ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Jim Richards
Ken Benchwitz
Phil Peters
Tom Hyder
CHAPLAIN
David Backer
RECON BATTALION UNIT DIRECTOR
Charles Howdyshell
Viet Nam 1970
Were you with 1st Recon Battalion in 1970?.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of your service in the Republic of Vietnam.
"Doc Snider, our Association Historian, is asking members who served with 1st Recon
Battalion in Vietnam, to send him their memorabila and memories of 1970. We need anything that tells 1st Recon's story - your personal histories, electronic photos, scanned documents, maps and news articles. Email your personal histories and stories to: docsnidley@aol.com or mail your stories and memorabilia to:
Dave Snider 885 Glendora Rd. Kissimmee, FL 34759
Help Needed
My name is SSGT LONES, I am an Amphib Recon Marine instructor
at Camp Pendleton Ca. I have currently run a ground in
a bit of information that I myself can't seem to figure.
Please if you know of anyone, or have any information
to help me it's deeply appreciated.
1 Where did the RECON Creed originate from? The author
and date?
2 As a Recon marine in training we refer to them as "Ropers"
is this an age old tradition? or is it a recent action?
Sergeant Major Porterfield was born on 26 November 1970
in Jacksonville, Florida. He enlisted in the Marine Corps
in March 1989 and completed recruit training at Marine
Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completion
in August 1989 he reported to Millington, TN for basic
avionics training. After graduation in March 1990, he
was directed to report to MCAS Cherry Point for MOS specific
training on AV-8B Harrier Comm/Nav/Wpns/Elec systems.
Following MOS school he was assigned to Marine Attack
Squadron 211 in July 1990. In June 1992 Sergeant Major
Porterfield was attached to HMM-161 (REIN) 11th Marine
Expeditionary Unit for Operation Desert Stay in Southwest
Asia, Restore Hope in Somalia, Operation Eager Mace in
Kuwait and Operation Nautical Mantis in Saudi Arabia.
In May 1993 his unit deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan for
the unit deployment plan. In September 1996 he was attached
to HMM-166 (REIN) as SNCOIC of the AV-8B detachment, 11th
MEU for Operation Southern Watch, returning in April 1997.
In September 1997, Sergeant Major Porterfield was transferred
to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where he served
as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief
Drill Instructor assigned to Company M Third Recruit Training
Battalion. In 1999, he was selected as the Third Battalion
Drill Instructor of the Year and Drill Instructor of the
Quarter (fourth quarter). In February 2000 he checked
into Instructional Training Company, earning the MOS 8551
close combat instructor. In April 2000 he then transferred
to Drill Instructor School for duty as a squad instructor,
serving as the General Military Subjects, Techniques of
Military Instruction, Uniform instructor and Curriculum
Developer.
Ordered to MCAS Yuma in January 2002, Sergeant Major
Porterfield reported to Marine Attack Squadron 214 as
the avionics division NCOIC. Deploying in January 2003,
he served as the Avionics Division Chief in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Southern Watch and
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon his return from Iraq he received orders to 11th
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton,
California. Where he served as Kilo Battery First Sergeant,
2nd Battalion, 11th Marines until January 2004, when he
received orders to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
Shortly after arriving he was assigned to Alpha Company
and deployed in February 2004 in support of Operation
Iraqi freedom II and participated in the first push into
Fallujah in April 2004. He then re-deployed back to Iraq
for the third time participating in Operation Steel Curtain
in Husaybah returning in March 2006.
In March 2007, Sergeant Major then reported Recruiting
Station Portland where he served as the Recruiting Station
Sergeant Major until December 2009. Sergeant Major Porterfield’s
personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and
two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
with Combat Distinguishing Device and three Gold Stars
and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Sergeant Major Porterfield is married to the former Caren
Albright of Midland, Texas and has four sons Gary, Calvin,
Johnathan and Andre and granddaughter, Aubrey.
