Thank you to all who have shared pictures and stories about my brother, Dick Brims. They have touched me and inspired my son (one of America's newest Marines) to follow in his Uncle's footsteps flying helicopters.

God bless you all and thank you from the bottem of my heart for your service to our country.

A hand salute to all (Marine, Air Force & Navy) who were there, thank you for your service to our nation. And more so to those whose names appear on the wall. I was on board a Navy supply ship (U.S.S. Vega) that was sent along with the U.S.S. Holt as part of the Navy support contingent for the incident. For years, when I have mentioned the Mayaguez Operation to people, most of the time they have no idea what I’m talking about. Now I can send them to this web site.

Many regards,
David E. Swaim – IC2
U.S.S. Vega AF-59 (1975 to 1977)

May God bless Ed Freeman, who recently passed away. Without a doubt, one of our biggest heroes.

Got a phone call from Al, will try to make the next reunion. Have been contacted by a Spectre crewman and Jolly mx guy here in CA, will get them to check out the site.

A Reply to Guest Book message HORTON. Yes, efforts are underway, this is an ongoing project and we could use everyone’s help.

Missing from the Participation List is crew information of the Air Forces OV-10s (Nails 47, 51, 68, 69), AC-130 (Spectre’s 11, 21, 61) and the F-111s. The Navy pilots on the A7 Corsairs, F4 Phantoms, those on the ships of the Wilson, Holt, Coral Sea. For the ground forces, we are identifying which chopper you where on, both insertion and extraction. Also, a big importance is for all of us to reach out to the wives and family members of those that have gone before us.

Telephone calls from Al (Sgt of Arms/Hospitality Chairman) have begun; your fed back is welcome.

There are several brothers and sisters that are in need of our concern and prayer. To mention a few Jeff Kern (Marine) diagnosed recently with Lou Gehrigs disease. Jesse DeJesus (Air Force) his wife Jane is battling terminal cancer and Bob Douchniak (Marine) spinal cord injuries. Heart problems, diabetes, liver and a variety of illnesses (not mentioning the PTSD) are affecting many. Numerous are struggling financially. So please keep them in your thoughts and prayer.

I thank for this opportunity of learning and being apart of your piece of history. The Battle on Koh Tang Island and the rescue of the SS Mayaguez and its crew formed A TRUE BAND OF BROTHERS.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR COUNTRY IT HURTS TO KNOW THAT YOU ALL SUFFERED IN MANY WAYS. I THINK ITS WONDERFUL THAT YOU ALL HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER AND ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO STICK TOGETHER. KEEP UP THE SUPPORT AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

Semper FI Marines,
Today is another day to say some extra prayers when you go to church or just have time to pray. Fred Morris needs some help with his surgery that he is having so please pray for him for every thing to go well.
Semper FI

I was assigned to H&S Company, 2/9 on May 15,1975. I'll never forget earlier watching "Magnum Force" at the base movie theater at Camp Schwab. The movie stopped and we were told to get back to our units.

Later we were transported down to Kadena and boarded C-141 transports. It was very unplanned because the floor of the C-141 had ropes stretched across and we were told to sit and hold on to the ropes during take-off.

Landed hours later at U-Tapao Air Force Base. Everyone was very upbeat inside the hangar. Outside was a U-2 recon jet that took off, apparently on a mission over Koh Tang.

Recon intelligence left an awful lot to be desired on 5/15. Making an air assault in HH-53s wasn't that great either.

Semper Fi

Good information - Thanx

I was a gunner on "Spectre" AC-130 Gunship during that operation and flew several missions in support of you guys on the ground. I plan to make your next gathering as I have photos taken from Spectre of activities on Koh Tang from 12-15 May 1975.

