Robert Uderitz and other members of 9th USMC Engineer Battalion examine a copy of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY".
On Wednesday, 1 February 2017, at 0800 hours, Robert T. Uderitz invited us to attend the 9th Marine Engineer Battalion's business meeting where Ray gave a 15-20 minute talk on US Marine Corps personnel killed in Vietnam and for whom a facility was named, and which are presented in his book "IN HONOR AND MEMORY". They included Sgt Don M. Perdue, 1st Engineer Battalion, for whom Camp Perdue, Da Nang, was named; LCpl Ronald C. Kissinger, 11th Engineer Battalion, for whom Camp Kissinger at Dong Ha Combat Base was named; LCpl James E. Love, 7th Engineer Battalion, for whom Camp J. E. Love, Da Nang, was named; and 9th Engineer Battalion member Pfc Arlon G. Schaeffer for whom Schaeffer Bridge was named. The bridge was built by members of the unit after Pfc Schaeffer died in September 1968. Construction was completed on 6 January 1969 and the 722 ft long bridge was at the time considered the longest built in the history of the Marine Corps.
  |  After the meeting, Ray autographed copies of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" (pictured above with Joe "Alphabet" Plocharczyk), while I collected useful information for future publications from members Phil Williams and Alex Burt. Ray and I would like to thank all 9th Marine Engineer's for supporting the project and sharing information and photos. Our special thanks to Bob for the invite, and I would personally like to thank all those who signed my cards, which I am going to place inside my copy of "The 9th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam" by Jean Shellenbarger. It was an honor to meet and speak with all of you. |
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