David Leroy Simmons

Sergeant
1ST PLT, A CO, 5TH TANK BN, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
16 August 1944 - 16 March 1968
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Panel 45E Line 006

3RD MARDIV

5TH TANK BN
Purple Heart, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for David Leroy Simmons

22 Oct 2003

Dave, I'll always remember you. We sure had some good times prior to going to the Nam. You were my best friend and mentor. A guy never had better than you.

Every time I hear the Animals sing "The House of the Rising Sun", I think of you putting your quarters in every juke box in every bar and restaurant to play that song.

I hope your mom recovered as best as she could from you leaving the world far too early in your life. You fulfilled the highest and best tradition of the Marine Corps and I'm positive you're having many long talks now with Chesty Puller and a few other good men.

Semper Fidelis, my brother in arms.

Lee S. Aitken
9970 N. Black Mesa Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85742
laitken1@msn.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall

From the BLT 2/4 Command Chronology for March 1968:

16 March 1968:
     Hotel Company made heavy contact while successfully extracting an eight man recon patrol which earlier made contact with a large enemy force at YD 261659, the fortified village of Vinh Quan Ha. 21 enemy were killed while friendly losses were 3 KIA (BNR) and 9 WIAE. The bodies were recovered on 18 March 1968.

The three men who died while rescuing their fellow Marines were

  • A Co, 5th Tank Bn (BLT 2/4's attached tank unit)
    • Sgt David L. Simmons, Grand Rapids, MI

  • H Co, 2nd Bn, 4th Marines
    • Pfc Mark R. Dziedzic, Oak Creek, WI
    • Pfc Dennis J. Zwirchitz, Abbotsford, WI (Silver Star)




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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009