A Corpsman's Legacy

January 25, 2010

MCAA McCutcheon Squadron is in the process of raising money for the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower. The Tower honors all the fallen Marines and Sailors that have paid the ultimate sacrifice since the birth of Marine Aviation in 1912. The Bell attached to the tower represents the Casualty Evacuation Mission (CASEVAC) and all that lives that were saved over the years by Marine Aviation.

One of the ways they are helping to ensure that our fallen will never be forgotton is by video. Their new video honors the Purple Foxes in telling my dad's story. It's one of the finest tellings of my story I have ever seen. Please be sure to visit their site where the video is located.

MCAA McCutcheon Squadron Honors the Purple Foxes Video.

More information on the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower.

January 19, 2010

A few months ago, I found out the startling fact that Rodney Shank (a gunner on my father's flight) actually grew up by the name of Ronnie Gordon. When I was searching for Rodney Shank's family, I ran into roadblock after roadblock, and finally 11 years later I understand why.

Although born Rodney Shank, he was adopted by the Gordon family in Maine. It was only when Ronnie joined the Marine Corps that he learned of his given name. Now, once again, due to the kindness of strangers, I've been able to contact Ronnie's loved ones and share with them the details I found out about Ronnie's life in Vietnam. Many of them have shared pictures, which I've added to my photo album. Whether you knew him as Rodney Shank or Ronnie Gordon - his story will not be forgotten.

May 25, 2009

One of my greatest honors on this last trip to Washington, DC was getting to meet Kevyn Major Howard, "Rafterman" from "Full Metal Jacket", and the founder of a great organization called Fueled By The Fallen. Fueled by the Fallen has created a moving monument, The Memorial Race Car Team, to both honor and pay tribute to the United States Service Members who lost their lives fighting for the freedom of others. The night before the National Memorial Day Parade, Kevyn called to ask for help in the parade, as he had lost some of his volunteers. It was definitely a pleasure to be involved in such a great event!

May 15-16, 2009

I attended the GI Film Festival – the first film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the American military through the medium of film.

It was an extraordinary time and I'll be forever grateful to Brandon and Laura Millet for creating this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our heroes!

SgtMaj Rick Caisse, Captain Dale Dye, Me SgtMaj Rick Caisse, Senator Fred Thompson, Me

Me, Speaker Newt Gingrich, SgtMaj Rick Caisse SgtMaj Rick Caisse, Faizon Love, Me

May 12, 2009

Today, I received the very first pictures I've ever seen of my dad in Vietnam. Doc Paul Noblitt was extremely thoughtful and remembered from years ago that I had always wanted pictures like these. These were taken in 1968 when my dad first got to DaNang and reported to MAG-11. Two of my most treasured items!!

September 11, 2008

On February 7, 2007, the Purple Foxes were on active-duty in Iraq. I asked for a flag to be flown this day, the 38th anniversary of my father's crash. Unbelievably, the helicopter that was carrying this flag - piloted by Capt. Jennifer Harris - was shot down by insurgents. The flight was Morphine-12, and while I received the certificate of the flag being flown, the flag was lost with the crew.

After the Morphine-12 crash, I knew I would never ask the Foxes to fly another flag for my dad and his crew. Unreasonable and superstitious, I know. But that is how I felt.

Unbeknownst to me, on Memorial Day, 2008, the current C.O. of the Foxes and a crew flew another flag. They didn't tell me, knowing I would have put a stop to it. I received the flag and certificate a few weeks later, but wasn't sure how to display them.

Thinking of the missing man formation, I came up with the display shown in the attached pictures. One empty flag holder, one with the Memorial Day flag, and the 2 certificates.

Just another way I will remember two generations of heroes tied together forever.

Semper Fi,
Stephanie

My name is Stephanie Hanson. In 1996, I set out to find my birth parents for medical reasons. I soon located my birth mother, who told me my father, Gary Norman Young, was killed in Vietnam two months before I was born. I then began a journey to find out who my father was and how he died. The story I have uncovered has been an incredible one.

Gary served as a Navy Corpsman and arrived in Vietnam on 9/10/68. He worked in the dispensary at MAG-11 in Da Nang for four months. But what he really wanted to do was fly medevac missions and had asked to be assigned with a Marine Corps helicopter unit. At the end of January, Gary was finally transferred to Marble Mountain to fly with MAG-16.

Shortly after, on 2/7/69, Gary was flying with HMM-364 (call sign Purple Fox) when the CH-46 helicopter he was on was shot down while on a medevac mission in Arizona Territory. Six of the seven aboard were killed. Read the details of the crash in the Purple Fox historical archives.

Gary went to boot camp in San Diego, Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego for Hospital Corps School and FMF School at Camp Pendleton. I still enjoy hearing from those who knew him!

I've found out many details of my father's life and have been blessed to be able to help other veterans and other families discover information about those they lost. As my story continues to grow, this website is a tribute to my father as well as to all Vietnam veterans.

