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Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (4), Good Conduct Medal (7), National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (4), USMC Overseas Service Ribbon(3), USMC Recruiting Service Ribbon, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, RVN Civic Action Unit Citation, RVN Campaign Medal |
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James Allen Kuhl Master Gunnery Sergeant United States Marine Corps Tall, blond haired with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes, Jim entered the United States Marine Corps at Billings, Montana in 1966. After graduating from Recruit and Infantry Training at MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton, he received further training to prepare him for his duty assignment as the radio operator with Team Springwheat, 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Vietnam in 1967. After spending months with Force Recon, Jim, an amateur radio operator since his high school days, was scooped up by the Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliated Radio System, in desperate need of qualified personnel in Vietnam. Assigned to N0EFJ (Juliet) at 3rd Marine Division Headquarters (Forward) in Phu Bai, so began Cpl. Kuhl's journey into MARS. His affiliation with MARS would last through the remainder of his 24 year career in the Corps. Completing his Vietnam tour of duty in 1968, Jim was transferred to Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, CA for duty with MARS at station N0RTW. During his duty at Romeo Tango Whiskey from 1968 to 1971, Jim was promoted to Sergeant of Marines. His next assignment sent him to Okinawa in early 1971 to station N0MOC at Marine Corps Base Butler, Camp Foster. From Okinawa Jim returned to MSCS Barstow, the station's call having been re-designated to N0MBA. Completing this assignment in 1973, Jim returned to other Marine Corps duties for the next 5 years, including a stint in the Recruiting Command where his tall good looks and squared away attitude left him in good stead. His assignments included recruiting in McAllen, Texas and AFEES duty (Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station) in San Antonio, Texas. In 1978 he was assigned to duty with MARS at MCB Butler, Camp Fuji, Japan with N0MJF into 1979. His next set of orders once again took him from MARS for a stint as a Career Planner at Quantico, VA until 1981. His final years in the Corps were spent in MARS assignments. Following CP duty he was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro for duty with MARS at N0MET from 1981-1983. From there he was assigned to our fiftieth state at N0MHK, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay from 1983 - 1986. His last assignment was as N0GCO, the USMC area coordinator MARS and Marine Corps Emergency Radio Network (MCERN) for Okinawa from 1986 - 1990. MGySgt Jim Kuhl retired from the Corps in 1990 and returned to his beloved home state of Montana. Our dear friend Jim Kuhl has been guarding the gates of heaven since February 25, 2001. SEMPER FIDELIS
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