A Note from The Virtual Wall In April 1968, after the seige of the Khe Sanh Combat Base had been broken, the Commanding General, 3rd MAF, wanted to abandon the base but was over-ruled by General Westmoreland. Given that large NVA forces remained in the area aggressive patrolling of the surrounding area was necessary in order to protect the Khe Sanh forces. On the morning of 16 April, the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, was holding a defensive perimeter on Hill 869 near Khe Sanh. At 0700 a two platoons from Alpha 1/9 set out on a patrol to the southwest of Hill 689. While moving up a ridgeline, the patrol engaged an NVA force dug in atop the ridge, an engagement which developed into a full-fledged battle that continued through the night of 16/17 April. While the Marines did eject the NVA from the ridge, they endured heavy losses - 41 Marines and sailors killed and 32 wounded. HN Wilson was one of three Corpsmen killed in the battle. "You guys are the Marine's doctors - There's none better in the business than a Navy Corpsman ..." -- Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller -- Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

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