---------------------------------------------------------------- The Navy Public Affairs Library (NAVPALIB) A service of the Navy Office of Information, Washington DC Send feedback/questions to navpalib@opnav-emh.navy.mil ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 25 Mar 94 13:15:40 EST From:INTERNAL=INFO=OFFICER=PAM%CMC1%HQMC@mqg-smtp1.usmc.mil MCNEWS 13-94 (25 MAR 94) CJCS VISITS SAILORS AND MARINES OFF SOMALIA COLONEL EARNS NAVY CROSS AFTER 26 YEARS MARINES SET RECORDS AT NATIONAL POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS MARINE OFFICER EXCELS AT NAVY'S UNIVERSITY 1. NEWS RELEASES A. CJCS VISITS SAILORS AND MARINES OFF SOMALIA Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John M. Shalikashvili visited sailors and Marines aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5) off the coast of Somalia Mar. 13 to express his gratitude for their service during Operation Restore Hope. "I'm here to tell you on behalf of Adm. Kelso, Gen. Mundy, the Secretary of Defense and the President, how deeply we appreciate what you are doing out here," he said. Gen. Shalikashvili was in Somalia over the weekend visiting servicemen as they redeploy from Somalia. He reminded the crew that they, and the troops before them, were there for no other reason than to stop the death and misery, and that there are thousands of people alive today because of their presence. "Your victory is in how many children are alive today. That's something that ought to keep you in good stead the rest of your life," he said. The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group joined the Inchon ARG off the coast of Somalia Mar. 3 to support the withdrawal of U.S. troops redeploying from Somalia. (Navy News Service) -USMC- B. COLONEL EARNS NAVY CROSS AFTER 26 YEARS CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Col. Kenneth L. Christy Jr., communications officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion here, was awarded the nation's second highest military decoration, the Navy Cross, Mar. 25. Christy was recognized for acts of extraordinary heroism while serving in the Republic of Vietnam more than 26 years ago. The heroic act occurred Jan. 18, 1968, in Northern I Corps' Quang Tri Province. It was Christy's fourth month in country as 3rd Platoon commander, Company L, 3rd Bn., 4th Marines. The company was conducting a search and destroy operation in an area northeast of Con Thien when it encountered a large enemy force which had crossed the demilitarized zone heading south. As a brutal firefight broke out, the company was able to form a confined defensive position. The point platoon, however, was trapped in the enemy's crossfire 100 meters forward. Destruction was imminent for the trapped platoon as the estimated battalion- sized enemy force moved in. Christy's platoon was tasked with retrieving the crippled point platoon. Christy and his Marines were very familiar with the terrain, having conducted a patrol through the area two days before. As automatic weapons fire, mortars and rocket propelled grenades ripped through the air from positions concealed in the thick vegetation, 3rd Platoon had to maneuver through exposed terrain to reach its objective. When he reached the pinned-down platoon Christy determined about 27 of the men were dead or wounded. He quickly began directing their evacuation to the company's position. As the Marines began to evacuate the wounded, Christy found four seriously wounded men lying in an exposed position. He reacted quickly, exposing himself to enemy fire by shielding LCpl. Michael Madden, an artillery forward observer attached to the company, with his own body and administering first aid. The enemy fire grew more intense as the last Marines headed for the company's position. Grenades and small arms fire impacted all around Christy as he grabbed the body of the man he later learned was the point platoon commander. When he lifted the Marine on his shoulders, Christy saw a machine gun on the ground. He picked up the gun, leveled the barrel and held the trigger until the ammunition belt was spent. Then the covering fire and artillery kept the enemy's heads down until the last Marines pulled back. When he reached the company's position, the commander told Christy to prepare his Marines to move again. The badly damaged company was about to pull back to another position. Within moments, the