News Stories Archive

Nearly half a century has passed since the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment fought through hell in Vietnam. The strains of combat have long imprisoned the vigor of their youth. Bodies have changed and reflexes slowed. Fresh, young faces of earlier days are ripe with weathered character. The men have lived a lifetime beyond war, but their memories remain vivid. On Aug. 22, 2012, approximately 30 Vietnam-era 2/3 Marines and their families visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii to reminisce on their service and render honor to a brother lost in combat, Sgt. Maj. Wayne Hayes. Pictured from left are: retired Gunnery Sgt. Ken Arnold, a platoon sergeant with Golf Company, 2/3, and Cuthbert, Ga., native; former Cpl. John Davila, a team leader with Fox Co., 2/3, and Ridgewood, N.J., native; former Staff Sgt. Don Watts, a platoon sergeant with Fox Co., 2/3, and Cloverdale, Calif., native; and Sgt. Bill Vizzerra, a rifleman with Golf Co., 2/3, and Palmer, Ak., native. Both Davila and Vizzerra were wounded in action. - Nearly half a century has passed since the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment fought through hell in Vietnam. The strains of combat have long imprisoned the vigor of their youth. Bodies have changed and reflexes slowed. Fresh, young faces of earlier days are ripe with weathered character. The men have lived a lifetime beyond war, but their memories remain vivid. On Aug. 22, 2012, approximately 30 Vietnam-era 2/3 Marines and their families visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii to reminisce on their service and render honor to a brother lost in combat, Sgt. Maj. Wayne Hayes. Pictured from left are: retired Gunnery Sgt. Ken Arnold, a platoon sergeant with Golf Company, 2/3, and Cuthbert, Ga., native; former Cpl. John Davila, a team leader with Fox Co., 2/3, and Ridgewood, N.J., native; former Staff Sgt. Don Watts, a platoon sergeant with Fox Co., 2/3, and Cloverdale, Calif., native; and Sgt. Bill Vizzerra, a rifleman with Golf Co., 2/3, and Palmer, Ak., native. Both Davila and Vizzerra were wounded in action.

Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, clear a house during counterinsurgency training on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2011. The infantry Marines are preparing for the Mojave Viper exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., at the end of August, following pre-deployment training on the Island of Hawaii and here. This month long training event will be 3/3’s final evaluation before deploying to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this fall. - Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, clear a house during counterinsurgency training on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2011. The infantry Marines are preparing for the Mojave Viper exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., at the end of August, following pre-deployment training on the Island of Hawaii and here. This month long training event will be 3/3’s final evaluation before deploying to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this fall.

Lance Cpl. Dylan Ottney, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, scans his area while providing security in a mock Afghan village during counterinsurgency training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Aug. 2, 2011. Over two weeks, 3/3’s line companies rotated from classes to two-day training evolutions at Schofield’s military operations in urban terrain facility, working through scenarios by practicing patrolling, working vehicle control points and interacting with the role-players. Moving further into their pre-deployment training program, the battalion is preparing for the Mojave Viper exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., at the end of August. The month long training event will be their final evaluation before deploying to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this fall. - Lance Cpl. Dylan Ottney, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, scans his area while providing security in a mock Afghan village during counterinsurgency training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Aug. 2, 2011. Over two weeks, 3/3’s line companies rotated from classes to two-day training evolutions at Schofield’s military operations in urban terrain facility, working through scenarios by practicing patrolling, working vehicle control points and interacting with the role-players. Moving further into their pre-deployment training program, the battalion is preparing for the Mojave Viper exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., at the end of August. The month long training event will be their final evaluation before deploying to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this fall.

Puddle of Mudd guitarist Doug Ardito slams a face-melting guitar riff during the rock band’s performance at BayFest 2011 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 16, 2011. Celebrating its 22nd year as Hawaii’s largest summer music festival, the three-day event — sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services — opened the base’s gates to the local community, featuring concerts by Cecilio and Kapono, Hoobastank, Puddle of Mudd and Joe Nichols, in addition to contests, carnival rides, food booths and military static displays. - Puddle of Mudd guitarist Doug Ardito slams a face-melting guitar riff during the rock band’s performance at BayFest 2011 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 16, 2011. Celebrating its 22nd year as Hawaii’s largest summer music festival, the three-day event — sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services — opened the base’s gates to the local community, featuring concerts by Cecilio and Kapono, Hoobastank, Puddle of Mudd and Joe Nichols, in addition to contests, carnival rides, food booths and military static displays.

Soldiers with Echo Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, prepare to clear the modular armored tactical combat house, or “shoot house,” at the Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 21, 2011. The training evolution was part of the reserve infantry battalion’s annual training package conducted both here and on Schofield Barracks from June 13 to June 30. - Soldiers with Echo Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, prepare to clear the modular armored tactical combat house, or “shoot house,” at the Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 21, 2011. The training evolution was part of the reserve infantry battalion’s annual training package conducted both here and on Schofield Barracks from June 13 to June 30.

