The Journey Home

The Journey Home
📍 Inglis, Florida (Feb. 17, 2023)
At 17 years old, Cpl. Larry A. Hughes enlisted in the Marine Corps and shipped out for Vietnam. When he returned home to Inglis, Florida in 1969, he left a piece of himself behind in the An Hoa Basin.
In October 2022, decorated Marine Corps veteran and former Senator James Webb and Professor Michael Desch traveled to Vietnam with a group of students from the University of Notre Dame. While conducting a battlefield study, they recovered Cpl. Hughes’ dog tag.
What followed was story of remembrance, family, and a homecoming more than 50 years in the making.
📷 (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Staff Sgt. John A. Martinez)
#USMCHistory #Marines #SemperFidelis

[@sldriskell]

My tags are now 50 years old and I am proud to wear them wherever I go. Semper Fi to all Marines and all Marine families! OOh - rah Devil Dogs!

[@markdonna6574]

Outstanding. Makes you proud to be in the brotherhood. Semper fidelis.

[@michaelcassady3862]

I still visit the grave of one of my guys who was KIA in 2005. I still miss him. S/F.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Makes me so proud to be a Marine for life. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant

[@halrho07]

Thank you for your service❤

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

@YourGalHal thank you. I always tell people the same thing. It was an honor to serve our great Nation and beloved Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis from a Marine Veteran.

[@tbrechjarhead4795]

Excellent story. I’m very proud of the brotherhood and loyalty of my Marine Corps! Semper Fi

[@frankmartinez4856]

Sempre Fi, to our fallen brother,& family! Cpl. Hughes! We love 💕 you 😢

[@kdjohnstone]

May his memory be a blessing. Semper Fi.

[@jpturner171]

Welcome home my brother…🇺🇸🙏🏽 See you on the other side👍🏽 Semper Fi 👍🏽

[@roykiefer7713]

Please never forget this, Jim Webb is as fine an American as the nation has produced since the Eighteenth Century.

[@joechristensen8531]

Thank you all for your service. From one Veteran to another.

[@martinoneal316]

I have my father's dog tags from WW2 (Army )and mine from the Viet Nam event (Air Force) and his grandchildren will get them as will my children... that's the best thing I think...and they will appreciate it... I hope...dog tags are special if you know what they mean...no matter how long it takes...

[@gruntengr4197]

The difference of United States Army and the United States Marines. The Army is something you did. The Marines is something you are.

[@biggsmpbiggs4045]

Thanks for sharing

[@biggsmpbiggs4045]

I need this!

[@robertbenson3437]

Semper Fi!!!!!! Served 1964 to 1970

[@Mark.G475]

Great filming and editing. A great story!

[@dinahabibagahi61]

I'm very Blessed and I'm very proud of all the participants in all the Armed Forces I never had consider being part only of the Army and U.S.M.C because I have been part of the all other Military Forces training since 1975-today date 10-06-2023 time 11:12 am.🤍🖤

[@anlerden4851]

I love watching every emotional story of American Marines alot They are Our Proud and Honor, Semper Fidelis.🥰🤗🙏❤🤍💙💪👍

[@pattygauvin5479]

God bless each and everyone of You soldiers and God bless your family thank you for serving our country 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@feildhockeyfeildhockey5676]

Marines aren’t solidiers

[@jarrodyuki7081]

yes i respect our marines.

[@kathleentyson6727]

Oh my goodness,this made me weep,I come from a Marine Corps family ,my dad Sgt. Raymond Msrtin Shinn ,my brother Cpl.Gary Raymond Shinn ,my husband Cpl .David Allan Tyson and one young man from my brothers boot camp at MCRD in San Deigo who came to our home many times before they shipped out to Nam ,Cpl. Larry H. Nehring who wouldn’t make it home I dedicate this to all of our men and women now serving in every branch of our armed services and raise who did serve ,fought ,bled and dyed for the very freedom I my children and grandchildren now enjoy ,God bless each of you and the families who’ve lost loved ones while serving our country .

[@zacharyfindlay-maddox171]

Semper Fi

[@world_peace1]

God Bless and Protect USA Marines 🙏♥️🕊🇺🇸 My Dad served 1950 - 1954 Korean War.

