18 Apr 2004 My name is Deena Debraux. I wasn't a veteran of the Vietnam War, neither did I lose a parent to it. My family lost my uncle, David E. Cherry, Jr on May 12th, 1969. I wasn't born at the time, that wasn't until 9 years later. What drew my interest to this subject was hearing stories of my uncle as I grew up. Hearing the different feelings towards the war. The fact that my uncle died at the very age that I am now (20 years old) has made me proud to have him as part of our family lineage. I sit sometimes and wonder how could we as a country allow so many boys to go and fight a war that so many considered to be a lost cause. I talk to my mom all the time about the way she and my grandparents and other family members felt when the war was happening. I really don't get all the answers that I am looking for. But just seeing the hurt on her face (even now in 1999) tells all. Not too long ago my mom got in contact with a Vietnam vet that knew my uncle. He sent her pictures of my uncle when he was alive. When my mom opened the envelope it was almost as if my uncle came home. I don't know to this day if she was aware of the tears that welled up in her eyes. Sometimes I wonder what I would say to my uncle if I could speak to him. Maybe I would say that I was proud of him and every other man, boy and woman that had dealings in the Vietnam War. I wonder if he can hear me? I wonder if the rest can hear me as well? Thanks a lot! ** Note ** This is a re-post of a write-up that I did on a site a few years ago. The year may have changed, but the message stays the same.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall An ex-Marine named R. Dalton Buster (3/1/48-11/30/00) wrote a book entitled "The Walking Dead" about his experiences as a Marine infantryman in Vietnam. The cover photo of that book, shown below, is credited to David Earl Cherry, Jr. Mr. Buster was partners with LCpl Cherry while Buster was assigned to a unit of the 1st Marine Division. LCpl Cherry was assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion - but his regiment is unknown. However, it is The Virtual Wall's belief that both men were with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st MarDiv. This belief is based on three elements: Location: Quang Nam Province was within the 1st MarDiv area and Buster was in the 1st MarDiv. Action: Only 3rd Bn, 1st Marines, and 3rd Bn, 5th Marines, were engaged in Quang Nam Province on 12 May 1969. Losses: All 3/5 Marines losses were from Lima Company. The 3/1 Marines are known to have lost two men from H&S Company, seven from India Company, and two from Lima Company. It is The Virtual Wall's conclusion that Lance Corporal David E. Cherry was one of eight men killed in action on 12 May 1969 while assigned to India Company, 3/1 Marines: LCpl David E. Cherry, Woodland, NC LCpl Donald J. Cook, Baton Rouge, LA LCpl Gerald E. Henry, Edwardsville, IL LCpl Gary T. Walz, Prairie Du Chien, WI Pfc Ronald De Lorenzo, Trenton, NJ Pfc Richard W. Haynes, Excelsior, WV Pfc Michael A. Mathison, Princeton, MN Pfc Fidel Padilla, Laredo, TX

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