Andrew Currie

The database page for Andrew Currie

16 Apr 2008 I didn't know you, and I don't think we are related, but then, all Marines are my brothers. You gave your life for a good cause, you did a good thing. I will remember what you sacrificed, my brother. Here's Health to You and to Our Corps, Which We Are Proud to Serve. In Many a Strife, We Fought for Life And Never Lost Our Nerve. If the Army or the Navy Ever Look On Heaven's Scenes, They Will Find the Streets Are Guarded By United States Marines. From the Marine's Hymn Semper Fi, Pvt Currie From his namesake, Al Currie acurrie@voyager.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall In late June 1967 NVA activity had increased around An Hoa. At 1035 on 03 July Vietnamese civilians reported that 200 NVA troops were moving toward a position at Nong Son held by Fox 2/5; a mortar section from 3/11 Marines; a searchlight section from G Btry, 29th Artillery; and guns from Btry E 2/11 Marines. The observed NVA forces were taken under attack by supporting arms and apparently dispersed, but not all of the NVA had been detected - and just before midnight on 03 July they attacked the Nong Son position. The first warning was from a Fox 2/5 listening post downhill from the main positions. In three rapid transmissions beginning at 2327H, the LP Marines reported    "I have movement to my front"    "They're all around me"    "We've been overrun" Shortly thereafter the main positions came under heavy mortar fire, followed by ground attack. Within minutes, Echo 2/5 was directed to begin a night march from its position to reinforce Fox 2/5. In confused hand-to-hand fighting, the Marines and soldiers were partially pushed from the hilltop before regrouping and advancing against the defensive positions which had been taken by the NVA. Echo 2/5 arrived at about 0045 04 July and assisted in clearing the hilltop and slopes of NVA. Supporting arms fires harrassed the NVA troops as they withdrew from the Nong Son perimeter. By 0200 the hilltop was secure. When the battlefield was swept at daybreak, 39 NVA bodies were found - but 12 Marines and 3 soldiers had been killed in the action, and two of the wounded died the following day: 107 Mortar Btry, 3rd Bn, 11th Marines Cpl James H. Cooney, Camarillo, CA LCpl Anthony M. Schmutz, Camden, NJ Pfc Richard L. McKinnell, Wichita, KS G Btry, 29th Arty Rgt SP4 Andreas McCurry, Pontiac, MI SP4 Waylen L. Powell, Lubbock, TX PFC Arnold R. Palmer, Independence, IA F Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Marines Sgt Tony Ahinzow, Chicago, IL Cpl Francis G. Monin, Buffalo, NY (DoW 07/05/1967) LCpl James E. Ball, Newport News, VA LCpl Joseph L. Hicks, Yardville, NJ LCpl Arthur Lanteigne, Detroit, MI Pvt Andrew Currie, Brownsville, TN Pfc Melvin E. Newlin, Wellsville, OH (07/04/1967) (Medal of Honor) H&S Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Marines (with Fox 2/5) Cpl Danny P. Riesberg, Fruitport, MI (DoW 07/05/1967) LCpl Walter D. Buschleiter, Detroit, MI LCpl Raymond L. Hyson, Schenectady, NY Pfc Ronald D. Reyes, Edison, CA Taken from the 2/5, 2/11, and 3/11 Command Chronologies for July 1967

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his namesake, Al Currie acurrie@voyager.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 16 Apr 2008
Last updated 04/26/2008