company commander was hit, leaving Christy in charge. The battalion commander, LtCol. Lee Bendell, contacted him and asked if the company could move. Christy had too many casualties to attempt a move under such intense fire, but relayed that he could reorganize his defenses and provide security for what was left of the company. However, this meant they would need help quickly since the men were low on ammunition and the seriously wounded needed medical care. As Christy reorganized, Company M, 3rd Bn., 4th Marines, with the battalion commander, headed for the fight. When a helicopter broke the treeline to evacuate the wounded it drew a torrent of enemy fire. "I thought I had seen some intense fire before," said Christy, "but it seemed that every North Vietnamese soldier in that province who owned an automatic weapon was shooting at that helicopter. "We threw all the wounded we could onto the bird before it took too many rounds. As it left, I saw blue smoke coming from the exhaust -- the hydraulics had been hit." The Marines were able to get four of their wounded on the helicopter, including the company commander and Madden, who was blinded by a head wound. The co-pilot, one door gunner and the senior medical crewmember were killed or badly wounded by enemy fire. The helicopter later crash-landed in an American-controlled landing zone because of the damaged hydraulics. Christy suffered additional wounds in the battle's first moments, catching RPG and mortar fragments on two separate occasions (he was still wearing bandages which covered a gunshot wound he received less than two weeks before). At the battle's end, he did what many other Marines did; remembered what he learned that day and moved to the next mission. The humble officer never spoke of his ordeal and left the past in the past. Then one Friday evening in late 1986 when Christy was a battalion commander at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Christy received a phone call from Michael Madden, a Marine whose life he had saved during that terrible firefight in 1968. During the conversation, Madden asked Christy if he had received the medal he had recommended for him. Christy told him he hadn't, nor was he seeking one. "What I did for you I would have done for any Marine," Christy told him. But Madden wouldn't accept that answer. Christy had saved his life, and Madden was determined to see him recognized for his bravery. Madden researched and submitted information time after time in an effort to see Christy recognized. What seemed to be the largest obstacle was the requirement of an officer in the Marine's chain of command who had witnessed the events to submit a statement detailing the Marine's act. This final condition was met by MGySgt. Jim Day, then a first lieutenant, who was the company's executive officer (forward). Between what he had witnessed and heard while monitoring the battalion's communications, Day was able to fit the puzzle's final piece into place. To Christy, the medal he finally received doesn't represent his specific actions, but rather the brotherhood all Marines shared in Vietnam. "When I was on the plane going to Vietnam, I had a lot of time to sit and hold council with myself," Christy said. "I didn't know if I was going to be able to do the job, but the training I had received prepared me for it. Because of that training, when something happened I immediately reacted to the situation. I didn't think about the moment; I didn't even think about the next step. My mind was already three steps down and calculating that move." Christy also credits the "top-quality Marines" he served with on the battlegrounds. "The Marines there did a superb job. ... If something unexpected happened, they had the experience and ability to adapt and overcome." The citation reads that 2ndLt. Christy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service, but Christy is quick to place the honor on every Marine who proudly served in Vietnam. (Cpl. Lance Bacon, CPAO, Camp Lejeune, N.C.) -USMC- C. MARINES SET RECORDS AT NATIONAL POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS A Navy/Marine team finished second while several members set records and won individual titles Mar. 19 at Fort Polk, La., during the 2nd Annual National Military Powerlifting Championships, sponsored by the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association. Cpl. Ronald