Notes from The Virtual Wall
The 2nd Bn, 4th Marines Command Chronology for September 1968 contains the following entry:
"22 Sep 1968 - At 2030 Company H reported one 60mm short round killing one Marine. All further mortar firing was suspended."
Phila. Marine Killed
By Allied Mortar Fire
A Northeast Philadelphia Marine rifleman was killed by mortar fire from allied forces in the Demilitarized Zone of Vietnam, the Defense Department reported Thursday.
Pfc. Gregory Rodgers, 20, of 2908 Teesdale St., was killed September 22 near Quang Tri Province.
Regarding, the circumstances of his son's death, Raymond Rodgers, 50, said: "It's a man's game. It was a mistake."
Pfc. Rodgers, who had been stationed at the DMZ since his arrival in South Vietnam three months ago, wanted to be a Marine "since he was a child." his mother, Marguerite, said.
"He felt the Marines were the best," she said. "he loved the Marines and never complained. He loved it and was so very proud of his Marine uniform."
Rodgers enlisted in June, 1967, after he was graduated from Lincoln High School, where he played varsity football.
His parents were notified on Wednesday of the youth's death by two Marine officers. They received a Defense Department telegram on Thursday.
Also surviving are a brother, Peter, 15, and a sister, Maryann, 7.
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 Sep 1968,
courtesy of Jim McIlhenney
christianamacks@comcast.net
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Lincoln High School athlete
Gregory W. Rodgers
Teesdale Street, Mayfair
Rodgers had wanted to be a Marine since he was a child, his mother said. "He was a gentle, trusting child, helpful and friendly with all in the neighborhood when he grew older," his mother said. Rodgers played varsity football and ran track at Lincoln High School before graduating in 1967, the same year he joined the Marine Corps. The 20-year-old private first class was sent to Vietnam and assigned to Headquarters Company [sic] of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. Rodgers died on September 22, 1968, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, as a result of friendly mortar fire. He was survived by his parents, a brother and sister.
From The Philadelphia Daily News, 26 Oct 1987
courtesy of Robert Greer
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