Corpsman Up - An Hoa, RVN - 4Aug1969

Self | 4Aug2012 | ConorMacNessa

[ConorMacNessa]

CORPSMAN UP!
An Hoa, RVN, August, 1969



HM/3 Tom Mitchell, Lima 3/5 & HM/3 Glenn G. Simpson, Mike 3/5
Corpsmen’s Quarters, An Hoa. 4Aug1969
Doc Simpson and I went through Field Med School together at Camp Pendleton, Calif, in March, 1969. We were both assigned to the 3rd Batt. 5th Marines, arriving in country 28 April 1969. Glenn served with Mike Company and I was initially detailed to Kilo Company. I was medevaced out in late June due to an infection in my right hand - spent a month in hospital at USNH Yokosuka.

I returned in-country 4 August and arrived An Hoa that evening, when this photo was taken. Four days later I was out in the bush again, this time with Lima Company.

On 18 August, 1969, both Glenn and I were WIA within moments of one another in the Arizona. We were pulled out in the same chopper to Danang – to 95th Evac.

I never saw Glenn after that ride on the chopper. I learned a few months ago that he survived the War but that he passed on about ten years ago. Much too young for this man to die! I miss you dearly, Brother!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[A Navy Vet]

"I’ve always felt uncomfortable with all the kindness I was shown after my relatively tame deployment during OIF, especially from the Vietnam Vets. God bless Navy Corpsmen, wherever they are."

I get it. I've always had some guilt feelings for not being in the sh*t during Nam when some of my friends did. However, you DO realize that during any war there are many more REMF's than those actually fighting? There is always logistics that support them and without that, the grunts couldn't do their job. That doesn't mean the REMF's wouldn't fight, if need be. Ever seen, "WE WERE SOLDIERS" movie? There were many Rangers who were in support positions, but volunteered to go out into Mogadishu after hearing their brothers were cornered?

The same for fighter pilots on the flight deck. The movie, "TOP GUN", gave little acknowledgment to the many yellow, white, blue, green, and purple shirts who get them on and off the deck with weapons ready. Without them, the pilots would sit in the ready room and just drink coffee. Those same simple sailors would give their lives to make sure those pilots got off the deck.

I'm proud I served well for years working on the flight deck and later chasing Soviet nuke ships from a surface ship. As long as you were Honorably Discharged, you should be proud you served. Not everyone can storm the hill. Thank you for your service.

BTW, love those old 1911's, if that is what your handle means. That was my first introduction to a pistol back when. What a kick! My choice of sidearm is my Sig P226.

Actually, my favorite is my Rem 870. Recently went to a famfire and learned to shoot from the hip and under the armpit. You'd be surprised how easy and accurate it is from those positions, while not nestling the stock in your shoulder and feeling that nasty kick. Just swings in your arms - no problem.

[A Navy Vet]

Seems we were both Gator Navy around the same time. I was '75 - 78. USS New Orleans (LPH-11). Purple shirt on the flight deck.

I salute all HM's. Although not happy about the twin bullets after leaving Subic Bay. Damn, you guys were brutal. Stick...next! You guys had no mercy. I can still feel your less than hospitable shots. Har! But then, my ex-wife thanks you!

[dagogo redux]

USS Peoria, LST-1183.

I am in full agreement about your assessment of the way our troops are now used for everything but winning wars.

Sorry about the “bullets.” We weren’t trying to be brutal, at least I wasn’t, but the doses were huge and thick, and the needles were therefore necessarily like railroad spikes. Perhaps you can think of it as a small price to pay for the uniquely bizarre experience of total immersion - however briefly - in the animal soup that was Subic back in the day.

[ConradofMontferrat]

Sorry, Kathy, this thread touched a nerve. I'm old and I'm tired. I grew up in an era when America wouldn't take crap from anyone who wanted to harm our productive way of life. We were the "Shining Promise on the Hill". We would stop them by whatever means. Now, no one cares, as I watch our great experiment die. Better go to bed.

Hey, Yo! Swab Jockey!!

(I earned the right to call you that.)

Sometimes I sit and listen to stuff day in and day out. Then, of a sudden, something just trips my switch. Just like you today with this thread.

I won't go into it here, but I KNOW how you feel.

Go to bed now Sailor, tomorrow is another day, and God WILL shine his love on this country. Too many of us swore an oath, and BELIEVE in what we swore.

The dream will NOT die without a fight.

[ANGGAPO]

And there is no end date on that one either.

[ConorMacNessa]

Going over some old ground this evening, as I seem to do often in later days, I happened upon this thread I posted almost three years ago.

Bump for our Brothers and Sisters in Arms who carry the torch forward! Without them, this Nation would be nothing.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[KellieSJ]

I don’t know if you will ever see this, but Glenn Simpson was my father. He did pass away in 1999 but we would love to hear any stories you or see any pictures that you may have. It is such an honor to see that he is remembered so fondly so thank you so much for posting this.

[KellieSJ]

I don’t know if you will ever see this, but Glenn Simpson was my father. He did pass away in 1999 but we would love to hear any stories or see any pictures that you may have. It is such an honor to see that he is remembered so fondly, so thank you so much for posting this.

[ConorMacNessa]

It was so wonderful to hear from you, Kellie! I do have one other photo of your father, taken by me during the afternoon on August 4:


HM/2 Glenn G. Simpson, USN (PH) - Mike 3/5
An Hoa Fire Base, 4 August 1969

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Covenantor]

Sweetie, please don’t put your email out in public, lefties troll this site for just such goodies.

Use the private reply button to send private FR msgs.

Try it right after you ask the admin moderator to delete your post.

warmest regards,
Cov

[Jim Robinson]

It’s hard to see these pictures with blurry eyes. God bless.

[KellieSJ]

Thank you very much! I would love to exchange emails with you. My email is kelliesj@gmail.com. We don’t know much of the time my dad spent in the service and would love to hear more. Thanks for the response and new picture. I would love to be able to go share this information with my sister, mom and the rest of the family. I look forward to hearing from you.