Ayers, Headquarters Battalion, Twentynine Palms, benched 472.5 pounds to set an American Open record in the 181-pound class. With all the different powerlifting organizations and classifications in existence categories can be confusing (some meets are totally drug-free and require stringent testing while others allow everything and anything). Simply put, Ayers' lift was the heaviest bench press by a drug free 181-pounder -- ever. Nobody has ever bench-pressed that much at that weight in an official competition, according to meet director Johnny Graham. "I was told before the meet that Ayers might be trying for an American Open record," said Graham, himself considered a legendary powerlifter. "That's why I made sure we had the official referees and did everything by the book. I had that happen to myself ... I set a record but the right refs weren't there, so it didn't count. I didn't want that to happen to Ayers." Ayers, who described the record-setting lift as a "religious experience," broke his own record of 460 pounds, which he set at a bench press national meet Jan. 9 in Oklahoma City. "The Lift" was by far the highlight of the meet; however, Ayers' teammates had success stories as well. Sgt. Nathan Andrus, another 181-pounder, was named the meet's Outstanding Lightweight Lifter for his 575-pound squat, 370-pound bench and 640-pound deadlift, racking up a 1,585-pound total. However, it was only a minor victory, Andrus said, because he had set out to break his personal total record of 1,600. Despite being his third best total ever, the 1,585 pounds still exceeded the Military Nationals record. Seaman Chris Turner, a corpsman also stationed at Twentynine Palms, nearly nudged out Andrus for the outstanding lifter title. Competing in the 165-pound class, Turner's numbers read: squat 550, bench 340, deadlift 590. His total shattered his own Military Nationals record by 55 pounds. He would have broken 1,500 had not his third squat attempt, at 585 pounds, been disqualified by a judge who ruled he didn't go down far enough. But the Marine lifter who perhaps showed the most potential was Edrinaldo Dale, a lance corporal from Twentynine Palms. The lean 191-pounder from Chicago, Ill., had never actually competed in a full-event meet. In the words of CWO-3 Ken Canzater, a fellow lifter and coach of the Twentynine Palms crew, "We're trying to make Dale into a powerlifter." Dale, whose specialty is the bench press, totaled 1,315 pounds for the three events, ringing up 405 in his only attempt in the squat, 425 in the bench and 485 in the deadlift. This is by a man who doesn't yet consider himself a true powerlifter. Canzater earned more team points with a second-place finish in the 220-pound class. He squatted 645, benched 325 and deadlifted 550. None of his lifts were personal records for him, but his deadlift was close, falling short only 17 pounds from his previous best. Then there's Myron Joseph, all five-feet two-inches and 143 pounds of him. A corporal and native of Miami, Joseph has only been powerlifting eight months, and still finished second at the Military Nationals in the 148-pound class. His total of 1,090 included a squat of 425, bench of 255 and deadlift of 410. Navy Lt. Jack Reape, despite being injured, helped the Marine team immensely with a first-place finish in the 198-pound class. After hearing something pop in his hip on his first squat attempt, Reape came back with a gritty lift of 605 pounds. Later, his back gave him problems during the deadlift competition. Reape's total of 1,440 included the 605 squat, a 350 bench and a 515 deadlift. Reape said numbers-wise, it was a bad day for him personally, but added, "A win is a win." (Sgt. Rowdy Houston, 8th MCD, New Orleans) -USMC- D. MARINE OFFICER EXCELS AT NAVY'S UNIVERSITY A Marine major was recognized among an elite group of award winners at the Naval Postgraduate School's spring commencement Mar. 24 at the Monterey, Calif., campus. Maj. Thomas R. Hunt earned his master of science degree in management and received the Chief of Naval Operations Award for Academic Excellence in Manpower, Personnel and Training Analysis. The award is presented annually to a Navy or Marine Corps officer or NO-1 sponsored civilian who has excelled academically. NPS will award three mechanical engineer degrees, three aeronautical and astronautical engineer degrees, 13 master of art degrees