Steven Eric Emrick

Lance Corporal
3RD FORCE RECON CO, 3RD RECON BN, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
15 September 1947 - 16 February 1968
Parkersburg, WV
Panel 39E Line 058

3RD MARDIV

3RD FORCE RECON CO
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Steven Eric Emrick

On February 16, 1968, the Third Force Recon Team "Box Score" engaged the enemy Southeast of Con Thien. During the initial engagement, one Marine was wounded and the Team received a significant amount of incoming, mortars and enemy fire. Steven was the Radio person assigned to the team and with exceptional composure he continued to provide communications with headquaters, reporting enemy positions and strength and providing directions for extraction of the injured and the Team. As the Team came under further intense fire, he continued to communicate positions and provide for artillery support. This allowed the Team to move across the field of fire to be available for extraction. As a result of heavy ground fire, Steven was critically wounded, and as he was fading into unconsciousness his main concern was to have someone take his radio and continue the support. He received the Bronze Star for heroism in Combat. Steven was a great Marine and a wonderful person.

A memorial initiated by the Box Score Team Corpsman,
Stephen Thompson
322 Old Quarry Rd North, Larkspur, Ca 94939
Steve4247@aol.com
29 Sep 2002

Citation for the

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

awarded to

Lance Corporal Steven E Emrick
United States Marine Corps

For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Radio Operator with Third Force Reconnaissance Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 16 February 1968, Corporal Emrick's patrol ambushed and killed seven North Vietnamese soldiers southeast of Con Thien. Shortly thereafter, the Marines came under heavy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire from an estimate two companies of North Vietnamese troops. With exceptional composure, Corporal Emrick maintained communications with higher headquarters, reporting enemy strength and positions and providing directions for an evacuation helicopter. Fearlessly exposing himself to intense enemy fire, he directed and adjusted artillery fires and air support which enabled the patrol to maneuver to the landing zone and form a defensive perimeter. As he was maintaining communications with the extraction helicopter which was unable to land because of heavy ground fire, Corporal Emrick was critically wounded by a burst of of automatic weapons fire. After directing his companions to remove his radio and maintain communications, he succumbed to his wounds. Corporal Emrick's resolute courage, unfaltering determination, and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

For The President

L.F. Chapman
Commandant of the Marine Corps

The Box Score Patrol

The events surrounding the Box Score patrol's engagement and the efforts to extract the team are a glowing example of Marine heroism under fire and were recognized as such at the time. Five of eight Box Score Team members, four aircrewmen from VMO-6, and one infantryman from Bravo 1/4 Marines died on 16 February 1968 and a number of others were wounded. The actions of the men involved in the engagement were recognized by one Medal of Honor, three Navy Crosses, five Silver Stars, and two Bronze Stars.

The Virtual Wall takes pride in honoring the Americans who died in the Box Score engagement, and through them the men who survived. Details of the engagement are published on the

Box Score Memorial Page

The following Marines are honored on The Virtual Wall:


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
the Box Score Team Corpsman,
Stephen Thompson
322 Old Quarry Rd North, Larkspur, Ca 94939
Steve4247@aol.com 
29 Sep 2002



Top of Page

Virtual Wall icon
www.VirtualWall.org

Back to
To alpha index E
WV State Index . Panel 39E
3RD FORCE RECON Index

Webmaster@VirtualWall.org



With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 09/29/2002