STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of MSgt John Bradley, U.S. Marine Corps (1968-1989)

I was named after my Great Uncle John Vander Schaff, who was in the Army from 1907-1911, serving in the Philippine Insurrection, Cuban Insurrection and Mexican Border Campaign; he then joined the US Marine Corps serving from 1911-1919. He served in the Peking Legation Guard and later was Marine Barracks Manilla, Mare Island and Marine Guard at Portsmouth Naval Prison. He was transferred Sea Duty in WWI, although he did not serve in combat as he was reassigned to escort military prisoners from France back to the US. He was discharged in 1919. I grew up with his often hilarious stories of his time overseas. I also come from a family where every male had served in the USA or Navy since the American Revolution, and on both sides during the Civil War, it was expected I would put in a hitch during the Vietnam War, as did all of my cousins. The big difference was I stayed in for 20 years.

I wanted to travel and see the world. I went to Boot Camp San Diego, then ITR and BITS training at Camp Pendleton. I was transferred to 1st MarDiv South Vietnam in Dec 1968 after completing advanced training. I then went to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, before transferring to Da Nang, Vietnam. I was assigned to “C” Company, 1st Bn, 7th Marine, where I participated in several operations, 1st walking point, tunnel rat as needed, went to Demolitions School, and later became Squad leader. I was wounded several times, the last putting me in the hospital for five months. After being discharged from USNH Bremerton in 1970, I was assigned to MABS 33 and later MABS 13 at MCAS El Toro as a clerk because I could type. I made sergeant in 24 months. Instead of an early discharge, I re-enlisted for Marine Security Guard School; I graduated in 1971 from MSG School Henderson Hall and was assigned to Frankfurt, FRG, later Transferred to AmConGen Leningrad, USSR. Upon transfer back to 2nd MarDiv in 1974. I worked on Congressional Interest cases for the Division in G1.

In 1975, I made SSgt and requested a lateral movement to 2nd ITT, later graduating from German language school and 1st in my class at Interrogation School Ft. Huachuca, AZ. After a Carib Cruise and a NATO Cruise, I was selected for GySgt and re-enlisted for MSGSchool, this time as an NCOIC; after graduation at Quantico, VA, I was assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan, where I was NCOIC during the Coup and Soviet Invasion 1979. Later, I was transferred to AmConGen Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I departed Rio in 1983 and attended Jungle Warfare School in Panama en route to Okinawa. I had a short stint in Costa Rica, then arrived in Okinawa, Japan, in 1983. I was NCOIC of the Russian ITT and participated in numerous exercises, including an exercise in South Korea. I went to DLI for Russian in 1984, then was NCOIC of the MCAD DLI until 1985 and made MSgt, then returned to MSGBn. After completing school, I was assigned as NCOIC Moscow Det, USSR; in 1986, I transferred back to Quantico, then on to 2nd ITT, 2nd MarDiv, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where I was NCOIC until my retirement in 1989.

During Operation Oklahoma Hills in the Summer of 1969, we took a break after humping the jungles and rice fields for several hours, observing no sign of the enemy. I sat down, and one of the Marines in my squad took this picture; seconds later, an NVA Squad came out of the tree line about 300 yards away. We opened fire, wounding one as they ran back into the jungle carrying their wounded comrade. What it reinforced about combat was that Murphy’s Law was alive and well.

At 1930 on 27 December 1979, upon hearing heavy gunfire, numerous explosions, and the rotors of Hind Helicopters, NCOIC MarDet Kabul GySgt J. Bradley and Comm Tech S. Derrick ran from the NCOIC’s house in Wazir Akbar Khan, rapidly entering his car and raced for the Embassy. We entered the main road between two BTR 60s (Soviet Personnel Carriers). I raced ahead, passing one BTR, and turned onto a side street that led to the back gate of the embassy compound. At this junction, we received a small arms fire, which hit the trunk of my car. Coming to the back gate, we pulled off the road, bailed out of the car, and ran to the back entrance gate to which I had a key. More rounds from the direction of the intersection flew by us while we were crossing the street, impacting the stone column next to the gate and peppering us with small pebbles and dust. Opening the gate, Comm Teck Derrick ran to the back entrance of the Embassy manned by a Marine guard. I observed the Station Chief running towards the gate from a side street. I held it open until his arrival secured the gate, and we both ran to the back entrance, entering at 1941 and then we both commenced our duties.