Message from the President
Message
from the President
The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association’s
annual reunion, held in concert with the 1st
Marine Division Association reunion, will
be in San Antonio, Texas, August 25-28. The
2010 Reunion is dedicated to the 1st Reconnaissance
Battalion Marines and Corpsmen who were in
“in harms way” serving in the
Republic of Vietnam in 1970.
Our Association luncheon will be a Texas barbeque,
Friday, 27 August, at VFW Post 76. The Reunion
Guest of Honor is Richard Botkin, a reconnaissance
Marine and author of Ride the Thunder, an
account of the Vietnamese Marines and their
small band of American Marine Advisors. Join
your recon team-mates in San Antonio this
year and make Reunion 2010 one to remember!
As we celebrate our reunion, know that our
successors in the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
are on the battalion’s sixth successive
deployment since 2003 and their first deployment
to Afghanistan. Concurrently, other elements
of the battalion are forward deployed with
Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations
Capable). Keep these Marines and Corpsmen
in your thoughts and prayers.
God bless America! God bless the United States
Marine Corps! God bless 1st Reconnaissance
Battalion!
Semper Fidelis,
Charlie Kershaw
2009 Reunion Essential Elements
of Information
REUNION 2010
23-29 August 2010
Reunion Registration: The
1st MARDIV Association Reunion will be 23-29
August at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Holiday
Inn, San Antonio, Texas. Register on line
with the FMDA at: www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org
or www.afr-reg.com/1stMarine or call Armed
Forces Reunions at (757) 625-6401. A mail
in registration form and reunion maps are
available as links to the Patrol Report. FDMA
Registration closes 23 July 2010!
1st Recon Battalion Association members and
guests should confirm that they plan to attend
the reunion by emailing Curtis Gruetzmacher
at: Curtis.Gruetzmacher@gmail.com and sign
in at our hospitality suite after you arrive
in San Antonio.
Lodging: The El Tropicano Riverwalk Holiday
Inn, 110 Lexington Ave. San Antonio, Texas
78205 is the official reunion site for 1st
Marine Division Association and 1st Recon
Bn Association. Reunion accommodations are
available at a rate of $105.00 per night.
Parking is $18.00 per day. For hotel reservations
call: (210) 223-9461; ask for the 1st Marine
Division Assn Reunion rate.
1st Recon Bn Assn CP/Harbor Site: The 1st
Recon Battalion Association Reunion CP /hospitality
suite at the El Tropicano Riverwalk will be
open from 25-28 August.
Transportation. SA Trans (210 281-9900) provides
airport-hotel service; tickets are sold in
San Antonio baggage claim at $32.00/round
trip. Reunion venues are accessible by foot,
streetcar, river barge and bus; a car is not
necessary to get around down town San Antonio.
Volunteers. The success of our reunion is
the result of members who volunteer to help
with registration, selling raffle tickets,
donating raffle and auction items, the silent
auction and ensuring the hospitality suite
is stocked with refreshments. Our thanks and
appreciation to perennial volunteers such
as Doc and Linda Buehl, Curtis and Luana Gruetzmacher,
Larry and Nancy Feldman, “Howdy”
and Rhonda Howdyshell, Bob and Julie Morris
and Kent and Ester Dickson. Help your Association
and fellow members this year, be a reunion
volunteer.
Fundraising. The reunion is your Association’s
primary source of income. Our raffle, silent
auction and Hospitality Suite refreshments
keep the Association going through the year.
Please donate raffle and auction items, buy
lots of raffle tickets and bid generously
at the silent auction.
KEY EVENTS
1st Recon Battalion Association Luncheon
is a Texas BBQ, 1200 pm, Friday 27 August,
at VFW Post 76, 10 Tenth St. San Antonio.
The luncheon is $30.00 per person; RSVP not
later than 24 Aug to Curtis Gruetzmacher 3375
Post Oak Rd Goliad, TX 77963 or Curtis.Gruetzmacher@gmail.com
1st Recon Bn Association General Membership
Meeting and Election of Officers is Saturday
28 August at 1:00 pm in our Hospitality Suite.
This year, we elect the Association Vice President,
Secretary/ Treasurer, and an Associate Director.
