U.S. Army, 22 months in Vietnam, including Quinhon, Chu Lai and Phu Bai. Did construction survey work and reached rank of Spec 4. Currently provides apartment maintenance, and coordinates VVA Chapter 472 color guard.
U.S. Army, 1953-54 served with 2nd Infantry Division at Korea's 38th parallel, "aka" the punch bowl at Seoul. That was followed by 21 years with the U.S. Coast Guard, 1955-74, including a 1968 tour at Da Nang with Coast Guard Squadron #1. Chief Warrant Officer in both Army and Coast Guard. Angel went on to work for the U.S. Customs Service in New York, and as a federal agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury doing criminal investigation until 1995. He is active in the Federal Law Enforcement Association and Military Officer Association of America.
Sam Bonilla,CWO-4, (PA/MSC/FMF),USN,(Ret). Active duty Dec 1957 - Nov 1984 Two tours in Vietnam as a hospital corpsman with Naval and Marine Amphibious Forces ('68, '69,'70). Received Navy Achievement Medal (w/Combat 'V' ) during Operation Swift Play/Swift Play II and Allenbrook - I Corps area in '68. Served FMF duty with 1st.& 3rd. Marine Div hospitals, clinics, research lab and as a student at 5 colleges and universities earning an M.B.A. Retired from Kaiser Permanente/San Diego in 2004 after 20 years as a physician assistant in Primary Care. On board of directors, VMMC, VVA 472 and other military organizations. Currently reside with Joyce in Temecula and Indio. We enjoy visiting friends, children, grandchildren. Hobbies are reading, Corvettes/Classic cars and baseball.
U.S. Navy, 1956-2003, including 1967-68 in Saigon and 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon where he received Purple Heart for wounds suffered during the terrorist attack on Marine barracks. Military jobs included aerial photographer, newspaper editor, television news director and anchor for Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Joe is a fifth degree black belt in Kodokan Judo, was assistant coach for 1980 and 1984 U. S. Olympic Judo teams, and is head coach for the Navy Judo Team. He currently volunteers at Public Affairs officer for the USS Midway (CV 41) San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. Married to Mary; three adult children.
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps,1954-1974, including two years on the USS Rochester in the Pacific, where he made sergeant. In 1966 he went to Camp Pendleton to put together an MP battalion to go to Vietnam. In May of that year he served as captain at the Da Nang air field, responsible for securing Air Force assets. Later served with the 9th Marines HQ on Hill 55; then on to Dong Ha. There, in 1967, he earned a Purple Heart for being wounded in both legs by rocket fire. At Quantico, Gene made major and for the next several years served in various capacities in the Pacific and California until retirement. Purple Heart, Navy Commendation with V/device, CAR, GCM, China Service Medal and Vietnam Service. Wife Kathie married Gene when he was a corporal; they have two sons and a daughter.
U.S. Army, 1968-71,musician in Army's 4th Infantry Division band at Pleiku and An Khe in 1969-70. Also in 433rd Army Band in Fr. Irwin, Calif, and 36th Army Bank in Fr. Huachuca, Ariz. Plays oboe, clarinet, bass drum. Currently is Risk Manager for City of La Mesa, is married to Kathi and has two grown children.
U. S. Army, 1967-69, including non-commissioned officer training in Germany before a tour of duty in Cam Ranh Bay with the 147th Field Service Company, providing logistics and supply service. Spec 5. Former President of VVA Chapter 472.
Born in Pittsburgh PA. Die hard Steelers fan. USN 1970-76, ETN-3/Crypto Tech, including 4 years aboard USS Blue Ridge LCC-19. Vietnam service included 3 cruises: 1972, Easter Offensive, defense of Da Nang, propaganda missions into Gulf of Tonkin, Fire Fight with artillery on Con Ho (Tiger Island). 1973, Standby for Peace Talks, Propaganda missions into Gulf of Tonkin. 1974/75, Standby for evacuation, evacuation of Siagon April 29th and 30th, where I earned the Humanitarian Award. Since then: Self employed business man, now semi-retired and working the job I've loved most in my life, The Veterans Museum and Memorial Center San Diego.
U.S. Army (WAC), in Saigon and Long Binh 1967-68. Spec 5. Met Staff Sergeant Dave Halsey in Vietnam, and married him. Two children, two grandchildren. Now widowed and works at NAVMEDEN San Diego.
U. S. Navy 1961-1982, Surface Warfare Officer. Career highlights include MidPac Operation Dominic (Atomic Veteran); Cuban Blockade (1962); USS Bonhomme Richard, Vietnam,1965; USS Gunston Hall, Vietnam, 1968; COMSERVLANT staff, Vietnam (1972-73); RTC Great Lakes, NAS Miramar. Medals and ribbons include Navy Commendation Medal, 3 Navy Achievement Medals (one with combat V), Vietnam Service Medal, 2 South Vietnamese Unit Citations, etc. Joe has been an administrative manager for the County of Orange doe 21 years, lives with his wife, they have one daughter and two granddaughters. Joe is a life member of the VVA, FRA, and MOAA.
