nam

*My Friend John Friedrich-DaNang Vietnam 1967*

I first meet John in PhuBai , South Vietnam on Feb. 14th 1967.I had just arrived in Danang at ) dark thirty. that mourning

and found my self on a radio relay shot in Phubai by night fall. The Shot was maned by John Friedrick( team Cheif)

and Pappy Kettle ( Joplin , Mo.) I was the new guy on the site and John was needed up north to set up a new site.

This would be the 1st time and the last i'd talk to John for some 35 years. After three days on the radio site

( not being allowed to touch the radio equipment per Sgt. John)

I was finely allowed to stand radio watch. After escorting me to the radio van that evening and

briefly going over the operations of the watch. John departed with these parting words:

" If you have a problem with the radio equipment-"don't touch a dam thing!! come and get me or pappy!"

My mountment of thriemp had passed. John was already a crusty 21 year old Marine when i met him. SALTY!

It wasn't untill 35 years later , while buiding his photo album i came to relize that he to had been a Cherry boy at one time
and thanks to the seasoning of Jim Fouler John had grown into the "Can Do" Marine that i meet that Feb. day in PhuBai.

John reported into the 5th comm web site and over the next few mounts i got to know him better.

He had become a school teacher working with problem kids. He had told me that when he had a problem kid to deal with he would let

them know that he was a "Old Marine and could kill them with one hand." Thank God" He told me they never tried him! LOL!

John came to our 1st reunion in Kansas City in Feb. of 2003. We drank alot of beers and John talked non stop for three days. His funny and

very detailed storys were always entertaining to the group. I personly was amazed that anyone from 5th comm could remember so much

about the radio shots and thethe friends of 35 years ago.

I came to love and respect John for the loving and givng person he was. He brought lots of interest to the web site and helped correct my

many mispelled words.

After returning to San Deigo after the Feb. 2004 reunion John was informed that he had cancer in his left eye. He opped to have the eye removed.

We kidded him about getting a Globe and Anger on his new glass eye. (Which i think he was concedering.) A few months later John informed me that the

cancer had returned and was in his liver. John passed away on Feb. 25th 2005. The world is a little less fun with John gone. I lose a good friend and an

outstanding marine who always took great pride in his service in the Corps and the men he sevied with.

My heart is sadden with the loss of John and my tears for him are never far away.

Love and Miss you my friend!

John left behind two fine sons; John Friedrick JR and Sam Friedrick and a lovely and very caring wife.

Marilyn whom i was honored to have met at the 2004 reunion in Las Vegas. !

John was a real Marine. Not the most squired away-Not the hard charger that we think of when we think MARINE!

John tiyplified what the Corps is all about. Ordanary boys becoming mem with a can do attitude! Willing to die to get their job done.

A few thoughts from Johns mind!