[@warshipsdd-2142]

Semper Fi, mine urned 60 this year. The title Marine is my most prized posession.

[@charlieb7916]

God bless america and the marine corp

[@cathyaa58]

Thank You for Your Service Sir !!

[@billballeza377]

I highly recommend Senator Webb’s book, Fields of Fire. I served as a Marine in Vietnam and was at the An Hoa Combat Base in 67 and 68 when Senator Webb was there. His book accurately portrays the war and is a vivid account of the fighting and the Marines who fought it. We called the area around An Hoa, the Arizona territory and some of the fiercest battles took place there. The Marines at An Hoa, the 5th Marine Regiment, were flown to defend Hue City during the TET Offensive of 1968. Senator Webb is a great Marine and I am proud to have served with him.

[@B126USMC]

Bill, I'm almost positive many Marine regiments took part in the action in the An Hoa area of operations. I'm not certain where everyone was, but it seemed the USMC rotated us very so often. My platoon was at Namo bridge when i arrived. Then we moved further north up in Hai Van Pass. We climbed about every hill, mountain in those areas,( hunting for the NVA),and Charlie. Sometimes we had to droop our ponchos to get a little bit of dew moisture from the fog when up at the top when we had no water anymore. Rugged area.Shredded trees, broken earth(people when they see the aftermath of tornado; this is what many of these places looked like), the jungle so dense no sunlight could hardly filter through. Up there is where we engaged NVA. Charlie down in the lowlands.Our rear was placed on several amphibious navy ships for about 5-6 months, and that's when we operated in Hoi An, barrier island, etc. After our rear was removed from those ships , i believe another Marine unit took our place.We then operated in the Arizona Territory. Cobb, Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Charlie Ridge, just some of the names I can recall.My very first night in Vietnam was camped out along the runway in DaNang( after we de-boarded a civilian ComAir aircraft) My 2nd night the squad I was assigned to , was my 1st ambush I was out on. And all the hell in between, until my very last night in Vietnam ( didn't know it then) I was with my squad out on an ambush somewhere in the Arizona .Came in during the night from that ambush, as we had "contact', and when it was light , somehow, they got me to our rear. Think it was hill 55 ? My mind slips on things because I had a stroke ( couple of them) ,I know our rear was on Hill 10, and 55..... just can't recall where each was anymore.....but I keep thinking Hill 10 was when I 1st got there, Hill 55 when I rotated? Anyhow, I think many marines (probably ly army guys too ) lost a set of doglegs over there. I know I lost my original dog tags. Maybe a subsequent set also. Finally put one in each shoelace of my jungle boots. Lost those years and years later after I was discharged.I think some girl I was seeing took one of them. I think the other fell between a concrete porch and the foundation of a house I rented.This is long, so I'm going to lastly say, that I'm impressed that this marines dog tag made the journey home and is now with his family. Semper Fi

[@feildhockeyfeildhockey5676]

Welcome home sir! Thank you for your service

[@feildhockeyfeildhockey5676]

Welcome home!

[@spike3346]

Combat Camers ought to make a series out of this. The Dog tag stories.

[@sjwilloughby-greene8214]

Thank you and you all that made this possible. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@barkybite5143]

Welcome home Cpl Hughes, welcome home.

[@jimlee850]

Seller Fi brother. God speed.

[@Mardasee]

I was young during the Vietnam conflict and so I was not really tuned in to what was happening. In 1968 the year was, my family was sitting down at the kitchen table eating goulash for dinner while also watching television on a small table TV. The news was on and the Saigon Execution was aired while we were eating. I still remember my older brother and sister. They got grossed out and left the table without finishing eating. Years later in 1976 I arrived at Parris Island.

[@thebronzetoo]

Semper Fi, Cpl. Hughes!!

[@evilness6950]

God love them all 🙏

[@cavemanlook]

I LOVE MY BROTHERS. SIMPER FI

[@johndunn4228]

I love the Marine Corps. Oh Rah!

[@misskittyny]

❤🇺🇸❤️🦅 Semper Fi

[@janfrye3156]

My father was in WWII on a small island in the Pacific. SEMPER FI. A Marines Daughter

[@randygravel2057]

The dedication, discipline and courage of Marines has to be treated with more respect from our government. Just because they’re ready to fight doesn’t mean you should send them into harms way.