1st MarDiv Association
Events include the National Museum of the
Pacific, the San Antonio city tour, a marichi
concert and a Reunion Banquet. Details and
registration forms are found at the 1st Marine
Division Association website:http://www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org .
2010
Marine Corps Birthday Cruise
Grab your muskets and sign on with
us to celebrate the 235th Marine Corps Birthday
in traditional fashion on the high seas.
The 1st Recon Bn Association sponsored
USMC Birthday Cruise is gathering steam.
Presently we have 67 travelers signed
on. Our goal is to have 100 or more gathered
together to celebrate this traditional
and unique event in first class Marine
Corps style, all the way. The list of
attendees is a cross section of past and
present warriors. We have Marines who
served during the Korean War, Cold War
Marines, Vietnam Marines and Marines of
the present day Iraq and Afghanistan.
Amongst our attendees is an Army nurse
who served in Vietnam and a Navy C-130
aircrew member who flew casualties out
of Khe Sanh during the siege. This will
be a memorable celebration and the stories
are sure to get better with each retelling.
One of the celebrants is Sgt James “Eddie”
Wright. I first met Eddie at the 1st MarDiv
reunion held in Washington, DC in 2004.
Eddie has an outstanding story of personal
courage and was interviewed for the Marine
Corps movie currently being shown at the
Marine Corps museum in Quantico. Here
is a link to the movie, an exceptional
look at Marine Corps history:
The cruise, November 8 – 13, 2010
on board the Royal Caribbean ‘Radiance
of the Seas’ – a 5-star ship,
is sailing out of Tampa, FL for 5 nights.
On November 10, dinner will be enjoyed
with other ship’s passengers during
the normal dining period (1st seating)
as the ship sails away from Costa Maya,
Mexico. Following dinner a two-hour celebration
will be held in our private room. There
will be no charge for well drinks, wine
and soft drinks. This private celebration
is totally funded by monies returned to
us from the Cruise Line as a result of
the number of passengers our group has
booked. The celebration will begin with
a video viewing of the Commandant’s
message and then the Chaplain’s
prayer. The National Anthem will be observed
followed by the singing of the Marine
Corps hymn and the reading of General
Lejeune's Message. Finally, the birthday
cake will be cut by the oldest and youngest
Marine present. Tall tales will then be
in order.
All military participants are urged to
wear their uniforms, Marine Corps League
uniforms or appropriate civilian attire.
Medals and ribbons are encouraged to be
worn on civilian jackets. There will be
hundreds of civilians on the ship and
this is an opportunity to proudly put
the Marine Corps on display.
Here is important information regarding
the wearing of medals and awards:
It is permissible for veterans
and retirees to wear military awards on
civilian clothes for gatherings of a military
theme. On significant holidays like Veterans
Day and Memorial Day, veterans and retirees
are encouraged to wear their awards and
medals. The choice of ribbons, full-size
medal or miniature is an individual one.
Note: Retirees and veterans may wear
their uniforms in appropriate settings
as described in the Department of Defense
Instruction 1334.01 "Wearing of the
Uniform." “
The Department of Veterans Affairs
calls on all veterans to express their
patriotism and pride on Veterans Day and
other major patriotic holidays through
a display of medals earned in their military
service.
Join your comrades in public display
of your military decorations. It’s
a way to show your community the spirit
of America’s veterans and remind
your neighbors of the service and sacrifice
of those who guarded democracy. “
Here is a link for those wishing to purchase
new ribbons or medals. There are other
vendors available over the internet.
Our ship, The Radiance of the Seas is
a 5 star ship which will provide its travelers
with exceptional dining cuisine. For those
who enjoy a variety of foods, the buffets
are extraordinary. No one goes away hungry.
Nightlife is unique onboard a cruise ship,
featuring live entertainment in the theatre,
live music in any number of lounges and
bars as well as first run movies in the
movie theatre.
