STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of Sgt Robert Leon, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)

I was inspired by John Wayne’s portrayal of the Marines, which influenced me to join after my brother Jesse, who had been ordered to do so by a judge. We were both leading interesting lives with a lot of violence involved. After he joined the Marine Corps, he looked so good in his uniform, and I knew he was an ass-kicker, so I wanted to be a part of that. Going to Vietnam was easy; all they needed were bodies in 1968. When I ended up being a Casualty Reporter for the 3rd Marine Division, that sort of screwed everything up. I was up to my ears in casualty reports on a daily basis, and the people I hung with were combat veterans I could relate to. I was able to visit alot of the battalion aid stations, like Delta Med in Dong Ha where Graves Registration was and participating in helping Khe Sanh wounded off the choppers, USS Sanctuary off the coast, U.S. Army Mortuary in Danang, 22nd Casualty Staging Facility in DaNang, Cam Ranh Bay Army Mortuary, Ammo convoys to LZ Stud and some I just forgot about. I was the guy you didn’t want to meet, as that meant you were either dead or wounded. Man, what times those were. I’ll never forget the men who touched my life, dead and wounded, and those who gave their lives for this country. I’m a lucky man, and I still thank God I’m alive to share the stories of the brave, brave, badasses I ran across in Vietnam. My head is still screwed up. I’ll see them soon. Semper Fi

The photo below is at the top: Okinawa, on my way. Bottom: My brother took this photo of 1st Tank Bn. Guys on Hill 10 in the Da Nang area. Brother signed a waiver to get me out… it didn’t work.. How could I leave him there?? The Dude in the middle was killed with 3 other Marines after this photo was taken, around 200 yards away. Not a good day for me.

I didn’t have a career path. Too dumb to understand at the time that the Marine Corps was the best thing that ever happened to me. Volunteered and joined on Sept. 5, 1967, and spent 8 weeks with Platoon 1068 at San Diego MCRD. Grew over 2 inches and gained over 20 pounds during training and eating right… Went to ITR and Jungle training after boot camp.

Many of the combat operations we served in were never recorded in my service record book (SRB). We followed all the battles, which included 3rd MarDiv units, throughout the country from beginning to end as casualty reporters. We were considered support, and that was fine with me. I didn’t like the aftermath of death, and it worked for me. Some of us were assigned to the battalion aid stations and would call in reports while firefights were ongoing. Tense times in 1968.

The first night, arriving by convoy from Phu Bai to Quang Tri, marked a new environment for 3rd MarDiv HQ in Nam. Although tents were up, there were no other items yet, like cots. Slept on the floor to be awoken by sirens, 2 Gunships hovering above with all guns going, including the door gunners. Incoming was intense, and there was nowhere to hide except the open ground. This was the first night I spoke with God, and the fear was amazing. No crying, just anxiety and helplessness, awaiting what was to happen. After quietness arrived, breathing was normal, and I knew someone had to have been killed. Lost some men that night… What an introduction to Vietnam.

I think of Da Nang and Quang Tri as the places that have shaped me into who I am today. During my visits to my brother’s outfit, the mortuary, and the medevac units I worked with in Da Nang, Quang Tri was because I was able to connect with my buddies more after moving around the country.

The death and dismemberment of four Marines prior to coming home. They had been killed, and the gooks had taken their heads. They were found a few days or weeks later and then were shipped home with their torsos for their proper burials. I still dream of the day they found them… Nightmares are always there and are one of the contributors to my being unafraid of death.

Another particular memory was changing the dressings on the amputated legs of Lewis Puller Jr. in Da Nang at the USAF 22nd Casualty Staging Facility. The whole time he was there was surreal with the activity surrounding his presence. We thought he was going to die before getting back to the States. We were wrong, but he was really messed up. He was a triple amputee with head wounds, a very ugly picture in my mind. A lot of good men went through that facility, a lot of them my friends.

The other one that stood out was the 3 guys from the 3rd Amtracs who were suffering from 3rd degree burns, and they were hurting so bad, it was disturbing to know their lives were never going to be the same. Brave men, I will never forget or stop thinking of them.

