Ralph Earle Hines

The database page for Ralph Earle Hines

11 Nov 2002 REMEMBERED by a friend. coralsea_1@yahoo.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall Captain Hines was the Assistant Operations Officer for 3/26 Marines. When the Commanding Officer of India Company 3/26 was wounded and evacuated on 25 January 1967, Captain Hines asked for and received command of the company. He was killed in action while leading his men in an action less than a month later. The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH COMBAT "V" posthumously to CAPTAIN RALPH E. HINES UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For meritorious achievement while serving as an Assistant Operations Officer, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines in Vietnam from 11 December 1966 to 19 February 1967. With exceptional judgment, initiative and professional ability, Captain Hines contributed to the successful landing and initial operations of the battalion in Vietnam. Upon assuming command of Company I, on 26 January 1967, he rapidly gained the confidence of his superiors and was an inspiration to his subordinates by his diligence and repeated demonstrations of leadership. When a platoon of his company successfully ambushed an enemy unit, Captain Hines personally moved to the scene of action and by skillful deployment of additional forces and aggressive action, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and captured the enemy commander. He continued to lead his men in an exemplary manner until 19 February 1967 when he fell, mortally wounded by an enemy land mine. By his outstanding courage, leadership and unyielding devotion to duty, Captain Hines served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. For the President, Paul R. Ignatius Secretary of the Navy

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend. coralsea_1@yahoo.com  11 Nov 2002

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 10/25/2005