Just thought I would let all your Kilo Company 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (K-3-5) Member know a little history of that unit.

I was a member of Weapons Platoon K-3-5 1st Half of the year 1965, as an 0331 Gunner, and Team Leader . The Battalion was forming a new unit from mostly all new Marines just coming from Boot Camp from January, 65 till July 65, when we received our orders to Vietnam.

We trained from the time we formed until we departed San Diego for Okinawa.

Sometime early July 1965, the Battalion, 3-5 received orders to board a ship the U.S.S. Mitchell in San Diego. We headed for Okinawa, stopping In Hawaii, (36 Hours), Japan (48 Hours) then arriving Camp Hansen, Okinawa some time in Late August 65. The entire Time aboard ship from US. to Okinawa took about 4 weeks. When we pulled into Okinawa, at camp Hansen. The Bn. then became the 1st Bn. 3rd Marines 3rd Marine Division, and Kilo Company 3-5 became Bravo 1-3.

The Battalion then went into very intense training regiment prior to our going into Vietnam. We went through the Northern Training Area (NTA), also Raid School, learned to Rappel, Jungle Training, Some including me went to mine demolition warfare school. Bravo, and Delta Companies were designated as Raider Companies.

So in essence Bravo Company 1st Bn 3rd Marines 3rd Marine Division of 1965-66 were prior to that all Kilo-3-5 Marines.

1-3 served proudly together as a unit in Vietnam, and went on may major operations, and search and destroy missions. The Bn. also did itself proud and received many honor during our tour in Vietnam.

After our 13 month tour was up in August 1966 we again went aboard a Ship, either the U.S.S. Wiggle, or Mcgoffin, I’m not sure which now. and went back to the United States, by way of Okinawa (4 Weeks) arrived San Diego Oct, 1966.

Most of those who returned with me from Vietnam went to Pendleton and went to the 27th Marines at Margarita (33 Area) to the same Barracks that we as K-3-5 lived in.

At my 1-3-3 Web site listed at beginning of this message you will find a Company Roster of B, and D companies of 1-3-3 from 65-66, those member are all the old K-3-5 Marines. Many of us went to D-1-3 in March of 1966 After Operation Orange So many names will be on both rosters.

A, and C companies will have a roster posted soon. You will also find a Bn. Roster there also, of the 1-3-3 unit of 1964-65 which we replaced upon arriving in Vietnam. I also have a Roster of Fallen Brothers titled “Fallen Brothers” on my site, and the KIA’s are dated, and members companies are listed. So all of A, B, C, D, and H&S, members KIA dates between Aug, 1965-- August 1966 were your and my Brother Marines.

We of 1-3-3 who rotated home August 1966 were the last Marines that went over as a Unit by Ship, and went home that way.