I was reading an Archived thread, originally posted by nvr-btdt, but he couldn't remember the source.

My research turned up this...

"A Letter of Apology from Lieutenant General Chuck Pitman, US Marine Corps, Retired"

http://federalistpatriot.us/news/sorry.asp

Also, as a side bar... I ran into a very nice site that I will throw out to those interested.

"A Chronology Of Marine Helicopters In Vietnam 1962-1975"

http://www.popasmoke.com/chronology.html


The specific point of reference was to the above mentioned Marine General.

"On 30 Jan, the ARVN kicked off their massive multi-division incursion 40 miles into Laos from a point west of Khe Sanh. Known as Lam Son 719, the operation had only minor American involvement. However, one element of this support was the daily use of from two to eight CH-53Ds of HMH-463 to lift heavy equipment and artillery for ARVN forces. The H-53s, escorted by the AH-1Gs (and later AH-1Js) of HML-367, moved massive amounts of tonnage of material in and out of Laos. One CH-53 was lost in a hot LZ near Tchepone on 23 Feb. The crew chief and gunners were picked up immediately by the wingman. The copilot, LtCol Chuck Pitman, had been wounded, and he and the pilot, Maj Mike Wasco, spent a few anxious hours in a water-filled bomb crater until an Army UH-1 snuck in to get them out. LtGen Chuck Pitman later retired as Deputy Chief of Staff, Aviation. The operation into Laos ended for the Marines on 27 Mar."

...and a personal issue, near and dear... as I was assigned to Camp Hochmuth in early 1968.

"On 30 Jan, the ARVN kicked off their massive multi-division incursion 40 miles into Laos from a point west of Khe Sanh. Known as Lam Son 719, the operation had only minor American involvement. However, one element of this support was the daily use of from two to eight CH-53Ds of HMH-463 to lift heavy equipment and artillery for ARVN forces. The H-53s, escorted by the AH-1Gs (and later AH-1Js) of HML-367, moved massive amounts of tonnage of material in and out of Laos. One CH-53 was lost in a hot LZ near Tchepone on 23 Feb. The crew chief and gunners were picked up immediately by the wingman. The copilot, LtCol Chuck Pitman, had been wounded, and he and the pilot, Maj Mike Wasco, spent a few anxious hours in a water-filled bomb crater until an Army UH-1 snuck in to get them out. LtGen Chuck Pitman later retired as Deputy Chief of Staff, Aviation. The operation into Laos ended for the Marines on 27 Mar."

This neck of the woods, heretofore, had always been "Marine Country".

Although I was in an extremely small, insignificant Army MI Detachment (Recon), we were welcomed by our brethern in arms... placed in hooches on the perimeter right next to a battery of 155 self-propelled, and in acknowledgement of our presence, promptedly 'gassed' with tear gas at dusk!

"Phu Bai Is All Right!" became our motto. <grin>

But I digress... the camp was named after...

"MajGen Bruno Hochmuth, Commanding General, 3rd MarDiv died when his UH-1E from VMO-3 exploded and crashed 5 miles NW of Hue on 14 Nov killing Capts Kelsey and Carter, and Cpl Ron Phelps."

Taking my tongue out of my cheek for a moment... I have never served with a finer group of people, that did more with less (which translates loosely into a whole lot with nothing)...

...and that includes the 82nd AB, 101st AB, Special Forces, South Korean Tiger Division to name a few!

The Corp will always have my unswerving support, even if there are some seriously phucked up folks that pop up from time to time, including a particular Gunny, not to be confused with the Infidel. <grin>

hey MAGFORCE.....great story! keep em coming as it helps keep the deeds and memories alive.

Thank you Magman for getting that quote attributed correctly.
Gunnys right,great post.