MAIL CALL August 2011

Semper Fi

August 2011

Editor Joe Hughes

Meetings: 4th Wed. of the Month American Legion Post 327 6521 Nieman Road, Shawnee, KS 913-631-7710 http://www.mclopks.org/ Officers: Commandant: Marcia Sands [email protected] Senior Vice: Jim Denton [email protected] Junior Vice: John Byrnes [email protected] J.A.G.: Rick Hinrichs [email protected] PAY./ADJ.: Bill Clinton [email protected] Chaplain: Joe Hughes [email protected] SGT. at Arms: Kevin Elmer [email protected]

Hey, it’s August, and we’ve survived the hottest part of the summer – I hope! There was a color guard on July 30th honoring a Marine who has recently returned from a 6-month deployment to Afghanistan. Not only did he just complete his first enlistment of 5 years, but he also reenlisted for another four years in a ceremony held in Afghanistan. We were well received by the family and friends of this Marine. By the time you receive this Mail Call, we’ll have already participated in the Johnson County Fair Parade, on Saturday, August 13. We have more parades coming up, so check the calendar in this Mail Call for information. I challenge all members to get involved with something, whether it is a parade, a Fallen Marine ceremony, fundraising, donating items for Platoons Forward or VAVS, and coming soon, Toys for Tots. I have enjoyed all of the

Detachment Commandant’s Messageactivities I have participated in, and it is all because of the people that were involved. I believe that each and every one of us has something to offer, and we make new friends in the process. YOU and I can make things happen! Remember to pay your annual dues on time. Don’t let your membership lapse. See the Adjutant/Paymaster (Bill Clinton) if you are not sure when to pay your dues. Joe Hughes, our chaplain and the new editor of the Mail Call, got his feet wet with the July edition. He has made some improvements in this month’s Mail Call, and I think he is doing a fine job. I’m sure he would appreciate some positive comments. Good job, Joe! Semper Fi , Marcia Sands

Mail Call Marine Corps League - Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

Marine Corps League Mission Statement: Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

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Semper Fi Page 2 of 10

August 2011

Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

Reusser is called the most decorated Marine aviator in history and was shot down in three wars in the Pacific theater – World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Colonel Ken Reusser’s distinguished combat record: -flew 253 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was shot down in all three, five times in all. -59 medals included two Navy Crosses, five Purple Hearts and two Legions of Merit and eighteen Air Medals.

Ken Reusser enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a seaman recruit on August 23, 1941, and entered flight training. In April 1942, he completed flight training, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, and in May 1942 left for the Southwest Pacific. Upon arrival at Guadalcanal, was assigned to VMF-122, flying the F4F-3. On his first combat mission, he was credited with a probable kill of a Mitsubishi “Betty.”

In October of that year, he was injured during a ditching and spent 6 months in a hospital.

Ken returned to the Pacific in 1944 flying F4U’s from USS Hollandia, (CVE 97) off Okinawa. He led a flight of Corsairs intending to shoot down a Japanese KI-45 “Nick” high-altitude photo reconnaissance airplane gathering information for the day’s Kamikaze flights. With altitude frozen guns, the only weapon left was the Corsair itself. Ken and his wingman severely damaged the tail of the KI-45 with their propellers. It entered a graveyard spiral, breaking up before hitting the water. Ken and his wingman shared the kill. Each was awarded the Navy Cross.

On August 5, 1950, Major Kenneth L. Reusser became the first Marine aviator, and for that matter the first Marine, to be decorated for gallantry during the Korean War.

Tour of Duty

Flying from the aircraft carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118), Maj Reusser led a four-plane flight of Vought F4U Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 214, the "Black Sheep," in a low-level attack. They attacked a North Korean truck park and tank repair facility in the occupied port city of Inchon.

With his aircraft heavily damaged by ground fire, he returned to the USS Sicily for repairs and rearmament, then made his way back to Inchon. In the face of fierce ground fire, he destroyed an oil storage facility. With his bombs and rockets expended, Maj Reusser next attacked a camouflaged oil tanker at anchor in the harbor, raking it with 20 mm gunfire until the ship exploded, almost blowing him out of the air. For his actions Reusser was awarded for the second time in his career the naval service's second highest award for gallantry, the Navy Cross.

During the Vietnam War, Reusser served as commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16. He flew helicopters. He was leading a Marine Air Group in a rescue mission, when his own “Huey” was shot down. He needed skin grafts over 35 percent of his badly burned body. He retired from the Marine Corps in July 1968 due to his combat wounds.

Colonel Ken Reusser, Marine Corps Aviator

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August 2011


This month in Marine Corps History

1 August 1944: After nine days of fighting in a battle termed "the perfect amphibious operation of World War II," MajGen Harry Schmidt, commander of V Amphibious Corps, declared the island of Tinian secured. The combination of surprise, heavy preassault bombardment, and effective logistical support was responsible for Tinian's recapture with a much lower casualty rate (344 killed and 1550 wounded) than had been experienced in previous landings.

