09 Aug 2006 Mario F. De Mattio was born June 28, 1946 and lived in Kenvil, NJ. "Mickey", as he was known to his friends, graduated from Roxbury High School in 1964 and attended Miami Day College for two years. He enjoyed baseball and football and was a member of both varsity teams. He served on the Student Council and was a member of the Nature Club. De Mattio's yearbook entry states: "Tall, flirtacious, good looking... spends much of his time creating fast-moving, loud-sounding cars... likes to talk about hunting and racing." Mickey enlisted in the US Marine Corps in May 1967 and attained the rank of Private (PVT). He arrived in Vietnam on February 14, 1968. Thirty-four days later, on March 17, 1968, Mario "Mickey" DeMattio was killed in action in South Vietnam while on a search and destroy mission. According to his mother, the fatal injury was not the first injury he suffered in the 34 days he was in Vietnam. In one of the letters to his mother, he told her he was in the hospital with pneumonia. She found out from other sources, however, that he had been hit with shrapnel. From a cousin, Michael John Walker wolf44@tampabay.rr.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 26th and 27th Marine Regiments were components of the 5th Marine Division. Although the 5th MarDiv never deployed to Vietnam, many of its subordinate units did - including these two infantry regiments. Although it is commonly believed the 27th Marines were rapidly filled out and deployed in response to the Tet Offensive of 1968, the decision to send an additional Marine regiment to Vietnam was the result of a general increase in NVA/VC activity in 1967 and early January 1968. Although the 27th Marines' colors were returned to the States in September 1968, most of its individual Marines were reassigned to other units and remained in Vietnam for a normal tour of duty. Fox 2/27 lost two men on 17 March - Cpl Edward A. Swonke of Houston, Texas, and Pvt Mario F. DeMattio.

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