A/1/7 Newsletter - January Page 1

Moody Gardens Hotel Spa & Convention Center is located on Galveston Island, nestled among acres of tropical gardens and majestic pyramids. It was designed to please the most discriminating traveler.

All 428 beautifully decorated guest rooms and suites have breath-taking views of the Island with a vast array of amenities, including 24 hour room service, bathrobes, three telephones, high speed internet access, safes, 27-inch televisions, Playstation, air dryers, coffee pots, iron and ironing boards, full length mirrors and much more.

The Terrace Restaurant is a light, airy eatery filled with lush tropical plants, colorful art, a magnificent stained glass ceiling and hand painted murals. It's open for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. 24-hour room service is available.

Shearn's, is our fine dining restaurant, named after the late Shearn Moody, reflects his love of fine things: etched glass, hand painted murals of the sea, Murano glass art, polished walnut and cherry paneling, Wedgewood China, Reed and Barton silver flatware, exquisite continental cuisine and impeccable service.

Early registration Sunday night, with the hospitality room open. If anyone desires, they can see some of the Moody Garden Attractions on Sunday. (See Moody Garden Pass Information)

Monday, we will have registration, with the hospitality room open. We are planning on setting up the tram tour train to take everyone on a guided tour of Galveston. It is about 2 ½ hours and gives you an overall

view of Galveston. Afterwards, if anyone wants to go back and tour some of the places they saw, they can do it on their own. Because it is a short tour, everyone can just do meals on their own on that day.

Tuesday, we will tour NASA and afterwards we will have lunch. There is a choice of entrees and a choice of vegetables/salads. You get to pick three veggies and it is served with homemade rolls and corn bread)

Wednesday, there will be our annual meeting with the rest of the day free to shop, tour, or just hang around. That evening we will have our annual banquet with a buffet style dinner.

Thursday, check out time is 12 noon. (More Reunion information continued on page 2)

CHECK IT OUT!

• Pg 1: 13th Annual Reunion Data
• Pg 2: Moody Garden Passes, History of Galveston Island, Final Part Taking Chance, and More about our 12th Annual Reunion
• Pg 3: From My Desk
• Pg 4: Friday Morning At the Pentagon
• Pg 5: Corrections To Our Roster, Marines Lost (AWOL), New Member, Words of Wisdom, Fact, The Title
• Pg 6: Jewel Dwain Coquat, Did You Know?
• Pg 7: Reunion Registration Form
• Pg 8 - A/1/7 Registration Form

A/1/7 Newsletter - January Page 2

MOODY GARDEN PASSES:
We need to get a count on how many would be interested in buying the $35 pass to the Moody Garden attractions and we have to have at least the interest of 50 to get them at this price. The pass includes unlimited usage for the time we are all there and it is a good deal but only if you are interested in seeing all the attractions. They do offer other discounts to everyone (like two day passes) that are less than buying individual tickets to each attraction. We don't have to collect the money now as this will be arranged that when you register, but just need to know if we have enough people or not. So if you are interest sign up on the registration sheet.

SOME HISTORY OF GALVESTON ISLAND
Galveston Island has been occupied for thousand of years, serving as a home to Akokisa Indians, the Karankawa Indians and the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte. Once known as "Ellis Island of the West" and "the Wall Street of the Southwest," the once richest city in Texas later became the site of the worst natural disaster in U. S. History.

Galveston was named for BERNARDO DE GALVEZ, a Spanish colonial governor and general. Galvez sent Jose de Evia to chart the Gulf of Mexico from the Texas coast to New Orleans, and on July 23, 1786, de Evia charted an area near the mouth of a river and named it Galveston Bay. Later, the island and city took the same name. Bernardo De Galvez died the same year, never setting foot on his namesake island. (More history of Galveston in the March Newsletter)

TAKING CHANCE - PART IV (FINAL SEGMENT)
Their squad had suffered some wounded and

was receiving more sniper fire when suddenly he was hit in the head by an AK-47 round. I was stunned as he told us how he felt like a baseball bat had been slammed into his head. He had spun around and fell unconscious. When he came to, he had a severe scalp wound but his Kevlar helmet had saved his life. He continued with his unit for a few days before realizing he was suffering the effects of a severe concussion.

