Joe Roger Melczek

The database page for Joe Roger Melczek

17 Jun 2003 REMEMBERED by a friend, Tony Adkins tladkins@mrtc.com

09 Aug 2006 REMEMBERED by Billy Richards E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 3/3 Marines' Command Chronology for April 1968 includes the following entry: "While OPCON to 3/4, a Company 'K' squad-sized killer team engaged an estimated NVA company on 16 April and was subsequently reinforced by the remainder of Company 'K' on 17 April. Twelve NVA KIAs were confirmed and two individual weapons captured, while Company 'K' suffered 5 KIA and 16 WIA Med Evacs." The 3/4 Marines' Chronology offers additional information. The Kilo 3/3 squad was initially engaged by 20-30 NVA in a bunker complex at YD165655. The team was forced to withdraw with 1 WIA and 3 MIA members and was extracted by helo. The remainder of Kilo 3/3 moved into the area just before dark and set up a defensive position. At 0900 17 April Kilo 3/3 began to search the area and was in contact by 0920. India 3/4 was alerted and airlifted into the area shortly after noon and had linked up with Kilo 3/3 by 1435H. The two companies cleared the complex of NVA. Kilo 3/3's missing Marines were recovered by India 3/4 at 1515 - all three were dead. By late afternoon the bunker complex had been destroyed and the Marines were returned to the artillery base at C-3. The five Marines who were killed in the engagement were 1stLt Daniel J. Jaskiewicz, Grand Rapids, MI (04/16/1968) Cpl John E. Malone, San Diego, CA (04/16/1968) LCpl Joe R. Melczek, Insko, KY (04/16/1968) LCpl Charles E. Allen, Newport News, VA (04/17/1968) Pfc Alvin L. Pounds, Chicago, IL (04/17/1968)

Top of Page www.VirtualWall.org Back to To alpha index M KY State Index . Panel 50E 3RD MARINES Index Contact Us

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 17 Jun 2003
Last updated 08/10/2009