Back from Iwo Jima

Ed Gay · 08-11-2008, 10:48 AM

I just spent the last 3 weeks digging out tunnels on Iwo Jima. Many people are familiar with the island because of the recent movies about the flag raising. There was a Marine who filmed the raising, and a week laterhe was killed checking out a cave on Hile 362. They cold not recoer the body, and the entrance was blown, buring him inside. We thought there was a chance of finding him, so we went back and opened up the caves. It was a lot of hard work, very hot and dirty in the tunnels. Unfortunately we did not find any remains. There was a lot of unexploded shells, TNT, hand grenades, etc. It was a very interesting trip, and it was onemore place I never thought I would see!

Ed Gay · 08-11-2008, 10:49 AM

Ed Gay · 08-11-2008, 10:50 AM

Shawn Abel · 08-14-2008, 06:17 PM

That is sad.. I am glad though that you made it back to your family in one piece Ed..

Kathy Maher · 08-17-2008, 06:48 PM

Ed, I read something recently about the guy who did the filming and so forth - how ironic.

I had a question for you -- I have a POW braclet - I bought it, gosh, maybe 10 years ago at one of our POW/MIA rallys we have here. Anyway, when I bought it they didn't have any info on the soldier - would you be able to find something out for me? I'd be interested to know if he's been recovered yet.

Maj. Kevin O'Brien
USA 9 Jan 69 SVN
NY

If you can get the info or let me know where I can find it I'd sure appreciate it! you can message me here or on my personal e-mail -- Thanks for ALL you do!

*** email removed for internet safety reasons - spiders can locate your email address when posted and the spam will rain down on you in ways you will never forget!! Send anyone your email addresses via Private Message - Wade ***

Ed Gay · 08-21-2008, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Kathy Maher

Ed, I read something recently about the guy who did the filming and so forth - how ironic.

I had a question for you -- I have a POW braclet - I bought it, gosh, maybe 10 years ago at one of our POW/MIA rallys we have here. Anyway, when I bought it they didn't have any info on the soldier - would you be able to find something out for me? I'd be interested to know if he's been recovered yet.

Maj. Kevin O'Brien
USA 9 Jan 69 SVN
NY

If you can get the info or let me know where I can find it I'd sure appreciate it! you can message me here or on my personal e-mail --

Thanks for ALL you do!

I'd be happy to research that. It sounds like they have closed it, but I'll get more story from our history section.

On January 9, 1969 Captain Hugh Byrd of the 200th Aviation Company was piloting a 01G Bird Dog aircraft, tail #51-5059. On board was 1Lt Kevin O'Brien. Kevin's mission
was reconnaissance, he was to identify targets for artillery. They were in the Khe Sanh area of South Vietnam. They diverted the plane to assist a recon team on the ground that was in contact with the enemy. They aided the team and was then relieved by another aircraft. On the return flight they ran into some very bad weather. The pilot reported in at 1940 hours that he was lost and that the wether was getting worse. Dong Ha and other radar controllers tried to get a fix on the aircraft. The radar team told Captain Byrd to climb higher in the sky because of dense mountains in the general area. At this time all communication halted. Searches were conducted but the wreckage nor the remains of Captain Byrd or 1Lt Kevin O'Brien were ever found. Kevin O'Brien was declared MIA. On March 7, 1979 Kevin was classified as Died while missing. While Kevin was missing he was promoted to Major. Kevin is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. on Panel 35W line 061.

**Wade Ramm** · 08-29-2008, 11:42 PM

Wow Ed!!! I think I am the only one of little group that didn't end up with a super interesting job!!! What a loser, eh??

Anyway, I am just amazed at what you do and ... well, amazed.

Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.

Ed Gay · 08-30-2008, 12:41 AM

Certainly not a loser I am sure, after all, you did set up this great forum!

I plan on a trip home after I finish my Hawaii tour, we'll have to meet up.

I just realized all the typos in that post...my computer was dragging and missing key strokes (I type pretty fast.) I reformatted it and finally went to Vista. Seems much better so far.

Iwo was probably one of those crowning moments, it was about my most interesting deployment ever. Digging in the jungle in Vietnam and Laos will never be the same! I am actually backing off on the deployment schedule some. I may only do one or two more missions. In Sep 09 I'll take one more assignment back to somewhere on the mainland, try and skate as much as possible, finish my Master's, and then retire Sep 2010 with a bit over 23 years in. I hope to move into Hospital Administration with the VA system. Should work out well.

