Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple Marine Corps veteran Joseph Bateman, 70, of Leavittsburg, displays several of the nine military honors he received for his service in Vietnam, including a Purple Heart.

LEAVITTSBURG — When Joseph Bateman was drafted into the Army in 1969 at the age of 22, he went to the recruiting station and volunteered to join the Marine Corps instead.

“Me and my youngest brother signed up together on what was called the ‘buddy plan,'” Bateman said. “My brother tested to go into air traffic control, so he spent his military career in North Carolina. I went to Vietnam.”

He said he wanted to join the Marines to “prove himself.”

Bateman, now 70, went to Parris Island for eight weeks of basic training and then spent two months in advanced training at Camp Geiger, S.C. He then took a four-month “Mediterranean cruise” to Spain and Italy aboard a Navy ship.

“We were on call in the Mediterranean in case a skirmish broke out,” Bateman said.

He then spent 11 months in Vietnam, where he and his platoon ran patrols to make sure areas were clear. Bateman said he saw “a lot” of action on the ground there.

But it was his experience of being shot down while on a helicopter that caused Bateman to become emotional. He said the helicopter was coming into the base to relieve another platoon when it was struck by sniper fire.

“There was 12 of us on the chopper. Eight of us made it out alive,” Bateman said.

The survivors became known as the “Miracle 8,” but there was no news coverage of the crash, Bateman said. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries.

“I was sitting in the middle. I was black and blue from my feet to my waist and had a gash under my chin, but no broken bones. I couldn’t believe any of us survived,” he said.

In the past several years, he started having back problems that doctors said could be related to the crash.

Bateman received the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V,” one of the highest military honors.

The citation states: “While serving with Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from Aug. 3 1970 to March 9, 1971, Corporal Bateman performed his duties in an exemplary manner. Serving consecutively as a Rifleman, a Fire Team Leader, and as a Squad Leader, he displayed outstanding perseverance despite the extremely adverse conditions and difficulties associated with a combat environment. Participating in numerous combat patrols and ambushes, he repeatedly distinguished himself by his courage and composure under fire as he successfully led his men against enemy forces.”

The citation specifically mentions Dec. 3, 1970, when Bateman’s unit was on patrol in the Que Son Mountains and was momentarily halted by an intense volume of enemy fire from a tree line approximately 450 meters away.

“Reacting instantly and with complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Bateman maneuvered his squad to a more advantageous position and, constantly exposing himself to the enemy fire, requested and accurately directed a supporting artillery fire upon the hostile position, forcing the enemy to retreat in a disorganized manner,” the citation states.

Bateman’s daughter, Jessica Bates, said her father never talked about his military service and she only recently found out about his Navy Achievement Medal.

“He is very humble,” she said.

On Sept. 22, Bateman was among a plane full of veterans visiting the war memorials in Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight Program. He was one of only two Vietnam veterans on board the Southwest Airlines flight.

“The veterans were treated like royalty by the Honor Flight folks,” Bates said. “I was so proud to be able to accompany my dad on the trip.”

On Nov. 24, Bateman will be laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. That honor is the result of Bates calling Arlington officials about her father’s military achievements.

He also was inducted into the Purple Heart Hall of Fame several years ago.

“If I could go back and do it over, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Bateman said.