05 Mar 2007 One of my best friends was killed in action in September 1969 while serving as a Corpsman with Kilo 3/3. We attended high school and graduated together in 1967. I joined the Corps and he the Navy. I would appreciate any info you may have with those who served with my friend. I do have contact with his family and will pass on anything that they may wish to see or hear. Sergeant Mike Fishbaugh let me know where my friend James Arthur Sickles served. From a brother in arms, Robert P. Gray swampfox731@verizon.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Operation IDAHO CANYON was a two-month search and destroy mission in an area roughly bounded by the DMZ on the north, Highway QL-9 on the south, Con Thien on the east, and Khe Sanh to the west. The terrain was rugged, the hillsides jungled, and the North Vietnamese Army was present in force. In mid-September, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines was operating predominantly along the Cam Lo River valley which ran northwest from Highway 9 into the DMZ between Mutter's Ridge and Hill 1739 north of Khe Sanh. Their Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the following entry: "15 Sep 0830H - In the area of XD950261 elements of Co K were ambushed by a reinforced NVA platoon. The enemy used 30cal machinegun, AK47s, ChiComs [grenades], RPGs, and Claymore mines hung in trees. Forty-five minutes after contact, the unit began receiving 60mm mortar rounds for a period of 4 hours, totalling 50 rounds. The unit pulled back and called in artillery, 81mm mortars, gunships, and fixed wing. Results of the contact were 8 NVA KIA, 4 USMC KIA, and 36 USMC WIA." The death of Petty Officer Sickles is missing from the account, raising the toll to five dead: H&S Co, 3/3: HM3 James A. Sickles, Johnstown, PA Pfc Jerry G. Gatlin, Waukegan, IL Kilo 3/3: Cpl William T. Bushey, Mahopac, NY LCpl Donald A. Liebl, Fairfax, MN LCpl Steven A. Rickerson, Clarendon, PA "You guys are the Marine's doctors - There's none better in the business than a Navy Corpsman ..." -- Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller -- Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

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