John Francis FrancavillaLance CorporalI CO, 3RD BN, 26TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV United States Marine Corps 24 June 1948 - 09 April 1968 Renton, Washington Panel 49E Line 001 |
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The database page for John Francis Francavilla
Semper Fi from Platoon 1020
Phillip R Whitlock 02 Apr 2007 John received 3 Purple Hearts and his unit received a Presidental Unit Citation. Semper Fi, John , you will never be forgotten.
From a fellow Marine, |
I met John when we both started our sophomore year at Renton High School in 1965. We became instant friends. Together, we attended many classes, and remained friends from 1965 through our senior year 1967. My memory of John was that he was such an easy going, fun loving guy. We had many laughs together in class and in those crowded hallways, as Renton High was in those years. As we both approached our senior year, I saw the change that we all felt with the intensifying conditions of Vietnam, seen on the nightly news. It was harder to hold onto that youthful high school feeling with all that was happening. I recall John's intensity about wanting to serve his country. It was without boundaries. He was fervent in his decision to become a Marine. It is with great fondness I remember a classmate, but more as a great friend. I shall never forget him and will always pay tribute to his memory as a true American Hero.
From a friend and classmate, |
Notes from The Virtual WallBetween 26 December 1967 and 18 April 1968, India Company, 3/26 Marines, reinforced with two platoons from Mike 3/26 and elements of other Marine units, held Hill 881 South against repeated attacks by North Vietnamese Army troops. Surrounded during most of the siege at Khe Sanh, Hill 881S could be resupplied only by air. Then-Captain Bill Dabney, Commanding Officer of India 3/26, called it "that God-awful hill", and it was.
The photo above was taken on Hill 881S; Frankavilla is on the left side. Photo by David Assum; courtesy Hill 881S .
Lance Corporal Francavilla is remembered as one of the |
The point-of-contact for this memorial is a fellow marine, Phillip Ray Whitlock Box 82 Sasakwa Oklahoma 74867 lwhitloc@mbo.net |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 22 Dec 2003
Last updated 12/06/2007