Nam Phong Roster

L - P

Lane, C.C. HM3, FMF, USN.  Arrived at NamPhong June 4, 1972 joining Task Force Delta, MAG15 as a security attachment.  Soon after arrival, the CB's began constructing the 'hard-backs'.  I remember helping run a lot of barbed wire!  I don't know if that was to keep the potential enemy out or to keep us in!  Nevertheless, I have some good memories...and some 'scary ones' as well!  2dLT Rose (B.F.), I remember well! Ran  patrols with him.  Trips to Udorn for R&R were particularly eventful!  There were a number of corpsmen that come over with me.  I often wonder what happened to them:   Bill Barker, Dollar, Bill Miller, VanBuskirk, Delgado, Leidinger, Robert Rhoades (Teddy Bear), John Henshaw, and R.C. Gould!  I left the Navy in 1979 (gave them 10 1/2-years).  I am now living in the Houston-Metro area and provide sales and service to the medical imaging community.  I have a lot of pics of the camp that I will download and submit soon!  As a grunt corpsman serving 8 1/2 years with the 3rd Marine Division (3/9), 1st MAW, and the 1st Marine Division at Pendleton, I can now say that I was honored to serve!  Lots of Memories!  court@innovativexray.com

Lanni, Phil  USMC 1970 - 1974  VMA(AW) 533 S-3, Iwakuni, Japan Nov 71 - Jul 72; Nam Phong Thailand, Jul 72 -                   Nov 72.  North Andover, MA; email pc_lan31@juno.com

Lewis, John MGySgt Retired. I joined VMFA 115 in January 72 as a SSgt. MOS 6042. Mostly ran night crew metal shop. Deployed to Haha, Okinawa until they sent us to Da Nang in April, then on to the Rose Garden in June. I left the Silver Eagles in late October to return to Iwakuni then back to the world. Lots of memories of  Nam Phong, most of them are actually good ones. It didn't seem like fun at the time, but when I look back, it was an experience I wouldn't have wanted to miss. Weekend trips to Udorn, one of 115's Phantoms catching fire in the fuel pits due to some guy from GSE driving a tug with no muffler and the sparks ignited the fuel coming out of the aft dump mast, one of 232's aircraft rolling down the ramp and hitting one of 115's planes because the parking brake wasn't set. For the first few weeks before MABS got the showers up and working, I remember stopping work on the jets when a rainshower came up and everyone getting undressed and standing by the side of one of the five buildings so water would run off the roof to take a shower. I remember the CO of 115 giving the entire squadron a VD lecture which included proper use of a condom, using his fingers as a training aid. Bad memories of too many opportunities for troops to get access to drugs. Never could understand sending a young marine to Clark AFB for drug rehab then bringing him right back to a place where the locals had free access to the living area. Will always remember the "jungle bunnies". e-mail devildog@bigriver.net    

Logan,Chris, Sgt, Radar shop, 1st plane to land at Rose Garden thru 3/73.  Now in Days Creek, Oregon. MARCRISL@YAHOO.COM (the caps help avoid confusion on the L). 

Logan, Jim, Sgt,VMFA115 Radar Shop.  Aug 72-June 73.  Now living in Renton, Washington.   JA_Logan@yahoo.com  

Loughmiller, Ralph Thomas responding to messages from
Tom Bailey and any other jarhead at the Rose Garden.
Now living in Kansas City.  E-mail
address:metwo70@yahoo.com.       OORAH

Love, Peter C. "Pete" (Coach) RIO with VMFA-232.  I was with "232" when we deployed to Da Nang in April of 72. and then to the Rose Garden in June.  I left the Rose Garden for my rotation home the day after the "Paris Peace Accord Cease Fire" when into effect. at the end of Jan, 73.  Just how bad was the Rose Garden? "The Brass" decided to give the Air Crews a day of R & R by letting us spend a night in Da Nang (AKA. Rocket City)  We thought that was a "Good Deal". peterclove@direcway.com    

Luketich, Ronald   Cpl.  TAD'd from Iwakuni to MAG-15 at Danang.  Rumor was that when we pulled out we were going back to the world.  Possibly Cherry Point.  Instead we found ourselves at THE FABULOUS ROSE GARDEN.  I think I got the better of the deal.  No PARADISE HOTEL in North Carolina.  Thanks Mike for the great web site.  It reminded me that IT REALLY HAPPENED!!!  Rose Garden from June 72-Feb 73.  Discharged from New River in Aug 73 as a Sgt.  Married 26 years with 3 kids.  e-mail  coolhandluke@angelfire.com

