Photographs from Norm Osborne  12Feb08

2/5 Command Chronology August 1968 -- These pages are from a CD Rosie obtained from the Marine Corps History and Museum Division.   CDs are available free ($10 if you want more than one copy) by contacting Fred Grabowski 202-433-4253 (voice) 202-433-7265 (fax).  Request Vietnam CD #48 which covers 1965 - 1971.   Some selected additional pages will be added as time allows.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  10Dec05 -- It was reported that the above information is incorrect.  A Google search located the following URL:   http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Home_Page.htm.  In 2005 the Marine Corps History Division was moved to the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, VA.   Contact information from the web site Reference/General Historical  703-432-4874.   Unit Information:   703-432-4876.   The first posting is not being removed so users have the information regarding the request for Unit Histories processed in the past.

New pictures from Gene Tucker.  Click on the picture to see a large version. 

We received the following posting on the Fox 2/5 Message Board on Oct. 14th.  We are in the process of preparing a page with many of the photographs and related information from this issue of LIFE to be posted here.  Permissions have been requested from LIFE.  

Dear Marines,

One of yours, Willard Whiting, who served with 2/5 in Vietnam passed away on Oct. 13th. Most recently, he was an Office Manager at a Vet Center in Miami where I worked with him. He served in the Corps for several tours in Vietnam, between 66 - 69. I served in the corps from 88' - 92' and we would exchange sea stories all the time. He spoke highly of his experience with 2/5 and other units. Funny thing about Will was that he was great field Marine, but in the rear he made the old corps proud as he has more page 11 entries than any Marine I ever served with. He was a good Marine and cared about veterans to his last days. In Oct. 66' he made the cover of Life Magazine, carrying a rocket launcher across his shoulder, chest deep in a water... again, he only shared this information with those close, never desiring any praise. Always humble, he would only share his combat experience with those close... having earned three purple hearts. I am honored and proud to have know Will and I wanted you all to know about him and share in his remembrance.

Semper Fi Will!

Paul J. Harrigan (USMC 88'-92')

The history of the 5th Marines goes back to April 1914 and President Woodrow Wilson.  With the rising diplomatic tensions in the Caribbean, President Wilson called for a 5th Marines Regiment.

"Originally formed for the Vera Cruz expedition in 1914, the regiment later served in Haiti, and then became the first Marine unit in France, in July 1917, fighting in the 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division during World War I.  During the early 1920s it served in the U.S., on two occasions helping to guard the mails from train robbers, and then went to Nicaragua 1927-1933, and was inactivated in 1934.   Reactivated in 1941, it formed part of the 1st Marine Division during World War II, Korea and Vietnam, but during the Gulf War saw service as a separate unit."   The Marine Corps Book of Lists, Albert A. Nofi, [Pennsylvania: Combined Publishing, Inc., 1997] (p.80).

Photographic History -- A collection of photographs taken in Vietnam submitted by Chris Brown.