Company "F" Marine Support Battalion

In the summer of 1956, Marines attached to the Naval Security Group Activity arrived in Bremerhaven under the capable and stalwart command of Captain William Allen. These Marines made up the 2nd Special Communications Platoon, and they began to carve out an enviable and outstanding record as one of the most squared-away, motivated, dedicated, and loyal of the Special Communications Platoons.

These "chosen few good men" were designated the Company "B" Marine Support Battalion in the winter of 1958 and continued in their ever "onward and upward" path, racking up honor and praise as each new challenge and goal fell at their feet.

In the spring of 1961, Company "B" relocated at Edzell, Scotland, leaving the defenses of Bremerhaven without its "backbone." The great void was finally filled in the fall of 1965 when Company "F", under the able and robust command of Captain A. A. Jannsen, arrived here from Karamursal, Turkey. Hence, the Marines were once again brought "back home" to Bremerhaven.

Now, once again, in June 1972, Bremerhaven's "Favorite Sons" are leaving one more time. We "chosen few good men" are in the process of relocating to Rota, Spain, under the wise, generous, and highly proficient leadership of our "Old Man", Major Arthur "Armor Piercing" Finlon. (Editor's note: Thank you for an uncolored and typically modest version of the history of the Marine Corps in Bremerhaven.)

COMPANY F OFFICE - (L-R) LCPL Vincent Tropeano, GYSGT David Franck, Major Arthur Finlon, CO; SSGT Algie Joye

June 1 marked the commencement of Company "F's" relocation to Rota, Spain. For the Marines, departing Bremerhaven provides mixed emotions; there are the feelings that always accompany the separation of good friends, and yet, there is the excitement of seeing new places and meeting new firends. It is a tradition itn the Marine Corps that we never say "goodbye". Therefore, on behalf of the officers, staff, and men of Company F, I simply say "Semper Fidelis". Major Arthur P. Finlon, USMC Commanding Officer

Company "F" Marines

Maj. Arthur P. Finlon Capt. Robert T. Garrow MSgt Nathaniel L. Snodgrass MSgt Charles T. Surles GySgt David T. Franck GySgt John R. Giger GySgt Ernest J. Rohrer GySgt Carver W. Show SSgt Norman F. Boyajian SSgt Ronald D. Collins SSgt Eugene F. Dietz SSgt Jerome M. Duran SSgt Timothy L. Fuller SSgt Chester V. Harris SSgt Algie F. Joye SSgt Frank R. Lea Jr. SSgt James L. Minteer SSgt Dale W. Piirainen

SSgt Richard W. Shelley SSgt George R. Wright Sgt Larry W. Beckham Sgt Richard T. Brewer Sgt James K. Brun Sgt Michael L. Donley Sgt robert L. Demuth Sgt Clair R. French Sgt Ronald T. Edlund Sgt S.W.S. Henderson II Sgt Wendell J. Holl Sgt Michael D. Kane Sgt George E. Lawrence Jr. Sgt Dwight W. Mitchell Sgt Thomas W. Morse Sgt Ernest E. Pilgrim Sgt Loren D. Primmer Jr. Sgt Terry R. Roberson

Sgt Robert A. Rugg Sgt Leonard J. Schoenhofen Jr. Sgt David L. Sidinger Sgt Stephen M. Streeter Sgt John F. Sutphin III Sgt Daniel E. White Sgt Michael G. Wolverton Cpl Michael L. Abbate Cpl Richard E. Andrews Cpl Charles D. Kakos Cpl Michael Mellody Cpl Leroy H. Nennig Jr. Cpl Michael A. Prince Cpl Nicholas Salvia Cpl David L. Welch LCpl Lloyd C. Eldredge LCpl Joseph J. Kimak LCpl Vincent C. Tropeano LCpl John R. Trunick