13 Mar 2004 Donnie was a graduate of Leaf River High School, class of 1966. He left for basic training at Camp Pendleton, California, soon after graduation. On January 5, 1967 Donnie embarked on the USNS General Nelson M. Walker (T-AP 125) for Vietnam. He was wounded in action on September 4, 1967, during Operation Swift, receiving his first Purple Heart. Donnie was killed in action on November 8, 1967, during Operation Essex, receiving his second Purple Heart. Burial took place in Silver Creek Cemetery, Mount Morris Township, Ogle County, IL. Donnie had six brothers and two sisters. Please visit my full memorial to Donnie Kretsinger

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall OPERATION ESSEX saw the Mike 3/5 Marines placed under operational control of the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, for search and destroy operations in "Antenna Valley" in Quang Nam Province. Mike 3/5 began movement into the valley on the morning of 06 November 1967. Over the next three days, Mike 3/5 lost 13 men killed in action: 07 Nov 1967: 2ndLt Dale R. Loudin, Atwater, OH Cpl William W. Little, Bloomington, IL 08 Nov 1967: SSgt Howard L. Rogers, Portsmouth, VA Cpl Richard W. Duncan, Livermore, CA (Navy Cross) Cpl David L. Jones, Lincoln, IL Cpl Donald M. Kretsinger, Leaf River, IL LCpl James L. Navarro, Nashville, GA Pfc Michael J. Callahan, Drexel Hill, PA Pvt Darrel E. Pruett, New Salem, IL 09 Nov 1967: Cpl Richard J. Giebe, Granite City, IL Cpl Peter A. Schrader, University City, MO (Silver Star) Pfc Kenneth W. Harris, Grays Knob, KY Pfc Max R. Idom, Forest, MS These men, and others, are remembered on the Mike 3/5 site .

Contact Us

© Copyright 1997-2019 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd ®(TM)

Last update 08/15/2019.