1 Jan 2001 He was my Drill Instructor 9/65 at MCRD Parris Island. He taught toughness, responsibility, and loyalty. Starbuck left a lasting impression on me. This is my thanks. God bless him and all the others. Semper Fidelis From a recruit and friend, John Fahey johnrule62@aol.com

 

28 Oct 2005 From my "Watch Fires '99" ... I also thanked Sgt. Starbuck for those words of encouragement he gave me on Parris Island the night before he left for his second tour in Vietnam ... the one that he never returned from. From a Marine recruit who was in Sergeant Starbuck's platoon in March 1966, Sal Latina disbo@ptd.net

 

06 Feb 2007 I always thought me and Corporal Starbuck had a special bond at Parris Island (Platoon 206, 1965). I was like the black sheep of the platoon, but ended up with the most honorable position, carrying the guidon. I survived recruit training because of Corporal Starbuck. He led by example, and was the epitome of the Marine Corps. I ran into him in Vietnam just before he gave the last full measure of devotion to the country he loved. He's on the top of my hero list. Please see www.thewall-usa.com. If you knew Sergeant Starbuck, you had the high privilege of knowing one of the finest men on earth. I would like to learn more about his life and the circumstances surrounding his death ... please email me. From a friend and fellow Marine, Richard Harrison P. O. Box 43, Flat Rock, N. C. 28731 richarddharrison@juno.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Sergeant Robert Starbuck was the team leader of a recon team from 2nd Plt, A/1st Recon, inserted near the abandoned village of Sa Khom on a mountain top about 10 kilometers southwest of the Duc Pho airfield. The body of the post-patrol report contained in the 1st Recon Bn's Feb 1967 Command Chronology follows [editorial comments in brackets]: 1. Size and Composition: 11 Enlisted. 2. Mission: Establish an OP [Observation Post] vicinity BS7533. Primary direction of observation to southeast. 3. Time of Departure: 031330H February 1967 [1:30pm 03 Feb] 4. Time of Return: 040800H February 1967 [8:00am 04 Feb] 5. Route: None 6. Synopsis: This patrol covered a period of 18-1/2 hours with 1 sighting of 3 VC. Patrol was attacked by an estimated reinforced platoon of VC at 032103H [9:03pm, 03 Feb]. Patrol had 4 KIA and 5 WIA. Flare ship was over area. Both radios were hit. Patrol was extracted at 040800H. 7. Observations: TIME COORDS OBSERVATIONS 031835H BS723334 3 VC observing patrol. 1 khaki, 2 blk PS's. 032103H BS723334 Patrol received 1 frag grenade. 032210H BS723334 Patrol hit with grenades, rockets and S/A fire. M-60 machinegun taken by VC. 032215H BS723334 Patrol reports 1 USMC KIA 032230H BS723334 Requests flare ship 032234H BS723334 Patrol reports surrounded 032235H BS723334 Patrol reports 1 USMC WIA 032237H BS723334 Patrol requests air [support], reports being overrun 032240H BS723334 Lost communications, both radios hit 032255H BS723334 Helo for extract arrives 032300H BS723334 Patrol leader KIA 040125H BS723334 Huey checked position, no movement. Patrol had dug in and waited for light, poped [sic] smoke, AO [aerial ob- server] called helos for extract. 8. Other information: Patrol location BS734341, radio transmissions from patrol. 2210 - These SOBs are coming at us 2215 - Think we got 1 friendly KIA. (Lots of noise and screaming in back- ground). 2230 - Request flare ship 2234 - Here they come again 2235 - They're coming all around us again. We've got one friendly WIA. 2237 - How long before air? 2240 - Jesus Christ we're being over run. Get us out! Recon Command Group with C/7 CP [C Company, 1/7 Marines Command Post]: 2210 2240 Requested arty illum, flare ship, and emergency extraction 2255 - Helicopters arrived vicinity of patrol. Could not contact on radio 9. Results of encounters with the enemy: Unknown. 10. Condition of Patrol: 4 USMC KIAs, 5 USMC WIAs 4 critical 11. Conclusions and Recommendations: None 12. Comments by Debriefer: None //s// J. L. WILLIAMS GySgt USMC Debriefer The four Marines who died in the assault were Sgt Robert F. Starbuck, Montgomery, NY (Silver Star) Cpl Robert L. Shafer, Windsor, IL Pfc Robert L. Armitage, Everett, WA Pfc Edward F. Smith, Easton, MA Since the post-patrol report includes the names and service numbers of the eleven men we know the five wounded survived their injuries.

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