A competitor bicycles past a row of helicopters while laboring through the 11.1-mile bicycle course during the 2011 Sprint Triathlon outside Hangar 101 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 22, 2011. Comprised of a 500-meter swim, 11.1-mile bike race and a 5-kilometer run, the triathlon was the first of two in the 2011 Commanding Officer’s Fitness Series. The event was hosted by Headquarters Battalion and Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit division. - A competitor bicycles past a row of helicopters while laboring through the 11.1-mile bicycle course during the 2011 Sprint Triathlon outside Hangar 101 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 22, 2011. Comprised of a 500-meter swim, 11.1-mile bike race and a 5-kilometer run, the triathlon was the first of two in the 2011 Commanding Officer’s Fitness Series. The event was hosted by Headquarters Battalion and Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit division.

Col. James E. Reilly, chief of staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, congratulates Maj. Cliff Mrkvicka, aircraft maintenance officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, on his graduation from the Hawaii Satellite Campus of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff College Distance Education Program at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii theater, May 19, 2011. Mrkvicka was one of 55 service members who graduated from either the CSCDEP or the CDET’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Formerly known as the College of Continuing Education, the CDET offers a distance education alternative for the completion of requisite professional military education for the approximately 80 percent of officers who don’t have the opportunity to attend resident schools, Cos Spofford, regional chief instructor, CSCDEP, said. - Col. James E. Reilly, chief of staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, congratulates Maj. Cliff Mrkvicka, aircraft maintenance officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, on his graduation from the Hawaii Satellite Campus of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff College Distance Education Program at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii theater, May 19, 2011. Mrkvicka was one of 55 service members who graduated from either the CSCDEP or the CDET’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Formerly known as the College of Continuing Education, the CDET offers a distance education alternative for the completion of requisite professional military education for the approximately 80 percent of officers who don’t have the opportunity to attend resident schools, Cos Spofford, regional chief instructor, CSCDEP, said.

Five Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, were recognized by the local community for their recent achievements during the Kailua Chamber of Commerce’s general membership meeting at the Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, May 18, 2011. The Marines were honored as part of the statewide military appreciation month. Honorees from left to right include Sgt. Jorge Diaz, a squad leader with Kilo Company, 3/3, from Baltimore; Sgt. Kenney Clark, a squad leader with India Company, 3/3, from Rushville, Ill.; Cpl. Raymond P. Weeks, an intelligence specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 3/3, from Miami; Staff Sgt. Justin Johnson, a motor transport mechanic with 3/3, from East Liverpool, Ohio; and Gunnery Sgt. Alan King, intelligence chief, 3/3, from Newport, Wash. - Five Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, were recognized by the local community for their recent achievements during the Kailua Chamber of Commerce’s general membership meeting at the Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii, May 18, 2011. The Marines were honored as part of the statewide military appreciation month. Honorees from left to right include Sgt. Jorge Diaz, a squad leader with Kilo Company, 3/3, from Baltimore; Sgt. Kenney Clark, a squad leader with India Company, 3/3, from Rushville, Ill.; Cpl. Raymond P. Weeks, an intelligence specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 3/3, from Miami; Staff Sgt. Justin Johnson, a motor transport mechanic with 3/3, from East Liverpool, Ohio; and Gunnery Sgt. Alan King, intelligence chief, 3/3, from Newport, Wash.

Sgt. John Badon, a third-degree black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor-trainer with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence, demonstrates a MCMAP technique on fellow instructor-trainer Sgt. Steven Richardson to students of a second degree advancement and re-certification workshop held by the MACE’s mobile training team on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 11, 2011. The team of top-level MACE instructors, coming to Hawaii from the Marine Corps’ MCMAP hub in Quantico, Va., offered more than 40 Hawaii-based Marines the opportunity to renew their three-year certifications as MCMAP instructors and instructor-trainers, and advance their belts to the second degree during the week-long workshop. - Sgt. John Badon, a third-degree black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor-trainer with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence, demonstrates a MCMAP technique on fellow instructor-trainer Sgt. Steven Richardson to students of a second degree advancement and re-certification workshop held by the MACE’s mobile training team on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 11, 2011. The team of top-level MACE instructors, coming to Hawaii from the Marine Corps’ MCMAP hub in Quantico, Va., offered more than 40 Hawaii-based Marines the opportunity to renew their three-year certifications as MCMAP instructors and instructor-trainers, and advance their belts to the second degree during the week-long workshop.

Marines and sailors with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, load their bags into semi trucks at the Marine Corps Exchange Annex parking lot on Marine Corps Base Hawaii before departing on a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, April 13, 2011. Approximately 1,000 Marine and sailors from 1/3 will join Regimental Combat Team 1, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., only ten months after returning from a deployment to Helmand province’s Nawa District in support of RCT-7. Contrasting their last deployment, 1/3’s area of operation will shift further south into the province’s Garmsir District, where they will replace 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. (For high resolution image go to http://www.dvidshub.net/image/389942/rejoining-fight-1-3-lava-dogs-leave-afghanistan-deployment) - Marines and sailors with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, load their bags into semi trucks at the Marine Corps Exchange Annex parking lot on Marine Corps Base Hawaii before departing on a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, April 13, 2011. Approximately 1,000 Marine and sailors from 1/3 will join Regimental Combat Team 1, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., only ten months after returning from a deployment to Helmand province’s Nawa District in support of RCT-7. Contrasting their last deployment, 1/3’s area of operation will shift further south into the province’s Garmsir District, where they will replace 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. (For high resolution image go to http://www.dvidshub.net/image/389942/rejoining-fight-1-3-lava-dogs-leave-afghanistan-deployment)