Here is a list of ship’s entertainment
and activities:
· Casino Royale SM Las Vegas gambling
· Themed bars and lounges
· The Colony Club, a unique British
colonial-style lounge with self-leveling
pool tables
· African safari-themed Solarium
· Indoor/outdoor country club
with golf simulator
· Day Spa and Fitness Center
· Sports court with basketball/volleyball
court
Ports of call:
· Costa Maya, Mexico
· Cozumel, Mexico
The ship sails from and returns to Tampa,
Fl and includes two days at sea. Here
is a link to the ship:
The
1st Reconnaissance Battalion Memorial
is a black granite monument standing
101” high and 36” wide,
mounted on a 48” x 20”
base. The two hundred sixty-two Recon
Marines and Corpsmen who lost their
lives in combat with 1st Reconnaissance
Battalion will have their rank, name,
age at death and home state engraved
on the face of the monument.
The replica pictured to the right
was presented by the Association
to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
at a March ceremony. It stands in
a place of honor at the battalion
command post.
The Heritage Foundation approved
the design and size of our monument,
and directed that it be placed in
the second phase of the Semper Fidelis
Memorial Garden; development of
the Memorial Garden has been delayed.
Dedication of our memorial may not
be before early 2011. A dedication
and memorial ceremony is planned
on site. Association members and
families will be informed in advance
of the day and time of the dedication
THE MEMORIAL
1ST RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION
ASSOCIATION MEMORIAL and FUND
The 1st Recon Battalion Association
will place a memorial in the Semper
Fidelis Memorial Garden of the National
Museum of the Marine Corps honoring
the two hundred sixty-two Marines
and Corpsmen, serving with the 1st
Reconnaissance Battalion, who gave
their lives in service to their Corps
and country during the Korean War,
Vietnam War and Iraq. Our thanks and
gratitude to the one hundred five
1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association
members and friends who generously
donated to the Memorial Fund, transforming
our dream into a reality.
SITREP
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
1st Reconnaissance Battalion, less elements supporting
MEU (SOC) deployments, is again deployed. 1st Recon Battalion is composed of A, B, C
Companies and 1st Force Company (formerly D Company)
and Headquarters and Service Company.
Raider Report, the battalion’s newsletter,
is available on line at 1st Recon Battalion’s
official website: http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/1ReconBn/.
The Raider Report is also posted at our Association
web site: http://www.1streconbnassociation.org/SP09/March
RR (email).pdf 1st Recon Battalion’s
website is comprehensive and very informative.
The Raider Report is an excellent newsletter
filled with useful information about the battalion.
To learn more about the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion,
visit their website!
IN MEMORIAM
The Passing of a Legend-Sergeant Major Otis
Barker
Anyone who served in A Company, 1st Recon Battalion
in 1967-1969 has enduring memories of 1st Sergeant
Otis Barker. Top Barker was a short, powerful,
profane and thoroughly professional Staff Non-Commissioned
Officer, whose service in World War II, Korea,
Lebanon and Vietnam earned him a Silver Star,
Bronze Star and five Purple Hearts. Top Barker
ran Alpha Company. He knew it and so did everyone
else. No one messed with the Top. Most of Alpha
Company went out of their way to stay off Top
Barker’s radar screen and hoped that they
didn't screw up. The Top knew everything that
was going on, and he didn't seem to have much
of a sense of humor. If you got on the wrong side
of the Top, you were likely to be off to the grunts.
Leading Company PT, his one arm pullups, running
the Company in formation to Freedom Hill and back,
adding your name to Charlie’s Hunting Club,
riding with a team to a hot LZ and one of his
ass chewings are memories of Top Barker that stay
with you forever. Does one marine make a difference?
You Bet! Top Barker may have been 5'5", but
to his Marines, the Top was a giant of the Corps.
Top Barker’s legacy is the many young Marines
and Corpsmen, now grown gray and out of shape,
that learned, through his example, that they could
be better men than they ever imagined. Rest in
Peace Top!