SGT Lyle Eddie Martinez volunteered for the draft in the US Army. He served in Vietnam 1967-1968 in AIS, at Go Vap. He survived the TET offensive of January 1968. His duties involved photo interpretation, photo intelligence recon company in Vietnam, AIS School and Instructor, Fort Meade, Maryland. Received Air Force Commendation Medal. Married to wife Inez since 1969. She is an active Associate of the Chapter. Two children, Tommy and daughter Lisa, who resides in Virginia. He is a Board Member of the Association.
US Navy 1956-1975. Served Patrol Squadron 46, Quomoy-Matsu, while Philippine based. USS LONG BEACH (CGN9) commissioning crew, 1961. Vietnam cruise on BON HOMME RICHARD April – November 1970 to Yankee Station. Served on USS WASP, COM8, COMNAVYPHIL, HS2, VFP63, SANDIA BASE, Albuquerque, all as a photographers mate. Saddest moment: Preparing to go to Vietnam to assist in the liberation of the missing 1600 POWS but mission canceled due to small number of repatriates. Best Moments: Meeting my wife, Lita, in Manila in 1958, and two great sons, Paul and Mark, our pride and joy.
U.S. Army, 1967-70 including 1969 as a combat medic with 5th infantry division (mechanized). Rode on tanks in DMZ. Promoted to Spec 5 that year. Earned two bronze stars, one with "V" device for valor. Spent 26 years doing Public Affairs for Kaiser Permanente. Currently a lecturer at SDSU. Married to wife Pat since 1973, six kids, five grandkids. Go to movies a lot; volunteer; play hardball with Men's Senior Baseball League.
U.S. Army Nurse Corps, 1969-72, including 1969-70 as a captain at the 93rd Evac Hospital in Long Binh. Provided medical care to civilians at Bien Hoa orphanage and on med caps. Obtained master of science degree in nursing and became nurse practitioner in 1991. Currently works at Sharp Healthcare.
U.S. Navy, 20-year naval career included 1968-69 at the Danang Station Hospital. Like good friend Dottie Yelle, Casey was Commander, Nursing Corp. Now enjoying active retirement.
Carl Nelson rose from enlisted recruit to decorated U.S. Navy Captain. He commanded five naval combat organizations including a missile cruiser, a destroyer, an ocean salvage ship and two combat commands on the ground in Vietnam. Between 1963 and 1975, he served four tours of duty in the Vietnam War, one of which was as Senior Advisor in the Rung Sat Special Zone (RSSZ). In 1980, while in command of U.S.S. Worden CG 18, his ship rescued more than 150 Vietnamese boat-refugees. Dr. Nelson's second career, as a professor and author, has spanned more than 25 years. He is the author of seven works of non-fiction, and two novels, including the award-winning book titled The Advisor (Cô-Vân), about the Vietnam War. He is a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Counterparts, and listed in the 2006 Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Education and the 2007 Who's Who in the World. His website is www.carl-a-nelson.com.
After graduating from high school, Mr. Pavich enlisted in the Navy in 1968. He reported to Vietnam and served in the Mekong Delta for three separate tours. In 1977, he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer and in 1978 received a direct commission as an Ensign Limited Duty Officer. He retired as a Commander in 1998 after 30 years service while serving as the Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Forces, Pacific Staff. His awards include the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, and eight Vietnam Service Medals, among 27 other awards. In 1998, he was appointed president and CEO of Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, now known as Veterans Village of San Diego.
U.S. Marine Corps, 1968-70, including 1969-70 as an ammunition tech with the 3rd Marines in Dong Ha and Danang. Plays guitar and has been active in the music industry as a music producer. Married to Lori with one son and a granddaughter.
U.S. Army, served with First Infantry Division 1967-68 as RTO. Worked until 1987 for Department of Veterans Affairs as well as Postal Service. Has 14 years yoga practice. In 2002, Bob returned to Vietnam with Veterans Vietnam Restoration Project.
U.S Air Force, 1963-67, airborne weapons control systems specialist on F-101B (Voodoo) and F-102-A (Delta Dagger) interceptors. In country 13 days, 106 TDY in Thailand, discharged as E-5, Staff Sergeant.
U.S. Army, combat medic with 1st Air Cav 1968-69; also served in Tay Ninh, Cu Chi, Plieku and in Europe. Spec 5. Married 34 years with two children, Kieth and Kimberly. Special representative for California Department of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Navy, 1965-95, including 1970-72 on the USS Kitty Hawk which was deployed to Vietnam for 15 months. Dentist. Married to wife Judy for 44 years, and is currently the San Diego County Veterans Service Officer.
U.S. Air Force, in Danang 1969-70, air cargo work, reached rank of E-6 SSG. Former VVA Chapter 472 Vice President who, along with Pat McTague, ran the "Breakfast" fund raiser for about 2 years. Currently has own business, COMPUMAR, which represents Asian manufacturers in U.S. market.
U.S. Army, 1966-70, held many administrative positions, including company clerk, administrative clerk, and legal clerk while serving in Manheim, Germany as well as at the Muenchweiler US Army Hospital. John has been a three-time president of VVA Chapter 472 and co-treasurer for two years.
U.S. Navy, 21-year naval career included 1968-69 in Danang. Like good friend Casey Meehan, Dottie was Commander, Nursing Corp. Now enjoying active retirement.
