Operation Starlite: The Symbol for Marines
Over the course of the Vietnam War, 9,087,000 soldiers fought for the U.S., 58,220 soldiers died in action, and 250,000 Vietnamese were killed in 20 years. Greg Frikken was drafted into the war after he had completed high school. During his basic training, he scored the highest in Tech Supply, which was his ticket into working with supplies in the military. In 1966, Greg was first ordered to go to Vietnam. After a 30 day trip, his platoon relieved the 3rd marine company at Chu Lai and were soon involved in Operation Starlite. Greg Frikken was one of many in ammo platoons during Operation Starlite and was promoted three times during this operation. When remembering Vietnam veterans, it is important …show more content…
At one point in the interview he talked about his time in the 630th Ordnance Company. They were posted on the island of Okinawa, and shortly after they were relieved, 97 soldiers were drawn out of the company to form the 205th Ammo Platoon. Greg recalls, “I’m one of the 97 men drawn out of the 630th Ordnance Company, and we’re formed into a 205th Ammo Platoon.” later he states, “On April 12th, two days later, we landed on the beach at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. And that was a combat area” (Greg). Greg was one soldier of many who were responsible with carrying out the tasks of being in an Ammo Platoon. Upon landing in the combat area of Chu Lai, his platoon’s task was to make sure every unit, platoon, or company had sufficient amounts of ammunition and other supplies to make it through until the next supply shipment came in. Over the course of the war there were many battles, one battle, however was almost lost by the US due to a supply shortage, it was the battle at Khe Sanh. Gregg Jones, a soldier who fought in Khe Sanh during the crisis, tells how their supply problems ceased after a major supply run. Ammo platoons guarded by gunships were able to bring over …show more content…
During Operation Starlite, many soldiers were killed in action. Greg explains his experience with this by telling us how he was promoted in the 91 days he was stationed in Vietnam. It was within the first 10 days he was stationed there that he was a part of Operation Starlite. Greg stated, “While there, in that 91 days, I was reverted from a Specialist 5 to a Sergeant and then promoted in the field to a Staff Sergeant. And on July 10th, I’m sent back to Cameron Bay for a 1-day out process for the United States” (Greg). Within the army, there are a set number of allowed personnel for each position and as the rank grows the amount allowed lowers. This movement in the ranks exemplifies the amount of casualties the U.S had during the 91 days he was stationed, that they would need to promote more soldiers to higher levels this fast. In the aftermath of Operation Starlite, there were many casualties on both sides. In another one of his articles, Craig has written about the conclusion of the operation and the confirmed deaths in the aftermath on both sides. “At its conclusion the Marines could confirm 573 Vietnamese dead along with an estimated 115, while suffering 46 deaths themselves and 204 wounded. The battle had been won by overwhelming American firepower” (Slaughter). Craig points out that 250 soldiers were either wounded or killed to make
Over the course of the Vietnam War, 9,087,000 soldiers fought for the U.S., 58,220 soldiers died in action, and 250,000 Vietnamese were killed in 20 years. Greg Frikken was drafted into the war after he had completed high school. During his basic training, he scored the highest in Tech Supply, which was his ticket into working with supplies in the military. In 1966, Greg was first ordered to go to Vietnam. After a 30 day trip, his platoon relieved the 3rd marine company at Chu Lai and were soon involved in Operation Starlite. Greg Frikken was one of many in ammo platoons during Operation Starlite and was promoted three times during this operation. When remembering Vietnam veterans, it is important …show more content…
At one point in the interview he talked about his time in the 630th Ordnance Company. They were posted on the island of Okinawa, and shortly after they were relieved, 97 soldiers were drawn out of the company to form the 205th Ammo Platoon. Greg recalls, “I’m one of the 97 men drawn out of the 630th Ordnance Company, and we’re formed into a 205th Ammo Platoon.” later he states, “On April 12th, two days later, we landed on the beach at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. And that was a combat area” (Greg). Greg was one soldier of many who were responsible with carrying out the tasks of being in an Ammo Platoon. Upon landing in the combat area of Chu Lai, his platoon’s task was to make sure every unit, platoon, or company had sufficient amounts of ammunition and other supplies to make it through until the next supply shipment came in. Over the course of the war there were many battles, one battle, however was almost lost by the US due to a supply shortage, it was the battle at Khe Sanh. Gregg Jones, a soldier who fought in Khe Sanh during the crisis, tells how their supply problems ceased after a major supply run. Ammo platoons guarded by gunships were able to bring over …show more content…
During Operation Starlite, many soldiers were killed in action. Greg explains his experience with this by telling us how he was promoted in the 91 days he was stationed in Vietnam. It was within the first 10 days he was stationed there that he was a part of Operation Starlite. Greg stated, “While there, in that 91 days, I was reverted from a Specialist 5 to a Sergeant and then promoted in the field to a Staff Sergeant. And on July 10th, I’m sent back to Cameron Bay for a 1-day out process for the United States” (Greg). Within the army, there are a set number of allowed personnel for each position and as the rank grows the amount allowed lowers. This movement in the ranks exemplifies the amount of casualties the U.S had during the 91 days he was stationed, that they would need to promote more soldiers to higher levels this fast. In the aftermath of Operation Starlite, there were many casualties on both sides. In another one of his articles, Craig has written about the conclusion of the operation and the confirmed deaths in the aftermath on both sides. “At its conclusion the Marines could confirm 573 Vietnamese dead along with an estimated 115, while suffering 46 deaths themselves and 204 wounded. The battle had been won by overwhelming American firepower” (Slaughter). Craig points out that 250 soldiers were either wounded or killed to make