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Rickey Dean Garner
Private First Class
L CO, 3RD BN, 1ST MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Dallas, Texas November 26, 1947 to March 05, 1966 RICKEY D GARNER is on the Wall at Panel 5E, Line 116 |
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I met Rickey in Okinawa, where we joined 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battallion, 1st Marines. We were "new guys". Rickey was very cocky, aggressive and thought he knew everything in life - "seen that, done that". But he was only 18 years old. So young, yet so brave. We had some good discussions on the USS PAUL REVERE on our way down south. We were both Texans in a strange land. We made the beach landing in January '66. Participated in Operation Double Eagle I and II. On our third operation, OPERATION UTAH, Rickey met his fate. He was the type that would go all out and on that day he did. We lost many Good Men on that day. I believe Rickey was awarded the Bronze Star or Silver Star for his heoric actions on that day. Our platoon faired much better than most that day. Rickey, may you Rest In Peace. So Long Amigo, Semper Fi, Bro.
Arturo Garza |
A Note from The Virtual WallOn 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resistance slackened with nightfall and when the Marines began again after daybreak they found the NVA had withdrawn.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 operation cost the Marines 42 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:
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