A recon platoons primary duty is to provide reconnaissance for the batallion and a ready reaction force when needed. The service force recon provided the marine corps units was acknowledged in 1970. Mos 9953parachutistcombatant diver qualified marine officerenlisted location i corps area of operations. This philosophy on the use of recon assets continued throughout the war. United states marine corps 3rd force recon fmf patch featured on a cover with your choice of color. Us marines in vietnam vietmanization and redeployment 1970. Marines with 3rd reconnaissance battalion, 3rd marine division conduct parachute operations by jumping out of a kc hercules on ie shima, okinawa, japan, oct. I am looking for pictures of the big white buildings we lived in at camp del mar in the 1967 era. Most of these chronologies include four common sections of information. See the amphib recon diary 19431945 and related photos. There are a number of original certificates of commendation signed by commandant joseph dunford dated 21 april 2015 for those who served with 1stand 3rd force reconnaissance companies and 1st and 3rd reconnaissance battalions in vietnam during the years 1965 thru 1971. Davis, former deputy commander of xxiv corps and commanding general of 3rd marine division in vietnam. In 1969 and 1970, we were in echo recon 15, 1st air cav assigned to iii corp republic of south vietnam. Pi hat vm02 ball cap 100 cotton high profile snapback.
Us army special forces 19611971 us army center of military. The 3rd reconnaissance battalion 3rd recon conducts amphibious and ground reconnaissance in support of the 3rd marine division and marine forces. Activated in september 1965 as one of the first group of add on units to meet demands of operations in south vie tnam, 3rd forecon formed at camp lejeune, n. Usaf patches united states air force patch badges vietnam sea. Nov 12, 20 in force recon diary, 1970, bruce doc norton offers a harrowing sequel to his bestselling force recon diary, 1969, continuing the true story of a navy corpsman who became a force recon team leader behind enemy lines in the jungles of vietnam. Alex lee details for us the birth and eventual independence of 3rd force recon in vietnam 1969 1970. See more ideas about vietnam war, vietnam war photos and vietnam veterans. The following is the 3rd reconnaissance battalions patrol. On 14 july 1965, the commandant of the marine corps issued marine corps order 5750. The men of the 3rd reconnaissance battalion have joined together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the 3rd recon battalion and of the united states marine corps. Patch 3rd force reconnaissance co details type ground unit existingdisbanded existing parent unit.
This worthy goal is accomplished by banding together those that fought in vietnam and the young warriors who are. Usmc marines 3rd force recon company vietnam war patch. Enlarge this series primarily consists of command chronologies of u. Us marines 4th force recon company swiftsilentdeadly. Frank reasoner far right, back row who would soon be killed in action and earn a medal of honor. It is geographically located on the okinawa prefecture in japan. In the midst of a war set deep in the jungle, the force recon marines often found themselves lacking. The battalion headquarters site, shown in the background, would be named in his honor. In january 1971 troop c was transferred to the 7th squadron. Patch 3rd force reconnaissance co details type ground unit existingdisbanded existing parent unit reconnaissance units. Since the marine corps lacks the facilities, they usually outsource their training to other crossservice schools sponsored by the united states army and navy. Usa patch bird dog recon cessna o1 us air force vietnam war 4422. Ready to frame professionally printed on high gloss photo paper photos are beautiful crisp and vivid money back refund if not satisfied please visit our store for more great photos thanks 162592937007. This high profile cap proudly displays our 3d high definition embroidery on the front panel.
As an infantryman he held commands ranging from rifle and machinegun platoons and riflecompanylevel assignments to a tour of duty as commanding officer of 3d battalion, 1st marine regiment. Choose your hat color high profile options with additional fee one line of text embroidery up to 18 characters u. Activated in september 1965, 3rd force reconnaissance company served the nation during the height of the vietnam war, from 1965 through 1970. Picture of the commanding officers of the 3rd recon battalion in 1965 outside of da nang at future site of camp reasoner. Vietnam war, project delta had a longrange reconnaissance and intelligence.
Vietnam war usmc 3rd force recon 1970 covert ops grainy. Norton was a navy hospital corpsman who somehow became the leader of a team of the marine corps 3d force recon company. If you knew or served with this marine and have additional information or photos to support this page, please leave a message for the page administrators here. Marine force recon in vietnam and the killer kane operations. We need pictures, stories, poems, and other materials related to 3rd force. Final taps these marines and navy corpsmen are maintaining the watch at our final harborsite. Usaf patch recon 376 strategic wing sw oms squadron sr 71 u 2 kadena ab 1970 japanese full emb cut edge 83 by 70mm three and one quarter by two and three quarter in ches price. Did you know that the 3rd force recon was the only unit assigned to vietnam.
