An email received from Barney Espinoza on 23 Oct. 2017
Our good friend and fellow Purple Fox, Herb Linson, has departed the pattern for a better, and permanent change of duty.
I talked to Herb as often as I could, the last time was about 4 days ago. His voice was always strong but he did tell me that he was down to less than 130 lbs and so weak that he could not easily get himself up.
As usual, he loved to talk about all of our adventures with the Purple Foxes, would recall stories and spoke fondly, and often of our Sqdn Mates.
I had known Herb since about 1963 or so when he returned from his first Vietnam tour. Then we became close buddies when we all left with MAG 36 on the USS Princeton in 1965. When I returned to Vietnam in Dec 69, I was surprised to see him in 263 at Marble Mt, having never left the country.
Herb was a brave Marine, in combat as a Crew Chief, and in facing his immanent death, he faced it full-face, telling me about all the arrangements he and his very capable, and strong wife, Tina, and his loving daughter, Teresa had been working on. He sent me a picture wearing his burial Dress Blues. He had everything well organized, and I never heard him in a depressed mood, but instead, always u-beat, as we laughed and joked about everything, as we have always done in the past.
I know his last thoughts were about the Marine Corps, his Sqdn Mates and especially the Purple Foxes. He loved the UH34, and was very proud that he participated in the folding of the blades, while stationed in Memphis,during the 34's retirement ceremony.
My buddy Herb was a Marine's Marine, who performed his duties to the full extent of his abilities, never flinching, never complaining, just doing it. I know that I am not the only one who will miss him because I know of so many Marines who also think highly of him.
No arrangements to announce yet. I will keep you informed.
God Bless Herb.
Barney
Dear Daves,
I got word from Tina Linson, Herb Linson's wife, that Herb died last night.
He had been fighting (deleted for privacy) in Dallas, Tx.
She will let me know when and where the funeral will
be and I will pass on obituary information when I receive it.
Herb was a charter member of a close group of friends that came together at the start of HMM-364 in 1962.
The ranks thin.
Warren Smith
Dave,
Please do a TAPS page for Herb. He was a great Marine and even better Crew Chief with us in 65-66.
Semper Fi
Dave
Email forwarded from Warren Smith on 25 Oct 2017 that he received from Mrs Linsom:
We have the final arrangements for Wayne's funeral.
Tomorrow (Thursday, 26 Oct 2017), the viewing will be at
Jeter and Son Funeral Home
4830 W Illinois Dallas Tx 75224
from 5:00 pm to 8:00 with a Rosary at at 6:30.
Thursday at 9:30 am mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
4015 So Hampton Dallas Tx 75224,
with burial to follow at the National Cemetery at 11:15 am.
We will have a Celebration of Life to follow at St. Elizabeth's hall.
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