Wesley Gene Baughman

Corporal
G CO, 2ND BN, 27TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
08 November 1946 - 05 May 1968
Dallas, Oregon
Panel 55E Line 001

1ST MARDIV 27TH MARINES
Bronze Star (Valor), Purple Heart, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Wesley Gene Baughman

08 Mar 2006

Corporal Baughman was my squad leader that long hot day, May 5 1968. I was also wounded in the same firefight as Corporal Baughman. He was a great leader on his second tour of duty. I learned much from him in the short three months that I knew him. He carried the M-79 grenade launcher. I took the grenade launcher from him after he was killed, and became the squad's grenadier. I have a picture of him smiling and waving, that's how I remember him. We lost many good Marines in Quang Nam, in a VC village called Duck-ey. After many booby traps and ambushes with the VC, we had our first fight with the NVA that day of his death. Fighter planes dropped bombs all around us saving our platoon from having many more casualties. A company of Marines and tanks coming to our rescue were pinned down. After dark we dragged our wounded to the tank position, and came back at daybreak to claim our dead and weapons. I was again wounded that morning by incoming as our Platoon came back to collect the KIA's and weapons.

I will never forget Corporal Baughman, and all those brave Marines who gave their lives, limbs, and minds for their country!

I hope to see Corporal Baughman in heaven, because we served our time in Hell!

Sgt. Terry C. Webber
Sandy, Utah


Corporal Baughman a few days before his death



09 Nov 2006

With the Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans' Day coming up in a few days, I have decided to honor my Squad Leader, Corporal Wesley Baughman, by sharing his posthumously awarded Bronze Star award. His daughter Lea Baughman sent it to me today. Thank you Lea, it means a lot to me. As I reflect back to that day of his death I feel great sorrow and pride for this Marine. I am proud to have served under his capable leadership. He Is a Hero! He saved many young Marine lives with his knowledge and courage in the three short months that I knew him. I was wounded that day of his death. I looked up to him and admired his commitment to his squad and the Marine Corps. We should never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans every day, as we enjoy the freedom that we have in the best country in the world. God Bless America, and the Veterans of all wars!

Sgt. Terry C. Webber
2332016 USMC
vetpostal@comcast.net

The President of the United States
takes pride in presenting the

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

to

CORPORAL WESLEY G. BAUGHMAN
United States Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For the heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. On the afternoon of May 5 1968, while conducting a combat patrol near the village of La Tho Bac (3) in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Baughman's platoon suddenly came under a heavy volume of mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force and rapidly established a defensive position. Alertly observing a large hostile force deploying for an attack against the Marine perimeter, Corporal Baughman fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to direct his squad. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he calmly moved about the dangerous area, shouting words encouragement to his men and skillfully directing their fire upon the attacking North Vietnamese soldiers. When one of his machine gunners was injured, Corporal Baughman unhesitatingly assisted in delivering a heavy volume of machine gun fire upon the hostile force until he was mortally wounded. His bold leadership and heroic actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his platoon accounting for fifteen North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. Corporal Baughman's courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."

The combat "V" is authorized.

FOR THE PRESIDENT



H. W. Buse, Jr
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

A Note from The Virtual Wall

According to the 2/27 Command Chronology for May 1968 elements of Golf 2/27 were involved in two actions on 05 May 1968. At 0130 the Golf 2/27 command post was attacked, with two Marines killed in action.

At about noon on 05 May a squad from Golf 2/27 engaged and killed a lone VC. About 15 minutes later the squad was taken under fire by 20-30 VC. Another element from Golf 2/27 joined and the Marines were able to drive off the VC - only to then be engaged by an estimated VC company firing on them from all sides.

A platoon from Hotel 2/27, supported by three tanks, was send to relieve the Golf 2/27 element, but it too was attacked and pinned in place. 3rd Platoon, Golf 2/27, with two more tanks, moved out and joined the Hotel platoon, but heavy casualties prevented them from joining with the beleaguered element from Golf 2/27. Finally, Fox Company was sent to assist. As the Fox Marines approached the area the VC broke contact and withdrew, leaving 12 bodies behind. Two Marines from Golf 2/27 were killed in the 6-hour engagement, while another 21 were wounded severely enough to require evacuation.

The Virtual Wall can identify the four Golf 2/27 Marines who were killed in action on 05 May but apart from Corporal Webber we cannot determine in which engagement they died. The four dead were

  • Cpl Wesley G. Baughman, Dallas, OR;
  • LCpl Israel Perez, Brownsville, TX;
  • Pfc Wayne C. Kurlin, Orange Park, FL; and
  • Pfc Gary O. Schlamp, Long Beach, CA.


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a comrade,
Sgt. Terry C. Webber
Sandy, Utah
vetpostal@comcast.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 08 Mar 2006
Last updated 11/26/2006