THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Osceola was a U.S. Marine Corps security operation around the Quang Tri Combat Base in Quang Tri Province, RVN, from October 20, 1967, to February 16, 1968. The 1st Marine Regiment was responsible for the Osceola area of operations and concentrated on security and pacification rather than pursuing the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) which maintained a base in the adjacent Hai Lang Forest south of Quang Tri City. Initially, the 2/1 Marines were deployed south of the Thach Han River guarding the approaches to Quang Tri Combat Base and the 2/4 Marines protected the base and the area north of the Thach Han River. On December 24th, 1/1 Marines replaced 2/1 Marines in the southern sector, and on December 31st the 1/3 Marines replaced the 2/4 Marines in the northern sector. During January 1968, the two Marines battalions had numerous skirmishes with small NVA units south and west of the base. On January 13th, elements of B Company, 1/3 embarked aboard the amphibious warship USS Duluth (LPD-6) were inserted by UH-34D helicopters to reinforce Marines in contact with NVA forces in an area two miles southwest of Quang Tri Airfield. The reaction force was landed under fire and moving to the point of contact when a Marine detonated an unknown type booby-trap. Rifleman CPL Robert S. Bagnall was fatally wounded after sustaining blast and fragmentation wounds over his body. Two other men were injured by the explosion, one seriously. Bagnall and the seriously injured man were evacuated. The engagement ended after airstrikes on enemy positions forced the NVA to withdraw. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “OPPLAN MESSAGES (6 HOUR SITREPS) - OP OSCEOLA (3D MARDIV)” at ttu.edu; also, information provided by Warner Robinson (June 2022)]

I still miss you. Rest In Peace Brother

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your fellow soldier, Robbie, is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

dear solider, I want to say thanks for serving our country

Corporal Robert Salmon Bagnall, Served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.