3 August 1950: Eight Corsairs of VMF-214, the famed "Black Sheep" squadron of World War II, launched from the USS Sicily and executed the first Marine aviation mission in the Korean War in a raid against enemy installations near Inchon. After the F4Us delivered their incendiary bombs and rockets on their targets, the Marines concluded their greeting to the Communist troops with a series of strafing runs.

7 August 1990: President Bush ordered U.S. military aircraft and troops to Saudi Arabia as part of a multinational force to defend that nation against possible Iraqi invasion. One week later the Marine Corps announced the commitment of 45,000 troops to the Persian Gulf area as part of Operation Desert Shield which would become the largest deployment of U.S. forces since the Vietnam War.

9 August 1942: With the Guadalcanal airstrip secure after heavy fighting with the Japanese, the 1st Engineer Battalion commenced work on the runway using captured equipment. Three days later, on 12 August, the first plane landed on Henderson Field, a Navy PBY which evacuated two wounded Marines. Nearly 3,000 wounded Marines would be evacuated from Henderson Field during the battle.

17 August 1942: Just prior to dawn, the 2d Marine Raider Battalion under LtCol Evans F. Carlson landed on Makin Island from the submarines Nautilus and Argonaut. The next day the Marines left the island after destroying a seaplane base, two radio stations, a supply warehouse, and killing about 100 Japanese soldiers.

21 August 1968: PFC James Anderson, Jr., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by Secretary of the Navy, Paul R. Ignatius, for heroism in Vietnam while serving as a rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines in February 1967. This was the first Medal of Honor presented to an African-American Marine. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Anderson, Sr., received the award during ceremonies at Marine Barracks, 8th and I.

23 August 1984: The last Marines to serve peace-keeping duty in Lebanon arrived home. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) arrived off the coast of Lebanon on 9 April to relieve Marines of the 22d MAU who were guarding the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. The 24th MAU left Beirut on 31 July, marking the last presence of U.S. combat troops in Beirut since Marines entered almost two years earlier.

24 August 1814: Captain Samuel Miller's 100-man detachment from Marine Barracks, Washington, fought in the battle of Bladensburg for the defense of the national capital. After helping to fight back three British charges, Captain Miller was wounded and the enemy began to work around both flanks of the American force. Almost encircled, the force of sailors and Marines was forced to retire to avoid capture. The Marines lost 8 killed and 14 wounded.

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August 2011


Please convey information on sick and distressed to Chaplain Joe Hughes at 913/ 894-2006 or email.

As always, I stand ready to be of any assistance that any of you may need.

Semper Fi

Joe Hughes Chaplain - Gen Oppenheimer Detachment

Sick & Distressed

Fallen Marine Jan 22, 2011 - Sylvester Weitkamp (one of our new members in this last year)

Jan 25, 2011 - Paul R. Carpenter, MD

Feb 2, 2011 - Alva Byars (one of ours, of course)

Feb 7, 2011 - John M. Kissane

June 18, 2011 - John Steven Kearns

June 28, 2011 - Charles F. Walters

July 31, 2011 - Micheal R. Scherer 7-31-11

August 8, 2011 - William D. Kinsella 8-811

Marine in Need Any member who is aware of a Marine or his family in need is asked to first submit a request in writing to Marine Pat O’Malley, of our Financial Assistance Review Committee, including a statement of the purpose, a cost estimate and the time period. Pat’s email is [email protected]; his address is 12412 Flint, Overland Park, KS 66213-2120. Phone (913) 451-1925 Marine Corps Scholarships & Funds Marine Corps League Foundation www.mclfoundation.org/scholarship_program.html Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation http://www.mcsf.org/ Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund http://semperfifund.org/

“There's no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego, or the hills of Quantico. So there's no such thing as a former Marine."

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August 2011


SILENT AUNCTION - August 24th MCL Meeting Please bring an item(s) to be included in the selection of items to be auctioned. Proceeds go to our MCL Detachment. Personal Plaque: Have you ever wished that along with the memories, photo's and other items that you cherish of your Marine Corps career, you had a beautiful plaque of that special unit that you served in? Well, now you can! Marine Dennis Armstrong one of our detachment members is an expert at custom woodworking as you can see! He has graciously offered to make custom plaques (about 12" x 24") for any or all of our membership. Keeping in the Marine Corps brotherhood tradition, he is only going to charge our detachment for the actual materials; he is providing his talent at no charge! He can be reached at 913-244-7302. Cost $75.00. HyVee Gentlemen & Ladies, This fund raiser couldn't be easier and its beneficial to everyone you know including yourselves! The coupon book only cost you or a neighbor $5.00 and as you can see with the first coupon with a purchase of just $50.00 you or your neighbor gets their $5.00 back and has a whole book of valuable grocery coupons! And the best part is our Detachment gets to keep $4.00 from each book sold! I have already bought 20 books, let's get going and knock this fund raiser out of the park!! Contact: Mike

Detachment Fundraising

Upcoming Events Saturday Aug 13 Johnson County Parade in Gardner, Ks Time/place will be announced as parade gets closer. Sunday Sept 18 Leavenworth Road Association Parade. Meet at 1:00 in front of Washington High School 7400 Leavenworth Road Full uniform, red shirts. Saturday Oct 15 There is a very good chance we will be marching in the Maple Leaf Parade in Baldwin. Details and updates to be announced.

