15 Jul 2006 He volunteered to serve, and when his time was up he went again knowing he might not come back. He gave all so we could live our lives in freedom. I only remember, at the age of 4, seeing him in his coffin in dress blues. When I got older he was the one I wanted to be like. Everyone always said I looked like him. I joined the Marine Corps in 1979 to be like him. To this day I wish he was here but I know we'll meet again one day because only Marines can guard the gates of heaven. From his brother, Vernon Fitch 6321 Ashford Drive, Loveland, Ohio 45140 vfitch@fuse.net

 

08 Aug 2006 Today, August 8, 2006, I received an email from Vernon Fitch. I had just met (again) and said goodbye to his brother, my BRO, PHILIP FITCH (05E Line 114) on July 1, 2006 when the Traveling Wall came to our area - the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. To me all the BROs that we lost in Nam will always be eternal. And now, Vernon, his little brother writes and once again, I go back and talk to my BRO and tell him once again that he is NOT FORGOTTEN. It's been a little over 40 years now since I last saw him in person along with the other 9 that we lost that day. To many people, that's a lifetime. To me it seems like yesterday. This past Saturday, Cpl. Stokes, who was with us, also called and we reminisced about our tour in '66. March 5 was discussed. Vernon, I hope that I can answer some of your questions, and if not, hopefully I can direct you to others who were with Lima 3rd Bn 1st Marines in '65-'66. May Philip Fitch, my BRO, Rest In Peace. Vernon is also a Marine, so BRO, welcome aboard and join our family for "Once a Marine, Always a Marine". Semper Fi. From a Marine brother, Arturo Garza sgteseusmc@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 05 March 1966 the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, engaged elements of the 21st NVA Regiment in an 8 hour battle near Chau Ngai. Quoting from the 3/1 Command Chronology for March 1966, the NVA troops "occupied classic defensive positions, were well-armed and equipped, and defended occupied positions in strength." Enemy resistance slackened with nightfall and when the Marines began again after daybreak they found the NVA had withdrawn. The position turned out to be an extensive tunnel and underground bunker complex for the NVA 21st Regiment. The day's fighting cost the Marines 53 dead; the NVA left 102 bodies on the field and appeared to have carried as many more with them as they retreated. Lima 3/1 had nine of the Americans killed in the action: SSgt Leonard A. Hultquist, Ogallala, NE Sgt David Shields, Rutherford, NJ Cpl Jimmy P. Sanchez, Los Angeles, CA (Silver Star) LCpl James J. Bradley, New York, NY LCpl Philip Fitch, Cincinnati, OH Pfc Thomas W. Edwards, Binghamton, NY Pfc Rickey D. Garner, Dallas, TX (Silver Star) Pfc Jose E. Laguer, New York, NY Pfc Jerry E. Parks, Grand Rapids, MI

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