Joseph Anthony Molettiere

The database page for Joseph Anthony Molettiere

05 Sep 2003 Eternal Father, grant, we pray, To all Marines, both night and day, The courage, honor, strength, and skill Their Land to serve, Thy law fulfill; Be Thou the shield forevermore From every peril to the Corps. From the Navy Hymn ("Eternal Father") From his family. E-mail address is not available.

26 Jan 2005 In his honor, his brother, my father, named me Joseph Anthony Molettiere. We were born on the same day, March 24th. I think of him a lot even though I never knew him. I was born two years after he died. I feel connected to him to this day, as I write this tears are falling from my eyes. I did not know much about him except of the three brothers he was the strong one, fun one and a leader of men at 19 years old. I am proud of him. I wish someone from his platoon would contact me. I am sure he died helping someone or leading the way. My four month old son is on my lap now watching me type this - he is Joseph Anthony Molettiere JR. As long as I am alive I will carry his memory and pass it to my son so he can pass it along. From his nephew, Joseph Anthony Molettiere joemolettiere@yahoo.com

07 Mar 2005 The photo at the top of this page and the following article are taken from The Philadelphia Daily Inquirer, 20 February 20, 1968. An 18-year-old Ambler Marine whose wife is expecting a child in September has been killed in action in Vietnam, the Defense Department reported Monday. He was Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Molettiere, husband of Mrs. Lydia Molettiere, 19, of 1231 Cedar Rd. They were married last June, a month before he was sent to Vietnam. "I went out and bought a dress - a black one - to wear at his viewing," Mrs. Molettiere said Monday night. She was notified Sunday that her husband was killed February 5. Cpl. Molettiere, who attended North Penn High School, enlisted in August, 1966. Last Christmas he was sent to Hawaii for a brief rest. His wife joined him there and they spent five days together. "All he talked about in his letters was the baby," she said. "He was thrilled about it. He wanted a baby very, very much. He told me not to worry, that he would be home soon." Cpl. Molettiere had four months to serve in Vietnam. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Molettiere, of 431 S. 9th St., North Wales, and two brothers, Michael, 17, and Rogar, 15. SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE! From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net

26 Apr 2005 I lived in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, growing up and used to go to Dominic and Pete Molettiere's stores when I was 10 years old till 17 years old. Anyway we heard about Joesph's death, I was 13 years old and we sat down on the steps of Dominic's store, there were 2 or 3 of us with our bikes and we just bought a bolonga sandwich with a Yahoo and as young kids we really felt something probably the spirit, I remember talking about it to this day. Anyway I joined the Navy in 1972 and stayed for 30 years. God rest your soul Joe!! You shall never be forgotten, your name shall always be at the Lansdale Memoral Park for generations to read and feel that something. E-mail address is not available.

21 Nov 2005 I hope the Molettiere family has a great Thanksgiving. From a friend. 24 Mar 2006 Happy birthday, Joseph Anthony!! From a friend. E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 5 February 1968 the Tet Offensive was in full swing. The Marines in Quang Tri Province, which bordered both North Vietnam and the NVA-occupied areas of Laos, had their hands full and heavy fighting was the order of the day. On 5 Feb Echo Company, 2/26 Marines, under operational control of 3rd Bn, 26th Marines, was manning a defensive perimeter on Hill 861A at Khe Sanh. In the early morning hours of the 5th Echo 2/26's position came under heavy attack by NVA forces. Echo had 7 men killed in the action and 17 wounded, one of whom died later in the day, while inflicting not less than 21 dead on the NVA. Echo 2/26's losses were LCpl Tyrone Francis Lamitie, Brushton, NY LCpl Joseph Anthony Molettiere, North Wales, PA LCpl Louis Franklin Staples, Chesapeake, VA Pfc Jack Crosby Bogard, Sycamore, OH Pfc Martin L. Rimson, Detroit, MI (WIA, DoW) Pfc Alan Ray Smith, Sunbury, OH Pfc Charles Robert Stevenson, Fate TX Pfc Ernest Vernon Taylor, Dallas TX

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009