Were any of you Veterans of US Forces in Beirut, Lebanon in the 1980s?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 01:47:25 -0500

I had the pleasure of working with SSG Jeffery Maunder. He worked with me at Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah in Farah, Afghanistan in 2008-2009. He and I worked on the Commander's Emergency Response Program. We basically did projects to repair wells, build roads, put in solar lighting, build schools, buy wheat seed for Farmers so they could plant that instead of opium. We were from D Co. 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, Special Operations, Airborne. We had teams all over Afghanistan.

SSG Maunder was a prior service Marine who survived the October 23, 1983 bombing of the Marine Barracks that was a suspected Iranian Hezbollah Terrorist Operation. He was Airborne Qualified. He was trained in ANGLICO to direct naval gunfire. He was working at the Marine Barracks as the driver for the BN XO and other Officers of the MAU (Marine Amphibious Unit). He was in the basement of the adjacent building working for the Battalion Landing Team, 1st Marine Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment on October 23, 1983. SSG Maunder was a Corporal when the bombing occurred. He is standing in this picture. He is the soldier on the second row on the very left in our group picture. He ended up recovering some of the dead and wounded. He served me well in my Civil Affairs CAT-A Team in Afghanistan. He just retired from the USAR.

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Feb 17 at 2021 6:39 AM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 06:39:40 -0500

I wasn't but I still knew everyone of them, they were all brother Marines.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Feb 17 at 2021 9:08 AM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:08:36 -0500

I was part of the reaction and identification team

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2021 10:17 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 10:17:00 -0500

Wow, I served with SSG Maunder far more recently (2019, to be exact). I didn’t know he retired, though I knew he was rapidly approaching MRD.

Jeff is a great NCO and an all-around great guy.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 17 at 2021 1:03 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:03:25 -0500

Great share.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 17 at 2021 1:06 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:06:26 -0500

I was with PRT mission in 2004-2005. I oversaw construction of and then managed the dfac at PRT Tarin Kowt. We established PRT TK.

Response by Sgt Wayne Horton made Apr 30 at 2021 6:41 PM

Sgt Wayne Horton — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 18:41:34 -0400

32d and 24mau 2d radio bn, ncoic satcom mau headquarters

Response by Sgt Michael Lane made Feb 8 at 2024 7:34 PM

Sgt Michael Lane — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:34:55 -0500

24th MAU, AT TOW Co., 2nd. Section attached to 3/8; 9/82 - 4/83. I was due to rotate back with my original section but my Top needed NCO's for live fire exercises at Ft. Pickett, VA. If i'd been there I wouldn't be writing this now. Semper Fi brothers!