Kathy Maher · 09-15-2008, 09:43 AM

Wade - I'm in line with you -- from my point of view I have had no super cool or even remotely interesting jobs or career - from where others sit, some think otherwise.... guess beauty isn't the only thing in the eye of the beholder, huh?

Ed - thank you so much for that info. It is very interesting and very sad. You certainly do have a job that makes a difference in so many lives.

08-11-2008, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ed Gay Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Zodiac Sign: Taurus Rating: Posts: 132	Back from Iwo Jima I just spent the last 3 weeks digging out tunnels on Iwo Jima. Many people are familiar with the island because of the recent movies about the flag raising. There was a Marine who filmed the raising, and a week laterhe was killed checking out a cave on Hile 362. They cold not recoer the body, and the entrance was blown, buring him inside. We thought there was a chance of finding him, so we went back and opened up the caves. It was a lot of hard work, very hot and dirty in the tunnels. Unfortunately we did not find any remains. There was a lot of unexploded shells, TNT, hand grenades, etc. It was a very interesting trip, and it was onemore place I never thought I would see!

08-29-2008, 11:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wade Ramm You Don't Recognize Me! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spokane,WA Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Rating: Posts: 130	Wow Ed!!! I think I am the only one of little group that didn't end up with a super interesting job!!! What a loser, eh?? Anyway, I am just amazed at what you do and ... well, amazed. Thanks for sharing your stuff with us. For Help with the Website Post here. Or PM me. And this is how some of the bills are paid, so... clicky for more info.

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Posted By	For	Type	Date
Rogers Class of 1987 - Go Pirates!!!	This thread	Refback	08-11-2008 04:06 PM

08-11-2008, 10:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ed Gay Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Zodiac Sign: Taurus Rating: Posts: 132

08-11-2008, 10:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ed Gay Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Zodiac Sign: Taurus Rating: Posts: 132

08-14-2008, 06:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Shawn Abel Shawn Abel Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spokane, WA Zodiac Sign: Aries Rating: Posts: 60	That is sad.. I am glad though that you made it back to your family in one piece Ed..

08-17-2008, 06:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kathy Maher Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Salem/Keizer, Oregon Zodiac Sign: Leo Rating: Posts: 56	Ed, I read something recently about the guy who did the filming and so forth - how ironic. I had a question for you -- I have a POW braclet - I bought it, gosh, maybe 10 years ago at one of our POW/MIA rallys we have here. Anyway, when I bought it they didn't have any info on the soldier - would you be able to find something out for me? I'd be interested to know if he's been recovered yet. Maj. Kevin O'Brien USA 9 Jan 69 SVN NY If you can get the info or let me know where I can find it I'd sure appreciate it! you can message me here or on my personal e-mail -- Thanks for ALL you do! * email removed for internet safety reasons - spiders can locate your email address when posted and the spam will rain down on you in ways you will never forget!! Send anyone your email addresses via Private Message - Wade *

08-30-2008, 12:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ed Gay Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Zodiac Sign: Taurus Rating: Posts: 132	Certainly not a loser I am sure, after all, you did set up this great forum! I plan on a trip home after I finish my Hawaii tour, we'll have to meet up. I just realized all the typos in that post...my computer was dragging and missing key strokes (I type pretty fast.) I reformatted it and finally went to Vista. Seems much better so far. Iwo was probably one of those crowning moments, it was about my most interesting deployment ever. Digging in the jungle in Vietnam and Laos will never be the same! I am actually backing off on the deployment schedule some. I may only do one or two more missions. In Sep 09 I'll take one more assignment back to somewhere on the mainland, try and skate as much as possible, finish my Master's, and then retire Sep 2010 with a bit over 23 years in. I hope to move into Hospital Administration with the VA system. Should work out well.

09-15-2008, 09:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Kathy Maher Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Salem/Keizer, Oregon Zodiac Sign: Leo Rating: Posts: 56	Wade - I'm in line with you -- from my point of view I have had no super cool or even remotely interesting jobs or career - from where others sit, some think otherwise.... guess beauty isn't the only thing in the eye of the beholder, huh? Ed - thank you so much for that info. It is very interesting and very sad. You certainly do have a job that makes a difference in so many lives.