Theodore D Van Staveren Lance Corporal RADIO RELAY & CONST CO, 7TH COMM BN, 1ST MARDIV United States Marine Corps 30 November 1948 - 10 April 1968 Salt Lake City, Utah Panel 49E Line 012

 

22 Apr 2005 Before Theo went to Vietnam, he was stationed at the Marine Base in San Diego and we lived in La Mirada, California. We used to visit him there and we also brought him to our home. Our small children enjoyed his visits with us. From his then-sister-in-law, Rina Evens mydutchie@hotmail.com

 

31 May 2007 I graduated basic training with Ted in 1967. This same photo is also in my graduation book. He was a great guy with a friendly smile and like all of us was young and eager to serve our country. Though we were in Viet Nam at different times his picture on this site and memories of boot camp bring sadness and reality to me in my current day struggles to make sense of it all. Perhaps Ted's lesson and message to me is that there was a cause and we both wanted to serve regardless of the final outcome or the criticism for what we took on as young patriots. From a Marine brother, Sgt Michael S. Miller 09 Jul 2007 I knew Ted in Salt Lake City, Utah and we both were in Platoon #165 C in San Diego basic training after enlisting on a delayed entry program in Utah. Theo was more than likeable and had a calmness about him even during the physically and mentally gruesome basic training. I was stationed at MCAS El Toro when I received the news of his fatal wounds. I was taken back like never before as I knew him as a civilian, a Marine Recruit and a Graduated Marine. I really liked him. Me heart and prayers go out daily to him and his as I view The Virtual Wall often. God speed, Ted. You are still missed. I wrote this poem in 1970 while assigned TAD in Dak To, Vietnam. I pray these words are accepted with the spirit they were written. THE INSERT The chopper lifts us off the ground defying gravity It dives again and sets us down we scramble to be free Elephant grass and thumping blades no freedom in this place The stark reality of this war with terror on every face Though young and dumb we never bargained for a hell like this We still fight on and duck and run hot bullets striking tin No more pretend we must defend those hungry war lord mouths The blades hit hard and pull away we stay and wonder how While chaos fills the smoky air with fear and stench of death A young Marine is hit and down I wonder if I'm next The fight is long the sleep is short the sky is crimson red I now believe that death is near I pray in whispered breath Three of ten have fallen now so young and quick to serve Who sent us here, why are we here, is this what we deserve I came to fight for truth and peace for what they said was right Moral cowards drive the War Machine but never do they fight The chopper picks us up again the days now meld to one We eat and sleep and think of home and listen for guns Sleep broken now by chopper blades an Insert on the roll The body, mind and soul now spent the war will take its toll The Stars and Stripes are still alive Patriot's courage cannot be denied A noble symbol for the free in red and white and blue We didn't ask, we didn't balk, just did what we had to do We fly again we fight again same thing just different lies The enemy will not sleep or rest just works to our demise We ride the bird and speed toward black jungles in our eyes A part of me fights on to live another part to die. From a friend and Marine brother, Sgt. M. S. Miller - USMC DaNang, VietNam 1970 millmicker@gmail.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Exerpt from the 7th Comm Bn Ops Log, 10 Apr 1968 The two Marines from the RR&C Company killed in action by gunshot wounds on 10 April 1968 were LCpl Theodore D. Van Staveren, Salt Lake City, UT, and LCpl Gordon D. Walensky, St Louis Park, MN. The Virtual Wall was able to locate their Squad Leader, who advises that "Walensky and Van Staveren as radio relay operators in April 1968 were attached to and supporting the Korean Marines (Chung Young Brigade) south of Da Nang. On the day they were killed they were traveling up the beach toward Da Nang in a 3/4 ton utility vehicle and were killed in a VC ambush. The truck was hit by an RPG and disabled, Walensky and Van Staveren took up a defensive position and were killed by small arms fire as a result of enemy action. "Walensky and Van Staveren went out with me on many a night ambush (which led to enemy contact on several occasions) and day patrols from that location and both clearly demonstrated their courage to everyone in the squad. I know I speak for the whole squad when I say we were and still are proud to have known and served with both of these fine young Marines."

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