28 Apr 2007 I was there the day you were killed, you and Davis, Burgett, Doyle and Telles. It was a bad firefight, they hit us coming out of the NVA ville. I heard the radio operator say we have 3 dead, and it was total confusion, we were told to fire outboard on the trail. I had no idea you had gone up to get our dead back, and in doing so gave your life and earned the Silver Star. You were so short to going home, it just tore me up especially about you because you were such a great squad leader and Marine. There isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of you and the others, and Hoyle who we called Gunny even though he was only a PFC. God Bless you, Bro's, I'll see you at the gates that you guard someday, my heart is always with all of you, and you will never be forgotten. Semper Fi. From a buddy, Jack seasoldier_usmc@msn.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines' Command Chronology for January 1969 contains the following: "At 311435H [2:35 pm, 31 Jan] Co C in vicinity (ZC 131451) found small hootch and bunker complex. When leading element entered they received fire from an estimated 6-8 enemy with 1 light machine gun. Ordered to withdraw and area was saturated with artillery missions. Casualties 5 USMC KIA, 5 USMC WIA (med-evac)." The area of contact was in a remote river valley on the southwest slope of Hill 1026, about 9 kilometers south-southwest of the Ha Tin airfield. The five Charlie 1/3 Marines who died in the engagement were Cpl Garland Whalen, Denver, CO (Silver Star) LCpl Thomas R. Davis, Frostburg, MD (Silver Star) Pfc Boyce D. Burgett, Dyer, AR Pfc Wayne R. Hoyle, Shelby, NC Pfc Paul G. Telles, Newark, CA

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