23 Jun 2008 Tim you are my hero, and I will never forget you. We were friends in high school in West Fargo, North Dakota. I was with you when you had your first fender bender in Fargo, it was a nice sunny day and we had just finished shopping. On our way back home we were talking and having a good conversation when you rear-ended the car in front of us. Also we took you Dad's car for a spin one night and got it stuck in the ditch at the Rod and Gun Club outside of West Fargo. My Dad was very upset and woke me up to ask me what happened, I guess my dad and your dad paid for the tow truck. Your Mom wrote my Mom when I was in Germany with the Army (1968-1971), and asked her if I would write you a letter, stating that you were very lonely and scared. I was going to write you a letter, but got side-tracked and never wrote you. I am sorry. I realize now in retrospect that you would never have gotten my letter, it would have arrived too late for you to be able to read it. I will always rember you, and the girl friend you left behind with child, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I'm sure he or she grew up to be a fine young person. You will always be my hero. Love Butch (Class of 1967, West Fargo High) John F. Wetzstein, Jr. bwetzstein49@myfamily.con

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall During the period 09-11 Sep 1968 the 3rd Marines were tasked with clearing the North Vietnamese Army from Mutter's Ridge and the Cam Lo River Valley which ran along the southwest side of the ridgeline. The 1st and 2nd Battalions drew the ridge line and its northeastern slopes, while the 3rd Battalion swept the river valley. The 3/3 Command Chronology for September notes they were opposed by well-trained, well-equipped, and well-dug-in NVA troops and accounts for eight Marines killed in the fighting. One wounded Marine died after evacuation, raising the toll to ten men. They were I Company: LCpl Nicholas Marino, Philadelphia, PA LCpl David J. Popp, Minneapolis, MN Pfc Jesse L. Barkley, Chicago, IL Pfc Timothy J. Smith, Lake Geneva, WI (Silver Star) Pfc Carroll E. White, Richmond, VA (DoW on 10/10/1968) Pvt Aldo A. Doria, Derby, CT K Company: Cpl Curry B. Davis, Roanoke, AL Pfc Eugene O. Fuller, Wyocena, WI M Company: Pfc Glenn Carter, Philadelphia, PA During the same period, the 1st Bn, 3rd Marines lost 13 men while sweeping the high ground along Mutter's Ridge. The 2/3 Marines, working along the ridgeline's northeastern slope, are not known to have lost any men killed during their contacts.

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