Bob McConaghy (2 Cool) H&S COMM SEC / 1ST FORCE VN June 22, 09
Col. Richard "Dick" Oxnam 1st Recon Co. Korea July 15, 09
Lt Col Michael J. Smith 1988/1994 Extract Date Unknown
Ben Szumagala Delta Co 67/68 Extract Date Unknown
Val Fuiava, Alpha 70/71 Team Cayenne & others. March 31, 2007
Vaughn Towle B Company 1983-1985 Extract Date Unknown
William Kern Reconnaissance Company 1993-1997 Extract Date Unknown
Corporal Ryan L. Pape. Force Reconnaissance Co. 09 Parachute accident Dec. 09
Todd Werda C Company 1989-1992 Extract Date Unknown
More Reunion Info
Adam Donovan Alpha 88/92
Allen Hallbauer Delta 67/68
Anthony Miele Alpha 03 - Present
B. Parker Miller Alpha 69/70
Billy Upchurch Alpha 90/93
Brain Donnelly Charlie 80/81
Chuck Setser Echo 69/70
C.S. Goddard "Doc" Charlie 89/91
Dan Avery H&S 67/68
Dan Kumle Alpha/Delta 70/71
Danny Conyers Charlie 67/70
Denzil Franklin C & D 90/99
Don Losson Alpha, Charlie, & H&S 73/75
Donald Cole Alpha 84/88
Douglas Burkhardt Alpha 67/68
Edward Larkins H&S 99/02
Edward North Charlie 90/92
Eric Leppanen Alpha 90/93
Eric Loya Charlie & 1st Force 81/83
& 91/00
Frank Cole Delta 68/69
G. Lew Joiner Bravo 60 and Alpha 65/66
Gregory Walsh Alpha & H&S 73/74
Henry Covarrubias Alpha 68/69
Ihor Balaban Bravo 81/84
Jake Hollingsworth Recon Co. 96/99
James Baranowski H&S 06/08
James Hunt Charlie 70/71
James Morley Echo 68/69
James Oberlander Alpha 82/84
Jason Rampa H & S 09 - (Present)
Jeffery Lee Bravo & H&S 89/90
Jim Ambrose H&S 90/92
Joe Reyes Jr. Echo 1st Recon and Bravo
5th 68/70
John Henson Bravo 68/69
John Sumner Alpha 66/67
John Tapia Div. Recon 95/97
Jon Darah Bravo 84/86
Jon Hall Alpha 70/71
Jonathan Muhl Bravo 77/78
Jonathan Staples H&S 90/93
Joshua Gennari Alpha & H&S 01/03
Justin Honcoop Alpha 05/09
Larry Elkins Delta 69/70
Lawrence Jones H&S 59/60
Lincoln Stull H&S 64/65
Lynn Day Charlie & Delta 66/67
Michael Schneider H&S, Bravo, Charlie
69/70
Owen Lovejoy II H&S and Charlie 90/91
Patrick McKenzie Charlie 02/06
Peter Simpson H&S 70/71
Randy Lowry Delta 69/70
Richard Davidson 50/51 55/56
Rick Schaepe DRP 74/77 & 86/93
Robert Cortesi Alpha 70/71
Robert Grace Echo 70
Ronald Nottage Charlie 69/70
Ronald Orr H&S Motor T 72/76
Ronnie Bayless (Dave) Alpha & Charlie
2000 - 03
Roy Burns Bravo, H&S, & 1st Force 2/66
- 2/67
Samuel Dunnuck Alpha 2nd Plt. 05/07
Samual Luera Echo 67/69
Seth Vance A Co. 1st Recon 06/08 and
Force Co. 08/09
Stephen Dockery Alpha 68/69
Ted Godlove Alpha 68/70
Thomas Davidson Delta Co. 69/70
Thomas Minder A, B, C, DRP, & H&S 77/87
Timothy Derkatch Bravo 77/79
Timothy Neese Alpha 86/89
Tom Majewski Alpha 68/69
Walter Farrell H&S 80/84
Wayne Missildine A Co. DRP 85/87
1st Recon Gear
For all your 1st Recon gear visit John Dalton's site at
Dalton Sportswear John served with Charlie Co. 77/80.
