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                   3D 155s MIKE 4/12

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                            BAHRY,  TED

  

     I grew up on Long Island, and in upstate NY. I enlisted the day after my 17th birthday in 1958, after dropping out of high school. I went to Parris Island, Platoon 236. From there, I went to Camp Lejeune. I was assigned to A-1-10, a 4.2" mortar battery, as a cannoneer, a gun section chief and, sometime acting Platoon Sergeant. I put in for every quota there was to get out of Swamp Lejeune, but the high command claimed that I was "too valuable" to leave (as a PFC/LCPL!). I finally got orders to go to Oki and met Don Foster, Don Brennan and other future 3rd155 guys on the ship (an LSD, the USS Monticello). We arrived in late 1960.

    I was with 3rd155s for around a year and a half as a gun section chief or a gunner, depending on who was senior, and I was transferred out just after it became Mike Battery, 4th Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment in early 1962 at Camp Sukeran. I remember Cpl Don Brennan and I seeing 2 WAC lieutenants at the PX. We had never seen women officers before, and we were shocked! As we saluted, Don, quick on his feet, said, "Good morning, soldiers!"

    While in 3rd155s, I went to Embarkation School and loaded our LST for a couple of Fuji trips. I then ended up doing the embark plans for about 8 ships and loading 2 when we flapped out of Fuji in spring, 1962. That ended my days as an enlisted man on the guns, and I wound up with an Embark - and later - a Logistics MOS.

    3rd155s was by far my best-enlisted tour. We were good, and we were a tight outfit. Our reenlistment rate was sky-high, and at least 4 of us became officers. Many of us became senior enlisted marines. What we should have had, but didn't, was more pay! It was hard to have fun on around $ 100 a month! Plus, port and starboard liberty "in case of war" was stupid!

    After 2 tours in Vietnam, as a Gunnery Sergeant, I was selected for OCS, where I was thoroughly harassed and run into the deck with PT. Afterwards, I was told that I was the first GySgt of the Vietnam era to make it through!

    I became an artillery officer, had another tour in Vietnam, and I ended up commanding 7 different units before my career ended. Also had a fun tour leading recon patrols in Vietnam and another fun tour teaching new lieutenants at The Basic School.

    I met my wife, Jo, while I was a patient in a naval hospital between Vietnam tours 2 and 3. She was a navy nurse. We've been married since 1971 and have a daughter, Kelly.

    I retired from the USMC after over 28 years of service and haven't since had the time - or the inclination - for a paying job. I am very active as a volunteer and have several hobbies that keep me very busy.

    My wife and I commute a few times a year between our places in California (near Camp Pendleton) and our lake front cottage in northern Michigan. Life is good.

    Our reunion group is great, and I am honored to be the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for our banquets.

 

 

 

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