THE WALL OF FACES

The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, lost eight men on 08 May 1968 when they engaged an NVA regimental command post about 10 kilometers northwest of the Dong Ha airfield:
• C Btry, 1st Bn, 12th Marines
o Pfc Raymond M. Dasilva, Swoyersville, PA (with India 33)

• I Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines
o Sgt Ronald N. Bankston, Kaufman, TX
o Pfc Eddie D. Gadson, Salina, KS

• L Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines
o 2ndLt Robert McKellip, Bronxville, NY
o LCpl John A. Countaway, Winthrop, MA
o LCpl Frederick D. Kemp, Arkport, NY
o Pfc Richard W. Frink, Norwich, NY
o Pvt Steven Murray, New York, NY

Ray is buried at St Mary's Cemetery in Hanover TWP,PA.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

It's been close to 40 years Ray since we called fire. Seems like yesterday. Even tho you were with our FO Team only a short time we sure did miss you. We had so much fun smelling all your girlfriends letters. They smelled so good. Made us think of those we left behind. Sure wish you would have made it home, as we did. We'll have alot to make up when my days are up & once again we will be together. Till then Little Buddy. SEMPER FI, Gary

Roni, If you see this post, please email me. I have a pic I took of our team shortly before Ray died. Gary

This is a poem written by my cousin Ray DaSilva in his last letter home:
"Marine Angel Blue"
Well God, I'm here with you now
Still dressed in blue somehow.
Do all your angels have to wear White?
I'd like to keep my blues: it's a special sight.
I had to leave my family and friends,
And fight in Nam, where sometimes a good life ends.
Yes, I know it was for the best
that I, a Marine, was made to rest.
But God, although I'm no special man,
Show them I care, when you can.
Just one more thing I ask of you...
"Please, God, let me keep my
Marine Angel Blue."
Submitted with love by your cousin Roni