LTC JOSEPH EUGENE MUIR

JOSEPH EUGENE MUIR

John Dalby
jdalby@sbcglobal.net
Air Liaison Officer with LtCol Muir
4110 Northview Lane Dallas TX 75229 US
The Last Person To Speak To LtCol Muir
I was the last person to speak to Lt Col Muir the morning he was killed. He had just finished the pre-dawn briefing with his staff and company commanders for the coming day's operation. As we were breaking up I asked him if he wanted me and my Forward Air Control team up front with him for the day's operation. He responded, no that it should be a quiet day. He and his radio operator, Paul Mansir walked one way and I turned the other and he stepped on the booby-trapped 155 round. The blast killed him and Paul and seriously wounded our S-2 officer and some others. I was knocked into the trench where my radios and radio operators were by the blast but was not wounded. So I immediately called the DASK for med-evac helicopters. I had the greatest respect for Lt Col Muir and we lost a great Commanding Officer that day. May God Bless Lt Col Muir's family. John D. Dalby Captain, USMC 3rd Bn,3rd Marines South Vietnam, 1965
Mar 27, 2011

Navy Cross Citation
Navy Cross Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Eugene Muir (MCSN: 0-49816), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during Operation STARLITE in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam, from 18 to 24 August 1965. With utter disregard for his own safety, Colonel Muir fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy fire while leading his battalion in assault against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces. Though fully cognizant of the danger, he repeatedly positioned himself in the midst of the violent action. Upon encountering strong enemy resistance, he joined the assault companies in front line positions to personally direct their advance, and succeeded in conquering two of the more strongly defended hostile areas, resulting in 215 confirmed enemy dead. Despite an almost complete lack of sleep for three days, his tireless application of professional principles provided a major contribution to the success of the Operation. Colonel Muir's valiant conduct, inspiring leadership, and courageous fighting spirit reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals Action Date: August 18 - 24, 1965 Service: Marine Corps Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Company: Commanding Officer Battalion: 3d Battalion Regiment: 3d Marines Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF
Sep 11, 2010

manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
�You are Remembered�
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother�. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!

May 22, 2008

Carol Muir Fauster
cfauster@yahoo.com
Niece
Houston TX
Thinking of You
Thinking of you, Uncle Joe. So proud of you. Wishing we had had more time with you. Saw your name on the Wall. God bless and rest in peace. Love, Carol and family
Aug 14, 2007

Robert Seevers
rseevers@charter.net
He was my baseball coach
444 Dorset Drive Big Bear City CA 92314 USA
I remember my coach -1964
Major Muir was my little league coach in Oceanside California in the Spring of 1964. His son Mike was also on the team and was an outstanding pitcher.

Coach Muir enjoyed working with kids and was very fun to be around. He was a great role model for ten year olds. We had no idea that he was an officer in the Marine corps, he was just a cool guy to be around. I have very fond mermories of those days playing baseball.

My father served in Vietam shortly after Major Muir went and was seriously wounded. My youngest son is a Marine and served in combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. He is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton. The daily news was a reminder of our worst fears when a family member is in harms way.

I want to thank Coach Muir's family for his service to our country and the great sacrific they laid at the alter of freedom. God bless you.

Sincerly,
Robert Seevers
Mar 28, 2007

Steve Maupin
steve4hyr@aol.com
Served under Col. Muir
Sempi Fi. I think of this man in the tradition of Chesty Puller. We were on a hill top, pestered with news reporters. (gag). And receiving harassing small arms fire from a village. I remember with some pride how Col Muir demanded two 105's be air lifted to us or we be extracted. I don't recall the exact time in the after noon but Lt Col Muir and his radio operator hit some type of land mine booby trap.
Monday, September 18, 2000

CWO Ed W. Nicholls- USMC/USArmy Ret.
ENich33023@aol.com
My n Cdr (USMC 3/3/3)
PO Box 473
Kendalia, Tx. 78027 USA
Bn Cdr 3d Bn., 3d Mar Reg., 3dMarine Division, "America's Battalion"
Col.MUIR's Family was a long line Military Family. He was greatly respected by all his Battalion of men. He was kindly and quietly refered to as "The Grasshopper" as in a Combat situation he was everywhere attending to business and careing for his men. His MC career and his r/o's was ended by a motar/bomb rigged booby trap on Hill 55 in the Da Nang TAOR 11 Sep. 1965. A memorial plaque (bill board type) was eventually raised on Hill 55 and Hill 55 was subsequently names Camp MUIR. He has been missed by his men all these years as we expected -someday he would be The CMC. RIP-Col. MUIR.
Sunday, November 25, 2001

PATRICIA MUIR EICHHORN
PATEIC@HOTMAIL.COM
NIECE
P O BOX 3753
VISTA, CA 92085 USA
IN FOND MEMORY
MY FATHER WAS JAMES E MUIR, SR. ALL SUMMER IN 1965, MY FATHER KEPT SAYING JOE WILL BE HOME IN THE FALL. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY WE RECEIVED THE CALL FROM GRANDMA MUIR CONCERNING THE DEATH OF MY UNCLE. THE FUNERAL WAS 1 WEEK LATER AND ALL THE FAMILY HAD COME TO DISTRICT HTS, MD. DURING THE WEEK. I REMEMBER DISCUSSION ALL BROTHERS WOULD WERE UNIFORMS WITH BLACK ARM BANDS ON THE LEFT SIDE. WE DID NOT SEE MY AUNT MILDRED AND HER 5 CHILDREN UNTIL 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE FUNERAL. SCOTTIE HAD MADE SOMETHING AND HE WANTED IT PLACED ON HIS FATHER'S COFFIN. HE WAS ONLY 5 YRS. OLD. THE FUNERAL WAS HELD AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. MY FATHER WAS ONLY 16 MONTHS OLDER THAN UNCLE JOE, BUT HE LOOKED UP TO HIM. HE WAS A SHORT MAN, WHO BARELY MADE THE HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR THE MARINE CORPS. HE RECEIVED A BS IN MILITARY SCIENCE FROM UNIV. OF MD ON 6/3/63, THE SAME DAY I GRADUATED FROM 8TH GRADE. HE HAS BEEN MISSED GREATLY. HE VOLUNTEERED TO GO TO VIETNAM AND HE HELPED THE TAKEOVER OF THE DA NANG AIRSTRIP. HE WAS HIGHLY DECORATED AND VERY RESPECTED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Scott Muir
akpescador2@earthlink.net
son
RR1 BBox 168
Meadow Bridge, WV 25976 USA
Proud To Be Your Son
Father, I was child when you left. You will always be my Hero. Your example of what a man's values should be wiill stay with me and my sons all of our lives.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Brad Latham
obl63@comcast.net
Lieutenant in his Command
643 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867 USA
I was a new, second Lieutenant under Major Muir in Marine Battalion (3/7) at Camp Pendleton, California. He was then the Battalion Executive Officer. We shipped out together for Okinawa. Vietnam was not our objective at that time. I distinctly remember sitting on the bus at Camp Pendleton and watching his family say goodbye to him. About three months after we arrived in Vietnam, he was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel and left our Battalion (then called 1/3) for his own command. I never saw him again. He was a good person and a good leader. He was very helpful and understanding. He was patient with young officers and our mistakes. I have always had fond memories of him and have held him with the deepest respect.
Saturday, November 20, 2004