THE WALL OF FACES

Dear LCPL Alejandro Ray Godinez,
My son, best friend and LCPL USMC left this physical world to live with our Lord and Savior. I wear a military bracelet in honor of BBB. On August 31, 2015, I requested a POW bracelet in honor of my son. I received your name and wear it too along side my son's. "Aspire to better yourself and ultimately the lives of others" is what my son would say. Giving your life in defense of our freedoms is a sacrifice beyond mere description. I pray that God has allowed you and Jonathan to meet and I look forward to the day that I too can hold you close and whisper - Thank you! Semper Fi, Mitzi

Dear LCPL Alejandro Ray Godinez, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

At 0830 on 27 June, 1967, Combined Action Company Oscar sent a patrol from its 3rd platoon located near Khe Sanh Combat Base to investigate suspected launch sites (spotted by an AO) of an NVA rocket and mortar attack on the Khe Sanh base which had occurred earlier (just after midnight).

The patrol included CPL Dennis Alfred O'Connor, CPL James Merrill Shepard, Jr., and LCPL Francisco Alberto Mazariegos, all of Oscar-3, and LCPL Charles Aaron Lynch of Oscar-1, who was along because he had been visiting friends at O-3, as well as men of the local Bru tribe of Popular Force militia. (All were later KIA.)

As the patrol reached the crest of Hill 689 (coordinates XD 802 409, 4 kilometers west of the combat base), they encountered a much larger NVA force and were ejected from the hilltop with two dead and two men missing in action. Most of the casualties occurred as the patrol tried to extract the injured and killed men.

A rescue force was mounted shortly after by the other Oscar CAPs, but was repulsed by the NVA, who were well dug in and in force.

India 3/26, which was returning from an overnight patrol, was diverted to Hill 689 to assist the Oscar Company Marines.

The Company Commander sent the 1st and 2nd Platoons up the hill on slightly divergent courses, intending to take the NVA from two directions. Both platoons encountered heavy enemy fire and the remainder of India 3/26 moved in to assist.

At the same time, Lima 3/26 was lifted into the area. By 1930 the crest of Hill 689 had been cleared of NVA and India and Lima joined to form a consolidated night defensive position.

Both MIAs from CAC OSCAR were found dead, and the 3/26 Marines lost 14 men in the engagement - a total of 18 Americans were killed in the action. A week later LCpl Charles Gattis died from wounds received on Hill 689, raising the toll to 19 men. 18 of the 19 are known. The "missing man" is suspected to one of two artillerymen from A Btry, 1/13 Marines who died at Khe Sanh on the 27th. (The latter information courtesy of the Virtual Wall.)

Among the dead was LCPL Godinez. He died trying to save some fellow Marines, along with many of his comrades. "Greater love hath no man..."

In addition to this remembrance, he and his comrades are honored on the CAC Oscar memorial web site at:
http:\cap-oscar.org

God bless you Alex my friend,my neighbor from Eagle St.