The Navy Achievement medal was awarded for Valor because of the shit I saw and lived through according to an old buddy from Ohio. I didn’t receive this award until I was out of the Marine Corps, and I received it one day at my parents’ house. Surprised me that VA took it into consideration for my final rating.

They all mean a lot to me, as they represent my service to my country and finishing what I started. To this day, it feels good to have served in the Marine Corps, and no one can take that away from me. It turned me from a pseudo hood to a man with character and morals. It’s too bad that the death and carnage were in my life, as that also created a part of me that exists today.

Having a brother in the Marine Corps was beneficial to me, as he was a guiding force in my decision to join. He signed a waiver to go to Vietnam so I could leave. He was playing on the Marine Corps Baseball Team in Okinawa and was pretty good. He gave that up for me; I’ll always be beholden to him. I refused to leave for personal reasons, and he was stuck there in Da Nang with the 1st Marine Tank Battalion. He took me to a couple of unauthorized visits miles from

DaNang on a tank convoy. Held on to that tank as we went out with about seven other tanks. I remember seeing a one-story structure at a T-intersection with the big letters “Alamo” on the front and maybe 20 rows of concertina wire as a perimeter. Marines ran out to the fence with their rifles up in the air, some without shirts on, cheering us on as we kept going. Brother said they had human waves hitting them all the time at night. Hill 10 was my next stop, and I didn’t know it. My brother, Jesse, was a tank hydraulics mechanic, and when he stayed in Nam, they used him in patrols and search and destroy missions. We’re still close to this day.

Larry Braley from 3rdMarDiv G2. We hooked up about 40 years ago and haven’t let go since. He’s from Ohio and a good man.

Billy Richards, 3/3, was our guide in Boot Camp and lives in Hawaii. Hooked up with him on my 40th birthday in Oahu and still keep in contact.

Londell Harris was also a casualty reporter and retired from the Corps. Lives in Olathe, Kansas. Visited him years ago. AO is taking a toll on him.

Marvin (Buzz) Hosey was WIA and saw him at 22nd CSF. Lucky to be alive. Visited him in Washington. Still a certified nut.

Philip Pai was WIA in 68, and I saw him at the 22nd CSF. Happy and smiling was how I remember him. Lost contact.

The first time my brother showed up in Quang Tri, he had two human ears around his neck, red clay all over his body, and a sawed-off Thompson Machine Gun. Looked like a typical 21-year-old Killer Marine.

Probably when on May 5th, 1968, my sister’s birthday, I was having a smoke in the back of the hooch in Quang Tri, and I didn’t notice that a sniper had taken a few shots in my direction, and I didn’t have a clue. After about the 3rd shot and buzzing noise overhead, I looked at the other guys in the hooch, and they were all on the ground yelling for me to get my ass down. Guess I was lucky that day. I’m glad that gook missed.

After the service, I was a worker for warehouses and not a follower of anything in particular. Smoked a lot of pot, got drunk a lot, got into fights, and pretty much didn’t do anything. Dreams, nightmares, and stress had gotten the best of me. I got married twice, and then, after a decade of singlehood, settled down with a good woman and had two more kids, whom I enjoyed. Now that I’m retired, I’m enjoying the time I have left on this earth to be the person I’ve always wanted to be.

I’m involved with a lot of veterans throughout. I enjoy talking to them and sharing memories of the good guys we left behind. Now I’m getting treatment and counseling at the VA. A tumor was removed from my throat, which was connected to exposure from AO. Also, PTSD was diagnosed, and a lot of my problems were identified. I’m glad I went to the VA. My buddies who suggested it saved my life.

Very positive. It’s made me enjoy and respect life and men and not judge.

Keep your ammo dry. If you see an asshole in the room, don’t be the second one. It’s okay to take pride in yourself and be proud of who you are. You’re going to be okay.

This site has been a great catalyst for finding old friends and comrades in arms. I am proud to have served with such great Americans.