015: A Combat Marine's War in Vietnam

Gary Kissling deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and joined the 336th Assault Helicopter Company. As a Huey pilot, Kissling flew various missions during his twelve-month tour, including night operations, air support, and insertion flights with the US Navy Seals. In 1967, he returned to the United States and finished his commitment to the Army flying for a medical unit in Germany.

Thomas “Tim” Groh arrived in Vietnam in October of 1967 and was assigned to Alpa 1/16 of the 1st Infantry Division. He was wounded twice in combat during the Tet Offensive; the second wound, recounted in this video, occurred on February 22, 1968. Groh returned to the United States after his tour and joined the US Postal Service.

Ed Strazzini arrived in Vietnam in September of 1967 and joined the 68th Assault Helicopter Company. Strazzini flew various support missions during his time with the Mustang gun platoon, notably around the 1968 Tet Offensive, before returning to the United States in August of 1968. He volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam as a skycrane pilot, participating in the ill-fated Lam Som 719 incursion into Laos.After Vietnam, Strazzini remained in the Army and completed 23 years of service.

Alan Basham enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and trained as a hospital corpsman with a special emphasis in air-sea rescue and medical evacuation. In Vietnam, Basham was among an elite team of Fleet Marine Force medevac corpsmen (MAG-16 Flying Docs) who flew medevac missions with USMC helicopter crews. After returning to the United States, he left the military and embarked on a career in psychology, training students in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Eastern Washington University for twenty-two years.

Anthony “Tony” Marengo enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1958 and served at various duty stations across the United States before deploying to Vietnam in 1966. Marengo would spend roughly five years in Southeast Asia, fighting with Fox 2/5, Hotel 2/5, and the 27th Marine Regiment. His decorations include a Silver Star, Bronze Star w/Combat "V", Purple Heart w/2 Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy President Unit w/2 Stars, Good Conduct w/5 Stars, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service w/10 Stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign w/Bar, Meritorious Unit Commendation w/4 Stars, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit.