David James Groneau

The database page for David James Groneau

19 Feb 2001 Private David Groneau, USMC, was a graduate of Holy Redeemer High School, Detroit, MI. Dave was the center of our varsity football team when I was a freshman in the Fall of 1965. The following is a reprint from the school newspaper, SENTINEL, Volume XIII, No. 2, October 31, 1967: FORMER REDEEMERITE KILLED IN VIETNAM Dave Groneau, a Redeemer graduate of the Class of 1966, was killed in Vietnam on October 15. He was nineteen years of age. He was wounded by Viet Cong grenade, one month and a day after he arrived in Vietnam. Dave had enlisted in the Marine Corps in April and arrived in Quang Tri, Vietnam September 14. While at Redeemer, Dave participated in both basketball and football. He was buried from St Lawrence Church. A memorial from his friend, Kenneth E. Seguin, Lt Col, USAFR ksseguin@fastlane.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 11 Oct 1967 the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines were airlifted into the Hai Lang Forest south of Quang Tri City as part of Operation MEDINA. MEDINA was aimed at disrupting operations by the 5th and 6th NVA Regiments. The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines also were involved, conducting a sharp fight with the NVA on 11 October. The 1/1 Marines had two significant engagements. On 12 October, Charlie 1/1 engaged 2 or 3 NVA companies; while the Marines lost nine men the NVA left 40 bodies on the battlefield. On 14 October the 1/1 Marines had two separate engagements, losing four men. The battalion's final loss was one man from Delta 1/1 on 15 October - Pfc David Gronau - when 1/1 was withdrawn. Fourteen Marines, including a combat photographer attached to Charlie 1/1, died during 1/1's operations in the Hai Lang Forest: B Co, 1st Bn, 1st Marines Pfc Dennis A. Carlson, Charles City, IA (10/14/1967) Pfc John W. Roberts, South Portland, ME (10/14/1967) C Co, 1st Bn, 1st Marines Sgt Salvador Bazulto, Los Angeles, CA (10/12/1967) Cpl Quinton M. Bice, Texas City, TX (10/14/1967) Cpl John R. Lee, Creswell, OR (10/12/1967) LCpl Kevin A. Cahill, Lynn, MA (10/12/1967) Pfc Oliver Bell, Pompano Beach, FL (10/14/1967) Pfc William S. Blessing, Denver, CO (10/12/1967) Pfc Gerald J. Brothers, San Diego, CA (10/12/1967) Pfc John J. Castillo, Saginaw, MI (10/12/1967) Pfc James M. De Abre, Morgan Hill, CA (10/12/1967) Pfc Roger E. Walton, East Springfield, NY (10/12/1967) D Co, 1st Bn, 1st Marines Pfc David J. Gronau, Detroit, MI (10/15/1967) Service Co, HQ Bn, 3rd MarDiv: Cpl William T. Perkins, Sepulveda, CA (10/12/1967) (Medal of Honor)

The point-of-contact for this memorial is Friend, Kenneth E. Seguin, Lt Col, USAFR ksseguin@fastlane.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 19 Feb 2001
Last updated 06/12/2006