11 Oct 2007 We went to high school together. Ben wconocoben@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 2/4 Marines' Command Chronology for March 1967 contains the following entry: "On 30 March 1967, Company H on way to provide security for rice harvest at AT8256 were ambushed by a company of VC dug in at AT810574. At 0813H, Bald Eagle (Company E) was alerted. At 0940H, Bald Eagle and Command Group 'A' departed their CPs by truck to CAC B2-2 position, where the Bald Eagle was picked up by helicopters and dropped into LZ at AT791566. Companies H and E commenced a search and clear mission to the west and southwest of Hill 25 AT807553. Sporadic contact was made during the day. At approximately 1700H the sweep secured. Results are as follows: VC KIA (Conf) 11, VC KIA (Prob) 8, Detainees 6, USMC KIA 8, USMC WIA 6." The Operations Log makes it clear the 14 casualties occurred during Hotel 2/4's initial engagement, which began at about 0800. The casualties had been medevaced by 0911. Unfortunately, the death toll was increased when Pfc James R. Morgan died from his wounds the following day. The nine dead were Cpl Patrick Gallagher, Lynbrook, NY (Navy Cross) Pfc Ronald E. Liberty, Chicago, IL Pfc Clyde Mathews, Whiteface, TX Pfc James R. Morgan, Memphis, TN (DoW 03/31/1967) Pfc James S. Oldfield, Dallas, TX Pfc Kenneth Pettus, Philadelphia, PA Pfc James E. Price, Russellville, KY Pfc Rocky R. Snyder, St Johns, MI Pfc Robert J. Waltrich, Chicago, IL Corporal Gallagher had received the Navy Cross for an incident on 18 July 1966, when he covered an enemy grenade with his body in order to protect other Marines. The grenade failed to explode - until he threw it away.

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