As I stood there in the circle with the old man and the other Marines, the Staff Sergeant finished the story. He told of how this Lance Corporal had begged and pleaded with the Battalion surgeon to let him stay with his unit. In the end, the doctor said there was just no way-he had suffered a severe and traumatic head wound and would have to be medevaced.

The Marine Corps is a special fraternity. There are moments when we are reminded of this. Interestingly, those moments don't always happen at awards ceremonies or in dress blues at Birthday Balls. I have found, rather, that they occur at unexpected times and places: next to a loaded moving van at Camp Lejeune's base housing, in a dirty CP tent in northern Saudi Arabia, and in a smoky VFW post in western Wyoming.

After the story was done, the Lance Corporal stepped over to the old man, put his arm over the man's shoulder and told him that he, the Korean War vet, was his hero. The two of them stood there with their arms over each other's shoulders and we were all silent for a moment. When they let go, I told the Lance Corporal that there were recruits down on the yellow footprints tonight that would soon be learning his story.

I was finished drinking beer and telling stories. I found Chance's father and shook his hand one more time. Chance's mom had already left and I deeply regretted not being able to tell her goodbye. I left Dubois in the morning before sunrise for my long drive back to Billings. It had been my honor to take Chance Phelps to his final post. Now he was on the high ground overlooking his town.

I miss him!
Regards,
LtCol Strobl

LCpl CHANCE PHELPS USMC

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When our Marines/Guests were visiting the memorials in DC they were informed that the Cardinal of South Korea was going to lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial. Like good Marines they stuck around to be part of this ceremony. There was a delegation there to support the Cardinal, including many Military Officers, Enlisted, and Civilians from South Korea.





Howard (Dave) Davis 3rdSqd 3rd Plt 2-51 - 2/52 mailed me 19 copies of the second picture and I will be happy to mail you one if you let me know that you would like to have it. Just email, call me on the landline, or drop me a note and I will be happy to send a copy

to you. (Buss you and Dave are missing as I couldn't get you all in the picture, sorry!). When they returned and told me about this I let them know when I set up a tour I really go all out! Now if you believe that one I will tell you another.

Reunions can be lots of fun and an opportunity to visit with old comrades that you walked the trails and climb the mountains in Korea during your time there. Think about attending the next reunion!

FROM MY DESK:
Often the Marines in Iraq used the intelligence gleaned from a "Dragon Eye" to direct air strikes onto targets and the Marine that is doing this said, "A good formula is two 500-pound bombs on a two-story structure equals a collapsed pile of rubble." That takes care of it, right?

Lieutenant General James N. Mattis stated during OIF 1 (an operation in Iraq) "A U. S. Marine -no better friend, no worse enemy."

"The following story is self explanatory. The source is an Army Infantry Officer, none-the- less, this is forwarded to an Army brethren with simultaneous apologies for any embarrassment it may cause and congratulations for the corrective actions underway. Received from retired Marine Colonel Roger Knapper. Here's an interesting exchange, sent by a friend in Iraq (names have been deleted to protect the innocent).................

Subject: The Germans in WW I called them "Devil Dogs"

Hey Devil Dogs; Even an Army Special Forces Colonel recognizes who the enemy doesn't want to mess with. (see below for the

truth) While in Afghanistan, I once asked a very attractive blond former Commie East German policewoman, then an advisor to the Afghan National police, if she had ever heard of the US Marine Corps. Her response, "Ya, the crazy dogs from Hell!" Doesn't get much better than that for a reputation. Roger that George, and even an Army guy like me has to admit that it is always best to have a Devil Dog unit on your flank in combat because that's one flank you don't have to worry about.

