Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

The celebration this Memorial Day is significantly more meaningful as we have just, finally, laid to rest on American soil, thirteen of our brothers from Knife-31. Thank you to the officers and board of the Koh Tang Mayaguez Veterans Organization and to all the veterans who came to DC from across the country to make this possible. Semper Fi.

I REMEMBER THIS VERY WELL. USS HAROLD E. HOLT WAS ON ITS WAY TO PICK UP SOUTH VIETNAMS SHIPS TO ESCORT THEM WHEN WE WERE TURN AWAY TO RESCUE THE MAYAQUEZ. I WAS L.E.S. FLIGHT DECK TO BRING ON THE MARINES. ALSO TO BRING THE MARINES BACK TO THE SHIP. I STILL HAVE MY BOOK WITH ALL THE PICTURES.TO ALL MY FELLOW VETS OF THIS I SAY HELLO, TO ALL THAT HAVE DIED I SAY YOUR NOT FORGOTTEN. LOVE YA ALL GMSN POLLY FAIR WINDS AND SMOOTH SAILING

soon after getting to oki in april 75 an sent to golf 2/9, myself an a few others were sent to Co A 1/9 only hearing we might be going to veitnam,i am sure it was going through my mind oh sh--t what for, its over? not knowing what was going on back at golf 2/9.we ended up in operation frequent wind on the USS Blue Ridge, I was one of the thirty on the Sparrow Hawk Mission that went in to give ground support if needed, we never made it back to the Blue Ridge or oki. i am thinking 3 or 4 wks later we got back to oki, i can remember getting sent back to golf 2/9 an glad of it, only to walk into a ghost town, we did'nt no anything about what had gone on, had i made it back i would have been with Greg Copenhaver whom lost his life there along with the others. though i was'nt there i have never forgot or never will.

Glade to hear our brothers are back on our soil and resting in peace. I, myself was there on the USS Coral Sea Attack Squardron 22. I, have a Time Magazine that I pick in the P.I. I'd be glade to donate it!

I want to thank all of the vets that showed up to honor our fallen brothers of Knife 31.

To the families of our fallen brothers I hope that this brings closure for you knowing that they are home and now they can peacefully. I hope seeing the vets from the mission gave you a piece of mind knowing that we have never forgotten about your loved ones and that we never will.

They may have been out of site but never out of mind.

They received a heroes burial that they earned and deserved after 38 years. The mission continues to try and find the rest of our brothers, and until all resources have been used, we will never stop believing they will be brought home and that includes all veterans from the past and present.

I salute the families.

Al Mahan
Semper Fi

Hey Brothers,
I want to thank Al and Tina for an awesome job they did getting all of the internment stuff together. It was something I'll never forget. My wife and I are so glad we went. Next mission for us is to see Jeff Kern in Nov. If anyone can make it please let me know so we can plan things. And Scott Standfast I'm so glad you and your wife made it. Hope to see you at Kern's.
Love ya all

Words can not express the feeling in my heart - you all are so beautiful to me. To the families of our fallen brothers, they will never-ever be forgotten.

Semper Fidelis, Brothers Forever
God Bless the USA
Al Bailey
Koh Tang Mayaguez Veterans Org President 2012-2014
Knife 21 in/Jolly Green 44 out

Thank you all for being with all the families of our loved ones yesterday. It meant a great deal knowing that Antonio Sandoval's brothers were there to welcome him back home and I'm sure all the other families feel the same.

LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!

Joe Sandoval

I was on the Uss Harold E Holt DE-1074 during these operations. I was a radarman and assisted in aircraft insertions and extractions on the island. I am glad we have brought everyone home, may they rest in peace! Who ever set this group up, thank you!

In may 1975 I was stationed at 548th RTG at hickam afb hi. we were tasked with providing intell for this rescue. short version, we were not allowed to provide most updated or valuable intell. This has haunted me for years. I recently connected with president "Al". he accepted me and called me his brother. I am now looking forward to meeting others and remembering and maybe forget the guilt. Thanks.