Merlin Eugene Marquardt

Lance Corporal
I CO, 3RD BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
31 December 1945 - 18 August 1965
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Panel 02E Line 059

3RD MARDIV

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

The database page for Merlin Eugene Marquardt

07 Nov 2005

Merlin was a year behind me in school. We both joined the Marine Corps and were serving in Vietnam at the same time but in different units. I was told of his death while I was still there.

From a friend,
Dick Stanley
dickiedoo198@yahoo.com

On 18 August 1965, elements of the 3rd and 4th Marines made simultaneous amphibious and airborne assaults in an area about 10 miles south of Chu Lai. The purpose of OPERATION STARLITE was to cut off and destroy the 1st VC Regiment (60th Bn, 80th Bn, 52nd VC Co, and a Weapons Company).

The landings met only light resistance but heavy fighting broke out as the Marines deployed from the LZs. When night fell the VC withdrew, leaving a rear guard and over 100 dead behind. Fifty Marines and sailors died in the fighting on 18 and 19 August, including 14 men from India 3/3 Marines:

  • Capt Bruce D. Webb, Wheaton, IL (Navy Cross)
  • Sgt Robert F. Batson, Houston, TX
  • Cpl David J. Thomas, Dallas, TX
  • LCpl Francis J. Delmark, Salt Lake City, UT
  • LCpl Merlin E. Marquardt, Fort Wayne, IN
  • LCpl Morris O. Musick, Denver, CO (DoW 08/20/1965)
  • LCpl Jon D. Vannatta, Richmond, IN
  • LCpl James L. White, Chicago, IL (08/19/1965)
  • HA Thomas R. Brand, Allen Park, MI
  • Pfc Ollie R. Cotten, Sand Lake, MI
  • Pfc John L. Jemison, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Pfc Edward Kopec, Chicago, IL
  • Pfc Gilbert R. Nickerson, Racine, WI
  • Pfc Walter L. Smith, Memphis, TN (08/19/1965)




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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009