Carl "Gunny" Lundgren. I went from Iwakuni to Nam Phong with H&MS-15 at the beginning. I was a day late getting there because the C141 transport I was on had a mechanical problem and had to return to Clark AFB for repair before going on to Thailand. Spent a night at a hotel in the PI partying before making it to the Garden. Was with SACE 650. Made corporal there. My email is clundgren@hotmail.com

Magness, Tim, I was the 1st Maw HQ S-3 chief at Nam Phong. Lot's of cobra stories and other viper related snake stuff. Lot's of data from the site medical director re: liberty trips to Ubon or Udorn. tmagness@raytheon.com

Martin, Terrence J. (John) USN: 1969 - 1973. HM2 (Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class) FMF 10/69 - 1/73.  Task Force Delta 5/72-12/72.  JMartin523@sbcglobal.net

Mason, Kyle, USMC, MWHS-15, MABS 15, (2511-0151), Nam Phong '72-'73, Discharged: 3 MAW, MWHS 3, MCAS El Toro. US Marine Corps League, Central Missouri Detachment, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club International jkmace@dishmail.net 

Massey Jesse, Msgt Retired. I went to the Rose Garden with VMFA 232 from Danang in '72. I was power Plants NCOIC  Email:jessdmas@aol.com

MAY, William F., SSGT USMC 1970-1978 MCRD, Camp Pendelton, '71 NATTC NAS Lakehurst New Jersey for SATS "C" School '71 MCAS  El Toro - MABS 13 L&R, '72 Nam Phong - MAG-15 L&R (Launch and Recovery), '73 MCAS Cherry Point - WERS 27 - Legal Admin, '74MCAS El Toro - MAG 13 Legal Admin, '77 MCAS Iwakuni, '78 EOS! Now reside Racine, Wisconsin vets21@aol.com

McGee,   Robert (Bobby) SGT.;USMC 08/69-09/73; VMA(AW)224 Cherry Point,N.C. 04/70-04/71, VMA(AW)533 Japan 04/71-04/72, VMA(AW)224 CVA-43 Corral Sea 04/72-07/72, VMA(AW)533 Namphong, Tailand 07/72-08/72, JMCJ-1 (or 2 I forget) El Toro, Calif. 09/72-09/73 Discharged 09/18/73.  MOS's: J52 Mech, A6A Plane Capt., J79 Mech, RF-4B Plane/Capt., NCOIC Check Crew A6A/J52. Currrently owner of R/CAR (Rods/Customs & Restorations) Custom Fabrication and Panel  Shop Berlin, CT.  Email: my55rock@aol.com

McGinley, Mike, 1/lt, CommO (2502) TAD from MWSG-18, 1st MAW to MAG-15 from August '72 until RTD May'73. Retired Detective Phila. Pa. Police Dept. Still residing in the Phila area. e-mail: mcginlm@lmsd.org

My name is pfc Michael MCELroy I was there in 1972 in feb and left there in 73 . I was in supply admin and when I first got there the seebee’s.Were just finishing out clearing the area . we were on the second wave, and I remember udon, I used to go outside the camp in the night ,with the bunnies and Go to khon koon. Looking for anyone from 1st marines div stationed there .I left Okinawa on a float in feb 72 going to thailand and couldn’t wear are marines ensignas On are uniforms, or decals on our trucks until later after the locals knew we were there. Looking for some of those early pics  .

                                                          To all my fellows marines that are serving and have serviced

                                                                                                    SEMPER FI!

