usmc2427765
US Veteran
In December 1969 I was assigned to a Tank Company in the 1st Marine Division RVN. The Navy Corpsman assigned to us was Doc S and normally Marines and other Navy types typically don't get along. Except our Corpsman who was one of us and suffered all the trials and tribulations that Marines do, lousy chow, less than ideal fighting holes etc.
In early December, Doc was on a mail run to one of the platoons to update their shot records. He was leaving the next day on R and R to meet his wife in Hawaii, who was pregnant with their child. On the return trip, his jeep along with 2 other Marines on board were ambushed by VC/NVA and Doc S was killed and the others wounded. When his wife arrived in Hawaii, she was met by a Navy Chaplain who notified her she was a widow. I was close to Doc and his death hit me hard, the only time I allowed myself to grieve in RVN.
In 2013, I made contact with his son and felt that the bond was restored. He has a fine son and grand children and I told him that Doc proudly told me he and his wife were expecting a child that he was certain was going to be a boy. I shared this with his son and told him how much his dad meant to me and how proud he would be of his son that he never knew. I will maintain this contact until I pass on.
Humbly submitted,
Sgt. Brian Jefferies
USMC Rvn 1969-1970
Dedicated to all those that did not come back
In early December, Doc was on a mail run to one of the platoons to update their shot records. He was leaving the next day on R and R to meet his wife in Hawaii, who was pregnant with their child. On the return trip, his jeep along with 2 other Marines on board were ambushed by VC/NVA and Doc S was killed and the others wounded. When his wife arrived in Hawaii, she was met by a Navy Chaplain who notified her she was a widow. I was close to Doc and his death hit me hard, the only time I allowed myself to grieve in RVN.
In 2013, I made contact with his son and felt that the bond was restored. He has a fine son and grand children and I told him that Doc proudly told me he and his wife were expecting a child that he was certain was going to be a boy. I shared this with his son and told him how much his dad meant to me and how proud he would be of his son that he never knew. I will maintain this contact until I pass on.
Humbly submitted,
Sgt. Brian Jefferies
USMC Rvn 1969-1970
Dedicated to all those that did not come back
