Alpha Company 1st Bn 1st Marines The Vietnam Years 1965 - 1971

Anyone that served with Alpha 1/1 during the 67-68 time frame knew our company Gunny. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by then President Donald Trump for his heroic actions in Hue city during the TET offensive.

Our Gunny who retired as Sgt Major John L Canley and fought with health issues for years but not until they finally took our Gunny on May 11,2022. A Navy ship the USS John L Canley ESB-6 (EXPEDITIONARY SEA BASE) was named after him and first saw water on January 13, 2023.

Unfortunate we have lost more of our guys:

Larry Bilby in Vietnam.

Larry Bilby 1st plt alter a long illness RIP Larry

Kenneth Jordan who never served in the Corp but was responsible for finding most of the Alpha company Marines and published the book "Marines Under Fire"

James Sully Sullivan, a member of 1st Platoon who we lost in March of 2015

Mike mastrovito 2014 RIP Mike

Eddie Cooper 1991 Who died of wounds from a mine in Khe Sanh in May 1968 RIP Eddie

Doc Michael Corliss of 2nd Platoon

News:

This site is by, for and about the Marines and Navy of Alpha company 1/1 during its stay in RVN. If you have a picture, or more, that you would like to share send it along. If you have tales from your time in country that would also be appreciated. Feel free to contact me with corrections of any of the names or dates, or fill in missing information.

With the help of Robert Jackson we have a fairly complete list of KIAs from Alpha Company. Choose the Tributes link. This list is available in spreadsheet format if you are interested.

If you are a combat vet and haven't contacted the VA for an Agent Orange screening follow this link to find your nearest VA hospital. You may qualify for benefits you weren't aware of.


Jack Kennedy
Webmaster
Email: jack@alpha1stbn1stmarines.org

	This time line is fairly complete and hopefully accurate. If find any errors let me know. If you served with Alpha before or after that time frame and can help fill in our time line it would be appreciated. August 65 - 1/1 leaves Long Beach, CA aboard the USS Lenawee for RVN June 67 - Alpha HQ in Hoi An south of Da Nang Sept 67 - 1/1 moves to Quang Tri south of Dong Ha running patrols in the hills     west of Highway 1 while the new airfield is being built Sept 67 - Operation Medina November 67 - Alpha moves to Con Thien December 67 - Back to Quang Tri January - Move from Quang Tri to Phu Bai. January 31st, 68 - Alpha heads into Hue City at the start of the Tet Offensive March 68 - Alpha operates to open the road into Khe Sanh and helps setup     LZ stud March 68 - Alpha lands on Hill 861 May 68 - Operation Scotland II Late June 68 - Alpha moves to Hill 558 and Delta takes over 861 Early July - Alpha moves back to Hill 861 in time for the 4th of July. Marine Corps style July 68 - Alpha flies to hill 689 southwest of Khe Sanh to support Delta Co. July 68 - Alpha flies to Phu Bai. The last Marines to leave Khe Sanh Sept 68 Alpha moves south to Dodge City Sept 68 Operation Meade River Dec 68 Alpha back from Operation Meade River April - May 69 Ha Dong Bridge security