New Century Young Marines

Saturday Oct 29 Neewollah Parade in Independence, Ks with Tornado Alley YM, and Salty Dawgs YM. Meet at 9am, full uniform. Details to be announced as parade gets closer. Unit: www.ncymks.com/ National: www.youngmarines.com MCL Contacts: Marcia Sands Steve Thomas

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August 2011


Marine Corps League 2011 / 2012 Budget MCL PROPOSED BUDGET 2011-2012 PROPOSED REVENUE $ 6,500.00 OFFICE EXPENSE $ 850.00 PICNIC $ 400.00 L. ROMERO SCHOLARSHIP $ 1,500.00 MCSF $ 1,000.00 MCLF $ 500.00 MARINES IN NEED $ 1,000.00 NEW CENTURY YOUNG MARINES $ 500.00 MISC. DONATIONS $ 750.00 SURPLUS $ 6,500.00 $ 6,500.00 $ -

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August 2011


August 13, 2011 the Johnson County Fair Parade at 1030 in Gardner, Kansas. The theme is “Kick up Your Heels: Celebrate Kansas’ 150th Birthday”. We will be forming up at 0930 in the parking lot of the Wheatridge Middle School (318 E. Washington St., Gardner, KS). We have been told to enter the parking lot from the north (from Madison Street). If you have a uniform, please wear it. If you have only the red MCL cover, wear that. Please sign up at the July meeting (or contact Commandant Marcia Sands), specifying if you can march, or if you will need to ride. It will probably be hot that day, so be sure to drink plenty of water before coming. Come on out and join us! This is a fun parade, despite the heat of summer. Wednesday, August 24 - Marine Corps League Detachment Meeting at 1900 Friday Sept 2 – morning, Shriners Drill Competition (8 MCL Marines needed to be judges) Saturday, September 3 – morning, Shriners Drill Competition (3 MCL Marines needed to be judges while the Shriners march in a parade) Sunday, Sept 11 - POW/MIA ceremony at 1100 at 85th/Antioch (outside, if it's good weather) Monday, September 19 - Marine Corps Scholarship Golf Tournament ( contact Bill Clinton ) Saturday, September 24, 2011 – Overland Park Fall Festival – the parade starts at 1000, and we will meet at 0900 in the area of 79th and Floyd. Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Marine Corps League Detachment Meeting at 1900 October 7, 8, 9, 20011 Race Track Fundraiser (help needed, sign-up sheet at next meeting – our major fundraiser) Saturday, October 15, 2011 – Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City, KS – the parade starts at 1100, we will meet at 1000. Saturday, November 5, 2011 – Veterans Day parade in Ottawa, KS – parade starts at 1045, and we will meet at 0945. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 Marine Corps League Detachment USMC Birthday Party – Drinks 1800, Dinner 1900

Detachment Calendar

Community Activities A volunteer is still needed for the Community Activities position if you are interested, please Contact Commandant Marcia Sands @ 913- 341-4339 [email protected]

Volunteers Needed

VA Volunteer Services Help in Clinics, Escort Patients, Bingo & Activities, Shuttle Drivers, etc…. Volunteer Orientation: Every Wed 9a.m-11a.m. RM M1-271 816-922-2025 ext 135 [email protected] Or: Mr. Art Peter at 816- 331-4622 (MCL Deputy VS at KC VA Med)

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August 2011


I encourages submissions of any announcements, pictures, stories, to the editor from detachment members. Deadline for all submissions by the 10th of every month. Remember, if you are involved in any community service work on behalf of our beloved Marine Corps, please send me a photo and some information for the Mail Call. Email: Joe Hughes – [email protected], Phone: 913-894-2006

From the Desk of the Editor

Calling: Rick Hinrichs

Ceremonial: Marcia Sands (pro tem)

Donations: Bill Clinton

Facilities: Billy Goodson

Fallen Marines: David Yurkovich

Fundraising: Jim O’Connor

Historian: Lee Reynolds

Marines In Need: Bill Clinton

Mail Call: Joe Hughes

Supply: John Byrnes

Veteran’s Affairs: Lee Reynolds / Gonzalo Reyes

Young Marines: Marcia Sands / Steve Thomas

Youth: Mike Swearingen

Standing Committees

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August 2011


PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS

Mail Call


August 2011


Available to Rent

Available to Rent

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS

Documents

MAIL CALL August 2011