It is a toss-up for the best tour of duty. MSGDet, Kabul 1979-81 as we went through 2 Coup de Etat’s, The Soviet Invasion. Rioting and evacuating the Embassy from 150 plus to 20 when I departed. If you’re a Marine, this is where you want to be. My second choice would be MSGDet, Rio De Janeiro, and Colonel Cooper said I could have any posting open at the time when I left Kabul. Thirty years old, single, and 18 months’ pay in the bank. This was a Marine’s dream posting.

I remember vividly Colonel Cooper encouraging me to pursue my four-year education, especially letting the Marine Corps and later the GI Bill pay for it. I took this advice to heart and completed my AA and BS while on active duty and my Ph.D. after I retired.

Graduating 1st in class Interrogation School, Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I earned my Associate of Arts (Okinawa, Japan) and my Bachelor of Science (Camp Lejeune, N.C.) while on active duty. As well as being one of the first Marines in Leningrad, the USSR also made Master Sergent in 16 years.

I am still proud of my Marine Detachment in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the Soviet Invasion in December 1979. The can-do attitude and Esprit de Corps were evident during the fighting taking that afternoon and night around the Embassy. Our Embassy was located across the street from the Radio Afghanistan Complex, defended by a tank platoon and company of Afghan Soldiers. The fighting at times was heavy, and we did not know what was going to happen to the Embassy due to our strategic location. The conduct of the Marines, their response, and their actions led to the detachment being awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation from the Marine Corps and the Superior Honor Award by the Department of State.

Colonel James Cooper, whom I served under as a Sgt (Maj Cooper was CO, Co A MSGBn), GySgt (NCOIC Kabul, Afghanistan when Col Cooper was CO, MSG Bn). and as 8th ITT TmCmdr, 3rd MarDiv, FMF when he was G-3) He encouraged me to earn my AA in Okinawa, Jp, my BS after returning to the States. We kept in touch until he passed away. General Cooper died of cancer in 1986(?).

GySgt Al Healy, whom I served with at the AmConGen Leningrad, USSR, several tours together with at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and DLI, Monterey, CA. We were always roommates, sharing an apartment at Camp Lejeune and Monterey. Also Capt Paul Anctil was OIC 2nd ITT, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, Camp Lejeune, N.C. while I was NCOIC. I would genuinely enjoy visiting with Cpl Marshall, LCpl’s Flowers Button, and Morikin, whom I served with in Vietnam. I have searched for them with no success.

I was cutting some Banana fronds when a large black tarantula jumped off a frond I cut and landed on my chest. I jumped back so fast I knocked LCpl Flowers on his ass. I laugh now at the time startled the heck out of, and the entire squad laughed as Flowers, and I got up.

After retiring from the Corps, I became a surveyor and wetland scientist. I worked for San Jun Surveying and founded Island Environmental Sciences, Friday Harbor, WA. In 2005, my wife and I moved to Costa Rica, and now I raise oranges (250 trees), mandarin oranges (50 trees), Avacodos (16 trees), and coffee (2500 plants).

Marine Embassy Guard Association and 1st Bn, 7th Marine Regiment, Vietnam veterans.

It reinforced my determination to succeed in all my endeavors and afforded me the opportunity to work and visit 47 different countries on five continents. I still miss the comradeship of the Marines in the units I served with.

Take advantage of any and all military and civilian schools offered—volunteer for Cruises and Floats. Definitely put a tour in with the Marine Embassy Guard.

I enjoy looking up folks from various units I served in and have found a few of the Marines from those units to visit with. I also enjoy the history articles that are presented.