3rd Force Recon Company 1969/70

Welcome to the USMC LIVING HISTORY-RE-ENACTMENT GROUP.

We portray the United States Marine Corps Third Force Reconnaissance Company that served in Vietnam during 1969-1970. The Company was commanded by Major ALEX LEE. Third Force Recon Company was made up of  small units of specially  trained US Marines, that conducted long-range patrols deep in Northern I Corps-including the infamous Ashau Vally-to gather intelligence about the North Vietnamese Army. The missions could be harrowing and often deadly in the enemy-dominated Ashau, where the Recon Marines were always vastly outnumbered and support was miles away. Days of silent observation could and often did, erupt into savage, running fire fights and hot extractions. In his book .FORCE RECON COMMAND,’ Alex Lee, writes; ‘’This book is respectfully dedicated to the men of Third Force Reconnaissance Company, Fleet Marine Force Pacific, who served in combat in the Republic of Vietnam during 1969 and 1970.These men served with honour, unreported to their Countrymen. They did great things because they were willing to dare greatly. Their nation should be proud to have such sons.''

I have read this book many times, it always seems fresh, it is a true story of brotherhood. If you have an interest in the Vietnam War this book is a must read. I have contacted Alex Lee Via email and he approves of our group, as it makes people aware of the brave men that served under him.

The aim of this re-enactment group is to portray THIRD FORCE RECON COMPANY to the best of our ability, this means Collecting the correct kit and uniform, studying the books by LT COL A LEE and MAJOR ‘DOC’ BRUCE NORTON.

I formed Third Force Recon Company, in 2001, after being with a US NAVY SEALS re-enactment group for a year, the Seal group were good, but after reading about US Marine Force Reconnaissance, in Vietnam, I was so impressed with the Marine Reconnaissance Units, I wanted to start my own group, I read twelve or more books on the Marine Recon Units in Vietnam, In 2002 I battled on the AIRCAV site in Wales, with Kevin Parsons and his Aircav guys, at that time, 3d Force Recon Company USMC living History Group were the only reconnaissance group around, this gave a new perspective to re-enactment, contacts and fire fights were to be avoided at all costs, as to be seen in the bush by the NVA unit during battle weekends, meant our mission was compromised. This is how our group will operate during battle weekends, we are not a gung ho group that wants plenty of trigger time, our objective is to find the enemy and radio their position to other Army/Marine units. If we do make contact then the IA Drills/contact drills, we practice will be used, so we can get clear of hostile units.

So if you are interested in joining a small friendly group that wants to get things right and wants to recreate a Force Recon mission with all the detail of a patrol, then contact me, Forcerecon1969@aol.com if on the other hand you just want to turn up to a battle wear the gear and not really be interested in all the detail that does with our group, then we are not the unit for you. We want guys that want to be a part of a Marine Recon Group. 

                                                Sgt M. Barker.