Roy Lee Gibson

The database page for Roy Lee Gibson

29 May 2007 It's been 39 years since his death but his memory will always live. I always looked up to Roy as my big brother and later when he joined the Marines he became the epitomy of everything a man stands for. He was polite and courteous to everyone, smart and respectful of others' feelings. He could be tough when the situation warrant it. When I couldn't turn to my father, Roy was always there for me. My big brother taught me about being responsible. When I graduated from High School I followed in his foot steps and joined the Marines because I wanted so dearly to be like him. I couldn't comprehend why the life of such a decent and fine man as my brother would be cut so short. It is not for me to question the wisdom of God. I Know that some day we will meet again. From his brother, William Gibson william8760@sbcglobal.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall In late April 1968 it became apparent that the North Vietnamese Army was again moving across the DMZ into the area north of Dong Ha. On 29 April the ARVN 2nd Infantry Regiment sent its 1st and 4th Battalions in a pincer movement to locate and engage NVA units around An Binh. "Task Force Robbie", consisting of Delta 1/9 Marines reinforced with tanks from Alpha 3rd Tanks, was sent to relieve building pressure on the ARVN's southern flank. "Robbie" ran into trouble at Cam Vu, about 5,000 meters west of An Binh, where a North Vietnamese blocking force was waiting for them. After taking 10 dead and 22 wounded in a six hour fight against a clearly superior force, "Robbie" broke off the contact and withdrew. The ARVN forces had absorbed 17 dead and 47 wounded, could not link up, and also withdrew. At this point the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, was brought into the fight, advancing toward Cam Vu. India 3/9 was the first to make contact, encountering an "L"-shaped ambush just north of Cam Vu. As 3/9's other three companies deployed in support of India, the NVA broke contact and withdrew under cover of artillery fire from within and north of the DMZ. The fighting around Cam Vu was paralleled by the engagement of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, with elements of the 325th NVA Division at Dai Do some 5 miles to northeast of Cam Vu. These engagements - the 2nd ARVN Infantry, 1/9, and 3/9 at Cam Vu and 2/4 at Dai Do - were the opening engagements in what became known as the Battle of Dong Ha. While the Cam Vu fights cost the North Vietnamese at least 197 dead, Allied losses also were high: 1st Bn, 9th Marines - 11 dead 3rd Bn, 9th Marines - 42 dead 1st and 4th Bns, 2nd ARVN Infantry - 17 dead Sergeant Gibson one of 10 Marines from Delta 1/9 who were killed in action with Task Force Robbie on 30 April: Sgt Roy L. Gibson, Dallas, TX Sgt Elmer J. Perry, Odessa, TX Cpl Raymond E. Stanley, Manchester, NH LCpl Patrick L. Bruckner, Reseda, CA LCpl Russell W. Noyes, Woburn, MA Pfc John F. Hutzell, Williamsport, MD Pfc Eduardo Marquez, El Paso, TX Pfc Lawrence J. McRae, Wilkes-Barre, PA Pfc Adam S. Najar, Palm Springs, CA Pfc James A. Reid, Derwood, MD

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his brother, William Gibson william8760@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 29 May 2007
Last updated 11/13/2007