Bruce C. Van Apeldoorn Sr. – Bio

Military Bio – Bruce C. Van Apeldoorn Sr., MSgt. USMC Retired
Dates of active service: December 7, 1966 – December 8, 1986
Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded:
Combat Action Ribbon
Good Conduct (6 Awds)
VN Gallantry Cross (w/palm)
Presidential Unit Commendation
National Defense
Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Navy Unit Commendation
Vietnam Service w/3*
Vietnam Civil Actions
After completion of Boot Camp (MCRD Parris Island), Infantry Training (Camp Geiger/MCB Camp Lejeune), and the Basic
Tank Crewman Course (Camp Pendleton) was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam. As a PFC I
was issued an M14 and assigned to the S3 as a member of the security platoon. For four months I was afforded the
opportunity to hone 0311 skills by going on patrols, establishing ambushes, guarding strategic structures such as
bridges, building bunkers, and stringing concertina wire. In January of 1968 I was promoted to L/Cpl. and assigned to
the 2nd Platoon, ‘C’ Company, 1st Tank Battalion as a Tank Crewman. At the end of the month the Tet Offensive started
ending a period of hunting the elusive Viet Cong and the beginning of battling the North Vietnam Army. Both continued
the use of what would become known as IEDs.
In May/June of 1968 participated in Operation Allenbrook as a Corporal. This operation would be the focus of the book
“Every Marine; 1968 Vietnam – A Battle for Go Noi Island” written by Robert A Simonsen. Rotated back to the US in July.
A letter from my Company Commander, Captain R. P. Hopkins stated “Your outstanding leadership as a tank commander
under the trying conditions of almost daily contact with the enemy is appreciated.”
Assignments during my career were 2nd Tank Battalion at Camp Lejeune with a Mediterranean cruise with 3rd Battalion
6th Marine Regiment, Recruiting Duty in Rochester, NY, 3rd Tank Battalion on Okinawa with cold weather training at Mt.
Fuji, retrained in Avionics as a SSgt. and was assigned to Marine Air Group 14 MCAS Cherry Point. As a GySgt.,
transferred to Marine Air Group 32 and enjoyed a second trip to the Mediterranean. Final assignment was as NCOIC of
Naval Air Training Detachment at Cherry Point in support of the AV-8B where I was promoted to MSgt.
Starting with my promotion to SSgt. in 1972 until my retirement in 1986 experienced ever increasing demands of
leadership positions in diverse assignments as a Marine Staff Non-Commissioned Officer.
Earned undergraduate and graduate degrees via off-duty education while at MCAS Cherry Point.
Continue to live by the Corps’ ethical standards learned during my career as a U.S. Marine, am physically fit recently
finishing the 41st Marine Corps Marathon in 2016 and have a squared-away set of dress blues.
Life member of USMC Vietnam Tankers Association, Marine Corps Tankers Association, Marine Corps League, American
Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America. Also served on Rochester’s Marine Corps
Coordinating Council. Have or am serving each organization as Commander to Finance Director.