and 172 master of science degrees. Graduates include 127 Navy officers, 21 Army officers, seven marine Corps officers, one Air Force officer, one Coast Guard officer, two DoD civilians, 23 international officers and two international civilians. The Naval postgraduate School is fully accredited, offering master's and doctoral degrees in 38 academic areas. Its student body averages 1,800, with officers attending from all the U.S. armed forces and allied countries, as well as, DoD and international civilians. Other Marine Corps graduates and their degrees are: Maj. Thomas D. Gehrki, M.S. electrical engineering; Maj. William T. Stooksbury, M.S. management; Capt. Dean E. Craft, M.S. management; Capt. K. David Hemmerly, M.S. management; Capt. Jeffrey L. Tavares, M.S. information technology management and Capt. Kenneth M. Warburton, M.S. information technology management. (Naval Postgraduate School Public Affairs) -USMC- 2. NEWS BRIEFS A. CHANGE IN TAX CODE AFFECTS SERVICEMEMBERS A recent change to the tax codes makes income from Temporary Additional Duty/Temporary Duty assignments of a year or more in duration, taxable income. IRS Code, Title 26 U.S. Code, section 126(A) considers a year or more of TAD/TDY at a single location to be permanent in nature. Any reimbursement received by the service member, including per diem and travel payments, is taxable income and must be included in the service members' gross income. The change affects all travel of this nature after December 31, 1992. (Navy News Service) -USMC- B. THE BRADY LAW: HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOU As of 28 February 1994, Marines wishing to purchase handguns should be aware of the requirements. The five-day waiting period mandated by the Brady Law for the purchase of a handgun has been enacted in states not considered "alternative," those with formal check systems already in place. Chief Law Enforcement Officers (CLEOs) will be required to complete checks on all prospective buyers who reside on base. Checks are required to be completed within five business days of receiving the completed Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) form 5300.35. Possible cause for prohibition of selling a firearm: indictment for or convicted of a felony, fugitive from justice, illegal alien, renounced of citizenship, dishonorable discharge, adjudicated a mental defective or committed to a mental institution. According to Capt. J. M. Cain at HQMC, this is what the Marine should know before purchasing a handgun: - You will be required to provide verification of address and date of birth. - In order to expedite the check, you should know who your CLEO is, providing the address and phone number. - On the ATF Form 5300.35, you are only required to state your name, address and date of birth. However, you should be aware that provision of the remainder of the requested information may expedite your request. Farther inquiries on the Brady Bill and its implementation aboard Marine Corps installations should be addressed to your provost marshall. (Susan Miller, Division of Public Affairs, HQMC) -USMC- C. U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN APRIL From D-Day 1944 to Desert Storm and beyond, the Naval Institute's Fourth Annapolis Seminar, April 27-28, looks at naval and military issues past, present and future. Featured participants include the Washington Post's Bob Woodward, Adm. Frank B. Kelso II, Gen. Carl. E. Mundy Jr., Adm. J.M. Boorda, historians Stephen Ambrose and John Keegan and many more. All events, except for the banquet dinner at Loews Annapolis Hotel, take place at the Alumni Hall, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Admission is $150 for Naval Institute members, and $210 for non-members. To register, call 800-233-8746 or 410-224- 3378, fax 410-224-2406, or write U.S. Naval Institute, Customer Service, 2062 Generals Highway, Annapolis, Md., 21401-6780. -USMC- D. RECRUITER ASSISTANTS NEEDED FOR 9TH MARINE CORPS DISTRICT Applicants for the Marine Corps' Permissive Recruiter Assistance Program (PRASP) and Permissive TAD (PTAD) Program are needed throughout the 9th Marine Corps District, which covers the Midwestern United States. The PRASP is designed specifically for recent graduates of recruit training, Marine Combat Training or an initial formal school. Marines are assigned up to 14 days under this program. The PTAD Program