27 Oct 2006 Joe, I met you in Albuquerque while you were waiting for a flight that would take you to California and on to Vietnam. You were with your buddy Baca, this was 39 years ago. I remember your sweet smile and soft voice. Joe, while in Vietnam you were in the company of so many wonderful men who fought along side of you and you along side of them. It is a bond that can never be broken. Silver wings took you away to a place and time we will never forget. May you rest now and be at peace in the glory of God's company. Semper Fi, Evelyn M. Salazar evelynalbq@aol.com

 

A note from The Virtual Wall In early April 1967 the North Vietnamese Army's 325C Division (18th, 95th, and 101st Regiments) moved through Laos and positioned itself to capture the combat base at Khe Sanh. By 25 April the 18th Regiment had emplaced itself on Hill 861, one of three hills which controlled key terrain around Khe Sanh. The 3rd Marine Division commander determined that the three hills had to be denied to the enemy. After heavy fighting, the Marines captured Hill 661, decimating the 18th Regiment, and turned toward Hills 881 North and 881 South, defended by the NVA 95th Regiment. The initial assaults on Hills 881 North and South were made by elements of the 3rd and 9th Marines on 30 April and was not successful - the enemy was well entrenched on the crests of the steep hills and vigorously resisted the Marine advance. By nightfall, the Marines withdrew from the hills, having lost 58 dead and hundreds wounded. Hill 881 South was subjected to heavy supporting arms fire on 01 May and captured on 02 May. Three companies from 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines were engaged at Hill 881 North; they lost 14 men: Echo Company: Pfc Joe C. Garcia, Cedar Crest, NM Pfc John F. Tino, Torrington, CT Golf Company: Cpl Richard T. Schmitz, Cleveland, OH LCpl William J. Roldan, Philadelphia, PA LCpl George M. Seall, Columbus, OH Hotel Company: 1stLt David S. Hackett, Ligonier, PA (Silver Star) Cpl Clifford G. Davis, Amarillo, TX Cpl Jerome M. Hanrahan, Chicago, IL Cpl Julius A. Kessler, New York, NY LCpl Frederick W. Bivens, Pocomoke, MD HN Richard L. Kinney, West Frankfort, IL (Corpsman, H&S with Hotel 2/3) LCpl Walter R. Robinson, La Pryor, TX Pfc Robert L. Cornell, Miami Springs, FL Pfc Scott D. Richardson, Melbourne, FL

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