Home What's New Reviews Pictures Press In Memory Links Author Appearances Recommendations Contact Me	January 25, 2010 MCAA McCutcheon Squadron is in the process of raising money for the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower. The Tower honors all the fallen Marines and Sailors that have paid the ultimate sacrifice since the birth of Marine Aviation in 1912. The Bell attached to the tower represents the Casualty Evacuation Mission (CASEVAC) and all that lives that were saved over the years by Marine Aviation. One of the ways they are helping to ensure that our fallen will never be forgotton is by video. Their new video honors the Purple Foxes in telling my dad's story. It's one of the finest tellings of my story I have ever seen. Please be sure to visit their site where the video is located. MCAA McCutcheon Squadron Honors the Purple Foxes Video. More information on the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower.

	January 19, 2010 A few months ago, I found out the startling fact that Rodney Shank (a gunner on my father's flight) actually grew up by the name of Ronnie Gordon. When I was searching for Rodney Shank's family, I ran into roadblock after roadblock, and finally 11 years later I understand why. Although born Rodney Shank, he was adopted by the Gordon family in Maine. It was only when Ronnie joined the Marine Corps that he learned of his given name. Now, once again, due to the kindness of strangers, I've been able to contact Ronnie's loved ones and share with them the details I found out about Ronnie's life in Vietnam. Many of them have shared pictures, which I've added to my photo album. Whether you knew him as Rodney Shank or Ronnie Gordon - his story will not be forgotten.

	May 25, 2009 One of my greatest honors on this last trip to Washington, DC was getting to meet Kevyn Major Howard, "Rafterman" from "Full Metal Jacket", and the founder of a great organization called Fueled By The Fallen. Fueled by the Fallen has created a moving monument, The Memorial Race Car Team, to both honor and pay tribute to the United States Service Members who lost their lives fighting for the freedom of others. The night before the National Memorial Day Parade, Kevyn called to ask for help in the parade, as he had lost some of his volunteers. It was definitely a pleasure to be involved in such a great event!

	May 15-16, 2009 I attended the GI Film Festival – the first film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the American military through the medium of film. It was an extraordinary time and I'll be forever grateful to Brandon and Laura Millet for creating this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our heroes! SgtMaj Rick Caisse, Captain Dale Dye, Me SgtMaj Rick Caisse, Senator Fred Thompson, Me Me, Speaker Newt Gingrich, SgtMaj Rick Caisse SgtMaj Rick Caisse, Faizon Love, Me

	May 12, 2009 Today, I received the very first pictures I've ever seen of my dad in Vietnam. Doc Paul Noblitt was extremely thoughtful and remembered from years ago that I had always wanted pictures like these. These were taken in 1968 when my dad first got to DaNang and reported to MAG-11. Two of my most treasured items!!

	September 11, 2008 On February 7, 2007, the Purple Foxes were on active-duty in Iraq. I asked for a flag to be flown this day, the 38th anniversary of my father's crash. Unbelievably, the helicopter that was carrying this flag - piloted by Capt. Jennifer Harris - was shot down by insurgents. The flight was Morphine-12, and while I received the certificate of the flag being flown, the flag was lost with the crew. After the Morphine-12 crash, I knew I would never ask the Foxes to fly another flag for my dad and his crew. Unreasonable and superstitious, I know. But that is how I felt. Unbeknownst to me, on Memorial Day, 2008, the current C.O. of the Foxes and a crew flew another flag. They didn't tell me, knowing I would have put a stop to it. I received the flag and certificate a few weeks later, but wasn't sure how to display them. Thinking of the missing man formation, I came up with the display shown in the attached pictures. One empty flag holder, one with the Memorial Day flag, and the 2 certificates. Just another way I will remember two generations of heroes tied together forever. Semper Fi, Stephanie

	My name is Stephanie Hanson. In 1996, I set out to find my birth parents for medical reasons. I soon located my birth mother, who told me my father, Gary Norman Young, was killed in Vietnam two months before I was born. I then began a journey to find out who my father was and how he died. The story I have uncovered has been an incredible one. Gary served as a Navy Corpsman and arrived in Vietnam on 9/10/68. He worked in the dispensary at MAG-11 in Da Nang for four months. But what he really wanted to do was fly medevac missions and had asked to be assigned with a Marine Corps helicopter unit. At the end of January, Gary was finally transferred to Marble Mountain to fly with MAG-16. Shortly after, on 2/7/69, Gary was flying with HMM-364 (call sign Purple Fox) when the CH-46 helicopter he was on was shot down while on a medevac mission in Arizona Territory. Six of the seven aboard were killed. Read the details of the crash in the Purple Fox historical archives. Gary went to boot camp in San Diego, Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego for Hospital Corps School and FMF School at Camp Pendleton. I still enjoy hearing from those who knew him! I've found out many details of my father's life and have been blessed to be able to help other veterans and other families discover information about those they lost. As my story continues to grow, this website is a tribute to my father as well as to all Vietnam veterans.