They Came in Peace

Devil Doc

Devil Doc

Teufel Doc
5-Year Member
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Apr 25, 2018
Messages
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Thirty five years ago today I was deployed on the other side of the world when BLT 1/8 of the 24th MAU came under attack. A truck broke through the check points at the Beirut airport and killed 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, and 3 Soldiers. I found out later that among the dead were two shipmates of mine. HM1 Ronny Bates and HM2 George McVicker were outstanding Corpsmen and even better men.

If ever in the Camp Lejeune area, a visit to the Beirut Memorial outside the Camp Johnson gate on Lejeune Blvd. is a worthwhile stop.
 
I remember that day as it was yesterday. Sorry you lost people. That happened the year after I went into IRR. What a tragedy. Those young people were never given the opportunity to fight for themselves. Cowardly act as areall acts of terrorism.
 
I visit a friend of mine I lost in Beirut, every time I'm in Arlington.
My DS has a photo of him posted on his bulletin board in his room at Bancroft.

I count Ronny, George, and Devil Doc as my brothers.
Thanks for the thread, Senior.
 
I often use Togetherweserved.com to look up former and fallen shipmates, as well as to search for others.

HM2 McVickers and HM1 Bates both had pages created for them by shipmates. Only fitting.
 
I've been to a few memorials at Lejeune but I don't think I've been to the Beirut memorial. I'll have to take a ride up there one day soon... maybe when the kid comes home for Christmas.
 
Devil Doc said:
Thirty five years ago today I was deployed on the other side of the world when BLT 1/8 of the 24th MAU came under attack. A truck broke through the check points at the Beirut airport and killed 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, and 3 Soldiers. I found out later that among the dead were two shipmates of mine. HM1 Ronny Bates and HM2 George McVicker were outstanding Corpsmen and even better men.

If ever in the Camp Lejeune area, a visit to the Beirut Memorial outside the Camp Johnson gate on Lejeune Blvd. is a worthwhile stop.
Click to expand...
I had recently returned from The Root after the MARG 1-83 deployment and we had just loaded out to go to Central America when it happened. We were on
station when the Embassy was blown up earlier that year and felt very connected to what was happening there in October.
 
kinnem said:
I've been to a few memorials at Lejeune but I don't think I've been to the Beirut memorial. I'll have to take a ride up there one day soon... maybe when the kid comes home for Christmas.
Click to expand...
The last time I went was about three years ago before my son left for the ME. It was doubly emotional because of where he was about to go. Another Beirut tribute is the Bradford pear trees that run the length of Lejeune Blvd. They are also planted in various places around Jacksonville. Beautiful trees.
 
Well, if it's been three years then you haven't seen the Montford Point Memorial. Worth a look see if you get back this way. And if you do get back this way and don't call me you will be in big trouble. :D
 
I was only 16 months into my active duty career. Later heard that one of the dead was in my platoon at Parris Island. Twenty four hours after Beirut we invaded Grenada. A month earlier the Soviets shot down KAL-007, killing hundreds for now reason. Eventful times.
 
Day-Tripper said:
I was only 16 months into my active duty career. Later heard that one of the dead was in my platoon at Parris Island. Twenty four hours after Beirut we invaded Grenada. A month earlier the Soviets shot down KAL-007, killing hundreds for now reason. Eventful times.
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yep, the 80s and 90s had a lot more going on than people remember. I went to Liberia twice, 110 days at sea during the Iran-Iraq War, two drug ops, and was already in the Med on 2 Aug 90. I even stuck around for a few years after September 11, 2001. Now back to my rocking chair.
 
Devil Doc said:
Thirty five years ago today I was deployed on the other side of the world when BLT 1/8 of the 24th MAU came under attack. A truck broke through the check points at the Beirut airport and killed 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, and 3 Soldiers. I found out later that among the dead were two shipmates of mine. HM1 Ronny Bates and HM2 George McVicker were outstanding Corpsmen and even better men.

If ever in the Camp Lejeune area, a visit to the Beirut Memorial outside the Camp Johnson gate on Lejeune Blvd. is a worthwhile stop.
Click to expand...

I've never forgotten that day and keep those that perished in my thoughts with grateful appreciation for their service, and sadness over their loss. My heart goes out to all their families and friends. A dear friend of mine survived simply because he and some friends went 'out' that evening when they should not have. He returned-but only as a shell of the man he once was.
 
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