21 Apr 2006 Today, I was thinking of the day we met at mom's house. Little did I know we would never ever see each other again. If only I had known I would have extended so you could at least enjoy your baby daughter one more year. Your third trip was to be your last. May God keep you, my brother. You will always be on my mind and I always pray for you. We will see each other again someday up there. Your brother, Raul 07 Aug 2006 Julian, your daughter Teresa has now made contact with our family and I have personally given her some of your pictures. Rest in Peace, my brother. We will look out for her. Raul 27 May 2007 On this Memorial Day I give my private salute to you and your 7th Marines who perished with you at FB Ross Jan 6, 1970. May God bless all of you for all eternity, my brother. I will pray for all of you and families. Your brother Raul. From his brother, Raul Rodriguez 804 Campbell Lane, Denton, Texas robles39@verizon.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Fire Support Base ROSS was located in the Que Son Valley about 25 miles due south of Danang. The Que Son Valley had been the site of considerable fighting over the years. In January 1970 the 7th Marines were based out of FSB Ross, and on the night of 05/06 January they once again had their hands full. The attack on FSB ROSS is described in Kelley's "Where We Were in Vietnam" on page 5-447: "On 06Jan70, 409th Local Force VC Bn attacked at 0130 hrs during monsoon rain. Attack included 200 mortar rounds plus RPGs from sappers who got inside wire, but with fire support from FSBs RYDER and BALDY VC were repulsed at 0330, leaving 39 VC KIA. 18 USMC KIA, 63 WIA." The 1/7 Marines Command Chronology for January 1970 also describes the action: "At 0121, 6 January 1970, FSB Ross was subjected to a well planned and coordinated enemy sapper attack. During the course of the attack, FSB Ross received approximately 200 incoming 82mm mortar rounds. It is estimated that approximately twenty enemy sappers penetrated the defensive perimeter simultaneously from four locations. The attack continued for approximately one and one half hours before the enemy withdrew leaving behind 39 KIA and 3 POW. Friendly losses sustained: 14 KIA and 58 WIA. Equipment and material damage sustained was light." The 14 US Marines who died in the fighting were Support Co, 1st Engineer Bn: Pfc Charles L. Hartung, Cologne, MN B Co, 3rd AMTRAC Bn: Cpl Clifford C. Blend, Brandywine, MD A Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines Sgt Beryl G. Peters, Fort Worth, TX LCpl Dean A. Wilderspin, Flint, MI Pfc Kenneth W. Boward, Martinsburg, WV Pfc Richard F. Brant, Savannah, GA Pfc John J. Hargreaves, Brook Park, OH Pfc Mickey L. Hawkins, Lyons, CO C Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines Cpl Joseph A. Lozano, Chicago, IL D Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines Pfc Gary H. Garner, Chillicothe, MO H&S Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marines Sgt William M. Adair, Bellevue, WA Sgt Julian R. Rodriguez, San Benito, TX LCpl Russell E. Gilbrech, Plainfield, IN Cpl Frank M. Walker, Flushing, MI

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