Mike Vogel
Following TBS, attended Comm Officers School. Arrived in RVN 1 Sep ‘69 and assigned to HQ Co,
1st Mar Div as security platoon cmdr located West of Da Nang airfield.
Once a Comm O billet opened up. I was transferred to HQ Btry, 4/11 @ hill 34. Ran security
company in conjunction with Comm Off duties. Along with HQ, my comm Marines were also
assigned to each of the 155SP Howitzer Batteries, located at hill 55, An Hoa and LZ Ross. As a
side note, I was spending time at LZ Ross when we were “momentarily” overrun on 6 Jan ‘70 by a
reinforced NVA Regiment. In fact, the last 15 minutes of the movie Platoon still reminds me of the
situation at Ross.
Nevertheless, returning from RVN in Sept ‘70, I was assigned as the RPS (Top Secret Crypto
Clearance) Custodian for the 8th Com Bn at Lejeune. I played football for the Bn and my first son
was born at the Naval Hospital.
Returned to the civilian world in Dec ‘71...earned a masters degree at night school (GI Bill). Joined
the USMCR and stayed for 20+ years, retiring as a Lt Col.
Simultaneously with my reserve involvement, I entered the advertising world, where I worked for the
next 30+ years. I retired a few years ago from BBDO Detroit as Chairman/CEO. The company was
responsible for all of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge marketing/advertising worldwide.
I’m currently a partner with two of my friends in a smaller marketing firm and having fun. Still
married (42 years) to my high school sweetheart Karen. We have two sons and four grandchildren.
Although Karen and I traveled quite a bit with my business, we still look forward to traveling and
golfing together. Spending time with our kids and grandkids remains our favorite past time.
I enjoy hunting and have been fortunate to be able to hunt all over the world…taking my sons when
their schedules permitted…great quality time.
Looking forward to the reunion.