GREG WEAVER 1947-1966

P.F.C. GREG WEAVER, RVN MAY 1965 TO MAY 26, 1966 WHEN HE WAS KIA WHILE SERVING WITH K COMPANY 3/9.  GREG WAS WITH CHARLIE COMPANY, 3RD ANTI-TANK BATTALION, 3RD MARINE DIVISION.  GREG'S FELLOW CREWMAN, P.F.C. TONY VEGA AND P.F.C. GEORGE HEINL WERE WIA THAT DAY.

BELOW ARE PICTURES OF THE WRECKAGE OF GREG'S, ONTOS C 22 AFTER BEING DESTROYED BY A COMMAND DETONATED MINE ON MAY 26, 1966.  PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE PYLE TAKEN FROM HIS WEBSITE.

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GREG CLEANING THE 106'S

TAKING A BREAK

BUD BLANCHARD, TRACK MECHANIC AND LOADER ON C-22.

MAY 26, 1966, THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN WITHIN AN HOUR OF C-22 BEING DESTROYED BY A LAND MINE.  GREG WEAVER IS IN THE OC HATCH, TONY VEGA THE DRIVER IS WALKING BEHIND THE ONTOS AND GEORGE HEINL, LOADER IS STANDING TO THE RIGHT.

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Greg Weaver was born February 26, 1947, in Orange, Texas, the son of Dale and Billie Weaver, he was the first of five children.  Being a military family, Dale a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, the Weavers moved frequently.  Greg attended schools in Wickett, Texas; Victoria, Texas; Leland, Mississippi; the Bermuda Islands; Murfreesboro, Tennessee and was attending Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964. Weaver attended Marine Recruit Training 'Boot Camp' at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California.  After completing his basic training he was assigned to Camp Pendleton California for training in the "Ontos" Anti-tank tracked vehicle. Greg joined the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Antitank Battalion in Hawaii in the Fall of 1964.  That unit was deployed to Okinawa in March of the following year.  They landed at Chu Lai, RVN on May 7, 1965. Later that year Greg was transferred to 2nd Platoon, Company C, Third Anti-tank Battalion, Third Marine Division in South Vietnam.  Greg was very dedicated to the Marine Corps and to helping the people of South Vietnam.  Greg's grandparents, who lived in Wickett, Texas, received this letter from him. "I might stay over here another six months, but I have not made up my mind yet.  It's going to be hard to leave knowing I've left buddies over here who won't make it back. When it's time for me to go, it's time to go, no matter where I'm at, but I'm going to make it through here in Vietnam because I want to.  It's not the money I want, It's just that there's a job to do over here and I would like to be here where I can do my part in doing it.  I feel safe with the job that I have.  It's going to take a lot to get at me.  I've got three inches of steel protecting me.  I know it sounds funny but it's the way I feel. If you were over here you might feel the same way.  It's not just for my buddies, it's for the people of South Vietnam to have freedom, have a better  way of living, something they have not had before.  Just helping the people means a lot to me.  I give them some of our 'C' rations we don't eat.  So much for the above." Greg did extend and was on his second tour, when on May 26, 1966, he was killed in action near Danang.  MSgt. Weaver and his wife, Billie, were stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador when they were notified of their son's death. In a letter dated 27 May 1966, Greg's Company Commander, Captain F. Firing, explained what had taken place. Greg was assigned as an Ontos Commander with our second platoon on the defensive perimeter.  On the 26th of May, he was directing his vehicle on a 'search and destroy' mission when the vehicle detonated a mine and he was critically wounded by the explosion.  He was immediately flown by helicopter to the Naval Support Activity Hospital in Danang but failed to respond to treatment and died of multiple wounds at 2:30p.m. It may comfort you to know that a memorial service will be held in his honor on 28 May 1966. Greg was a fine Marine whose personality, loyalty and exemplary performance of duty gained him the respect of all the officers and men of this company.  We all miss him and I hope the knowledge that we share your sorrow will in some measure comfort you." Private First Class Greg Weaver was buried with full military honors on June 6, 1966 in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

CLICK THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE TO VIEW WARREN BONE'S PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WRECKAGE ON ONTOS C-22.

CLICK THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE FOR MAP OF THE LOCATION OF THE DESTRUCTION OF ONTOS C-22