14 Feb 2007 I remember you. A few weeks before Christmas 1967, Ventura, California, you were a hero in your uniform. I was 10. James Thomas Gaynor, 47: U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major. Vietnam tour began Jan 1, 1968. Died of injuries he suffered from artillery, rocket or mortar fire in Quang Tri on Feb 15, 1968. WWII, Korea, Viet Nam Panel 39E, Line 47. I won't forget you. From a friend. E-mail address is not available.

 

22 Apr 2007 I met your wife, Betty, at Camp Pendleton. We were both expecting our first child while our husbands were in Korea. We became good friends and when you and my husband Frank returned we enjoyed a friendship. Your son, Eddie, was born a month before our eldest. You were a fine man and a good friend to all who knew you. From his friends, F. and B. Hoornbeek E-mail address is not available.

 

22 Jun 2007 My father served two tours in Korea from 1950 to 1952 and from 1954 to 1956. He was awarded a commendation medal during his first tour. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Viet Nam. He has, since his death, been awarded a second Bronze Star for his time as a POW. From his son, James T Gaynor III james_gaynor3rd@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1/26 Operations Log for 15 Feb 1968 notes that the Charlie 1/26 command post at Khe Sanh received a direct hit by enemy rocket fire at 1515H [3:15 pm]. The Log also contains six "wounded in action" reports from the incident; of the six men, two died of their wounds: SgtMaj James T. Gaynor, Fallbrook, CA, H&S 1/26 (Died during medevac 02/15/1968) LCpl Joseph T. Bailey, Gainesville, NY, Charlie 1/26 (DoW 02/19/1968) In 1942, then-Corporal James T. Gaynor was serving in the Philippines and was captured when Bataan fell. He was transported to Japan, where he was imprisoned at the Osaka Main POW Camp, sometimes known as the "Chikko Camp". When Chikko was destroyed during a bombing raid in the summer of 1945 the POWs were moved to the newly organized Osaka Camp 1B. The POWs were released in September 1945. [Note: Commander Wilson H. Harrington, USNR, the grandfather of a The Virtual Wall staff member, was captured when the Philippines fell; he too spent the war in the Chikko and Osaka 1B POW camps.] Gaynor's service in Korea is addressed above by both the Hornbeeks and his son. As noted above, he arrived in Vietnam on 01 January 1968 and was assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Bn, 26th Marines, then serving at the Khe Sanh Combat Base in western Quang Tri Province. Sergeant Major James T. Gaynor, a veteran of 30 years' service to his country, is buried in Site C-15, Section Annex, Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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