28 Sep 2006 LCpl Gutierrez, you died nine (9) days before your 20th birthday. You were the only Marine killed in action on April 6, 1967. Recently I received email from two of your nieces, Valerie Gutierrez and Laura M. Enright, asking about you. So my brother, you are not forgotten, your memory keeps you with us. Rest In Peace, my brother. From a fellow Vietnam Veteran, Arturo Garza sgteseusmc@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1st 155mm Gun Battery was assigned to the 4th Bn, 12th Marines. In early April 1967 its 8" Howitzer Platoon was based at PK-17, a joint USMC-ARVN camp a few miles north of Hue. The 1st 155th's Command Chronology for April 1967 contains the following entry: "In the early hours of 6 April, 2 Companies of the 800th [NVA] Battalion along with the C112 Sapper Unit attacked the ARVN & USMC camp at PK 17 (YD647277) with a mortar and ground attack. After overrunning the ARVN portion of the camp, the Viet Cong turned on the 8" Howitzer Platoon. Using small arms, automatic weapons, grenades and the direct fire of the 8" howitzer the Marines held the perimeter for three hours before the VC withdrew. The platoon lost 1 USMC KIA, 1 USN KIA, 8 USMC WIA and one 8" Howitzer out of action due to a direct hit with a mortar round. The enemy losses were 20 KIA (confirmed) and 40 KIA (probable)." Two men were killed outright in the attack and two of the wounded died over the next few days: Sgt Jack C. Duff, Kansas City, MO (DoW 04/07/1967); LCpl Steffan M. Fredsti, Simi, CA (DoW 04/14/1967); LCpl Ernest L. Gutierrez, San Jose, CA; and HN Michael D. Himmerick, Valley City, ND.

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