Vaughn, the son of Helen V.S. Kaminski of Lincoln Park MI and
Hugo J.O'Neil, enlisted in the US Marine Corps on April 6, 1967. On the eighth day of operation Foster,
search elements of Company I encountered stiff resistance in the vicinity of Phu Binh Village, in Dai Loc District.
Contacts increased and additional Marine forces were deployed until the enemy broke contact and withdrew.
The Marine Corps after action report for the day shows: "At 1215 hours, Company I, (AT 868533) received heavy
small arms and automatic weapons fire from an undetermined number of enemy. An Air Observer on station directed
air strikes on the enemy positions but enemy casualties were not known. Four Marines were wounded and evacuated.
At 1300 hours, an Air Observer supporting Company I observed 25 enemy (AT 868537) and directed fixed wing air strikes,
which resulted in eight structures destroyed or light damaged.
From 1300 hours, ?????? Company I received heavy small arms fire from
(AT 863589) ???? which resulted in two Marines KIA and four wounded and evacuated. Air strikes and artillery supported
the contact but enemy casualties were not known." The report continued with more contacts for the rest of the day.
"In support of Operation Foster, fixed wing aircraft from supporting Air Craft Carrier Squadrons flew 24 sorties
consisting of 19 close air support and five direct support sorties, which expended 38 tons of ordnance. Bomb damage
assessment showed 42 structures and nine bunkers destroyed and 22 structures damaged. MAG-16 helicopters flew 48 sorties. Batteries
E & I, 11th Marines, and Battery B, 12th Marines, fired 42 missions, expending 434 rounds."
By the end of the day fifteen (15) men had been wounded and evacuated, two had been killed including PFC O'Neil
who had died as a result of hostile rifle fire.
The two marine casualties on this day were:
