from the destroyer escort that pulled up next to it. Nobody knew where the crew went or who, if anybody, was on the ship at the time. The Air Force general sent good gunship crews onto the island who deserve to be thanked by that navy Admiral if he is still alive and actually said what he was quoted to say. The navy fighter pilots did a great job just like the air force pilots. What was wrong with sending air force gunship pilots? Hard to believe he said what he is reported to have allegedly said about using the Air Force when the marines were so far away when it started. It would have cost a lot less if the commander of 7th Air Force had out ranked that Fleet Admiral. Thanks to all the sailors who helped. Too bad your commander sounded like a jerk. We had jerks around sometimes too. God bless

HAPPY VETERNS DAY TO ALL MY BROTHERS THAT HAD SERVED FROM 1776 TO PRESENT.

Happy Birthday Marines!!!

Happy Veterans Day to all those that have served!!!

Brothers Forever,
Semper Fidelis,
God Bless America,
Al Bailey

Happy Birthday
Gentlemen it may not be the 200th USMC Birthday again but it is something we all have in our heart's.
The Best to All
Semper-Fi
RVM

To All of my fellow Brothers of the Marine Corps, past present and future. Happy 238th Birthday. Semper Fi

Gentlemen, Thank you all for serving our country.

Mark Corson
Son of Col Howard "Al" Corson, Pilot of Knife 31

38 Years have passed by since the brave men of the USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7) risks their lives to provide much needed Naval Gunfire Support and Rescue Missions for downed aircrew personnel.
Unfortunately the Navy has never recognized these Brave and Heroic efforts with a Combat Action Ribbon; even after All of this Historic Documentation! What a Shame!

Enjoy your day.

Its time, that veterans pass the word and, get presedent Obama impeached. He is a discrace tho the country. He from the beginning has showed where his allegence has been. Now stopping benefits for veterans burial.