I best set the scene to what happened that night, when Raymond John lost his paddle.

From the photo above you're able to see that there was 7 Marines per boat.

Six strokers and one coxain. Starting from the front or the bow, the first Marine on the right side (starboard) is number one, the first Marine on the left side (port) is number two, the second Marine on the right-side is number three, the second Marine on the left-side is number four, the last Marine on the right-side is number five, the last Marine on the left-side is number six, and the coxain in the rear or stern of the boat would be number 7.

Raymond John was number three and I was number 5, or right behind him.

The night before had calm seas.  We had made a beach landing at Bellows Air Base, Hawaii. Another platoon from our company then took the rubber boats, and headed out to sea and the sub beyond the coral reef. After that other platoon left, we proceeded to an Observation Post or OP.

We were at that OP all day reporting anything that we observed. That night we made our way back to the beach around 2200 to await another platoon. They were supposed to be there at midnight.

Well that time went slowly by, so I took a quick nap. About 0145 they awoke me saying
that other platoon had landed and that we were leaving. The other platoon had relayed to us that there was some rough seas out there.

After that this what I wrote in "A Sad Day in My Life"

A Sad Day in My Life
Was the day that I was visiting the 3rd Recon Harbor site on the web.
I was looking for the names of two friends of mine
L/Cpl Randall K. Campbell USMC and PFC Carl R. Wenzel USMC.

The first to die in Vietnam
From the 1st Marine Brigade
And my old unit, Bravo Company 3rd Recon BN,
Which was stationed in K-Bay, Hawaii till 1965.

Then I went to a page titled "Final Taps"
There I found the name
Of a friend of mine, Raymond John.
All of us used to call him "John".

This brought back many memories.
Especially one when we were practicing
Submarine Boat Recoveries off Bellows Air Force Base in Hawaii.
He lost his paddle as we were hit by a wave.

I shoved him with mine and I told him.
"John start paddling!"

In a low voice, he answered "I've lost my paddle!"
At that same time the coxswain Cpl. George Woodcock
Hit John with his large paddle
Saying "You did what you [so and so]!"
Out of the dark,
As this was happening at 0230,
About a mile from the beach.

At a reef that protected that beach 
Came another boat!
And someone asked,
"Did anyone lose a paddle?"

We all yelled "Yes! Give it to us!"
We then proceed to clear that reef
Where we came on some mighty rough seas
With about 20 foot swells!

Now looking back on those times.
It really made me feel sad
Seeing John’s name there.

We were in Nam in 1965
And he died in 1967.

I pray for you my Navajo Buddy
May God grant you Peace.