Older brother of Rock MacKenzie from Elders React.
1ST LT GRITZ WAS KILLED IN A NON-HOSTILE HELICOPTER
CRASH, ON LAND, ON MARCH 25TH, 1970.
This, from a friend:
Deane Swickard
we served together as pilots, in HML-367 and HML-67
4580, Flying C Rd.,
Cameron Park, CA., 95682, USA
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz was, a Marine and a Naval, Aviator. He was commissioned, through the enlisted commissioning program, attended basic school and later became, a naval aviator. He flew, the UH-1E and the AH-1G, in Vietnam. Toby was, an inspiration to all those, who knew and served, with him. Being a Marine to him, meant doing your best everywhere, all the time. He was, exceptionally proud, to be, a Marine. His sense, of duty and loyalty, was intense. While in Vietnam, Toby was, first assigned, to HML-367. There was also a tour, as a FAC., with a platoon, or either, the 5th, or the 7th, Marines. When the platoon, leader was wounded, the company commander made Toby, the platoon leader. A rare occurrence, for an aviator, to be given, command, of a ground, unit, But Toby knew his business, on the ground, or in the air. Toby was, my friend. We trained together, flew together and fought together. He was, my first co-pilot. I was there, when he died. There was a mid-air collision, over the Marble, Mountain, Marine Corps, Air Station, near Danang. Toby was flying co-pilot, for 1st, Lt., Roger Lakin. While making a mid-field break, two AH-1G, Cobras collided over, the runway and crashed, with the loss of all, four pilots. The United States lost four, sacred warriors, that day, including 1st, Lt., Toby Gritz.
Friday, January 01, 1999
This from a family member:
Janice Gritz
sister in-law
6319, West, 79th, Place, Los Angeles, CA., 90045, USA
When You went away to war, I looked back at you and said "Stay safe." In a pale blue Oxford shirt and tight white Levis, you promised us "Smiling Irishmen live forever" and laughed War became you, Toby. You wrote of Glory days of flying Cobras swift and deadly. Our tension towering here at home Not knowing Until you wrote one day during a lull "Not much happening here" And silence filled my soul with relief Wishing that your time was over not knowing that it was until the phone call came. They brought you home in a flag-draped box. The flag isn't enough I thought to raise a son. The funeral home, the mass details like a yellow coat borrowed because it was your favorite color Was? How can you be Was We'd looked back and said Stay safe Marine Stay safe You'd laughed They played taps for you today at Barrancas and then I knew this was forever No smiling eyes, no house, No baby either Ever
Sunday, November 21, 1999
bio provided by chuck cummins SEMPER FIDELIS
1ST LT GRITZ WAS KILLED IN A NON-HOSTILE HELICOPTER
CRASH, ON LAND, ON MARCH 25TH, 1970.
This, from a friend:
Deane Swickard
we served together as pilots, in HML-367 and HML-67
4580, Flying C Rd.,
Cameron Park, CA., 95682, USA
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz was, a Marine and a Naval, Aviator. He was commissioned, through the enlisted commissioning program, attended basic school and later became, a naval aviator. He flew, the UH-1E and the AH-1G, in Vietnam. Toby was, an inspiration to all those, who knew and served, with him. Being a Marine to him, meant doing your best everywhere, all the time. He was, exceptionally proud, to be, a Marine. His sense, of duty and loyalty, was intense. While in Vietnam, Toby was, first assigned, to HML-367. There was also a tour, as a FAC., with a platoon, or either, the 5th, or the 7th, Marines. When the platoon, leader was wounded, the company commander made Toby, the platoon leader. A rare occurrence, for an aviator, to be given, command, of a ground, unit, But Toby knew his business, on the ground, or in the air. Toby was, my friend. We trained together, flew together and fought together. He was, my first co-pilot. I was there, when he died. There was a mid-air collision, over the Marble, Mountain, Marine Corps, Air Station, near Danang. Toby was flying co-pilot, for 1st, Lt., Roger Lakin. While making a mid-field break, two AH-1G, Cobras collided over, the runway and crashed, with the loss of all, four pilots. The United States lost four, sacred warriors, that day, including 1st, Lt., Toby Gritz.
Friday, January 01, 1999
This from a family member:
Janice Gritz
sister in-law
6319, West, 79th, Place, Los Angeles, CA., 90045, USA
When You went away to war, I looked back at you and said "Stay safe." In a pale blue Oxford shirt and tight white Levis, you promised us "Smiling Irishmen live forever" and laughed War became you, Toby. You wrote of Glory days of flying Cobras swift and deadly. Our tension towering here at home Not knowing Until you wrote one day during a lull "Not much happening here" And silence filled my soul with relief Wishing that your time was over not knowing that it was until the phone call came. They brought you home in a flag-draped box. The flag isn't enough I thought to raise a son. The funeral home, the mass details like a yellow coat borrowed because it was your favorite color Was? How can you be Was We'd looked back and said Stay safe Marine Stay safe You'd laughed They played taps for you today at Barrancas and then I knew this was forever No smiling eyes, no house, No baby either Ever
Sunday, November 21, 1999
bio provided by chuck cummins SEMPER FIDELIS
Older brother of Rock MacKenzie from Elders React.