MCNAMEE JOHN SSGT SEP72-SEP73 VMA AW 533 HYDRAULIC SHOP ON ADVANCED EMBARKATION TEAM TO IWAKUNI. I LIVE IN REMLAP, AL. EMAIL   MCNAMEEJFM@aol.com

McGowan, William J - Master Sergeant USMC Retired (Sergeant while at the rose Garden - got promoted to Staff Sergeant the day I left Nam Phong!) I worked in the MAG Ops Shop (S-3), then - part way through my tour - I became the Airfield Ops Chief. I worked for Major Buchannon in that little white building on the runway that said "Welcome to RTAFB Nam Phong."  One of my more memorable moments was the night the general's "one-holer" was turned upside down - whoever did it should have received an award - it sure boosted my morale!  I still have the "program" from the Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony at Nam Phong in my scrapbook  Warm regards to all my friends and survivors of the Rose Garden - we're a special breed - we are!  I'm now a college professor in Upstate NY.  My email is mwmcgowan@ mac.com  or wmcgowan@mvcc.edu  

Miller, Michael C., Sgt., MAG 15 Ordnance--Worked in the Rose Garden Bomb Dump and Missle Shop--June '72 to May '73. Live in Claremont, N.C.  mcmiller@charter.net

Miller, Phil “PG”, Cpl, H&MS-15, SACE 650, worked on INS gyros, got to Nam Phong, Mid-Late June ’72, left late June ’73. Got there when the SeaBees where still building roads and hootches and left after it had become the country club that we all remember. Currently in Maple Grove, MN. Email is pgm4482@earthlink.net

Millner, Charles M.(Mike)  (AKA Bruno) USMC: 1970 - 1975 Rank: Sgt. Unit: VMGR152 MOS: 6782 (Radio Operator / Loadmaster C-130) E-Mail: cmmillner@earthlink.net

Moore, Richard   L/Cpl. / 2111   Served with Security Element as the armorer from Christmas Day '72 til Sept '73. Would like to swap sea stories about the Garden and try to find some of the guys from Comm, Armory or Supply. email me at msram@bellsouth.net

Moreno, Jon Juan Sgt. comm section 72 -73 Now living in Cincinnati. My e-mail donjuanmoreno@earthlink.net

I joined H&MS-36 in April of 1973. When I checked into the Hydraulic 
shop, Gunny Wiggins was the NCOIC. He asked me ' ever heard of the Rose 
Garden?" I said "the song?' "No, the place, I need a guy to go TDY for 
two weeks. Well I did the two weeks and wish I could have stayed longer. 
Rich Rowtan was there and later on he came back to Hams. When I came 
back they put me in the tire shop and I humped those damn C-130 wheels 
wiyh Hollis Henderson. I had a damn good time there. I later ran into 
Rich in Isfahan Iran with Bell Helicopter in the rotor shop. I worked 
there till just before the craziness started, and went to work with 
Lockheed in Saudi Arabia. I finally settled down and got married and have two 
kids, my son has been in the Corps for over 5 years now and is 
stationed at Cherry Point, I also have two grandkids. My first wife trashed all 
my photos from that time period. Looking at the ones on the website 
brought back a lot of memories. Good Luck to all who served there and 
other places.Semper Fi, Larry Muncy, Savannah, Georgia. I can be reached at 
lbmuncy209@bellsouth.net

Sam
Moyer, (then) Captain, USMC, Team Commander, 7th Counterintelligence
Team.  As one of only two CI men then in the Far East who spoke Thai, I
came down from Iwakuni early-on, maybe Day Two.  Met up with the other
Thai speaker, (then) MSgt Tom Knoll, who came in from Okinawa and a different CI team.  Together we created Detachment
B, 7th CI Team, attached to and supporting the task force.  I brought
my jeep, jeep-mounted radio and trailer.  Outside the trailer were two
five-gallon water cans
with potable water.  Inside the trailer (covered tightly with the
canvas top) were about eight cases of beer and two cases of various
kinds of hard liquor.  As my background was grunt (I had 20 years
service at the time), I also knew the Wingies wouldn't know anything
about living in primitive conditions, so also brought down odds and
ends of small plastic bowls for holding water, silver-plated steel
mirrors for shaving and other sundries in various amounts.  I brought
these goodies not out of kindness, but for one single purpose - barter.
 And they were worth their weight in gold.  One hard night of drinking
between Tom Knoll and the master chief at the construction battalion (Seabees),
and the next day at the spot Tom and I had selected there was a large
dozer scraping the ground, tearing up underbrush and knocking down
trees, and an hour later a huge forklift started bring over all the
components for our Seahut.  They also brought us our own two-holer,
although I don't think it was ever necessary to use both holes at the
same time.  I rotated home before the end of the year, Tom stayed on
for nearly two years.  Early-on we struck up liaison with the province
chief in Khon Kaen, as well as with the district chiefs and their
intelligence officers in the province.  From them we collected
intelligence on a regular basis regarding the movement of CTs
(communist terrorists) and their activities.  We explored far and wide,
even developing relationships with village headmen, and did our male
bonding with them by drinking their monkey-blood whisky when we
visited.  We maintained a low profile, as was our practice through the
war in Vietnam, and other than the CO of the security force and some of
his officers, and BGen Andy O'Donnell and his staff, most people
probably didn't know we were there.  We were also the first from the
task force to drive up to the airbase and establish liaison with their
AF G-2 and his deputy, a major, who were entirely forthcoming and bent
over backward to give us whatever they could, including verifying that
I had tickets for TS/SCI, so I could be briefed verbally and could then
verbally brief my own CG and G-2.  (Our comms took a long time to get
"up," and even then, there was no place to store TS/SCI material, so it
couldn't be sent to us.)  The very early days, long before any squadron
aircraft ever appeared, were truly in the "expeditionary" mode.  No
potable water at all for several weeks, no food other than Charlies.
 The potable water we did get had to be brought in by truck, and never
seemd to be enough.  I think the other conditions and their gradual
improvement are probably well-covered by others on your site.  This
little synopsis if probably more than you wanted or expected,
especially since it's from a non-Winger - but hopefully might add a
dimension to the Garden that might not otherwise be seen.  Semper
Fidelis, Sam Moyer.

