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March 29, 2016 Grunt.com Admin

2 of a Kind

By: Ken Mongar

While serving in Vietnam with 3/1/1 in 1968, I acquired a little friend. My last name being Mongar, I was given the nickname, “Mongoose”. Seems that the kids in a local ville that we tromped through occasionally, heard me being called, “Mongoose”, and next time through, they presented my with this very young mongoose. After my first day of carrying this little critter around, it never left my side. The little thing met it’s Waterloo during a mortar and rocket attack in Elephant Valley, in June or July of 1968. It was an experience I will never forget, one of those things that happened in Vietnam that can never be repeated.

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Comments

WM Roesch Kishpaugh - July 14, 2020

My Loc Qua Viet River 1968 my buddie had dog L/cpl Brenenger this was a really small dog . When we moved out side of Camp Carrel we told not to take any pets: IE dogs. We also had to police the area, trash was put in sand bags. I was on a different Chopper (34’s) and was handed a lot of sand bags. As we flew along the Dong Ha or Cam Lo river the crew chief told me to kick the bags out in the river. I did. Landed at Carrel and humped to the bridge and set up L/cpl Brenenger ask me where his dog was. I said, “What dog?” The one I put in the sand bag.” I told him the crew chief kicked them in river. I think of that poor dog a lot. I hope it made it. Brenenger was hopping mad.

A. Troy Morris Sgt. USMC 1964- 1968 - July 14, 2020

Col. Peter L. Hilgartner passed away on the 8th of Jan, 2015 had age 87. He wrote a book, Highpockets War Stories with Sam Ginder. High Pocket was one of his nicknames along with The Dragon. A great Marine and a very effective infantry Bn. Commander. C O of 1/5.

Jim Wilson - July 14, 2020

I served with 1/5 from Nov.’66 thru Dec.’67 – I was an S2 scout and the battalion Kit Carson team. I’ve never connected with any of the Marines that served in S2 and I don’t remember any names from the Marines in the line companies, but I did go on patrols and operations with every company. I do remember Col. Hilgartner as a tall slender Marine (we all got “slender” after a few months), thanks for the memory.

David A. Smith - July 14, 2020

Any body from 2/4 68-69-

Dennis W Moriarty - July 14, 2020

Thats pretty cool. What company were you with, I was with 3/1 also?

Jerry Hanson - July 14, 2020

Any one out there from H2/9 1962-63? doc Hanson

A. Troy Morris Sgt. USMC 1964- 1968 - July 14, 2020

.I am a member of the !st Marine Div. Asso. !/5 Vietnam Veterans . I served with C 1/5 from late June 66 to late Dec. 66. Lt. Buck Darling was the C O. A CAC unit was formed from Marines of 1/5 in Dec. , and we were located north of Hill 54 and west of Tam Ky. The last reunion I attended was in Washington D C in 2004. I got to meet Buck’s wife and his two sons. Also got to talk to Bn. C O Colonel Pete Hilgartner and Lt. Gen. Art Blades, who was one of Buck’s platoon commanders at the time. Unfortunately Buck passed away in June two months before the 2004 reunion at age 63. What a great company commander he was. We would have followed him anywhere.

Jim Coxen - July 14, 2020

Troy, Morris. I was in C 1/5 Oct 66, Nov. 67. Are you on the mailing list for the 1/5 reunion? Jim Coxen.

Buzz Alpert - July 14, 2020

I was told by several Marine buddies who served in Nam that the ‘American K-9 dogs were for the most part killed even if their field partner wanted to take them back stateside Was that true?

Lloyd “Pappy” Reynolds - July 14, 2020

Bravo Company, 3rd Tank Battalion, 1967 had a pet monkey for a while. See http://mcvthf.org/Stories/Chico.html and http://mcvthf.org/Photos/1PltBravo3rdTksCTC.html

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