My husband, John W. Lairson, was in the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, and was there during the Recovery of the
SS Mayaguez,May 1975, But we are having a difficult time in finding documentation to that effect. Where would we look for any information proving that he was there. He was in Okinawa,Subic Bay, & The Phillipines.
Thank You for you help.
John & Judy Lairson

Echo Company,
Its time to tell your story to a author writing a book about the incident we were all in. His e-mail address is sbaron7827@AOL.com. Try to find the time .
Semper FI

Guy went to boot camp with me, Ken Coleman, and Randy Seifert. Platoon 1091 was a good chapter in our lives. Mat a lot of friends like Charlie Robb and will always remember. I was lucky. Guy and I married sisters and were brother in laws all this time. His funeral was amazing in the amount of love poured out for someone. Semper Fi.

I remember Guy Rush. He was a fine Marine and 1091's Guide in boot camp. A tall man with a big smile and always a kind word for everyone. He will be missed

Hi guys. Hope everyone is doing OK!
2/9 H&S attach.. Take care and God Bless!

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Greetings!

to STANDFAST and TREBIL, SEMPER FI. 9th MARINES SUPER SQUAD. KRANICK

Just wanted everyone that we have another one of our members that needs some prayers. Jeff Kern was diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease and needs our prayers. Please include him in your prayers along with Bob.

January 31, 2009
Tim Trebil just visited Bob Dochniak for us and reports:
The Koh Tang Prayer Battalion (along with many others) is working great!
Bob Dochniak is doing much better, swelling is down, white counts are much better, getting his color back and is eating food.
He is not out of the woods so don't stop praying. Says hw will be joining us in Branson

To send a note to Bob touch the link below

http://www.caring.org/visit/bobdochniak

Up date on BOB DOCHNIAK

Greetings all,
I just wanted to give an update on Bob. I visited him this morning at the hospital and he is a fighter. He has improved somewhat with his white count coming down. I was able to speak with him and he is determined. I have also spoken with his wife and told her on behalf of all of us, I am available for whatever she or the family needs. I am close by and will stay in constant contact with Bob and the family and keep you all posted. Semper Fi and God Bless,
Tim Trebil

Bob Dochniak G 2/9 East Beach on Koh Tang
To send a note to Bob copy the link below and paste it into your browser

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobdochniak

Below is the snail mail information:

Mercy Hospital
Room #388 c/o Bob Dochniak
4050 NW Coon Rapids Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55433

Continue to keep Bob in thoughts and prayers.

Re: Hi Al & Tina Monday, January 26, 2009 10:30:54 PM
From: RLMLD@aol.com
To: trbailey@comcast.net

Just an update. Bob's white blood count went from 49000 to 74000! Normal is 5000-10000. The infection has just taken over his body. His temp is 94.3! He has an infection in his gut that is surpassing the infection in his leg. He had an MRI today which showed another abcess in his leg, but he is still to weak to go to surgery. He is very thin and has no reserve to fight much at this time. He is having difficulty breathing. I appreciate all of your calls and prayers. He is at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids,MN, room 388. My daughter has created a Caring Bridge site that will be available tomorrow. It will be under Bob Dochniak. Keep praying. I do feel your presence.
Laurie

PRAYERS for Bob Dochniak, read up-date

Hi Al & Tina Sunday, January 25, 2009 10:11:24 PM
From: RLMLD@aol.com
To: trbailey@comcast.net

Just an update on Bob. He is right now in intensive care fighting for his life. He is septic throughout his body and is having a very difficult time trying to fight all of the infection. Last night he became very ill, to the point the doctor asked me if he wanted to be resuscitated. That was hard. Right now the infection in his leg is less than the infection throughout his body. He is very weak and can't fight. The doctor was going to take him to surgery today to drain his leg without doing an amputation, but he isn't strong enough right now. So keep him in your prayers. I don't want to be a widow. Thanks
Laurie Dochniak

Hey guys just thought i would drop a few lines. For those of you who dont know me I am Danny Marshalls niece. He was in E 2/9. I am forced to write some sad news. Danny's mother has passed away. She passed on Jan 11,2009 after a battel with cancer. She never knew what happened to her son.