Here is a true story:

In 2003 when the Marines and the Army 3d Infantry Division had taken down Baghdad and had truck convoys scattered all the way into Kuwait, I was a plans officer at USCENTCOM when our intelligence intercepted an order from the Iraqi insurgency commander. It was a field order to all the insurgent unit commanders and it went something like this:

Resistance Commanders,

When attacking supply and truck units you must be aware that there are two different American armies:

1. The US Army which wears tan desert uniforms, and;

2. The U. S. Marine Corps wears a different uniform the newly issued USMC digital uniform.

When planning your attacks on supply lines and truck convoys ensure that you do NOT attack a US Marine unit if you do, these supply-unit Marines will immediately act like Army infantry and they will attack you and

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hunt every one of your men down and kill them. The US Army truck and supply units will not pursue you. Attack them instead.

As deeply embarrassing as that was to the entire US Army, it was a long time coming. As an Infantryman, I know that in the past 25 years we trained the hell out of our active duty combat units but we let the rest of the force waste away. The Army has a long ways to go, but we have rectified some of these problems in the past four years. Its just sad that we had to let the enemy tell us how screwed up we were."

VR, Colonel Roger Knapper

FRIDAY MORNING AT THE PENTAGON: By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY - McClatchy Newspapers

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Web log of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here.

This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends, who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.

The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. 10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, and hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.

"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a

private first class. "Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels, and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden. yet.

Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.

11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, and 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a

A/1/7 Newsletter - January Page 5

Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.

These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

Did you know that? The media hasn't told the story."

CORRECTIONS TO OUR ROSTER
Harry Alfeo's Email Add:
halfeo@clearwire.net
F. R. "Bud" Cavin's Email Add:
bcmc2@q.com
Andy D'Amore's Email Add:
ada1045860@optonline.net
Al Johnson's Email Add:
almarjohn@q.net
Arthur King's Telephone No.
760-434-5686
Ken Thompson's address:
1939 West Cumberland St, Lebanon, Pa 17042-4469

Carl Ullrich's telephone number:
757-333-7786
Ajiebo Ventrudo's Email Add:
mtnman@ptd.net
Ron York's Email Add:
ron-y@cebridge.net

MARINES LOST (AWOL?) I received the October Newsletter that was mailed to Walter (Bunkey) Prandstatter 3rdSqd 3rdPlt 11/52 - 7/53 marked address incomplete.
Douglas "Doug" Barnes 1stPlt 1951 - 8515 72 East, Lumberton, NC 28358.
If you should have an up to date addresses please let me know.

NEW MEMBER:
Alfred (Al) C. Redstone 1st Plt 3/52 - 3/53
1596 Dorchester Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 - wife Norma. Telephone #941-764-8672
Email: alredstone@aol.com. Al was recruited by Harry "Alf" Alfeo, 1stPlt/2ndSqd 12/51 - 12/52

WORDS OF WISDOM:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
(Author Unknown)

FACT
General S. L. A. Marshall, perhaps America's finest combat historian of the twentieth century, described Korea as "the century's nastiest little war: In those days, before Vietnam, its claim to that title seemed unlikely to be eclipsed: 1,319,000 Americans had served in the Korean theater and 33,629 did not return. A further 105,785 were wounded. Forty-five percent of all U. S. casualties were incurred after the first armistice negotiations with the Communists took place. The South Korean Army lost 415,000 killed and 429,000 wounded. The Commonwealth - Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand -lost 1,263 killed and 4,817 wounded. Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Holland, the Philippines, Thailand, and Turkey among them lost 1,800 killed and 7,000 wounded, of whom almost half were Turks. The Americans estimated that more than 1.5 million Chinese and North Koreans had died. If this estimate is exaggerated, it seems reasonable to assume that China cannot have lost less than half a million men, given the manner in which she fought her war. Few people of any nationality, four years earlier, would have supposed that barren peninsula would ever be worth any fraction of those lives! (The Korean War by Max Hastings)

THE TITLE
It cannot be inherited;
Nor can it ever be purchased.
You or no one alive can buy it at any price.
It is impossible to rend (remove by violence or wrest) and it cannot be lent.
You alone and our own have earned it with your blood,
sweat and tears.

