Bobby, as we called him in the S-2 Intelligence Office, arrived in Vietnam and reported to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Command Post. Bobby was gung ho to serve his country with his fellow Marines. I felt very close to Bobby since he too married just before being drafted into the Marines. I also found out that his wife was pregnant when he left for Vietnam. We talked about how hard it was to leave our brides, but our desire now was to serve our country as best we could while in the Marines. We were both very proud to be Marines.

In 1967 I was to rotate back home. Bobby was designated as my replacement as the Intelligence Assistant for the S-2 Section of 1/1. Bobby caught on quickly to the procedures of plotting maps, reading Intelligence reports, typing reports, and processing detainees. He would spend extra hours training so he could do a better job. I took comfort knowing William (Bill) Ehrhart, who I also trained, would be there as Bobby's relief.

Shortly after training Bobby about the basic operation of the COC S-2 activities, the Battalion Scouts, as well as two people from the S-2 Section were required to be a part of a large operation. When asked whether I wanted to go or send Bobby, I stated that Bobby was ready for training on S-2 field responsibilities. That was to be Bobby's first and last major operation. Should I have been in his place? Would things have been different? God only knows. Silent Salute in Memory!

Comments by Sgt. Jimmie C. Sowell,  RVN May 1966 – June 1967