William Douglas Reeves, Jr

Private First Class
M CO, 1ST BN, 1ST MARINES, 1ST MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
17 August 1948 - 08 November 1967
Mansfield, Ohio
Panel 29E Line 053

1ST MARDIV

1ST MARINES
Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for William Douglas Reeves, Jr

30 May 2000

REMEMBERING MY FRIEND
PFC William D. "Billy" Reeves Jr.

Bill came to my house the day before he left for Viet Nam
I was just a friend ... no romantic ties.

He was a super guy ... funny, loyal, handsome and full of life.
We went to school together ... lived in the same town,
had mutual friends.

I promised him I would always remember the things he said
And I have.

Today I was moved to write this poem for him
but really it is also applicable to many who go to war.
As he slowly walked down the sidewalk resigned to his fate
I knew I would never see his smile or laugh with him again
I knew in my heart what he told me was true.


I'll never forget the day
He came to say good-bye
He said "My friend, I go tomorrow
I know that I shall die"
He was a Marine and he said
It was what he was trained to do
"Please do not weep when I die
To my Country I was true"
"For all those who went before
Who gladly paid the price"
"I go now with no regrets
It's the roll of the dice."
"I do not ask for pity"
"I do not ask for fame"
"I only ask you my friend
Do not forget my name"
"Remember me when you are old
For I will never be"
"Remember that I fought
To keep our country free"
"Remember that I loved the flag
As it blows overhead"
"Remember why I gave my life
After I am dead."


Remembering.......
God Bless you, Bill
Your friend Always,
Cindy
tsalagispirit@cs.com
Billy Reeves in helmet

Billy Reeves in USMC khakis

Billy Reeves in USMC dress blues

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The 5th Marines' Command Chronology for November 1967 contains the following entry:
"082400 - M Co 3/1 - Listening post at BT095677. Heard explosion at LP position and sent squad out to check area. Squad received 20-30 rounds small arms when searching area. Squad returned 50 rounds small arms. Searched area, found 4 USMC killed in action."
The four Mike 3/1 Marines killed in the attack on the listening post were
  • Cpl Ronald P. Prince, St Louis, MO;
  • Pfc Dennis E. Hill, Frankfort, IN;
  • Pfc John M. Joyce, Bethesda, MD; and
  • Pfc William D. Reeves, Mansfield, OH.


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a friend,
Cindy
tsalagispirit@cs.com



Top of Page

Virtual Wall icon
www.VirtualWall.org

Back to
To alpha index R
OH State Index . Panel 29E
1ST MARINES Index

Webmaster@VirtualWall.org



With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 30 May 2000
Last updated 06/09/2006