28 Jan 2007 Still think of you after all these years. You would have been proud of us for the Yearbook! Rest easy, Buddy, and I'll have a lemon Coke for ya! From a friend. E-mail address is not available.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Operation IDAHO CANYON was a two-month search and destroy mission in an area roughly bounded by the DMZ on the north, Highway QL-9 on the south, Con Thien on the east, and Khe Sanh to the west. The terrain was rugged, the hillsides jungled, and the North Vietnamese Army was present in force. In mid-September, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines was operating predominantly along the Cam Lo River valley which ran northwest from Highway 9 into the DMZ between Mutter's Ridge and Hill 1739 north of Khe Sanh. Their Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the following entry: "15 Sep 0830H - In the area of XD950261 elements of Co K were ambushed by a reinforced NVA platoon. The enemy used 30cal machinegun, AK47s, ChiComs [grenades], RPGs, and Claymore mines hung in trees. Forty-five minutes after contact, the unit began receiving 60mm mortar rounds for a period of 4 hours, totalling 50 rounds. The unit pulled back and called in artillery, 81mm mortars, gunships, and fixed wing. Results of the contact were 8 NVA KIA, 4 USMC KIA, and 36 USMC WIA." The death of Petty Officer Sickles is missing from the account, raising the toll to five dead: H&S Co, 3/3: HM3 James A. Sickles, Johnstown, PA Pfc Jerry G. Gatlin, Waukegan, IL Kilo 3/3: Cpl William T. Bushey, Mahopac, NY LCpl Donald A. Liebl, Fairfax, MN LCpl Steven A. Rickerson, Clarendon, PA

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