18 Mar 2004 We staged together. 108, I think, Camp Pendleton June 1965. We shipped out on the USS BILLY MITCHELL. We left Terminal Island, Long Beach, headed for the 3rd Antitank Bn, 3rd MarDiv on Okinawa. I was born on the 4th of July and we celebrated my 21st birthday aboard ship. Those few fireworks sure were something to see out on the Pacific Ocean. It was like a piece of glass it was so smooth. We talked of me getting us a bottle of the good stuff when we got to Honolulu. Didn't know the legal age at that time in Hawaii was 20. What a let down. We shared the same MOS - 2143, Ontos Mechanic. I guess that Teske coming before Tuck was the reason we didn't stay together after getting to Okinawa. He went on down south right away and my orders were changed to Charlie Co, 1st Antitank Bn, 1st MarDiv, where they are. I'm not sure where he went right then but he wound up with Charlie Co, 3rd AT Bn, 3rd MarDiv. I didn't know he didn't make it back until I got a computer and started searching for fellow Marines in 1999. I found the Ontos Crewmen website and saw his name on the memorials. The Moving Wall came to my hometown and I found his name there in June of 2003. I made it up to DC later that month for a reunion with other Marines and we visited The Wall. I found his name there. I visited with Marines who were his friends. They told me he was a good mechanic and a dedicated Marine. I already knew that. He had a smile that told you he was a friend. I will always remember our time together. Till we meet again.... Tom Tuck

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