Randy Dale Brosnan

The database page for Randy Dale Brosnan

30 Sep 2006 Randy, You are missed so very much. I am putting your name on this wall in honor of you. You fought for your country and you deserve to be on this virtual wall. I went today to see the moving wall and saw your name there. I want to see it here also. We love and miss you very much. From his cousin, Carol Ward stargazer888@msn.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall In July 1966 the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines provided the bulk of Battalion Landing Team 3/5. On 16 July the BLT was put ashore for operations in the eastern part of Quang Tri Province (Op DECKHOUSE II), but on the 18th it was reassigned to Op HASTINGS in the western portion of the Province. Elements of BLT 3/5 air-assaulted into LZ CROW in the mountains northwest of Cam Lo beginning at 0800 18 July. These elements were the first US forces to operate in the area, which comprised three valleys divided by ridgelines reaching to altitudes exceeding 1000 feet above sea level. Although there was little hard intelligence with respect to the enemy's strength or exact location, the 364B NVA Division was known to be in the area. The initial landings at LZ CROW (Mike 3/5) were actively opposed, proving the enemy was present in force and apparently determined to fight. However, that didn't happen - during the first four days, 3/5's contacts with enemy troops were limited to small unit encounters with enemy elements which seemed to fall into two categories - those assigned to fight delaying tactics and those which had been cut off from their parent units. The nature of the operation changed on 22 July when Mike 3/5 took on an NVA force defending what appeared to be a battalion staging area. Fourteen Marines and one sailor were killed in action ejecting the NVA from the bunkered area. On 24 July India 3/5 was moving along the ridgeline of Hill 362 ("Razorback Ridge") when it came under point-blank attack by NVA forces concealed in heavy jungle. Kilo 3/5 was directed to join on Mike 3/5 but while approaching from the southeast encountered a bunkered NVA force. Both companies withdrew slightly while air and artillery struck the enemy areas. At the same time Lima 3/5 had a sharp encounter with a third force. By nightfall the Marines had formed defensive perimeters and were prepared for a night attack - but the NVA satisfied themselves with mortar and sniper fire. At sunrise on 25 July the Marines resumed their advance but met little or no resistance - the NVA had withdrawn into the Demilitarized Zone, safely beyond the Marines' reach. BLT 3/5 completed its withdrawal from the area on 30 July. During the 12 days of the operation they had located and destroyed eight major NVA staging areas, captured or destroyed large quantities of arms and supplies, killed over 300 NVA soldiers, and captured 7 NVA. The operation was completed at considerable cost - 53 Marines and sailors killed in action or died of wounds, and another 162 wounded in action. Twenty-eight of the American dead were from the actions on Razorback Ridge on 26 July: India 3/5: 1stLt Joseph S. Kopfler, Kenner, LA SSgt Jerry L. Hailey, Conran, MO SSgt William H. Hawkins, Greenville, SC Cpl Richard J. Currier, Fort Lauderdale, FL Cpl Robert M. Johnson, Forest Park, GA LCpl Robin L. Arnold, Streamwood, IL LCpl Ronald P. Coates, Lebanon, OH LCpl George E. Corey, Mount Sterling, KY LCpl Lawrence E. Denny, Belleville, IL LCpl Sidney J. Malone, San Diego, CA Pfc Randy D. Brosnan, Detroit, MI Pfc Lawrence E. Daniels, Oak Forest, IL Pfc Franklin C. Eucker, Orange, NJ Pfc Ronald L. Fenstermacher, Buckhannon, WV Pfc Daniel W. Harmon, Bremerton, WA Pfc Samuel L. Huffman, Hamilton, OH (DoW 07/25/1966) Pfc Stephen R. Kittle, Hollywood, FL Pfc Thomas F. Presby, Sunland, CA Pvt Oscar Cruz, Escondido, CA Kilo 3/5: Cpl Joe M. Kemp, Las Cruces, NM LCpl Robert L. Studards, Detroit, MI Pfc Jose D. Flores, Los Angeles, CA (DoW 07/25/1966) Pfc Ronda L. Raglin, St Clair Shores, MI Lima 3/5: SSgt Norman L. Koos, Olivet, MI Pfc Bruce A. Baker, Essex Junction, VT Pfc Pruitt H. Cheaney, Sarasota, FL Pfc James R. Nash, Brick Township, NJ Pfc Paul J. Strausser, Millington, TN

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his cousin, Carol Ward stargazer888@msn.com

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 30 Sep 2006
Last updated 10/03/2006