Marvin Earl Galbraith
Lance Corporal
3RD PLT, K CO, 3RD BN, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Brewster, Washington September 27, 1947 to March 27, 1968 MARVIN E GALBRAITH is on the Wall at Panel 46E, Line 45 |
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Marvin was a son, brother, uncle, and friend to many.
He believed in what he was doing and why he was there, and had the support of a whole community behind him. He touched the lives of everyone that knew him, and those who were too young to remember him. He is missed even now, more than 30 years later, and remembered with love.
From his brother, |
I found the link to The Virtual Wall website while looking up Brewster, WA, on my search engine. When I clicked the link it brought up Marvin's memorial page. I visited the Vietnam Wall and it was extremely moving, but finding these individual memorial pages is even more so. Tears are running down my face as I write this. Marvin probably did not know me any better than I knew him because I was two years younger than him. We grew up together in the same tiny town and schools though, in the same genre. Through that connection I have always felt close to Marvin. I married my husband Thomas, who grew up in Pateros, in 1966. Marvin and Tom were the same age. Tom's service duties in the Navy began the same day that Marvin's life ended in Vietnam. The news of Marvin's death struck the hearts of everyone in our hometown area. There was not a single person who did not grieve the loss of this brave young man who quickly became a local symbol of patriotism for everyone. I will never forget my feelings about Marvin's death. I took it very hard and have kept the memories of Marvin's passing in my heart since then. Marvin's death ended my innocent and limited view of the world. My young husband served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. Marvin's death was on my mind every single day that he was there. I was fortunate. My loved one came home. He has suffered from PTSD all these years due to his experiences in Vietnam, but he is alive and we are still enjoying our lives together. I think often of Marvin's sacrifice and wish that he could have come home to live the rest of his life with his loved ones too. We all made and continue to make sacrifices in one way or another for the Vietnam effort. The men and women like Marvin, who gave their all while following their military orders for our great nation deserve our love and respect for the rest of our lives because our sacrifices will never compare to theirs. Marvin will always have mine. Thank you, Marvin.
From a schoolmate, |
Lance Corporal Marvin Earl Galbraith was born in Omak Washington, 27 Sep 1947 to Mr. and Mrs Earl Galbraith. He was raised in Brewster, Washington, where he graduated from Brewster High School 1965. He worked briefly in construction and as an orchard manager before he enlisted in the Marines in 1967. His tour of duty in Vietnam began 23 Sep 1967 and he was assigned to 2nd Sqd, 3rd Plt, K Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Marines, 1st Mar Div. He was killed as he did a perimeter watch in a command post area in Quang Nam Province by an enemy land mine explosion. Marvin, like many men in his family, believed in service to his country. He had written home to his family and told them that he believed in what he was doing and that he felt his job in Vietnam had to be done. Five generations of Galbraiths have called Brewster and the neighboring town of Bridgeport home. Located on the banks of the Columbia River on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains, the people who came to tame this region with orchards and farms loved it. It was understood that Marvin would return to his home after his service was through... and, of course, he did. He is buried in the Bridgeport Cemetery with those five generations of pioneering men and women. Brewster and Bridgeport citizens honored their servicemen in October 2003 by hosting "The Moving Wall". It was a celebration of life, honor, and duty and is remembered on the Internet
From a researcher, |
A Note from The Virtual WallKilo 3/7 lost two men to the mine explosion: Lance Corporals Marvin E. Galbraith and Richard Lopez of San Marcos, Texas. |
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