William Richard Neal

The database page for William Richard Neal

27 Apr 2004 TO MY BEST FRIEND IN HIGH SCHOOL... I have wished a million times I had not told you how much I loved the Marine Corps ... I think of you a lot and want you to know you are always in my heart... SEMPER FI Richard Williams USMC 1966-1969 P O Box 1234, Bastrop, Texas 78602 E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1968 Tet Offensive began at the end of January, but heavy fighting continued throughout the spring. The 1/5 Marines' After Action Report for Operation HOUSTON contains the following entry: "310230H - Company A, bridge security elements at YD949069 and YD967064 came under heavy 82mm mortar fire from enemy positions at YD968066 and YD949701. The mortar barrage was followed by an intense ground assault from an estimated 150 NVA at each friendly position. Enemy utilized small arms, automatic weapons, and B-40 rockets in the attack. The position at YD949069 was overrun and the bridge blown. Results: 15 USMC KIA, 31 USMC WIAE, 27 USMC WIANE, 1 NBCE, 61 NVA KIA confirmed and 1 POW." The two Marine positions were the security posts on the north and south banks of the Truoi River guarding the Highway 1 Bridge, located about 11 kilometers southeast of the Phu Bai airfield complex. Bravo 1/5 provided a reaction force which arrived too late to save the bridge but did succeed in preventing a slaughter of the wounded Marines in the over-run northern position. The 14 Marines and 1 sailor who died at the Truoi River Bridge were A Company, 1/5 Marines Cpl Walter W. Rosolie, Rosedale, NY (Silver Star) LCpl Charles D. Miller, Wewoka, OK Pfc Richard Garcia, San Antonio, TX Pfc Robert K. Horspool, Ogden, UT Pfc Gerald L. Johnson, Mojave, CA Pfc Richard F. Links, Noank, CT Pfc Kevin W. Moore, Milwaukee, WI Pfc William R. Neal, Amarillo, TX B Company, 1/5 Marines Pfc Edward T. Stone, Dorchester, MA H&S Company, 1/5 Marines (with A/1/5) Cpl Arthur C. McLellan, Terryville, CT HM3 Steven R. Wolter, Hilo, HI LCpl Erasmo Palos, Eagle Pass, TX Pfc Thomas J. Kovacevich, Detroit, MI Pfc Walter R. Riggs, Moorpark, CA Pfc Thomas P. Sweeney, Ashburnham, MA

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 27 Apr 2004
Last updated 08/10/2009