David Andrew Chacon

Lance Corporal
A CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
10 November 1948 - 22 February 1969
Gilcrest, Colorado
Panel 32W Line 076

3RD MARDIV 9TH MARINES
Silver Star

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign
David A Chacon

The database page for David Andrew Chacon

27 May 2002

You'll always be with me wherever I am. You're still the same person as when you were still here. I'll always remember the good times we had. The days go by and you're still in my thoughts. You're still here beside me. I'll never forget because you are still living with me and the rest.

From a friend,
Joe Herrera
P. O. Box 2301, Chickasha, Oklahoma 73023
joseph_9932@msn.com

23 Mar 2003

Dear Marines:

David, known as "Chief", was very dear to me in 68 and 69.

I miss him often. We were in the same squad always very close as we patrolled on operations together. Operation Dewey Canyon was very deadly.

On 22 Feb 69 Chief was mortally wounded and I received a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. Chief was right with me, he charged with our M-60 machine gun before I did and died while I was attempting to save him from what I knew was a mortal wound. I could not help him and that I live with since that date. I have a photo of four of my buddies ... "Chief" is one. Will list. I may be contacted at 713-974-4916.

I very much remember his laugh and smile. He would risk his life for any of us. Yes, I was with him for those final hours. I loved him as only a Marine could. Thank you for letting me list my feelings for one of my dear buddies.

Lester Jackson
ltja19@ev1.net

23 Mar 2004

David was my Uncle, I did not remember him, but I know a lot about
him. I would really like to hear from someone who served with him.
Please contact me. Thanks...

From his nephew,
Ron Chacon
rchacon@comcast.net

03 Sep 2006

Dave Chacon was a gentle giant and very loving, caring, and would go out of his way to help anybody. He was well loved in his community and by his teachers.

We do miss this wonderful man. It doesn't matter that it has been almost 40 years, to me he is still just away for a while. I know I will see him again and we will celebrate the good times again.

He is already with his mother and father, now they just watch over us.

We have the poems he wrote. This young man knew he was not coming home from the war.

His brothers and I love him and miss him very much. I miss the fights we had growing up and his waiting until I would get home from a date so he can talk to my boyfriend about the Marines ... he always wanted to be a Marine from the time he was a child.

Dave my brother, I miss you and am waiting to see you soon.

I would like to hear from some of his other friends who served with him.

From his sister,
Virginia Rossman
bana1825@comcast.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

In late February 1969 the 1/9 Marines were engaged in Operation DEWEY CANYON at the northern end of the A Shau Valley. Their Command Chronology for February 1969 contains the following commentary:
"An aerial observer reported that there was an [sic] huge bunker complex, covering 6 grid squares, ... at YD197053, and on 22 February Company A returned to attack these complexes. On the fringe of the complex at YD199046 Company A met heavy resistance, killed 105 enemy and suffered 10 killed and 61 wounded."
The Chronology also contains the text of a SPOT report from Company A, which, in paraphrase, reports that at 1300 22 Feb Company A
"Charged on first enemy position with two platoons in assault. Heavy machinegun fire caused me to commit my 4th Platoon. With help of Broncos [OV-10 aircraft] and 81mm mortars moved through and wiped out the first enemy position. Directed air strike and arty against second enemy position."
The SPOT report also states that in addition to inflicting 105 casualties on the NVA a considerable number of weapons and supplies were captured.

The ten men who were killed in the assault described above were

  • 1stLt Lee R. Herron, Lubbock, TX (Navy Cross)
  • 2ndLt William J. Christman, Gaithersburg, MD (Navy Cross)
  • Cpl Richard P. Hodges, Atlanta, GA (Silver Star)
  • LCpl John R. Baird, Oak Lawn, IL (Silver Star)
  • LCpl David A. Chacon, Gilcrest, CO (Silver Star)
  • Pfc Larry J. Boehm, San Felipe, TX
  • Pfc Fred Butler, Miami, FL
  • Pfc Norman P. Chittester, Falls Creek, PA
  • Pfc Anthony L. Johnson, Buena Vista, VA
  • Pfc William B. Tarrance, Torrance, CA (HQ Co, 9th Marines with Alpha 1/9)


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a friend,
Virginia Rossman
bana1825@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 27 May 2002
Last updated 09/26/2006