THE WALL OF FACES

LCPL Donald W. Conn Jr. was a radioman serving with G Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On June 9, 1966, Conn was attached to Delta Company,1/7, as an artillery Forward Observer (FO). Early that morning, he was assigned security duty as the FO watch with a new member of the Company at a night position four miles northeast on Binh Son Airfield in Quang Tin Province, RVN. Reportedly, visibility during the watch was extremely low. At approximately 2:45 AM, at the conclusion of his watch, Conn was moving around when the newcomer mistook him for a Viet Cong and opened fire. He was hit in the face, chest, abdomen, and upper and lower extremities. A medivac was requested; however, Conn died of his wounds. The tragedy was a shock to all members of Delta Company. Because of his popularity with all the troops, when the Company moved to a different combat base, the new location was named Conn Hill in his honor. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “Command Chronology (7th Marines), June 1966” at ttu.edu, and information provided by Donald D. Brooks (June 2004) at eastonvietnammemorial.homestead.com]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your cousin Marcie Hinze is touching. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever...

Lance Corporal Donald Warren Conn Jr., Served with Battery G, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

My closest cousin, age-wise, lost his life in Quang Tin, Viet Nam 06/09/1966 from friendly fire. It was my first knowledge of a Viet Nam casualty, and the first time I saw my Father, who was himself a veteran and survivor of the Bataan Death March and 3 1/2 years imprisonment of the Japanese, cry for his youngest brother's first son. He has been missed and remembered for 53 years. REST GENTLY, MARINE.

My closest cousin, age-wise, lost his life in Quang Tin, Viet Nam 06/09/1966 from friendly fire. It was my first knowledge of a Viet Nam casualty, and the first time I saw my Father, who was himself a veteran and survivor of the Bataan Death March and 3 1/2 years imprisonment of the Japanese, cry for his youngest brother's first son. "Donny" has been missed and remembered for 53 years. REST GENTLY, MARINE.