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Bruce Edward Boltze
Chief Warrant Officer 2
SUBUNIT 1, 1ST ANGLICO, FMFPAC United States Marine Corps Flint, Michigan January 31, 1938 to October 06, 1972 BRUCE E BOLTZE is on the Wall at Panel W1, Line 80 |
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CWO Bruce E. Boltze 260601437/0202 USMC was flying in an OV-10 Bronco as a spotter for 1st Anglico. He was shot down by a missile while just off the coast of Military Region I (near DaNang) in the Republic of Vietnam. Both he and the pilot were lost at sea and their bodies were not recovered, hence he has been listed as Killed in Action/Body not Recovered. Bruce Boltze was age 34 and married at the time of his loss. He is listed on "The Wall" in Washington, DC, Panel 01W-Row 080. To this I day have his POW-MIA bracelet.
A memorial from another Marine, |
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To this day, much loved and thought of husband and father. Never will be forgotten. I now have the sister I always wanted in your sister!
From his wife (now remarried), |
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CWO Boltze was my drill instructor at Parris Island. I was in Platoon 315 and completed training on April 2nd 1969. He was a Staff Sergeant then whom I respected greatly. I last saw him on the air base in Beaufort. He was a dedicated Marine til the end!
From his recruit, |
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In early 1969, I was a recruit in Platoon 314, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina. I remember then-Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Boltze, as he was training Platoon 315, which was in our series. I recall him as a tough, squared away drill instructor and Marine. I was saddened to learn, so many years later, of his death in action in Vietnam. I only wish to add that I still remember Marines such as Warrant Officer Boltze every day of my life. He will not be forgotten.
From a fellow Marine, |
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It has been a long time since that day in 1972. Like Bruce I was a "backseater" in OV-10's at DaNang. I first met Bruce while in VMO-6 at Futema, Okinawa. He was a character that could cheer us up with one of his many tales of life on the Drill Field. He loved his job and he had the talent of making everything that he did seem easy to do. He was a fine Marine and fellow CWO, and to this day I can see him clearly in his flight suit getting ready for his flight. It was quite a shock that day when he did not return and there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd of Marines and Air Force.
John Sandoval Jr. |
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To the Boltze Family- I just wanted you to know that I keep Bruce in my thoughts and hope that one day you can have peace of mind. I also wear his bracelet every day and think about you [his family]. My father also served in the Corps and every night he asks that God watch over our troops and their families.
Brandy Ann Newsum |
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I remember CWO Boltze well, he would come through my Flight Equipment shop on the way to his plane. He was always in good spirits and always had something uplifting to say to me. I was a very young Corporal in charge and trying my best to do my best.
From a friend, |
Notes from The Virtual WallOn 26 May 1972 Captain W. E. Ramsbotton and CWO2 Bruce E. Boltze were flying a "Fast FAC" mission in a TA-4F (BuNo 153508, H&MS-15) when they spotted an enemy tank about 15 miles northwest of Hue. Since the TA-4F was armed, Captain Ramsbottom decided to attack the tank with 20mm cannon fire. As he pulled off from his first strafing run the TA-4F was hit by an SA-7 handheld antiaircraft missile. Ramsbottom limped back toward Danang, but the two men were forced to eject over water about 10 miles southeast of the airfield. Both men survived the incident.On 06 October 1972 Air Force LtCol Carl O. McCormick (20th TASS) and CWO Boltze were in an OV-10A Bronco (tail number 67-14673) directing Naval gunfire about 12 miles north of Danang. During the mission the aircraft exploded in flight, with the wreckage disintegrating on impact in the South China Sea. Although a quantity of debris and fragmented remains were recovered, the remains could not be identified as those of either McCormick or Boltze.
The Air Force and Marine Corps determined that neither man could have survived the catastrophic explosion and disintegration of the aircraft and both were classed as Killed in Action/Body not Recovered.
First formed during World War II, ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) Marines provide fire support coordination and communications between the ground, air, and naval forces. ANGLICO Marines receive special training to include Jump School, Ranger School, Amphibious Warfare School, Forward Observers School, etc., and are assigned to duties in support of various US and Allied units. In Vietnam, the 1st ANGLICO Marines were assigned to and worked with all branches of US, RVN, ROK, and Australian combat forces. |
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