IN MEMORY HONOR ROLL

Thurman Paul Conn was born in Grundy, Virginia June 29, 1946. He was the 10th of 13 children born to the late William Thomas Conn and Artha Charles. In 1964, Thurman moved from Tazewell, Virginia to Fenton, Michigan and began working for General Motors Truck and Bus in Flint, MI (Local 598), graduating from Fenton High School in 1965. In January of 1966, Thurman joined the United States Marine Corps in Roanoke, VA. That spring he completed training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton. In July of 1966 he arrived and was stationed at An Hoa near Da Nang, Vietnam. Thurman was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment (3/9). The 3/9 were an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps formed during World War I, nicknamed Shadow Warriors. The 3/9 became the first battalion-sized ground combat unit to be deployed to Vietnam in 1965 with the Vietnam Era motto "Death in the Dark" and Post-Vietnam Era, "Striking 3/9." While stationed in Vietnam Thurman participated in 13 operations including: Operation Prairie II, III, & IV, Operation Buffalo (Battle of July 2nd), Operation Hickory I & II and Operation King Fisher. On July 1, 1967, Thurman was promoted to Corporal and by August he arrived back in the United States and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Marksman Badge (M-14 Rifle). Thurman passed away in his home in Fenton, Michigan on January 26, 2006. He is buried with his fellow service members at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Thurman spoke fondly of the friends he made during his time in the Marines, was grateful for each day, and for freedom. He was very proud of being a Vietnam Veteran. Semper Fidelis