Munoz, Alexander D.  with VMGR-152  Sgt.  Was 1stMech. Also tin bender

Mynuk,Dennis (BUFF). I was in VMFA 232 in 71/72 , in Viet Nam and Nam Phong. I was in the ordinance shop. I still wear Capt Breuer's POW/MIA bracelet and think of everyone who was there often. I am interested in keeping in touch  dmynuk@mail.wvnet.edu

Nelson, Dan - L/CPL  Orders to Iwakuni out of Crypto Schl at Mare Island - June '73, wound up at the Rose Garden (long, incredible story, 6622 MOS in 610 H&MS?  Appeared they needed a messman *real bad*). Ceased hostilities 8/15/73 - helped pack up the base and off to Subic 9/04/73 "Operation Pegasus" supporting 232. So what if Radar (630) burned up the power cables, we took over the Coral Sea (and a Navy 6-by that didn't look like the squids  were using either - looked better painted olive-drab anyway) and kept 'em in the air. Back to Iwakuni 11/73, back to the world (if MCAS Yuma can be called that) 6/74. Mike - thanks for the site, it proves Nam Phong wasn't all a dream (I was beginning to wonder). Anyone ever come up with a recipe for "fawkew-lizard" stew? usmc_vet@zardoz.com

 NETZNIK, Jeffrey (Jeff) AKA: Pop Knucklehead: USMC 1972-75, Sgt. E-5. Nam Phong: L/Cpl; MAG-15, Task Force Delta, Utilities (Water Supply/ Shower Units). (Plt 286 Parris Island; Aug.-Oct.72, MCES Camp Lejeune; Oct.72 - Jan.73, Iwakuni, Japan; Feb.73, Nam Phong; Feb.- Sept.73. Iwakuni; Sept.73 - Feb.74, 2nd Combat Eng. Camp Lejeune Mar.74 - Aug. 75)   pop_knucklehead@yahoo.com  

Noe, Robert (BOB) Cpl H&MS-15 Cryogenics (Made the cold stuff) Arrived at Rose Garden June 1972 RTD'ed August 1972. Live in St. Louis area. e-mail   bobnoe@yhti.net

Null,Ronald o. sgt Was tad out of El toro to vma 533 flightline.served as ncoic for one night,due to a lot of miscommunaction.As punishment i was to be sgt of the guard.As we all know 24 hour shifts left me no job.Solution,you are now ncoic of the soda mess.I loved that job for a whole lot of reasons. stayed for 3 months and rotated back to El toro. currently live 30 miles north of san antonio,texas.email heloteshippie@sbcglobal.net

Payne, Patrick F, HM2, therock144@charter.net  Rose Garden 1972-73 Pharmacy Tech

David Orr Sgt. S-3 VMFA-232, I was among the first into Nam Phong laying the matting to park the planes and set up our shop. I think July 4 1972 was the date when we had our first hot meal of boiled hotdogs and boiled potatoes. We also had a strip show with lots of beer that night and while walking back to the hooch someone stepped off in a piss tube. I can't remember his name but boy did he stink. We all gave him our water to somewhat clean up.

