TBS Class Hotel Co 8-68 50th Reunion
Kyle (left), Terry Arndt (second from left), Chris Tibbs (right) and Robert Skeels (second from right) at the Evening Parade in Washington, D.C., 8 June 2018.
I recently had the privilege of joining the Marines of Hotel Company, The Basic School (TBS) class 8-68, in Washington, D.C. for their 50th reunion. One of the Marines, Chris Tibbs, invited me to attend, following our conversations and work together on the feature story covering Operation Meade River.
These are the Marines of 1968 and 1969. While going through TBS, they watched the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive, and battles like the siege at Khe Sanh unfold. For them, it was not a question of if they would go to war, but when.
They knew it was likely some of them would not come home. They would not have anticipated though, that some of them wouldn't even make it out of Quantico. Four Marines were killed before they even completed training. Two of these were slain in a tragic expression of the times in which they lived. Following a ceremonial Mess Night, several of the young officers drove to D.C. in full dress white uniforms. At a bar around 3:00AM, several African-American men began ridiculing the white Marines in their white uniforms. The heated exchange boiled over into gun fire, as two of the men pulled pistols and started shooting. Three Marines and one civilian were shot. Two of the lieutenants did not survive.
In Vietnam, these veterans served as grunts, tankers, artillerymen, supply and Motor T, helicopter and jet pilots, lawyers, civil affairs, and more. For some, the jobs they were trained to do ended up being the opposite of what they found themselves doing in combat. Robert Skeels, a tanker by trade, used his specialty to reassure his parents before going to war, convincing them that he would be safe and sound inside his armored tank. As soon as he set foot in Vietnam, however, he was informed that due to a shortage of infantry officers, he was being assigned temporary duty with the grunts.
Everyone spoke of Vietnam in a familiar tone. It reminded me of the way I might hold a conversation with an old high school friend, reminiscing about our home town. Hills, roads, rivers, bases, and especially combat zones were all named quickly in passing, with the correct assumption that all knew the places well.
Other parts of their Vietnam experience were unfortunately discussed with equal familiarity, and discussed not in past tense but present. The topic of agent orange came up, and its unavoidable presence as the Marines trudged through the jungles, paddies, and hamlets. For many, the chemical's affect lingers still.
"It gave me cancer, but I got mine cut out," said one veteran.
"You got your's out?" questioned another. "I got mine nuked."
Other common ailments of the country were discussed more jokingly. "Underwear? You NEVER wore underwear in Vietnam or you'd get crotch rot!" One of the veterans remembered. "You never wore underwear, and you never took your boots off. Leaches loved to get in your boots."
Eleven Marines from Hotel 8-68 were killed in action in Vietnam, and a large portion of the 50th reunion served to honor their memory. We travelled to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. At the base of the wall, under each panel containing one of the 11 names, a placard was placed displaying the name and photograph of each Marine killed.
One of the 11 placards placed at the Wall. 2ndLt Duncan Sleigh, killed 6 November 1968, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Besides their classmates, all the veterans present had their own list of names on the wall to seek out. I had the privilege of finding the names of India 3/26 Marines, including Medal of Honor winner Karl Taylor, that served with Chris Tibbs in Operation Meade River.
Chris TIbbs, Infantry Officer serving with 3/26, reviewing the names of his fellow Marines killed during Operation Meade River.
Terry Arndt, Infantry Officer with 2/26, finds the name of a Marine who died in his arms.
Robert Skeels, tanker turned grunt, located the names of 3 Marines killed at Mutter's Ridge.
After the wall, we toured the Capitol building, then later attended the Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington. I thought it fitting that also in attendance was Bravo Company 2-18, lieutenants currently in training at The Basic School.
I found it amusing and refreshing that, despite the extended period of time since they have worn the uniform, these gentlemen embodied the sentiment of, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." Hearing their talk, their mannerisms and interactions, even seeing the way they all lined up at the bar before taking their seats at dinner, all took me back to my own time on active duty, and made me remember just how much I love being with Marines.
To the Marines of Hotel 8-68. Thank you for allowing me to take part in your reunion, and welcoming me as a brother. I wish you and your fallen the honor and recognition you all deserve. Semper Fidelis.
- KW
The Marines of Hotel Co 8-68 at their 50th reunion, 8 June 2018.
