Ronald William Meyer
Second Lieutenant
C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Dubuque, Iowa November 08, 1942 to June 16, 1966 RONALD W MEYER is on the Wall at Panel 8E, Line 53 |
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1st Recon Bn stands at the panel 08E and a million thoughts and emotions run thru our minds. Listed along with Marines of our unit, we have Marines from other units that came to the aid of C Co 1st Recon Bn on June 16, 1966. Lt Meyer led his platoon up Hill 488 to help free 18 Marines surrounded by the VC on June 16, 1966. He gave his life and never knew how the battle would end. Marines are truly Brothers and many gave all to save some that day long ago. To his family and members of 1/5 Marines we say "Thank you for your sacrifice -- we share your tears and memories of so many lost that day 36 years ago."
With Great Respect
A memorial initiated by a fellow Marine, |
My name is Clete Meyer, older brother of Ron. I want Ron's memorial to include the fact that he was awarded the Silver Star for the leadership and effort he gave as his platoon deployed up Hill 488 to help free his fellow Marines. The story of the courageous and gallant effort to free the 18 Marines on Hill 488 is told in the December, 1980, issue of the 'Soldier Of Fortune' on page 29 and was written by Capt Francis J. West, Jr. In Ron's honor, I have flown an American Flag and a smaller Marine Flag underneath in my yard for more than 35 years. Each time I relocated, I have put a new flag pole in the ground which is lighted and invited the local Marine Recruiting Office to my home for a flag raising ceremony and a reception. At the last ceremony in 1997, we were honored to have in attendance over 120 people, nine local Marines in full dress and Retired Master Sgt Bill Brooks, who was a member of 1st BN during the time Ron was killed in action. In addition, our parents Donald and Jeannette Meyer and our other brother Jim (a USAF Veteran) also were in attendance during this ceremony to honor Ron. It was very touching as "Taps" played, golfers on the golf course stopped, people held their hand to their heart and tears streamed down the cheeks of many. I am honored to pay tribute to a fallen Marine and loved brother. God Bless you Ron, the US Marines, all Veterans and America.
Clete Meyer
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I never met my Great-uncle Ron, only stories from my family which make me feel like I've gotten to know who he was. Every time I've gone to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in DC, I look up his name and scratch it onto a piece of paper. I haven't been in a while, but this makes me want to go back soon. May he rest in peace, and one day, when it's my time, I'll look forward to getting to meet him :) God bless!!
From his grand-niece (I think), |
A note from The Virtual WallThe battle on 16 June 1966 on Hill 488 (Nui Vu) involved a full battalion of North Vietnamese Army regulars assaulting 18 men of the 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Recon Battalion, led by Staff Sergeant Jimmie Earl Howard. The Recon Marines had established an observation post atop Nui Vu in order to identify and prosecute by remote fire VC/NVA forces operating in the mountains west of Chu Lai.The operation was sufficiently effective to get the NVA commander's attention and sufficiently dangerous for him to commit a fresh battalion to eradicate the Marines. He failed. The NVA assault on Hill 488 began in late afternoon and continued through the night. The beleagued Marines were assisted by Marine and Air Force helicopter and fixed wing air support, but it was sheer courage and determination that permitted the Marines to hold until morning. Charlie 1/5 Marines were airlifted onto the reverse slope of Hill 488 and relieved the Recon Marines. Of the 18 men in the Recon Platoon, 6 died and 12 were wounded. Two men of Charlie 1/5 Marines and one each from VMO-2 and VMO-6 (Marine UH-1 squadrons) died. One Medal of Honor (Staff Sergeant Howard), 4 Navy Crosses, and 13 Silver Stars were awarded. Immediately after the battle, Captain F. J. West, USMCR, interviewed men from Howard's platoon, Charlie 1/5, airmen from the squadrons which supported Howard, and others. In 1967 the History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, published his account of the fight on Hill 488. Captain West's account is available on The Virtual Wall at |
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