Ostapowicz, Jerry, SSgt, H&MS-15, Ordnance, took over the Mobile missle test van just before we pulled out for Iwakuni... jostapwicz@comcast.net

Ted Owens, LtCol USMC (ret).  Did my tour in reverse starting with Task Force Delta Staff until Col T. "saved me" for Mag-15 NATOPS.  Ended up in Ops with the RED DEVILS flying #3 with the red tail (5801).  The aircraft rotated to PAR in Atsugi the same time as I went home in July 73.  Col Jerry Ellis flew it the last leg from Iwakuni to Atsugi for me so I wouldn' miss the Freedom Bird home.  As Dick Ward said, I too miss the Marines and the good times of the Rose Garden.  Good memories, you all were the best. My email is tedowens@adelphia.net

Semper Fi

Petrucci, Michael Cpl. (Whop) Communications,  Arrived Feb. 1973, Also operated the M.A.R.S. station along with Cpl. Jack LaBrake so that you guys could call home. Got Yelled at for having a sign above the old hut:"They never promised me a rose garden, but they sent me to one" If anyone has any info on Jack LaBrake or SSgt Heit from Billings Montana, let me know.   I live in Greensburg Pa. and just retired from the police force. Getting ready to move to Wyoming. mpflyfish@verizon.net  

Pleva Randy, Lcpl  with Security Element II, May 72 -November72. (3rd Bn.9th Marines). When we arrived in Nam Phong the only thing there was a big hanger where we slept for a couple of weeks til the tents were put up. No mess hall, showers, we did have a two holer. Patrols at night and laying wire and metal runway during the day. RJPleva@hotmail.com

Pollard, Tony  Maintenance Control Cpl Vmfa-115 Silver Eagles Worked with Gunnery Sgts Ron Sibley and A. Bone.  I had the privilege of communicating with Capt Joe Anderson recently, and he is now a retired Maj. General  former Commanding General of the 1st MAW  To those who may remember Cpl Ricky Blackford, (supply) sad to say that Rick rtd 6 of 73  and passed away the following Sept, He was a good friend of mine, enlisted together and served together in 115, and sadly missed. My E-mail addy is   tonypollard50@insightbb.com .  Feel free to send me correspondence.  I reside in Tipton, Indiana and work for Daimler Chrysler. If interested  every year in Kokomo, Indiana there is an annual Viet Nam reunion, that attracts many vets.  If you're interested please contact me.

Popiolek, Ed, Wing CEO office, arrived at Nam Pong/Rose Garden Early 1972.Arrived with a LtCol Bird and a Captain Smee.  Can't remember our drivers name.  I was a GySgt (5979) at the time and was filling an E-9 billet at Wing CEO office in Iwakuni till trip to Rose Garden.  When our team got there just the strip and guys on elephants.  CB's came a little later and starting building the strong-back tents.  I bunked with a bunch of Comm Guys from Wing H&S and remember bathing out of the 55 gal drums set up to collect rain water.  When it rained we went outside to shower in the rain.  Remember had to watch out for snakes in your gear under your cot.  I recall the week-end trips to Udorn and fun I had buying jade and rings for my wife and kids back in the world.  I do have a lot of pictures from the early days of our tour.  Those C5A's brought in a lot of stuff.  I rotated back to the states late "72 and transferred to Quantico with MTDS reserve unit on the Wing side of MCB Quantico, Was at Quantico till transferred to Recruiting School  in 1976 and duty as station commander MCRS Williamsport, Pa. Was there till I retired in Oct 1978.  Since I did attend C&E Schools in 29 Palms back in 1967 I had background and got into Telecomunications Business after I retired as a Master Sergeant in 1978.  Was a Union guy (IBEW) and worked till 1998 and went to work for Hospital System IT department, still there and still working everyday.  Great Job and work next to a retired USAF E-8.  I still love the Marine Corps.  My son went on active duty in 1980 and retired in 2002 as a CWO-3.  Of course I always tell him he may have been a WO but he could stay in for forty years but he will never be a Master Sergeant. e-mail  edpopusmc@suscom.net

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