Dave Warnken
I joined MCB 11 conus advance party in Aug 66 right after boot
camp. I was assigned to A Co. as the Co. Clerk. I deployed May 67 to Dong Ha,
still serving as Co. Clerk for the entire deployment. I started the deployment
as a CMACN, was promoted to CMA3, got a waiver for time served, and then became
CM2. Upon returning to Hueneme after 30 days leave, I taught "C" school, and
then worked in Repair Parts getting supplies and equip ready for the next
deployment. May 68 found me at Quang Tri for the next deployment. I worked in
repair parts until I was selected to go back to Hueneme to be the battalion
expeditor in late July. I continued as expeditor until discharge Nov 69. My
total time served in MCB 11 was from Aug 66 until Nov 69 being TDY 31 NCR Aug
68-Nov 69. I was married when I joined the Navy, and still am to the same great
lady (Lorraine), we have two sons, 34 and 35, and 4 grandchildren. I was
supposed to go with Chief Barnes to Khe Sahn as his administrative assistant.
He refused to allow me to accompany him after he found out that my wife was
carrying our first child. He said "You need to live to see your child" or works
to that effect. Shortly after he arrived at Khe Sahn, he was killed. I always
credited him for possibly saving my life, as I most likely would have been at
his side. I have entered him in the U.S. Navy memorial computer log in D.C. He
was my Hero.