1ST LT GRITZ WAS KILLED IN A NON-HOSTILE HELICOPTER
CRASH, ON LAND, ON MARCH 25TH, 1970.
This, from a friend:
Deane Swickard
we served together as pilots, in HML-367 and HML-67
4580, Flying C Rd.,
Cameron Park, CA., 95682, USA
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz was, a Marine and a Naval, Aviator. He was commissioned, through the enlisted commissioning program, attended basic school and later became, a naval aviator. He flew, the UH-1E and the AH-1G, in Vietnam. Toby was, an inspiration to all those, who knew and served, with him. Being a Marine to him, meant doing your best everywhere, all the time. He was, exceptionally proud, to be, a Marine. His sense, of duty and loyalty, was intense. While in Vietnam, Toby was, first assigned, to HML-367. There was also a tour, as a FAC., with a platoon, or either, the 5th, or the 7th, Marines. When the platoon, leader was wounded, the company commander made Toby, the platoon leader. A rare occurrence, for an aviator, to be given, command, of a ground, unit, But Toby knew his business, on the ground, or in the air. Toby was, my friend. We trained together, flew together and fought together. He was, my first co-pilot. I was there, when he died. There was a mid-air collision, over the Marble, Mountain, Marine Corps, Air Station, near Danang. Toby was flying co-pilot, for 1st, Lt., Roger Lakin. While making a mid-field break, two AH-1G, Cobras collided over, the runway and crashed, with the loss of all, four pilots. The United States lost four, sacred warriors, that day, including 1st, Lt., Toby Gritz.
Friday, January 01, 1999
This from a family member:
Janice Gritz
sister in-law
6319, West, 79th, Place, Los Angeles, CA., 90045, USA
When You went away to war, I looked back at you and said "Stay safe." In a pale blue Oxford shirt and tight white Levis, you promised us "Smiling Irishmen live forever" and laughed War became you, Toby. You wrote of Glory days of flying Cobras swift and deadly. Our tension towering here at home Not knowing Until you wrote one day during a lull "Not much happening here" And silence filled my soul with relief Wishing that your time was over not knowing that it was until the phone call came. They brought you home in a flag-draped box. The flag isn't enough I thought to raise a son. The funeral home, the mass details like a yellow coat borrowed because it was your favorite color Was? How can you be Was We'd looked back and said Stay safe Marine Stay safe You'd laughed They played taps for you today at Barrancas and then I knew this was forever No smiling eyes, no house, No baby either Ever
Sunday, November 21, 1999
bio provided by chuck cummins SEMPER FIDELIS
1ST LT GRITZ WAS KILLED IN A NON-HOSTILE HELICOPTER
CRASH, ON LAND, ON MARCH 25TH, 1970.
This, from a friend:
Deane Swickard
we served together as pilots, in HML-367 and HML-67
4580, Flying C Rd.,
Cameron Park, CA., 95682, USA
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz
1st, Lt., Toby Gritz was, a Marine and a Naval, Aviator. He was commissioned, through the enlisted commissioning program, attended basic school and later became, a naval aviator. He flew, the UH-1E and the AH-1G, in Vietnam. Toby was, an inspiration to all those, who knew and served, with him. Being a Marine to him, meant doing your best everywhere, all the time. He was, exceptionally proud, to be, a Marine. His sense, of duty and loyalty, was intense. While in Vietnam, Toby was, first assigned, to HML-367. There was also a tour, as a FAC., with a platoon, or either, the 5th, or the 7th, Marines. When the platoon, leader was wounded, the company commander made Toby, the platoon leader. A rare occurrence, for an aviator, to be given, command, of a ground, unit, But Toby knew his business, on the ground, or in the air. Toby was, my friend. We trained together, flew together and fought together. He was, my first co-pilot. I was there, when he died. There was a mid-air collision, over the Marble, Mountain, Marine Corps, Air Station, near Danang. Toby was flying co-pilot, for 1st, Lt., Roger Lakin. While making a mid-field break, two AH-1G, Cobras collided over, the runway and crashed, with the loss of all, four pilots. The United States lost four, sacred warriors, that day, including 1st, Lt., Toby Gritz.
Friday, January 01, 1999
This from a family member:
Janice Gritz
sister in-law
6319, West, 79th, Place, Los Angeles, CA., 90045, USA
When You went away to war, I looked back at you and said "Stay safe." In a pale blue Oxford shirt and tight white Levis, you promised us "Smiling Irishmen live forever" and laughed War became you, Toby. You wrote of Glory days of flying Cobras swift and deadly. Our tension towering here at home Not knowing Until you wrote one day during a lull "Not much happening here" And silence filled my soul with relief Wishing that your time was over not knowing that it was until the phone call came. They brought you home in a flag-draped box. The flag isn't enough I thought to raise a son. The funeral home, the mass details like a yellow coat borrowed because it was your favorite color Was? How can you be Was We'd looked back and said Stay safe Marine Stay safe You'd laughed They played taps for you today at Barrancas and then I knew this was forever No smiling eyes, no house, No baby either Ever
Sunday, November 21, 1999
bio provided by chuck cummins SEMPER FIDELIS
Inscription
1ST LT, US MARINE CORPS
VIETNAM
