22 February 1999 On February 8, 1968 Les was killed instantly while directing a fire mission at Khe Sanh, South Vietnam. Les was born and attended elementary schools in Rome, Georgia. His parents moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1955 where he attended public schools and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1963. He attended Jacksonville State College for two years before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. His parents and his sister, Sandra Ayers McKenzie, moved back to Rome, Georgia, where Les' Grandparents lived. We, Les' family, cannot express the depth of our sorrow over the loss of our son and brother. His fellow Marines and minister of music in this letter and memorium reflect something of what we would like for you to remember about him. BATTERY A 1st Battalion, 13th Marines 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF FPO San Francisco 96602 8 February 1968 Mr. and Mrs. Euel Ayers Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ayers: The untimely death of your son, Lance Corporal Lesley S. Ayers, U.S. Marine Corps, on 8 February 1968 at Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, is a source of great sorrow to me and his friends in this battery. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your bereavement. Lesley, as you know, was assigned as a radio operator with a forward observation team from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 13th Marines. His team was attached to Company D, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. At 1140 on 8 February 1968 Lesley and his team were engaged in an observation mission in the Company D portion of the defensive perimeter. The position began receiving rocket fire and one round landed near Lesley. He was killed instantly. Lesley leaves many grieving brother Marines who sorely miss his cheerful disposition and warm personality. I feel honored to have known and served with Lesley, if only for the short time. He was a sincere, competent and dedicated young man. We, his fellow Marines, feel like we lost a part of ourselves. Lesley always spoke of his love and respect for you and his family. Sincerely yours, Dennis L. Pardee Captain U. S. Marine Corps Commanding Officer MUSIC MINISTRY Lesley Ayers - IN MEMORIUM Les Ayers was a good young man. He knew Christ as his Savior and Lord. He loved his parents, his sister, relatives, his church and his friends. He loved his country and his freedom we all enjoy, so he joined the Marines to serve that country. He trained, he fought, and he died for that country. I knew Les well for he had been a faithful member of the Youth and Tour Choirs of our Church. When I first came to Huntsville, over seven years ago, our Church was preparing for revival services. Some of Les' friends were concerned that he had not made his profession of faith publicly. It was a joy for me to talk with Les about his faith and soon after to see him walk the aisle for Christ. I shed tears in that service, as did many of you. Now just a few short years later we shed tears again over the loss of this fine young man whom God has called to be with Him. Les had a certain something that made every one like him. He had a sense of humor that made you laugh with him at the little funny things of life. Those of us who knew Les are made sad at his leaving us, but surely God is rejoicing and the angels with Him that Les has come to the heavenly home. Before he left to go overseas, he requested that I sing a favorite song, "How Great Thou Art", at his funeral if he didn't make it back safely. I know by this request that his faith had strengthened through these years and that the little smile which was always his is even broader and brighter now. EUGENE BRASHER Minister of Music First Baptist Church Huntsville, AL For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 

24 Apr 2003 I happened on this memorial by accident but I thank God for this young man's service and his testimony in Christ. God bless this family and all of our service personnel serving around the world. The Hudsons E-mail address is not available.

 

7 Sep 2004 I got to know Les after I came back from Viet Nam. We would ride together from Camp Lejeune N.C. and stop in Atlanta to see the hippies and then he would drop me off in Rome, Ga. We had great times together. Told him goodbye and good luck before he left for Viet Nam. Would not and could not go to his memorial service in Rome (forgive me, brother), but requested that his name be placed on Veterans Memorial in Rome and also visited his final resting place. He loved life and people. From a friend, R. Mike Aycock 1 McGrady Rd, Rome, Ga. ayco7472@bellsouth.net

 

21 Dec 2004 I went to school with Lesley from grades 8 - 12. He was a great guy. The thing that I remember most about him was that he was always smiling. Never knew him to be down. Huntsville High's class of 63 lost two fine young men in the Vietnam War, Lesley and Charles Taylor. I will remember them always. From a friend, J. Shelby Aston USN HHS Class of 1963 jsaston@mchsi.com A Note from The Virtual Wall Lieutenant (junior grade) Charles Stockton Taylor, USNR, died on 23 June 1969 while serving with Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130 (VAQ-130) embarked in the aircraft carrier USS ORISKANY.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall A Battery, 1/13 Marines, lost four men from the Forward Observation Team: Sgt Tommy Edward Antrim, 19, Oneida, Iowa LCpl Lesley Steven Ayers, 23, Huntsville, Alabama Pfc Kenneth Jeffrey Allen, 18, Cincinnati, Ohio Pfc Bill Norman Dalton, 19, Kearns, Utah

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