Yo!

Stable Able and the Corps has lost another colorful character and fine Marine with the death of Gunnery Sergeant Francis "Timmy" Killeen. Charles "Mac" McKellar sends the info that "Timmy" passed away about 15Apr99. I’m going to run the gist of "Mac’s" letter as I feel it pays better tribute then what I could concoct.

" Hi Jim

Really do not know were to start on Timmy, Colorful just does not describe him. To know Timmy was to love him, one of those increasing rare Old breed Marines who was, for a long period of time, what we used to call a Professional private. He made Cpl. more times than you could count, once made he would go out celebrating and soon was once again removing the chevrons. He was a Bag Piper, carried his pipes with him including Korea. He was a veteran of the Peleliu campaign. Also, a Distinguished Marksman serving on a number of base and Marine Corps Rifle Teams. In Korea he was the platoon runner for the 3rd platoon, Lt Stemple’s, of Able Co., while also serving as the platoon sniper. He earned both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Korea.

Timmy's many antics is what kept him in trouble. One of those, which I recall, was while he was serving in China right after WWll. It was St. Patrick's Day, almost a mandatory day off for Timmy, might as well give him liberty because he was of little use to anyone on St. Pat's day. He was stationed in Peking. By some quirk of fate dawn broke on St. Patrick's day with the Union Jack missing from the British Consulates office building. In place of the Union Jack flew the Irish flag. Think Timmy did a little bread and water time for that one.

One of my fondest memories, only because of the sight it presented to the local Japanese. We were enroute to Korea with a stop over in Kobe, Japan; to off load and reload for combat, the regiment was the reserve for the Inchon landing. The landing went so well they decided not to off load but proceed directly to Inchon. After a couple weeks of being cooped up on that transport our skipper, Capt. D. Banks decided to take the company ashore and have us march up and down the dock, not only to provide exercise but to further provide some cohesion to a company which was formed in just a few weeks.

Once the company was ashore and assembled, the Capt. took a position in front of the column, had Timmy come along side him and we proceeded to march up and down the dock with Timmy's pipes wailing. Have always wondered what the Japanese dockworkers thought of those crazy Marines.

I have lost a close comrade and the Corps a great Marine Timmy was a great storyteller, never letting facts get in the way of a good tale. He could recite Irish poetry for hours, was a colorful letter writer and for a time publisher of "The Survivor"."

Bobby Licker, adds: "Timmy was a Marine to the end. We lost a great warrior and comedian. 29 in 99 was his idea for a name and logo.".

LtCol O’Leary, my old Recon skipper, noticed in J.J. O’Hagen’s article concerning the Korean PUC ceremony the company commander being Captain Dohler. The Colonel says he feels that must be Bill Doehler. Captain Doehler was his Co XO when he went through Basic School in 1951. He wore jump wings and had the nick name "Rip Cord". He was an enlisted Marine and received a fleet appointment to the Naval Academy. They served together in ‘55-’56 at the Basic School. In 1966 Colonel Doehler was G-3 of the 3rdMarDiv. He made Brigadier General and retired while at MCRD, PI, SC. Colonel O’Leary attended his wedding in the chapel at the Naval Academy. General Graves B. Erskine gave the bride away. J.J., maybe you can recall the time frame Captain Doehler was the CO and that would help Shifty in finding the former CO’s of A/1/7.

Colonel Smith called. He sounded in good spirits and health. A friend of mine, SgtMaj. Paul Downs, USMC (Ret), visited with him at the MCRD,SD, Museum. I had asked Paul to do so when I learned he was going to the MCRD for his grandson’s graduation from boot camp. They both joined the Corps in 1938. Luckily Paul joined 4 months after the Colonel did so Paul wasn’t able to pull time on the Colonel. Don’t think Able Six would want to be called a "Boot".

