09/17/2026
🎖️ MY DAD’S SHADOWBOX MAY HOLD CLUES TO A STORY I NEVER FULLY KNEW.
My father has since passed, but he served in Vietnam from 1964–1969 and was seriously wounded during his first deployment. He later reenlisted and continued serving.
I’ve been going through his old records and family documents, and I’m finally starting to piece together more of his timeline:
• 7th Marines — 1964
• 1st Reconnaissance Battalion — 1964–1966
• Wounded by punji injuries
• Seriously wounded by artillery shrapnel in 1966, nearly losing his arm
• Reenlisted afterward
• 1st Battalion, 9th Marines — 1967
• 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion — 1967–1969
He had stories he would tell, but growing up I never understood the whole picture. Now I’m trying to learn more about where he served, what his units were doing, and what these medals and documents can tell me.
The National Archives says a deceased veteran’s next of kin, including a son or daughter, can request the veteran’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and DD Form 214. Those records can contain assignments, training, qualifications, awards, and other service information, although detailed accounts of individual battles generally aren’t contained in the OMPF.
I’m not trying to rewrite his story. I just want to understand the man behind the shadowbox a little better.
He was my hero. ❤️🇺🇸
If anyone familiar with Vietnam-era Marine units recognizes this timeline, what records or unit histories would you recommend looking into next?
