Jerrald Rich ThompsonCorporal1ST PLT, C CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV United States Marine Corps 05 November 1941 - 16 June 1966 Columbus, Ohio Panel 08E Line 054 |
|
The database page for Jerrald Rich Thompson
C Co 1st Recon Bn Another one of the six lost on Hill 488 - June 16th 1966. We look back on this date and the hill that now sits idle and has no value. It was a high price to pay for jungle. You are missed by those of us known as the old ones of 1st Recon Bn. Your deeds of courage are taught to the new 1st Recon Bn Marines of today. We will never forget Hill 488.
A memorial initiated by a fellow Marine, |
Never ForgottenYour Loving MotherHelen Louise Thompson Bingham and your twin sis Judith Helen Thompson Creech |
The greatest man I never knew,
From his niece, |
For those of us who knew you,
Your daughters, E-mail address is not available. |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe battle on 16 June 1966 on Hill 488 (Nui Vu) involved a full battalion of North Vietnamese Army regulars assaulting 18 men of the 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Recon Battalion, led by Staff Sergeant Jimmie Earl Howard. The Recon Marines had established an observation post atop Nui Vu in order to identify and prosecute by remote fire VC/NVA forces operating in the mountains west of Chu Lai.The operation was sufficiently effective to get the NVA commander's attention and sufficiently dangerous for him to commit a fresh battalion to eradicate the Marines. He failed. The NVA assault on Hill 488 began in late afternoon and continued through the night. The beleagued Marines were assisted by Marine and Air Force helicopter and fixed wing air support, but it was sheer courage and determination that permitted the Marines to hold until morning. Charlie 1/5 Marines were airlifted onto the reverse slope of Hill 488 and relieved the Recon Marines. Of the 18 men in the Recon Platoon, 6 died and 12 were wounded. Two men of Charlie 1/5 Marines and one each from VMO-2 and VMO-6 (Marine UH-1 squadrons) died. One Medal of Honor (Staff Sergeant Howard), 4 Navy Crosses, and 13 Silver Stars were awarded. Immediately after the battle, Captain F. J. West, USMCR, interviewed men from Howard's platoon, Charlie 1/5, airmen from the squadrons which supported Howard, and others. In 1967 the History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, published his account of the fight on Hill 488. Captain West's account is available on The Virtual Wall at Hill 488 |
Top of Page
www.VirtualWall.org Back to |
With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 13 Feb 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009