Mr. Dirmann enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leader’s Course during his senior year in High School.  This program required summer training during college at Quantico, Virginia, and a six year commitment of three years in the Marine Corps Reserves and three years active duty as a commissioned officer.  Mr. Dirmann was commissioned in June 1964 as a second lieutenant and completed the Basic School for officers at Quantico, Virginia, in 1965.  He attended a Communication Officer Course and was then assigned to Marine Corps Base 29 Palms where he was promoted to first lieutenant and assumed the duties as the battalion communication officer for Fourth Battalion 11th Marine Regiment, the heavy artillery battalion for the First Marine Division.  In January 1966, the Fourth Battalion 11th Marines and many units of the First Marine Division deployed from Long Beach, California, to Vietnam.  Lt. Dirmann continued as the battalion communication officer for the Fourth Battalion 11th Marines until September 1966.  He participated in 16 combat operations while serving in Vietnam including:  Operation Utah, Operation Texas, Operation Indiana, Operation Iowa, Operation Nevada, Operation Montgomery, Operation Mobile, Operation Kansas, Operation Oakland, Operation Franklin, Operation Colorado, Operation Jackson, Operation Napa, Operation Fresno, Operation Dragon Eye, and Operation Dawn.

 In September 1966 Lt. Dirmann was given command of a U.S. Marine detachment to provide communication support to the Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade at Quang Ngai, Vietnam.  Lt. Dirmann was one of several U.S. Marine officers assigned to support the Korean Marines.  He held this position from September 1966 to January 1967. 

 The First Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Lyndon Johnson for combat action during 1966 and 1967.  Mr. Dirmann was awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon as a member of the First Marine Division during this period of time.  When Mr. Dirmann returned from his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps and he was Honorably discharged in July 1967.

If you would like more information visit the links below:

Presidential Unit Citation
First Marine Division
11th Marine Regiment
2nd Korean Marine Brigade