A/1/7 Newsletter - January Page 6

You own it forever; the title
'UNITED STATES MARINE."
George L. Scott, Jr.

JEWEL DWAIN COQUAT - CHOSIN 1950
This article was sent to me by George Norris 2nd Plt 6/51 - 6/52. In the September 2005 newsletter there was an article from his brother Jerry who was trying to find anyone that had any knowledge of the MIA or KIA status of Corporal Coquat. The following article was published in The Progress newspaper in Three Rivers, Texas, the area that Cpl Coquat lived recognizing him as one of the heroes during the Veterans' Day November 11, 2007 celebration.

"While in Korea, Cpl Coquat was involved in a brutal artillery fire fight at the battle of the Chosin Reservoir, which had begun on November 25, 1050. His Lieutenant had four groups consisting of thirteen expert riflemen. They were sent part way down a mountainside to try to wipe out the artillery fire that the platoon was taking from the enemy. Cpl Coquat was the squad leader of team two. Two of the four teams had been blasted away. His squad leader was killed and he took over his group of men.

The enemy was a highly skilled group of Chinese Communist Forces (CCF), and they knew the territory well. There was no chance against them. The men fought into the next day. The night of November 26 Cpl Coquat was badly wounded, as were many of the men and he told Gerald Krause, the squad leader of team three, to take the remaining men back to the platoon. He advised Krause

he would hold the CCF all as long as he could shoot.

The men that went back up the hill were also wounded. The conditions were severe and the men had to endure freezing temperatures in Zero degree weather. When Krause returned, he told the Lieutenant that Cpl Coquat was wounded and still down where the men had been fighting.

The Lieutenant sent Sgt Mitchell and another Marine to pick up the wounded and dead. When they arrive, Cpl Coquat was dead; he was only 20 years old. The Marines took him and the others up the hill to bury them; the firefight was too deadly to bring anyone down from the hill. Cpl Coquat's remains, as well as many others that died during the Chosin Campaign, were never recovered.

For a long time Cpl Coquat's family did not know where or how he was killed, despite their numerous inquires to the Marine Corps. Finally, the military found Cpl Coquat's team rifle companion, the team three squad leader, Gerald Krause. Krause related the heartbreaking circumstances of his death at Chosin Reservoir to the family.

Cpl Coquat's name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbons, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal. (Please understand that

whoever wrote this article isn't familiar with Marine Corps terminology re: Fire Teams, Squads, and Platoons.)"

Thanks George! Semper Fi! Shifty

DID YOU KNOW? By federal law, the State of Texas is the only state in the U.S. that can fly its flag at the same height as the U. S. flag. Think about that for a second. You fly the Stars and Strips at 20 feet in Maryland, California, or Maine their state flag, whatever it is, flies at only 17 feet. The reason that this is allowed is that the State of Texas was first a Republic before coming a State!

Also, that the capital building in Texas is the only one in the country that is higher than the capital building in Washington D.C. How about that? Info furnished by Joan Taylor (wife of Guy).

REMEMBER WE DON'T SEND OUT STATEMENTS FOR ANNUAL DUES. DUES SHOULD BE PAID JANUARY OF EACH YEAR.

24 MARINES ARE PAST DUE FOR YEARS 2005 AND 2006! IF YOUR LABEL HAS A 2005 OR 2006, THEN YOU ARE ONE OF THEM!

THANKS TO ALL OUR MARINES WHO PAY THEIR DUES ON TIME AS IT HELPS TO PAY THE BILLS.