Albert McBrideLance Corporal3RD PLT, D CO, 1ST MP BN, 1ST FORCE SVC RGT, 3RD MAF United States Marine Corps 04 August 1947 - 23 August 1968 New York, New York Panel 47W Line 050 |
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The database page for Albert McBride
Lance Corporal "Mack" McBride's tour of duty began on 15 December 1967. He was assigned to the Second Squad, 3rd Platoon of Delta Company, and he was killed in action on 23 August 1968 at the Battle for Cam Le Bridge, in the rice paddies on the South side of the bridge.
We who live on today will never forget Big Mack, as we affectionately called him. You see, Mack was a gentle giant, who I will always remember. We were in the same battle at the Cam Le Bridge on that ill-fated day. Sleep on, my brother, for you have earned your rest, and you are forever young.
YESTERDAY, TODAY
Some time before, they were youth, happy go lucky, and care free
And then suddenly came yesterday, on a distant battle field, in an Asian jungle
Yesterday, happy-go-lucky became, "It don't mean nothing".
Yesterday, their competition was a man named Charlie,
Yesterday, they knew only the ugliness of war,
Yesterday, it was "13 months and a wake up",
Today, once again, we have found our honor, our love of family, and our peace.
Written by
From a fellow Marine who was with Mack at the Cam Le bridge, |
A Note from The Virtual WallAt 0300 23 August the Marine security outposts at the Cam Le Bridge just south of Danang came under heavy attack by what appeared to be most of a North Vietnamese battalion. Although the outpost on the north bank of the river held out, the outpost on the south side was overrun after a four hour fight. A reaction force from the 1st MP Bn (which had elements of the 3rd MP Bn attached) moved to reinforce the north bank outpost, while elements of the 1/27 and 2/27 Marines, supported by tanks from the 1st Tank Bn moved to recapture the southern end of the bridge. The fighting lasted well into the 23rd and resulted in a number of US killed and wounded - but the actions north and south of the river and follow-up sweeps by the Marines and the 52nd ARVN Infantry on 24-26 August resulted in several hundred NVA dead left on the field.The number of casualties at the Cam Le Bridge is difficult to determine with exactitude because a number of different units were involved. Close reading of the Command Chronologies shows that not fewer than 15 Marines and sailors died in the fight for the Cam Le Bridge:
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 3 Nov 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009