About Us
The U.S. Marine Corps introduced the M48A3 Patton Tank and the M50A1 Ontos Anti-Tank vehicles to the Vietnam War in March of 1965, a war that many, including the Commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Army’s Gen. Westmoreland, said armor had no place in. Marine armor proved so effective that the U.S. Army later followed suit. Today the USMC VietnamTankers Association keeps alive that brotherhood and history of Marine armor of the Vietnam War.The USMC Vietnam Tankers Association is a non-profit fraternal organization (brotherhood) of United States Marines and Navy Corpsmen veterans who served with any of the three Marine Corps tank battalions (1st, 3rd and 5th Tank Battalions) or anti-tank battalions (1st, 3rd and 5th Anti-Tank Battalions) in Vietnam between 1965 and 1970. Membership is open to any and all military occupational specialties (MOS) that were assigned to a Marine tank battalion including: tank crewmen and officers, Ontos crewmen and officers, tank repairmen, optics repair, ordinance, armorers, supply, office clerks, cooks, motor-t, and our beloved Navy Corpsmen. Our motto is “Ensuring our legacy through Reunion, Renewal and Remembrance.”Every other odd-numbered year we hold a Reunion in a different U.S. city to Renew and reestablish the friendships and experiences we shared during the Vietnam War. And thirdly, we Remember those fallen heroes who perished on the battlefield as well as those that have passed on since. In addition, we actively record and publish our personal and unit histories for future generations to ensure our legacy making certain that the contribution made by tanks and Ontos in the Vietnam War is not lost in the writing of U.S. Marine Corps battle history.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 2023 REUNION IN Colorado Springs, CO. GO TO REUNION NEWS
2023 REUNION ADDITONAL EVENT: Of the many incredible “touristy” offerings that the Pikes Peak Region (aka Colorado Springs) offers and one of the most spectacular and awe inspiring venues is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The Cog Railway’s description is included in the Reunion Section of this issue. The three and a half hour round trip up and down “America’s Mountain” offers some insanely beautiful views of the sites that inspired the beloved anthem, “America the Beautiful.” As you read the description below, we are hoping that you agree with us that the trip will be worth the additional $60 cost and it may be remembered for decades to come. Please note that the trip is optional and not required.
DESCRIPTION: This is the world’s highest and the world’s longest cog railroad in the United States and the entire Northern Hemisphere. Nine miles to the summit of America’s Mountain, one of the most famous mountains in the United States. The first passenger train arrived on the summit in June 1891 and has seen many modern developments over the years. Most recently we have taken three years to rebuild and bring Pikes Peak Cog Railway into a new era, with new trains, new track, new depot and a beautiful new Summit House for visitors at the top https://www.cograilway.com/the-new-experience/pikes-peak-visitor-center/. Train ride, yes, but this is an adventure experience that is so much more than just a journey on the train.
Our Organization
We hold a national reunion every odd numbered year. We rotate the reunion site around the country to give people a better chance to attend one close by. We try to keep it near an area of military interest. We have have taken side trips during each reunion such as the U.S. Army Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD, MCRD Parris Island, the battleship USS New Jersey and The Wall in Washington, DC, etc.