is designed for all Marines on active duty, preferably private through sergeant. In this program, Marines are assigned up to 30 days to assist the recruiting command in the Marines' hometown. Marines selected for the PTAD Program are assigned at no expense to the government. Annual leave in conjunction with both programs is authorized. Marines desiring to be assigned to either program could earn incentives other than being assigned in their hometown, to include a meritorious promotion, bonus point for composite scores, comments on fitness reports and various other awards. For more information, contact your recruiter or career planner, or call the recruiting station nearest your hometown listed below: -- RS CHICAGO - includes the city of Chicago, Northern Illinois and Lake County, IN. POC: SgtMaj. Carrington or Sgt. Glass, (708) 803-0127. -- RS ROCK ISLAND - includes Eastern and Central Iowa, as well as the Quad Cities area and a portion of Northern Illinois. POC: SgtMaj. Frank or GySgt. Wayrick, (309) 782-1491. -- RS KANSAS CITY - includes Central and Northern Missouri and Northeast Kansas. POC: SgtMaj. Kamerick or MGySgt. Woods, (816) 891-7375. -- RS INDIANAPOLIS - includes the state of Indiana. POC: SgtMaj. Chavis or Sgt. Wright, (317) 226-7777. -- RS LANSING - includes Central and Northern Michigan, including the upper peninsula. POC: MSgt. Green or Sgt. Perkins, (517) 882- 8762. -- RS MILWAUKEE - includes Eastern and Central Wisconsin and a portion of the upper peninsula (Wisconsin border). POC: SgtMaj. Rehbein or Sgt. Clayton, (414) 297-1796. -- RS OMAHA - includes Central and Eastern Nebraska, as well as the Eastern half of South Dakota. POC: SgtMaj. Comey or MSgt. Frey, (402) 221-3411. -- RS ST. LOUIS - includes Eastern Missouri, as well as Central and Southern Illinois. POC: SgtMaj. Koder or Sgt. Turner, (314) 331-4557. -- RS TWIN CITIES - includes Western Wisconsin and all of Minnesota and North Dakota. POC: SgtMaj. Edwards or Sgt. Gilbert, (612) 334-4170. -- At 9th District Headquarters, call Sgt. Johnson at (913) 236- 3530/3531. -USMC- E. MARINE CORPS WINNERS OF SECNAV NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 1994 AWARDS The Secretary of the Navy recently announced the winners of the Natural Resources Conservation, Environmental Quality and Pollution Prevention Awards for 1994. Marine Corps winners in each category are as follows: A. Natural Resources Conservation Award Installation: Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico Individual: Mr. Peter Black, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune B. Environmental Quality Award Non-Industrial Installation: Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (Runners-Up: MCAS Kaneohe Bay, MCB Camp Lejeune and MCCDC Quantico - all tied) Individual: Mr. Joseph Della-Volle, MCRD Parris Island C. Pollution Prevention Award Installation: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune Team: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point In announcing the awards, the Secretary congratulated all the 1994 award winners, and added, "I commend all the participants in this year's competition which was exceptionally close in all categories. You are truly demonstrating that the Navy-Marine Corps team continues to be a federal leader in environmental quality management, pollution prevention and effective stewardship of the natural resources entrusted to our care." Presentations to award winners will be held at a ceremony scheduled for 18 April 1994 in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. The Secretary of Defense awards will be announced the following day. -USMC- F. GOING TO COLLEGE? HELP IS AVAILABLE The financial aid booklet "Need a Lift" lists scholarships available for family members of Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and active-duty service members who are leaving the service soon and want to go to college. For a complete list of sources of financial aid, send for "Need a Lift," The American Legion, National Emblem Sales, P.O. Box 1050, Indianapolis, IN, 46206. The cost is $2. Here is a partial list of some of the scholarships that are offered: -- ADM Roland Student Loan Program -- American Society of Naval Engineers Scholarship Programs -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate Association Scholarship -- Dolphin Scholarship Foundation -- Fraternal Order UDT/SEAL Education