13 Nov 2006 When I arrived in Danang in December, 1967, for our artillery unit, I met Dennis right away and spent most of the year with him in our unit south of Danang and in other cities up toward the DMZ. Dennis was a radio operator while I was in fire direction control. I was very saddened to learn that he died - I think in December, 1968 - while aiding a MedEvac in the field while a radio operator for a forward observer. I was honored to serve with him and proud of the way he served his country. Sergeant Robert W. Miller Mosinee, Wisconsin rwmjem@charter.net

 

20 Mar 2008 Although I never knew you, Dennis, I married your sister Colleen in 1975. All I hear about you is glorious. Rest in peace, knowing that your family loved you and was very proud of you. From his brother-in-law, Ed Barneman, USAF 02 April 2008 Dennis was my older brother. He was a proud Marine and was honored to serve his country. I miss him terribly. Colleen (Crane) Barneman Ed and Colleen Barneman eeejaybee@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Corporal Crane was killed on 15 June 1968 - by friendly fire. So were 7 other Marines and sailors in two separate incidents. The eight men were F Btry, 2nd Bn, 11th Marines Cpl Dennis Crane, Spotswood, NJ H&S Co, 1st Bn, 27th Marines HM3 Joseph E. Tamagnini, Edison, NJ HN Thomas E. Gregory, Endwell, NY I Co, 3rd Bn, 5th Marines Capt Henry Kolakowski, Farmington, MI (Silver Star) 1stLt Joseph T. Campbell, Stoneham, MA (Navy Cross) 2ndLt William G. Ross, Big Rock, TN GySgt William F. Gunset, Somerville, MA Pfc Gary C. Seymour, Hazel Park, MI The two deaths from 1/27 are documented in the 1/27 operations log. Bravo 1/27, operating on Go Noi Island, spotted enemy soldiers in a treeline and called in 81mm mortar fire. Three short rounds landed in the Bravo 1/27 position, killing two men and wounding one other. The wounded man did not require evacuation. The 3/5 Command Chronology notes that Fox 2/11 was in direct support to the battalion and would therefore provide the artillery forward observer teams. On 15 June 3/5 was participating in Operation MAMELUKE THRUST, but regretably neither the After Action Report or the operations log for 15 June is available. Never the less, it is believed that Corporal Crane was with India 3/5 when it was engaged on 15 June. The Citation for 1stLt Campbell's posthumous Navy Cross outlines what happened to India 3/5: "On 15 June 1968 during operation Mameluke Thrust in Quang Nam Province, Company I became heavily engaged with a large enemy force and sustained several casualties. As the company prepared to evacuate its wounded, an artillery round impacted nearby, killing the company commander, a platoon commander, and the company gunnery sergeant. Although seriously wounded by fragments, Lieutenant Campbell realized that he was his unit's only remaining officer and refused medical aid in order to assume command of the company." The artillery shell was a friendly short round which killed the five men named above - and, The Virtual Wall believes, Corporal Crane as well. India 3/5 suffered another casualty on 15 June - Pfc Raymond N. McIntyre of Fostoria, Ohio, was killed by enemy gunfire.

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