08 Aug 2007 I was a high schoolmate of Ron's. I served in Vietnam at the same time as he did, but in a different Marine Unit. I did not find out until I rotated home that he had been sent to Vietnam on 12-11-1967 and was killed while serving in a Marine Infantry Unit. Semper Fi, Marine, you are not forgotten. From a friend. E-mail address is not available.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall During the 1968 Tet Offensive VC and NVA forces made repeated attempts against the Danang complex. ARVN, Marine, and Army units were used to cordon the Danang area to prevent additional enemy forces from moving toward Danang and equally to trap and destroy forces retreating from Danang. The 3rd Bn, 5th Marines, reinforced with elements from the 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines, was assigned responsibility for an area along the Bau Xau River which runs roughly west-to-east some 10 or 12 kilometers south of Danang. On 06 Feb the Marines were directed to assist the ARVN's Phong Luc Combat Base, which was under heavy attack. As Mike 3/5 deployed toward the ARVN position it encountered a large VC force retreating from Danang. The 3/5 commander promptly inserted three more Marine infantry companies and a full-fledged battle ensued. The result was 320 enemy dead in less than 36 hours - but there were 19 dead Marines as well: F Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines Pfc Joseph F. Convery, Chester, PA (Silver Star) Pfc Troy H. Hunter, Colorado Springs, CO Pfc Ronald E. Konwinski, Omaha, NE Pfc Earl W. Watkins, Decatur, GA G Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines Pfc Robert L. Wilson, Norfolk, VA Pvt Loren L. Pampel, Chicago, IL H&S Co, 3rd Bn, 5th Marines Cpl Eugene E. Henry, Marathon, NY Cpl John P. Jacobs, South Boston, MA LCpl Edward S. Thurmond, Augusta, GA Pfc Timothy D. Mc Hugh, Springfield, PA K Co, 3rd Bn, 5th Marines SSgt Curtis F. Baggett, Raleigh, NC (Navy Cross) Pfc Wayne A. Goetsch, Brentwood, CA Pfc Andrew M. Larson, Johnson City, TN Pfc Robert S. Lutz, Oconomowoc, WI Pfc Robert K. Raymond, Oklahoma City, OK Pfc Jan M. Stoddard, Jacksonville, FL M Co, 3rd Bn, 5th Marines Cpl Vernon C. Randolph, Bettendorf, IA LCpl William T. Buckles, Hollywood, FL (Silver Star) Pfc John H. Brancato, La Grange, IL

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