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: From Team Box Score - 3rd Force Recon Company 2nd Lt Terrence Collinson Graves - KIA - Medal of Honor Cpl Robert Brian Thomson - KIA - Silver Star L/Cpl Steven Eric Emrick - KIA - Bronze Star PFC James Earl Honeycutt - KIA - Navy Cross PFC Adrian Salome Lopez - Died of Wounds - Silver Star From VMO-6 (UH-1E BuNo 151291) Capt Bobby Frank Galbreath - KIA - Navy Cross 1st Lt Paul Andrew Jensen - KIA - Silver Star SSgt Jimmy Ellison Tolliver - KIA Cpl Harry Warren Schneider - KIA From Bravo 1/4 Marines: Cpl William A. Lee - KIA

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