I feel the need to share somthing tonight

[billygun]

On this date 33 years ago I had been medivaced from a vietnam cemetary where my unit, 2nd plt., Delta 1/3 was awaiting an airlift back up to the DMZ. Prior to being evacuated, I assigned one of our M-60 gunners to take my place as squad leader. In place of the gunner taking my place, I assigned a friend and seasoned A gunner to take the place of the B gunner. I remember this marine only as "Hawk".
Later that evening, Delta 1/3 was air lifted back uo to the DMZ to a location just south east of mutters ridge. the following is from a copy of the U.S.M.C. Combat Action Report for the month of may, 1969.
Narative Summary

Friday, May 1, 1969

At 0111004 a Platoon from Delta Co. made contact with 2 NVA. Following the initial contact at YD02764Y, the company came into contact with unknown size enemy force to the Nortn And North west. they came under fire from two machine gun bunkers(YD027643 and YD023643). Company ran artillery and 81 mm mortar mission, plus fixed wing strike on bunkers in area. Recieved 9 KIA and 15 WIA, during action, while inflicting 16 KIA on enemy.

Tomorrow,May 1 at 11A.M. I will pause in memory of those lost that morning including 7 of the 9 lost, including my friend Hawk. the 15 wia that morning never returned to the bush.

Name Home town Start of tour Age at loss

L/Cpl Martin foley Dorchester, MA. 8-16-68 19
P.F.C. John Hatfield Springfield, OH 4-5-69 20
P.F.C. Edward Horn Poland, OH 7-7-68 20
P.F.C. Paul Laverock Perrysburg OH 2-25-69 20
P.F.C. Randy Paro Kohala, Hi 4-15-69 18
P.F.C. Felix salas Luling, Tx 2-2-69 23
P.F.C. James Vandeventer Lancaster, Ca 3-31-69 19

Unfortionatly, I do not have the remaining 2 KIA, as they must have perrished days later.


total stats for 1/3 May 69

NVA/VC KIA 77
POW 2

Casualties Sustained

KIA 43
WIA 160
MIA 0


Semper Fi, My Brothers, My Friends.....

billygun, aka in1969 as Cpl. Willard Matthews