Today is Memorial Day..and a few minutes ago, I watched the ceremony that took place at Arlington Cemetery. I am sure that those of you who read this e-mail, will have many personal thoughts on this day..as I am having... Fortunately.. for us ..we are able to have our thoughts, relive Marine memories and perhaps enjoy a family picnic on this day.. But I know that all Marines .. will .. probably many times..turn your thoughts to those Marines who are being honored this day.. for their sacrifice to our Nation and to our Corps. It is such a day as this..when we are reminded of names and places that are not thought about on a daily basis throughout the rest of the year.. Memories that return our thoughts to many moments of grief and mental pictures that will never leave us.. No matter what our rank.. each of us are left with personal thoughts of far away places and experiences in combat that cannot be shared.. except by those who were there.. Moments of absolute terror..un-ashamed fear.. horrendous sounds.. odors that are peculiar only to combat conditions..and the sounds coming from those who are wounded.. who may or may not ..live to recall those times.. times that only those who served and were there.. can relate to..

This morning, I read an e-mail from Jim Downs who is assisting a Marine widow in writing a book about her Marine husband, Bob Scharton who in July 2003 took his own life.. while on the phone to 9/11 to report a suicide ..his own. The shot that killed him could be heard at the end of the conversation.

As a result of his research for the book, Mr. Downs has been in touch with many of us who served in the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion in Vietnam in 1967, 68 and 69... for relevant information about Bob Scharton's life as a Marine in combat..

In the e-mail to Mr. Downs, the one I received today, a Marine Officer I had the privilege to serve with Vietnam recalled some events that took place when he was a 3rd AMTRAC Platoon Leader in 1968. His platoon was engaged in support of the Korean Marine Corps Brigade in the area of Hoi An, South Vietnam.

I just want to refer to just one small sentence and note in his e-mail that he wrote.. concerning his tour with the ROK Marines:

"Had a Marine killed by lightning of all things.."

During my own time in Vietnam, I tried to write home to my wife everyday.. and those letters she saved. They form the basis for the stories I have been writing about "My Memories Of Vietnam."

It just so happened that I wrote a letter to my wife on 1 June, 1968, that contained some events that happened on the Memorial Day weekend of that year.

"Last night was relatively quiet.. I never sleep very well at night, and last night was no exception.. We had an LVT (Amphibian Vehicle) hit a mine at the outskirts of Nui Kim Son. It caught fire and burned all night. We also lost a youngster down with the ROK's who was struck by lightning and was killed instantly.. You just haven't seen a thunderstorm until you've witnessed one here..."

It was just my curiosity that caused me to go to my files today to see what happened and what I wrote home about on that Memorial Day weekend in 1968.

Having read Mr. Downs e-mail.. which included the comments about the Marine struck by lightning written by then... Lt. Chuck Hatch (who retired from the Marine Corps as very respected and admired Colonel of Marines), it was difficult for me to read that the Marine who died from such an improbable event while serving in Vietnam, died on that Memorial Day weekend, thirty-seven years ago.

As for the official reports submitted on that weekend in the Command Chronology of May 1968 the following was reported:

"Marine was returning from an LVT of Bravo..2nd platoon to his LVT when struck by lightning with the 3rd Battalion, ROKMC Brigade, CP. Marine was spotted immediately by other AMTRAC personnel. Mouth to mouth resuscitation was given and MedEvac called for. MedEvac completed at 1815. Marine DOA at NSA."

As concerns my comments to my wife about the LVT that hit the mine and was burning, the official Situation Report was written as follows:

"LVTP5 B-17 detonated 75 lb mine at above coordinates while moving from 3rd AMTRAC to 3/27 CP. LVTP5 B-17 was lead vehicle in a column of four (4) tractors. Column received small arms fire and five (5) 60mm mortar rounds upon detonation. CAP 2-5-1 dispatched Reaction Platoon force. Established security and returned fire to tree line west of MSR. Enemy broke contact immediately. Vehicle is still burning and will be retrieved at first light. Remaining vehicles returned to 3rd AMTRAC CP."

The casualities for the month of May for 3rd AMTRACS were:

3 Killed in Action
2 Died of Wounds
45 Wounded in Action

May was also the month.. when on the 5th of May, VC/NVA Sappers broke through the wire and resulted in the story that I wrote about the attack on the "5th of May.. In the Wire" This account can be read by going to the link "IN THE WIRE" on the menu bar:

For those of you who will read this and are reminiscing about our time in the Marine Corps... on this significant day.. just let me say..     Semper Fi..

Stub Chace