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Mayaguez Memorial
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Mayaguez Memorial VFW Post 11575 is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who supported or fought "The Last Battle". The first and only VFW post in a former Communist country, our post is unique in it's location, membership and mission. One of our top priorities is to ensure a full accounting and recovery of our comrades who are still listed as MIA.
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VFW Post 11575 pages index
Post email: [email protected]
Many members have expressed interest in transferring their Local VFW membership to Post 11575
Here are the forms to make it happen! Fill out forms, scan and email to [email protected]
VFW_MCR form.pdf VFW Form PT-MD.pdf
Post 11575 History
The VFW Post 11575 was established on 15 May 2000, under a Charter issued by The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and signed by the Commander in Chief, John Smart. The Post was started with 42 active members that are listed on the Post Charter.
John "Jack" Farrell:
Commander - Navy
Commander Farrell was born in Rochester, New York, and presently resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He retired from the US Navy Silent Service (Submarine Force) in 1996 after 22 years of service as a Radioman Chief Petty Officer
Commander Farrell upon retiring from the US Navy was employed by Harris Corporation, RF Communications Division as an International Country Manager responsible for the development and execution of Tactical Radio Programs in the Middle East and Northern Africa. He worked there until April 2011 until his retirement after 16 years of service.
Upon his retirement, he relocated to Thailand and subsequently Ban Chang Thailand and joining VFW Post 12146 Banchang-Utapao, Thailand.
Upon completing his term as Commander of the Post and achieving All American and All State status. He relocated to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to assume Command of Mayaguez Memorial VFW Post 11575.
Commander Farrell as Past District Commander, District Senior Vice Commander, and Inspector General for District V which included Thailand, Cambodia, and Australia provided leadership to a total of 8 VFW Posts in the religion.
Post Name and Number:
The Post was named in memory of 18 KIA, 3 MIA and 41 wounded servicemen during the Mayaguez Incident. The Post Number, 11575, was selected in memory of the date (11 May 75) that the Mayaguez Containership was seized by Khmer Rouge forces. I know that the date was actually 12 May but this is what I was told when I joined the Post. It may have been an error when the number was requested.
The Mayagüez incident involving the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia on May 12–15, 1975, marked the last official battle of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
The names of the Americans killed are the last names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as those of three Marines who were left behind on the island of Koh Tang after the battle and who were believed to have been subsequently executed by the Khmer Rouge while in captivity.
The merchant ship's crew, whose seizure at sea had prompted the U.S. attack, had been released in good health, unknown to the U.S. Marines or the U.S. command of the operation, before the Marines attacked.
Post Homes:
Tom’s Irish Pub (2000-2001)
Willam Tell
Restaurant (2001-2002)
Home of the Cdr, Monte Marchant
(2002-2003)
Freebird Bar (2003-2006)
Tony’s Bar (2006-2009)
Sharky Bar (2009-Present)
Post Commanders: |
| 2000-2001 | Jerry M. Philbrook |
| 2001-2002 | Monte R. Marchant |
| 2002-2003 | Monte R. Marchant |
| 2003-2004 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2004-2005 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2005-2006 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2006-2007 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2007-2008 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2008-2009 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2009-2010 | Darren (Jay) Steed |
| 2010-2011 | John Muller |
| 2011-2012 | John Muller |
| 2012-2013 | John Muller |
| 2013-2014 | John Muller |
| 2014-2015 | John Muller |
| 2015-2016 | Roy Day |
| 2016-2017 | Roy Day |
| 2017-2018 | John Muller |
| 2018-2019 | John Muller |
| 2019-2020 | Jack Farrell |