[@emojiking8580]

" I LOVE THE CORPS "

[@philgiglio7922]

In 2019 I was visiting my aunt, and she said I have something of your Dad's for you. She came back a little later with something cupped in her hands... I immediately thought 'dog tags... please. That's exactly what it was. I added a jump ring and a sterling silver French hoop and wear 1 as an earring to honor him. I understand how much it means to them

[@blisstickmystic]

Simper Fidelis

[@bigcatproductions2789]

❤🇺🇸❤🇺🇸❤🇺🇸

[@terryslota2224]

3rd Batt. 7th Marines ChuLai,RVN 10/65-11/66

[@TheCerebralDude]

My dad was 2/7 in Korea, 1952-53

[@terryslota2224]

@@TheCerebralDude hope your Dad is doing OK

[@TheCerebralDude]

@@terryslota2224 He actually passed from Covid in 2021, age 87

[@terryslota2224]

@@TheCerebralDude prayers and condolences to you and your family RIP

[@erasmoflores5604]

I was with 2/5 F company. ‘67-‘68. Semper Fi!

[@VinhTran-gm3tf]

Thank you to the US armed forces and especially the Marines along with the ARVN for trying to defend freedom

[@jamesadams2022]

Very true I wish that the VA would care more about us veterans

[@leightonwood3787]

💙🇺🇲💙

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I'm march all human kind globally

[@solomonrivers5639]

Women, much like the Marines, are defined by those who’ve been in her, are in her, and will be in her

[@thantunaunggoldeneagle5113]

***I HATE WAR ALWAYS PEACE***

[@christianblanco-1363]

Every time a US marine (little m) commits suicide, an angel gets its wings

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I knew Jenny took pic of hrs fridge

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

All pre k daycares elementary, middle, high schools and colleges

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Il never wanna higher entertainment

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

My dad would brag he eat kayowegee or as he says it dog or canines meat

[@TJ-USMC]

"Semper-Fi"

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER7]

If a dog tag could speak, what would it say?

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I rather practice abstenance and with with exstraterestrail invisible wifey that speaks to other poeple in undeniable ways it is step mother and most advanced life form in family.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Till they kamakzi it.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

As to where left after also she has many members of our family of invisible intelligent mind havers.

[@williamabiuso7244]

Really ? A lot of army didnt cone either not just the msrines ok 😊

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Also send my animal army to do so also.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I'm holding earth hostage at sun point a guns is to small

[@Richsosa-rv4px]

rah

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Ever I'm bout buy driver bob cat truck trailer ponds awh water me deer and wild games

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Gods a woman I married her suffer.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I had my family of none nasa space battalion to tell the venice drs for lien to get dead. They fear I I ha.

[@johnnyseventeenseventysix3911]

ALL enemies foreign and Domestic!!!!!

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I'm keep torturing the nasa space station from inside it with unnatural mechanical sounds.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Ment denny andres fridge aka dennis Andre's 2 and wants to get I to kill sammy for him

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I've never cheated on a relationship period suffer simpler brain having poeple.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

This makes I Darth Vader of the humans get what I ask or the space ship I phase up with me and mines so we can hit earth with what as death ray from death star. Ship my exstratestrail alien lover from or is in while avatar body with I.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

My punishment giver if I bad alien ship and thr sun. Never poeple all are proven less alpha leader as capable.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

The exstraterestrail aliens on earth to better my life none of your marines.

[@kyleouten7071]

Tell major Radcliffe the intell I was holding is pope Francis is Allah I am not responsible for any of these wars

[@184876ela]

SEMPER FI MARINE REST EASY

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

For the shut machine down before I got receipt but after it said payment approved if I crash earth into moon if justifiable.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Peta owes they're all my animals

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Il never go to clubs or bars

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I have most advanced interrogation techniques torture techniques and the largest amount of peace keepers and bounty hunters. They came from a other solar system.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Baby bird comes before Jason merandez in Hollywood uh uh

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

Il also never be part of audiences or goto music concerts.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

My warrant came from the sun and other solar systems.

[@zacharylangsdon1514]

I have arrested earth