Toby Richard Gritz

First Lieutenant
HML-367, MAG-16, 1ST MAW
United States Marine Corps
09 December 1944 - 25 March 1970
Santa Barbara, California
Panel 12W Line 042

1ST MAW HML-367
AH-1 Cobra

Naval Aviator

Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign
Toby R Gritz

The database page for Toby Richard Gritz

13 Feb 2003

Toby Richard Gritz was a brave Marine who died serving his country. He arrived in Vietnam on November 4 1969. On March 25,1970 Toby was flying over Marble Mountain Air Station in Quang Nam when his aircraft crashed. Clouds and fog were blamed for that crash. I miss you a lot.

A memorial initiated by his brother.
E-Mail may be forwarded via the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

05 Jun 2003

REMEMBERED

by his comrades-in-arms from the
USMC/Combat Helicopter Association

This was Scarface's saddest day of 1970. Four lieutenants were lost in a horrific midair that took place as the two AH-1Gs were making their break over the runway. Everyone that was at Marble Mountain Airfield when it happened on 25 March 1970 has a vivid memory of this crash. God Bless them, may they forever rest in peace.

The photos are from HML-367's 1970 cruise book. The ones below show 1st Lt Gritz (left) with his good friend 1st Lt Frank Eric Sacharanski, 24, from Wayne, NJ, and 1st Lt Gritz with HML-367's AH-1G "VT-26".

Semper Fidelis.

George T. Curtis
MGySgt, USMC (Ret)
gcurtis@;popasmoke.com

1st Lts Gritz (left) and Sacharanski

18 Jun 2005

Toby was a couple of years ahead of me at Fillmore High School. I only knew him because I used to hang out with his brothers John, Paul and Rocky.

I remember watching Toby at the High School swimming pool practicing some very difficult dives for an upcoming competition. He made them look so easy. He was an incredible athlete.

Like all of the Gritz brothers, Toby had honor and integrity and it is my privilege to have known him.

From a friend,
Bob Williams
E-Mail will be forwarded by the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Four men of HML-367 died when their AH-1G Cobras collided in flight overhead the Marble Mountain air base:


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his brother.
E-Mail may be forwarded via the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org
13 Feb 2003



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 07/06/2005