WELCOME! New Chapter Member Doc Ken Senft. He served as Corpsman in Vietnam with Echo Company 2/7 during 1966-67.

Ken Senft
kensenft@qwest.net

Hey Ken,

Welcome aboard! This is one of the best things, you will ever do.

A few years ago, when my father-in-law was dying, he and I talked. He was a WWII veteran of the 101st Airborne. He jumped into Normandy, fought at Bastogne, twice wounded and received the Bronze Star for valor. He told me, he regretted not joining the reunion organizations and checking on some of his old buddies.  Those were different times.

You know ... no internet, etc. It was simply difficult to reconnect.

Five years ago after years of effort luck came my way and E-2/7 Reunion popped up on my computer. That started the adventure. 

"Doc", I am glad, you're here. But Corpsmen are used to Marines saying that, aren't they?. Nothing has changed, huh? Thanks!

Warm regards, Mike "Semper Fi"

watsonm@afghan.swa.army.mil

Dear Sir,

My cousin was PFC Gerald Marion Gischer. Were any of you in Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines?  Jerry was only 18 at his death and was unmarried at the time. His mother (my aunt) and his father has past away. But I was wondering if you knew of away to find anyone in his battalion?  If so please let me know.

Sincerely,

Karen Eilers

3104  Douglas Rd.

Millstadt, IL

62260

keilers@ameren.com

ANOTHER GREAT ADDITION TO THE LEGACY OF ECHO COMPANY. THE INFO ON THE STAMPS IS SOMETHING MANY HAVE NEVER SEEN. THE HELO SUMMARY IS FANTASTIC. THE PEAK YEAR OF LOSSES IN 1970 WAS WHEN I WAS A COVAN TO THE VNMC. THE NVA HAD BROUGHT IN SOVIET STRELLA MISSILES, AA GUNS THAT PUT UP FLAX, AND MORE 12.7 MM THAT I THOUGHT EXISTED. IN ONE TWO DAY PERIOD THE 101ST AIRBORNE THAT SUPPORTED US LOST ABOUT 100 HUEYS OVER IN LAOS.

I AND YOUR COMRADES ARE CONSTANTLY AMAZED THAT EACH ISSUE KEEPS EXCEEDING THE PRIOR ISSUES.

SEMPER FI,

FRED TOLLENSON, COL. USMC RET.

Somehow you manage to keep surpassing the excellence of your previous Echo Company 2/7 Tooter issue. The helicopter history was informative and interesting, as was the use of propaganda stamps. I am especially proud of the fact that almost all the money required to honor the Echo Company 2/7 killed in Vietnam. That so many different people joined together for this purpose is in itself a tribute. When Marines speak of a "Band of Brothers" it is NOT idle chatter. 

Semper Fi,

"Doc'  Jeffrey Levine

Thank you so much for doing this follow-up piece on the ambush during Operation Meade River. After reading Chico Zamora's account about a hundred times to let it sink in, I wonder if you have Mrs. Menagh's email address? If you could get her permission to let me have it, I would like to thank her personally for the courage her husband showed in insisting that all the causalities' bodies were recovered that day. 

Thanks, Mary Compeau 

mary_comp@sbcglobal.net

I had sent a email a few years ago in regards to Marines who were at the river when we were pinned down. I saw the Marines that were shot in the boat that day also.

I received a end of tour award that a Lt. Freeman wrote on March 25, 1970. It was for a booby trap I hit and blew between myself and Jim Ladden who was behind me. I was wrote up for heroism that day. I had submitted this letter and a recommendation for a 2nd purple heart as my right ear (bleeding) had damage due to the concussion. Jim Ladden has been in contact with the Navy Corpsman (Doc), but he had a stroke several years ago and his memory not very good. We need another letter from another Marine who was on patrol with us that day. This may be a long shot. Jim Ladden is also doing some research. I know 40 years was a long time ago. We have been trying to locate Lt. Freeman.  Lt. Col. Mulherin whom I have been in contact with is trying to help with this gave me your email address. He cannot locate Lt.Freeman at this time.

I was with Echo 2/7 3rd Platoon 3rd Squad from early February 1970 till the pullout in October 1970 when they transferred me to 5th Marines going right back into the Que Sons. I do remember some of the guys names and have pictures of them along with a after picture of Jim Ladden and myself who were with Echo Company most of this time.

Do you have an outlet to maybe locate some of these guys if I gave you their names? Charles also gave me a name of Randy Patterson P.O. Box 843 Novato, CA 94948.who is evidently raising funds to build a memorial for Echo 2/7 near Quantico. He is supposed to have a good list of fellow marines, I will write him a letter, also.

mcarey502000@yahoo.com

In reference to the message below:

L/Cpl. Leo Swan's cause of death is listed as "hostile, explosive, other," which usually means a booby trap, what they refer to today as an "IED." Leo was 19 years old from Brighton, MA. He probably enlisted right out of high school. There is nothing on the websites about his family, although there are several memorial messages from people he went to school with growing up.
Semper Fi,

Jimmy Clendennen

I am looking for anyone who served with L/Cpl LEO EDWARD SWAN JR., KIA 4-20-1968. Would also like to hear from his family.

Lewis Waters

email:lewiswaters@bellsouth.net

Pardon me for stating the obvious, but the Echo Two-Seven Tooter messenger is a G-D send. It permits those who have not spoken in 40+ years to "reach out" and ask a question, make a statement, or ask for help. After someone has served in the Marine Corps it must be almost impossible to live as a "civilian" without some Marine Corps influence. How proudly they served and continue the sacred tradition of "G-D, Country, and Corps". No man could have higher values. 

 Semper Fi,

 'Doc' Jeffrey Levine