01 Sep 2002 The photo and following article is taken from The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987. The special supplement was issued in conjunction with the dedication of the Philadelphia Viet Nam Memorial. "Brockman met his wife while still in high school in Winston-Salem, NC. He was an auto mechanic before enlisting in the Marine Corps in November 1967. The 20-year-old private first class, a rifleman, was assigned to Company M of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. Brockman died on May 31, 1968, a month after arriving in Viet Nam. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, mother, brother and four sisters." SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE! From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@earthlink.net

 

Ambush at Hill 512 W-SW of Ca Lu Airfield (May 31 - June 1, 1968) Information from the Marine Command Chronology Report for the period 1 May - 31 May 1968 shows the Battalion Landing Team (BLT), 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1), continued under the operational control (OPCON) of the 4th Marine Regiment. Operations during the period were aimed at securing Route #9 and adjacent areas within the area of operations. During this period, enemy contact consisted of chance encounters with small groups of NVA and mining and booby trap events. NVA ambushes initiated by command detonated directional mines took a heavy toll. Moderate contacts by BLT 3/1 combat patrols during the first 3 weeks of the month indicated that enemy units of up to company size were operating in the area North of Route #9. For the last week of the month, the enemy displayed a greater capacity to deliver supporting mortar and automatic weapons fire indicating that larger units, up to battalion size were being deployed. Intelligence reports indicated that the 9th Regiment, 304th NVA Division and the 8th Battalion, 29th NVA Regiment had been reported operating between Ca Lu and Khe Sanh. Although not confirmed, it was believed the BLT was in contact with elements of these units. During the month, nine separate rocket attacks were launched against Ca Lu Combat Base and one large attack against LSA Cameo just north of Ca Lu. On the 31st, a platoon of Company M was ambushed by one of these NVA units, sustaining moderate casualties. Another platoon was committed and additional casualties were sustained from enemy accurate and continuous mortar fire. The Marine incident reports show that initally, at 1050 hours, at grid XD960454, while on patrol, the platoon set off 2 improvised explosive devices, received automatic weapons fire, and took incoming 60mm mortar fire. They called in artillery support to take out the mortar site. As a result of this initial contact, 2 Marines were killed and 2 were medevaced. Another platoon was inserted to assist the first platoon that made contact. According to the 2240 hours summary incident report, as of 1900 hours, the units were now fighting at grid XD957455. They continued to maintain pressure on the enemy positions and had retrieved their casualties. Heavy 82mm and 60mm mortar fire had continued throughout the day. The marines estimated that an enemy squad was still in a bunker being supported by mortars. More supporting arms were being brought in for the platoons. At this time, the Marines reported 6 killed and 28 wounded. At 0625 hours, 1 June, the unit, having moved from their previous night time position, reported that at 0300 hours, they moved through the enemy position to retrieve casualties but had no contact with the enemy. The Marines began withdrawal to a landing zone to evacuate casualties. During their withdrawal, the platoons called in supporting artillery fire at 0430 hours while at XD961451. During the fire for effect to cover their movement out of the area, rounds fell short on the platoon's position. PFC Saunders was killed and 9 other Marines received minor wounds. The total killed from 31 May and 1 June action were 9 killed and 37 wounded. . The nine men from Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines who died as a result of the ambush at Hill 512 were: Pfc Phillip Lloyd Brockman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sgt Thomas Henry Goodson, Miami, Florida Cpl Cecil Howard Humphrey, Madison, Indiana Pfc Joseph Edward Lauer, Gibbsboro, New Jersey Cpl Francis Anthony Lautner, Minden City, Michigan Cpl Paul Frank Sanchez, Globe Arizona Pfc Earnest Rollin Saunders, Waterbury, Connecticut Pfc Robert James Schatzman, Woodlyn, Pennsylvania Cpl Johnnie Arnold Sheppard, Lorain, Ohio Army records indicated that PFC Phillip Lloyd Brockman was survived by his wife, Elrita E. Brockman, Chestnut Street, Camden, New Jersey, Daughter Diedre R Brockman at home, father Sabe Black, Winston Salem, NC, and mother Eloise Brockman (1914-1983), Hill Street Winston Salem NC. No listing for siblings noted in tribute above. Phillip as buried in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey. Phillip's father, Sabe Black, Jr, was a veteran of World War II and is buried in Martin Family Cemetery, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina . Photo by Isabel - - The Virtual Wall, September 4, 2014

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