Ralph FergusonLance CorporalB CO, 1ST BN, 1ST MARINES, 1ST MARDIV United States Marine Corps 22 August 1947 - 31 May 1968 Jackson, Ohio Panel 62W Line 008 |
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The database page for Ralph Ferguson
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A Note from The Virtual WallAt the end of May 1968 the 1st Bn, 1st Marines was preparing to be withdrawn from the Khe Sanh area, while 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines were conducting road clearance and security patrols along Highway 9 south of the combat base. On the night of 29/30 May Echo 2/3's night defensive position was attacked, and during the following day the company's patrols had several contacts. The 1/1 Marines were directed to detach a company to assist 2/3; Bravo 1/1 was selected for the mission.On 31 May Echo 2/3 encountered a large entrenched NVA unit and Bravo 1/1 was directed to move to reinforce Echo 2/3. NVA practice was to establish ambushes along likely routes for reinforcements, and they did so on this occasion - Bravo 1/1 found themselves in a sharp fight with NVA troops dug in along the road. Instead of a single fight with two companies of Marines up against the original foe, there were two engagements separated by several hundred meters of jungle. The weight of US supporting arms gradually worn down both NVA elements, which withdrew toward the Laotian border several kilometers to the west. By the time the fighting stopped, the Marines had lost 25 men and had a considerable number of wounded. The dead were
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is his comrades-in-arms, Vietnam Veterans Of America, Chapter 55 P. O. Box 624, Newark, Ohio 43058 vva55@netzero.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 19 Mar 2002
Last updated 03/26/2008