LiCausie called. The fires around Port St Lucie, Florida missed him They came close but the wind blew in Frank’s favor. Received a great letter from John "Jack" F Marshall, 1st plt. He recently found some letters he had written to his mother during his Korean tour. Some excerpts are: Letter dated Sunday, 22 July 1951, from Hongchon, Korea: "Ran into a guy that knows Jim’s buddy Giersten (St. Louis), he’s our Top Sgt. By the name of Skinner……"
Letter dated Monday, 30 July 1951, mentioned an inspection by General Thomas on Saturday. "The men, weapons and area of Able company topped the Division and we were granted a weekend pass-----in So. Korea of course!!!"
Enclosed in another envelope was a note headed: "1st Platoon, Able Co. picture at Inje, No. Korea 25Sept51" (Jack doesn’t have the picture but list the names) First row: Bill Wise (Guide), Fred Judd, Phil Smith, Jack Walker (Doak), George Lundberg, W.R. Bell, Gerry Schultze, Tom Silva, ? Emerson, Larry Kunyha, Bob Worsham (Corpsman)
Second row: Joe Ford, Ted Zyohowiez, Grady Marrow, Joe Rhoads, Chet Kasalka, Tom Perez, Clyde Hodges, E.J. Ramsey (PltSgt) Third row: Lt. Fred Stanton, Dick Childs, Clint Gateway, Tom Combs, Dale Obermeyer, Dick Thomas, Frank Nearhoad, Don Jackson, Larry Lupo. (Jack was in third row.)

Jack’s letter really brought a lot of memories back to me. I can remember the faces of many that he mentioned and details about them. It brings me in line with where we were and the time frame that has become confused to me.

The Division inspection was etched into my mind. Remembered how awed I was when the General approached the company and threw his arm around Lt Bell’s shoulders and exclaims "Ding-Dong!". Learned Ding-Dong and General Thomas had served together in China pre WW II. Also "Ding-Dong" found a gook canteen on one of you lads during the inspection. He flung it out into a rice paddy.

Ah, sweet memories of the days of yore! Jack, your letter is a fine example of what I’m looking for to put in the poopsheet. Many thanks Marine!

Harold "Muley" Mulhausen, Rockets, sent a copy of the "The Bulletin", newsletter of the Oklahoma Chapter Korean War Veterans Assn. "Muley’ is the President and editor of the Oklahoma Chapter. They do good things like visiting hospitals and schools for example. Bet they have fun too! Their web page is at: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/KWVA/index.html. Thanks Marine! (Hope you and yours were missed by those tornados Muley.)

John Fryer’s Last Email contained exciting news. Jim Dearing, his wife Ginger, and daughter Valerie went to Corvallis to visit John and Mary.and they had a tremendous time. Valerie is an airline stewardess for Delta and had business in Seattle. After a long search John contacted George Norris in George West, TX. They had a great telcon. John also found John Haygood in Lacombe, LA.. Haygood went on to graduate from Louisiana State University, got his law degree, and practiced law until his retirement recently. Haygood was one of the stretcher-bearers that carried Fryer back to the lines after he lost his foot on the Bn Outpost. "Igor" Yeasted called and it was sure good to chat with him. He wanted to get in touch with "Shifty" Shiflette. I got him squared away on "Shifty’s" grid coords.

Gene Merrall infoes me that he and Jeanie have made their reservations at the Crown Plaza Hotel at the Crossings for the Rhode Island reunion and looking forward to seeing everyone again. He implores the "yankees" up there to arrange decent weather as he and Jeanie are "Southeners" now.

John Ontiverous, "Onti", sends that he and his lady, Mary Jane, went to San Antonio to spend "Mother’s Day" with Mary Jane’s mother. He talked to Larry Pawelka and "Tex" Bauer while he was there. He says Tex was in a deep sleep when he called. They talked about how they both need to take naps now and how names, dates and places are getting hard to remember. Gosh, is that what I have to look forward to when I get old like them? HiHi!! Jesse and Angela Balleza visited them there and they tried to top each other on sea stories.

They finally called a draw about midnight. (Been my experience that the first liar doesn’t have a chance Onti! ) He attended the Texas Korean War Veterans Memorial dedication at Austin, TX on 16Apr99. He sent a program and I see he is listed as a "Patron". While there he met Ted Barker who maintains the "Korean War Project" that I’ve spoken about before.

Have received great critique from Bob and Mickey Licker in re the "29 in 99". I want to edit it down for my next poopsheet but want the word out to ALL HANDS that they say it was the best ever, a great success. Hope I hear from others concerning it.

Bob didn't list the attendees so only know that General and Mrs. "Knox" Davis, Major Earl Thompson and Bob and Mickey made it. Hope I'll hear from others for the next poop.

Play it close to the chest Stable Able and don’t volunteer for nutting!!

Let us remember our shipmates who will be forever young. GOD bless them and their loved ones.

Semper Fi!

Jim