Roger Wilson Chasteen

Private First Class
A CO, 1ST BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
11 April 1947 - 10 May 1967
Crestwood, Missouri
Panel 19E Line 079

1ST MARDIV

5TH MARINES
Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Roger Wilson Chasteen

09 Jul 2006

Roger and I were in boot camp together in 1966. Platoon 174, MCRD San Diego.

After graduation in May, 1966, we went on to ITR training at Camp Pendleton.

I did not know Roger had been killed in action until researching my old platoon a few years ago.

A great loss to his family, his Marine Corps family, and a grateful nation.

Semper Fi!!

From a bootcamp Marine friend,
Paul O. Hunt
Sgt. USMC 2215630
huntfarm@tctc.com

13 Feb 2007

My Dear Brother Roger, you would have been 60 years old on your birthday this year. Our only grandson was named after you. We all think of you and visit your grave often. We will remember your outstanding courage to go and retrieved a fallen Marine. We are so very proud of you! A fine Marine who has given all to our great country. We still miss you very much, like it was yesterday!

Love You,
Joyce and Larry

From his sister and brother in law,
Joyce and Larry Smith
1368 Raycrest Lane, Crestwood, Mo 63126
marvin.smith4093@sbcglobal.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The 1/5 Marines' Command Chronology for May 1967 contains the following entry:
"101200H Company A had completed a sweep of Phuoc Duc (2) vicinity coordinates (BT 082565) and was deploying to vicinity coordinates (BT 051565) when it received fire from six automatic weapons and intense small arms fire from the northwest at a distance of 200-300 meters from vicinity coordinates (BT 050567). The NVA wore khaki uniforms, carried packs and were well entrenched. Company A was deployed and closing with the NVA positions when the center of the Command Post was marked with rockets from a HUEY gunship. A flight of F-4 aircraft immediately straffed the Company A Command Post and the surrounding area. Company A sustained 5 USMC KlA and 24 USMC WIA from the air strike. This air strike was not requested or cleared by units of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Company A broke contact with the enemy in order to establish security for an LZ so the wounded could be evacuated from the operational area. Heavy automatic weapons fire and mortar fire were received in the LZ. Company A returned fire with 8,000 rounds of small arms fire, 60 M-79 rounds and 20 3.5 WP rounds. The medical evacuations were completed at 101500H. Company A stayed at coordinates (BT 051385) to consolidate its forces and await an emergency resupply, Company A moved to coordinates (BT 049383). As result of the contact, Company A sustained 6 USMC KIA (5 from the air strike) and 31 USMC WIA (24 from the air strike). The NVA lost 3 NVA KIA confirmed, 30 NVA KIA probable, and 50 NVA WIA probable."

The six men from Alpha 1/5 who died on 10 May were

  • Cpl Aaron G. Glynn, South River, NJ;
  • LCpl Linwood E. Ebron, Raleigh, NC;
  • LCpl Raymond L. Prince, Washington, DC;
  • Pfc Hugh F. Blackburn, Columbia, SC;
  • Pfc Roger W. Chasteen, Crestwood, MO; and
  • Pfc Billy J. Lawton, Allendale, SC.
Pfc Chasteen was the single death inflicted by the enemy.


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his sister,
Joyce Smith
1368 Raycrest Lane, Crestwood, Mo 63126
marvin.smith4093@sbcglobal.net



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 09 Jul 2006
Last updated 03/09/2007