Vietnam CAP 2-7-10 USMC Combined Action Program

[pastorrick316]

I was in CAP 2-7-2 during the time your pictures were taken. Thanks for posting them and hope that you are well and at peace. Seems like we were a minor page in history; unheralded, unsung and unequaled. In those days I was known as Doc - now I go by "Pastor". Semper Fi and God Bless you.

[zenkahuna]

I was in 3rd GAG in '68-'69-'70. Seeing these pictures sure brought me back to the days. CAPS 3-1-1, 3-2-3, 3-2-5, and 3-2-1 Thanks for posting! I think I will get my pictures out and do the same. I much preferred being in CAG to my time with 3/4. Semper Fi

[actorcop1971]

I had control when I first posted this a few years ago and now, almost every video has a problem with copywrited material. Can't remember if I posted this with the music but the video should be about the Marines and Corpsmen who served in Nam by living and providing support to the villagers. Villagers were allowed to be farmers due to that military presence and no VC. Big difference being with Grunt units that kill everything or living and fighting in the “Villes” with the Cappers. Semper Fi

[la200o]

Interesting pictures, dump the music. Semper Fi, CAP Pappa 2/4 and Romeo 4, 1967-68.

[jmcooper1]

My brother is in the first two pictures, back row 4th from the left. He died in 2002 from pancreatic cancer, a result from agent orange. He was called Bama by everyone.

[jflegionario]

Very interesting pictures, thanks for sharing

[celt1745]

@actorcop: Nice tribute. I was in Combined Action Company Oscar at Khe Sanh. Our story and pictures are posted on Google sites at :

usmccaposcar (you will need to insert the slashes, as this site apparently doesn't support them.)

[la200o]

@celt1745 Hi there, Oscar; I was in Pappa, some of my group went to Oscar from the CAC school in Phu Bai; this was somewhat before the s*** hit the fan up there and it was considered a relatively quiet area. Wrong!

[actorcop1971]

Music. Cannot upload video music that is registered with YouTube and probably INTERPOL. I have to use what I can and I know it may or may not fit the era. In Vietnam, it seemed to be all MOTOWN, COUNTRY or ROLLING STONES. AFVN must have had an approved format by some General that just wasn't for the average grunt. See the movie "Good Morning, Vietnam." Anyway, I just wanted to get my photos on the tube since we are dying out at an incredible rate. Semper Fi to all that have made it into the 60s.

[WingMan3006]

pics are great! nice collection, really!

but, i am sorry, in my opinion the music doesn't fit here... music from that era would be perfect.

[actorcop1971]

@WingMan3006

I have a bunch of videos with the real music of the 60s and 70s and they are blocked in certain countries or blocked period and I had to substitute the music or lose the video. This had a heartbeat, pucker power, rush but no 60s music. Another one of my Scout Dog Handler best friends died 2 weeks ago and we are dropping a lot faster than the WWII soldiers. Also noticed commercial ads on this video.The reason I changed out the music was to keep the very same ads from appearing.

[WingMan3006]

@actorcop1971

Alright, no problem - thanks for your answer! I am sorry to hear that about your friend!

[ErnstBecker]

I patrolled with either Oscar 1 or 2, later re named Echo 1&2, on an evening Patrol, we bushed up near a foot bridge over a rice paddy. I sat down -- dead center in a pile of water buffalo crap. We awaited Charlie. He didn't show. Damn, I sure smelled !

[actorcop1971]

I have rolled into the human variety. I have laid up in the cemeteries at night and rolled onto red ants...millions of them, while waiting on a night ambush. The VA does not see the correlation between feces and Hepatitis B and C and yet 6 out of 12 of us have contracted both. So, get tested for Agent Orange and Hep. Agent Orange cancer is very prevalent in the Defoliated I Corps areas of Vietnam. Probably every combat Marine has been exposed! 1 out of 6-7 Marines are Infantry or combat arms MOS

[ErnstBecker]

Years ago, the three most impotant friends in my life were my Drill Instructors. I located two out of three and I'm still looking for the third. My Senior D.I. died from the effects of Agent Orange. I didn't get tested for years. I was afraid at what the VA might find. Their tests on me were negative. I still feel guilty about coming home in one piece. It has been 42 years since I left the Republic That Once Was Vietnam.I always thought that CAP was one sqaured away outfit.

Semper FI

[actorcop1971]

Winning the "Hearts and Minds." Don't forget the MEDCAPs provided by the Navy Docs assigned to CAP Units. They performed births, healed the sick and prepared the dead for the chopper ride to Danang. We dumped all that off on the Docs so we could not, did not...want to deal with death and dying. Probably a very over-looked MOS assigned to the Marines and many would not be here, today, due to their bravery under fire. On a side bar, thank God they were stronger, more stoic than many of us!

[NicholasGeschke]

Combined Action Program was an extremely innovative idea which I believe was the truest key to defeating the Vietcong on the local level. If it had been implemented all over South Vietnam, additionally with the routine training and armament of the Southern military, I believe the war would have eventually been won.

The programs were cheap, easy to operate and had a very useful, long-term effect on the population of the south's people, in stark contrast of the S&D missions.

I applaud this.

[ErnstBecker]

My outfits was FLSG"A" at Red Beach/Camp J.K. Books. I patrolled with Echo 1 & Echo 2, also Oscar 1 & Oscar 2. I believe that they were both the same outfits? It was Namo, Muy Tok Son and Sento. I can't remember the two other vils? It's been 42 years -- help me out !

[celt1745]

@ErnstBecker: Hi. I was in CAP Oscar. It was at Khe Sanh before and during the Siege, and was disbanded and never reactivated under that name, or re-named Echo, so it must be another unit you are thinking of. See usmccapscar on Google sites for further info.

[actorcop1971]

My original Rolling Stones music was deleted and this track was the best I could find to convey action. Sorry, it's techno, not R&B or 60s era. The pictures have not changed.

[ErnstBecker]

Many thanks for your response. Myself and another tried to join CAP. We were interviewed and given paperwork ordered to report to the 1st Shirt. He looked at the applications and tossed them into a waste paper basket. I patroleld with CAP a few times. They were motivated Marines.

Best Regards,

Ernst Becker

[holiday12345ABC]

Porkey served 67 echo 2 semper fi

[actorcop1971]

I could not get all the pictures I wanted on this video and will try and post the Reunion photos for the last few years. We've come a long way, man, and have a long way to go before this patrol is over.