Where does marine force recon fit in the world of special. Weapons company korea 195253 3d battalion 7th marines. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the units founding, approximately 100 veterans and family members attended a reunion may 79 aboard marine corps base quantico. This photo was taken at camp reasoner in da nang in november 1968. Brief sample of patrols and experiences related to the men of 3rd force recon co. It is certain that recon commanders knew that troops under their command were being attrited at an. Arvn 11th armored tank battalion original silk patch vietnam war 80. Third force was placed under command of the third marine expeditionary force and operated in general support of iiid maf until deactivated in mid1970. Original vietnam mac v sog command ccc a hatchet force company a patch xh24. Sequel to the above, covering nortons service in the 1st force recon company. Marines of the 3rd force reconnaissance on patrol about 20 miles.
The 35 cav was organized as a divisional reconnaissance unit for the 9th infantry division and arrived in vietnam with the division in late 1966. Kinney made history in the marine corps by becoming the first officer amputee to return to full duty in 1970. Command chronologies reports index this series of records was created between april 1962 and june 1987, it contains documents that describe events that occurred as early as april 1952. As a result, with the advent and growth of the special operations community in the 1970s and 1980s, the marine corps resisted in creating its. Dong ha 5th plt 3rd force recon company op con 1st force. Ive seen a number of force recon company and battalion reproduction patches for sale on ebay over the years but had never seen this design before. The 3rd squadron, 17th cavalry arrived in vietnam on 30 october 1967 and was assigned to the 12th aviation group, 1st aviation brigade, primarily stationed at di an.
On 20 july 1970 it was placed under the control of ii field force, vietnam. In january 1971 troop c was transferred to the 7th squadron, 1st cavalry. Vetter the 3rd reconnaissance battalion was stationed in vietnam from march 1965 to november 1969. Jun 26, 2011 brief sample of patrols and experiences related to the men of 3rd force recon co. The bravest of the brave, recon marines were awarded four medals of honor, navy crosses and 72 silver stars for service in vietnam. Usmc retired, authored a book force recon published by the u. May 21, 2018 1st marine division, 2nd marine division, 3rd marine division, 4th marine division, 5th marine division, 6th marine division, aviation, corpsmen, force recon, marsoc, middle east, vietnam a face of war 1968 u. Also id sure like to find an original patch, picture or cloth. United states marine corps force reconnaissance wikipedia.
Activated in september 1965 as one of the first group of add on units to meet demands of operations in the republic of south vietnam, 3rd forecon formed at camp lejeune, n. Recon in vietnam 50 year anniversary public group facebook. Choose your hat color high profile options with additional fee one line of text embroidery. Because he was so super secret they made him go back to bootcamp. Also, why on the foia paperwork does it say he was a recruit on 02271973. The recon teams that composed task unit charlie, during hastings were a composite unit made up from two plts alpha company, 1st force, and a platoon from 3rd force. Unit 3rd force reconnaissance co unit page rank second lieutenant. Vietnam war patch us marines 3rd force recon company. The vast majority of the documents in this series were created between 1965 and 1979. Please notify jim hunter for additionscorrections to this list. The men are to be transported into the interior of the uminh forest, the large marshy and swamp and forest area at the southern tip of vietnam, long considered to be a vc. Danang company a, hdqts, 1st, 2nd plt op con 3rd recon bn 31 aug1966. Operating in the far north of i corps up too, and into the. To conduct amphibious reconnaissance, ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battlespace shaping, and specialized raids in support of the marine division and its subordinate elements, or a designated marine airground task force magtf.
Cavalry vietnam from the delta to the dmz as you read these historical documents it should become clear as to why the 3rd squadron 5th u. Div, force recon or 3rd shore party, july 6869 in quang tri or dong ha rom plow operators of the army engineers for reunion swift boat sailors that served in vn, for reunion anyone with 1st bn. The 35 cav was organized as a divisional reconnaissance unit for the 9th. Recon battalion sniper platoon 2nd light armored recon bn 2nd mar div 2nd bn 4th marines 2nd bn 8th marines. This combined training included marines from 3rd transportation support battalion, 3rd marine logistics group, as well as support from marine aerial refueler. Ussf patch mercenary, montagnard command khe sanh ccn vietnam war 974. In force recon diary, 1970, bruce doc norton offers a harrowing sequel to his bestselling force recon diary, 1969, continuing the true story of a navy corpsman who became a force recon team leader behind enemy lines in the jungles of vietnam. I understand you wanting to defend a friend, but you should step. Elite marine sniper 3rd recon force patch khe sanh vietnam war 2803. I decided to take a chance even thought i had never heard of a th force recon company before. As you read these historical documents it should become clear as to why the 3rd squadron 5th u.
Rafus msgt retusaf combat controller ccs quan loi 19701971. The 3rd reconnaissance battalion 3rd recon conducts amphibious and ground reconnaissance in support of the 3rd marine division and marine forces pacific marforpac, operating in the commanders areas of influence. Activated in september 1965 as one of the first group of add on units to meet demands of operations in south vietnam, 3rd forecon formed at camp lejeune, n. Had two weeks on destroyers with recon doing rubber boats. Our 3rd recon battalion patch is a regulation, full color, embroidered military patch. The battalion is based out of camp schwab, a satellite base of marine corps base camp smedley d. Force recon companies were active throughout the vietnam war. William roy, aka bill roy,us marine, force recon, vietnam.
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