Quotes about the Mayaguez Incident
Being a Truck Driver I (Larry Barnet) have had a lot of opportunity to hear a
lot of great quotes related to May, 15 1975. Here are some of my
favorites. If you have one that you would like added send us a line.
Lbarnet777@aol.com
Told by Capt. Jim Davis at Gunny Mac's funeral, referencing the
final withdrawl from West Beach. -- "Gunny I don't think we're gonna
get to have that beer in Subic." Gunny's response "Thats what I like
about you Jim your always thinkin about the important shit."
Col
Johnson Commander of Ground Forces during his after action debrief.
-- "I have seen some squad leadering in the sky before but this beats
all I've ever seen."
Capt. Jim Davis. -- "When you got your elbows in
the sand and your feet in the water you don't own much real estate."
Lt. Mike Cicere. -- "We started handing out grenades like popcorn"
Lt.
Harry T. Williams. -- "I took a nap"
Lt. Col Bob Blough -- "G_ DAMMIT VERN
GET ME AN AIRCRAFT"
Lt. Dick Keith's when he thought the chopper was
going down on the way back to Utapo. (in fact they were headed
towards the Coral Sea.) -- "Yeah, this is about right considering how
our day has been going. Now we're going swimming"
GYSGT Francis A. McGowin. -- "One of my young Marines from years before rose to the rank
of Major in the intelligence field. While at III MAF, he decided to
look at the top secret Koh Tang file. It no longer exsists.
Everything including opinions, conclusions, and blame has been
destroyed."
RM2 Eddie (EJ) Oswalt. From the Wilson Squawk Box
Recordings. -- "I'm gonna smoke a cigarette."
Lt. John (Cool Hand)
Lucas. -- Shortly after the crash of K-23 on the East Beach Lucas made
contact with Cricket and was trying to give them the position of the
downed Marines. To which Cricket sharply replied -- "Get off the net
we're trying to find a downed chopper with Marines."
Courtesy of Edd Protho. -- "When you're up to your ass in alligators, its often
difficult to remember that your initial objective was to drain the
damn swamp." - Unknown
The next 2 are from: A Very Short War, The Mayaguez and
the Battle of Koh Tang by John F. Guilmartin, Jr. (Flew 119 combat
missions over Southeast Asia as an Air Force helicopter pilot)
“The bedrocks on which all rested was the ability of the marines
on the ground to quickly organize themselves and respond to an
unanticipated tactical situation”. pg#153
“The problem was
resolved and catastrophe averted not by superior high-level
communications but in spite of them. It was done by subordinate
commanders, junior officers, and NCOs acting on their own initiative
in response to the demands of the tactical situation, employing a
general awareness of strategic objectives and policy goals. They did
what they had to do to insure the survival for their fellows and the
preservation of national honor. It was to them that success was
due”. pg#156
One day, a long time ago, you and your Brothers in Arms made
history. You truly walked with giants. Keep that memory
faithful and be true to your Brothers and Yourself.
Semper
Fi Francis McGowin S-2
Officer 2/9 May 75
