Lt John M. Hartley, Jr

Forward Observer for B/2/35; TOC Liaison for 2/35th Bn

 

Tributes/comments from those who knew him:

1st Lieutenant Hartley was my boss in the liaison section to 2/35 Infantry TOC.  He took over the section up North before we airlifted down to the Special Forces base in Polei Kleng which was West of Kontum.  He was still in that position when I left for home in Sept. 1968.   

Not sure about his first name - he was always "Sir" to me.  I  think he came from Ohio.     

Jim Connolly (2/34th TOC)

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John  Hartley, Jr. took my place as FO for B-2/35 somewhere around the last of October or 1Nov67. He stayed with B into the early part of 1968 because he was with them on January 1, 1968 (2Jan68) when B took on an NVA unit superior in numbers. They were out of C/2/9 range.

After FOing with B-2/35, John was made (TOC) Artillery Liaison  with 2/35. At the time we were working with units other than the 3rd Brigade and I remember how well John handled himself, especially with the politics that went with that position.

I spoke with John about 10 years ago and got the impression that he was not too interested in this reunion stuff. None the less I always considered him a friend and a good officer. He is somewhere in Ohio as best I recall. John was in OCS Class 1-67.

Wayne T. Crochet

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1LT Jim Hartley was the 2/9th Liaison officer to the 2/35.  He was in charge of the Arty support of the 2/35 and was my boss for about 6 months, also Mike Kurtgis and Don Blankin's boss and other FO's who's names escape me. He was LNO from June to October, but probably started earlier since that was my contact with him. 

Joe Henderson

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SERVING IN COMBAT WITH CAPT JOHN PIPIA, B/2/35, BATTLE OF 2JAN68

On 2Jan68, we were sent well out of artillery support range over my objections because we knew what could  happen. It did, big time. We went in with a strength of about 70, I'd guess (approx 2 understrength  platoons and company command group). Ultimately,  I believe we wound up facing an NVA regiment or, at least a reinforced battalion. They were deeply dug in In trenches and bunkers.  The gunships at one point said "they were coming out 9f the hills like ants. ...."

We'd guess now they were staging for TET. Fortunately, we did have gunship support and it was really terrific, it saved us. Fought our way in and then out to an Old French Fort as our final defensive position since we no longer expected exfiltration. We expected hand to hand and actually fixed bayonets. We fought all day, several hours, and never had relief or reinforcements.  Never understood why this battle was never picked up in the Bn logs, it was the largest contact up to the date. Anyway,  it doesn't matter now except to those of us who were there and survived.

John was a terrific officer and a great FO. I've thought of him many times over the years and always wanted to connect with him. He was so good when my 1st Platoon leader was wounded and had to be med evac'd.   I asked John to go down to take the 1st Platoon. I remember recommending him for a CIB because I believed he earned it, that day alone. Didn't happen. Should have. I was really sorry to see him go. John was in place when I joined B Co in Duc Pho although we moved north fairly quickly, leaving Duc Pho to relieve the Marines and coordinate with the South Vietnamese Army.

John carried a carbine and when he fired, the sound was so different,  we all whirled, thinking the NVA were among us. I told him to ditch the carbine, TO&E or not, so someone wouldn't wax him in error.

Captain John Pipia, Company Commander, B/2/35

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Lt John M Hartley, Jr
Age: 65+

586-463-9787

5940 Turnberry Dr South Lyon, MI 48178-7088
Courtesy info from:
 

Randy C. Dunham (10-69)
FAOCS Alumni Chapter
Fort Sill, Oklahoma 

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