Grant -- First Marine Division Association -- Second Marine Division Association -- Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation -- Military Order of the Purple Heart -- Naval Academy Class of 1963 Foundation Scholarship -- Navy Counselor Association Scholarship Fund -- NAS Chase Field Officers Wives Club Scholarship -- Navy Wives Clubs of America Scholarship -- SURFLANT Scholarship Foundation -- USS Detroit Scholarship Fund -- Women's Marines Association (Navy News Service) -USMC- G. THE WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION Images of modern military women doing their jobs became commonplace to Americans during Operations Desert Shield/Storm. Women working alongside their male colleagues were no longer conspicuous enough to be newsworthy. But this was not always the case. Women's History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of military women and to take a look at the nationwide memorial project that will honor their service. The Women in Military Service for America Memorial foundation (WIMSA) was authorized by Congress in 1986 to establish a memorial on federal land to honor all servicewomen from all eras. The memorial, to be built at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, will pay tribute to the accomplishments of women. It will also educate future generations about the roles of military women. WIMSA estimates that nearly two million women are included in this history. The local military library can offer more on the stories of courageous and accomplished military women during Women's History Month. Additionally, WIMSA has made bibliographies, source material, bookmarks and posters available to military libraries. For more information about women's military history and The Women In Military Service Memorial, call 800-222-2294, or write WIMSA, Dept. 560, Washington, D.C., 20042-0560. -USMC- 3. NAVY BROADCASTING SERVICE NAVY-MARINE CORPS NEWS The Mar. 25 edition of Navy-Marine Corps News -- a videotaped newscast generated for broadcast to Navy-Marine Corps fleet and shore units -- includes the following stories: -- SAILORS AND MARINES PULL OUT OF SOMALIA ON TIME -- NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ARE STILL HIRING QUALIFIED PEOPLE HEADLINES -- NAVY COMMISSIONS NEWEST AEGIS DESTROYER USS CURTIS WILBUR -- VOLUNTARY SEPARATION PROGRAMS HELP NAVY RIGHT SIZE -- SECNAV APPROVES COMBAT ACTION RIBBON FOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN SOMALIA -- TAX TIP -- SOME TAD/TDY TRAVEL MONEY NOW CONSIDERED TAXABLE BY IRS -- NAACP IS SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR "ROY WILKENS" AWARD PROGRAM OTHER STORIES -- NEW MEXICO'S KOB TV EXPLORES LIFE ABOARD THE USS SANTA FE SUBMARINE -- INFANTRY MARINES LOCK AND LOAD ON A NEW RIFLE RANGE -- A FEMALE GUNNERY SERGEANT MAKES IT TO THE TOP -- NAVY TESTS PLASTIC PIER PILINGS I PEARL HARBOR -- SEABEES BUILD GOOD WILL IN JAMAICA QUESTIONS? Contact Naval Media Center, Navy-Marine Corps News, Bldg. 168, NAVSTA Anacostia, Washington, D.C. 20374-1682 or call (202) 433-5844, (DSN) 288-5844. Input from fleet units ensures our most complete coverage of global events affecting the Navy and Marine Corps. If you have a video that would be of interest to the Navy worldwide, please submit your original video contributions, on Betacam, Hi-8, super VHS, 3/4-inch, or 1/2-inch videotape to the nearest Navy Broadcast Fleet Support Detachment or to Navy-Marine Corps News by the fastest means possible. Note: All organizations currently receiving weekly Navy-Marine Corps News videotapes must return the tapes each week for recycling. Navy-Marine Corps News provides pre-paid return labels with each tape -- please use them. -USMC- 4. THE FOLLOWING ALMARS WERE RECEIVED BY PUBLIC AFFAIRS THIS WEEK: 080/94, TABLE OF ORGANIZATION PRODUCTION RUN ACCESS, (111700Z MAR 94); 181/94, MONTGOMERY GI BILL-RESERVE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES PROGRAM GUIDANCE, (181926Z MAR 94). -USMC- 5. MCNEWS IS THE WIRE SERVICE FOR THE MARINE CORPS. IT IS TRANSMITTED TO EVERY MAJOR CMD AND MOST SMALL DETS. IT IS A TOOL FOR PAOS TO USE TO SPREAD THE WORD OF THEIR CMD'S ACHIEVEMENTS OR NEEDS CORPS-WIDE. PAOS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT ITEMS OF CORPS- WIDE INTEREST TO MCNEWS. SEND BY ELMS {GIPM04:HQIHQMC} OR CALL DSN 224-1492, COMMERCIAL {703} 614-1492 OR 1494, FAX {703} 695-7460.// -USN-