Toby Richard Gritz
First Lieutenant
HML-367, MAG-16, 1ST MAW, III MAF United States Marine Corps Santa Barbara, California December 09, 1944 to March 25, 1970 TOBY R GRITZ is on the Wall at Panel W12, Line 42 |
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Toby Richard Gritz was a brave Marine who died serving his country. He arrived in Vietnam on November 4 1969. On March 25,1970 Toby was flying over Marble Mountain Air Station in Quang Nam when his aircraft crashed. Clouds and fog were blamed for that crash. I miss you a lot.
A memorial initiated by his brother. |
REMEMBEREDby his comrades-in-arms from theUSMC/Combat Helicopter Association This was Scarface's saddest day of 1970. Four lieutenants were lost in a horrific midair that took place as the two AH-1Gs were making their break over the runway. Everyone that was at Marble Mountain Airfield when it happened on 25 March 1970 has a vivid memory of this crash. God Bless them, may they forever rest in peace. The photos are from HML-367's 1970 cruise book. The ones below show 1st Lt Gritz (left) with his good friend 1st Lt Frank Eric Sacharanski, 24, from Wayne, NJ, and 1st Lt Gritz with HML-367's AH-1G "VT-26". Semper Fidelis.
George T. Curtis
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Toby was a couple of years ahead of me at Fillmore High School. I only knew him because I used to hang out with his brothers John, Paul and Rocky. I remember watching Toby at the High School swimming pool practicing some very difficult dives for an upcoming competition. He made them look so easy. He was an incredible athlete. Like all of the Gritz brothers, Toby had honor and integrity and it is my privilege to have known him.
From a friend, |
A Note from The Virtual WallFour men of HML-367 died when their AH-1G Cobras collided in flight overhead the Marble Mountain air base:
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