Michael John Gardner

Private First Class
KILO CO, 3RD BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
13 May 1948 - 26 May 1968
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Panel 66W Line 006

3RD MARDIV

3RD MARINES
Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Michael John Gardner

05 June 2005

Michael, I was thinking of you (again) and seen no one has left you a memorial, how sad and shame on me! You have been missed since that day in May when you were taken from us. You were quiet, gentle and easy to get along with. You were from Minnesota like Gordy who we also lost. I want for others to see your memorial and know that you were (and still are, I'm sure) a sweet, blue eyed boy who tho' quiet will never be forgotten nor forsaken for the sacrifice you offered and ultimately made so we could have the honor of paying our "sweetest debt", by honoring your friendship.

My grandson, Roger for some unexplained reason has the same light, powder blue eyes as you, go figure! We, all of us on both sides have brown/dark brown eyes... everyone. Today I choose to believe that God did that so we could still keep on loving you. Just remember, my brother Marine: If I live you live also! Semper Fidelis

Your friend always,
A. J. Ramirez

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Heavy fighting was the norm throughout Quang Tri Province during the spring of 1968, particularly in the west around Khe Sanh and along the DMZ border to the east. During the period 22 through 28 May the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, lost 42 Marines and sailors in action, with 21 of the losses coming on a single day - 26 May. Corporal Crawford was one of three men from Mike 3/3 killed in action on that day:
  • H&S Company:
    • HM2 Thomas W. Peterson, Lake Wells, FL
    • Cpl Randall W. Kelpine, Milwaukee, WI
    • Cpl William B. O'Halloran, New York, NY
    • LCpl Wilbert W. Cuch, Springville, UT

  • I Company:
    • LCpl Lester Erby, Clarksdale, MS
    • Pfc Rudy Cardenas, San Antonio, TX
    • Pfc Ralph A. Gearheart, Crestline, OH
    • Pfc Larry Jones, Gary, IN
    • Pfc Thomas Murrin, New York, NY
    • Pfc Ray L. Penland, Seadrift, TX
    • Pfc De Wayne M. Selby, Bismarck, ND
    • Pvt Kenneth E. Bradley, Nashville, TN
    • Pvt Richard L. Incrocci, Madera, CA

  • K Company:
    • LCpl Hercules L. Moore, Brooksville, FL
    • Pfc Otis L. Allen, Steele, MO
    • Pfc Michael J. Gardner, Minneapolis, MN
    • Pfc Martin J. Grace, Topeka, KS
    • Pfc Leroy Pegross, Port Arthur, TX

  • M Company:
    • SSgt Raymond I. Garcia, Hayward, CA
    • Cpl James P. Crawford, Fullerton, CA
    • Cpl Craig B. Holt, Woonsocket, RI


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a Marine brother,
A. J. Ramirez
138 W. Marion Street, Clute, Texas 77531
art.ramirez@sbcglobal.net
8 Jul 2005



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 07/08/2005