THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Karon is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

In the early morning hours of December 14, 1966, 1st Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines were set in an observation post (OP) at Hill 71, five miles southwest of Chu Lai Airfield in Quang Tin Province, RVN. Another Battalion had manned the hill before 1st Platoon arrived and had not run any patrols or ambushes during their stay. Once in place, the acting commander of 1st Platoon requested not to send out the normal ambushes due to fatigue of the troops after coming off Operation Cortez two days earlier. Bunkers and fighting holes were still being developed, and not all the Marines had a fighting hole. Furthermore, local Popular Forces troops from the surrounding villages who were supposed to be accompanying the Marines on Hill 71 disappeared from their bunkers a little after 2:30 AM. At approximately fifteen minutes later, a Viet Cong (VC) force estimated at thirty to forty attacked the Marine position. The enemy combatants fired heavy small arms, threw grenades, and fired 57mm Recoilless Rifle (RR) rounds. One RR round hit a machine gun bunker, and a second round hit the communication tent, setting it ablaze and severing communications for the rest of the night. The enemy was believed to have come up from the southwest and attacked without warning, overrunning two positions on the OP. The Marines fought back with unit weapons, and a platoon from Company I, 3/5 was dispatched to support. Marine Amtracs were also sent to reinforce the position. Company M suffered ten killed and sixteen wounded in the attack. The lost Marine personnel included CPL Robert Copeland, PFC Keith O. Elledge, PFC Roland P. Guerette, LCPL Richard J. Hastreiter, LCPL Walter E. Herrmann III, PFC Leamon R. Ladd, PFC Kenny R. Suzuki, PFC Randall A. Vanatta, and PFC Charles E. Watkins; one Navy corpsman, HN Walter H. Jones II, was also lost. One M60 machine gun was captured by the enemy, and three PRC-25 radios were heavily damaged. No pursuit of the attacking force was attempted. Marine units reported one VC killed (probable), and a search of the battle area revealed fifteen ChiCom grenade duds. Following this incident, Company M units were withdrawn from positions on Hill 71 and nearby Hill 76 and returned to perimeter positions at the Battalion Command Post. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (1st Battalion, 7th Marines), December 1966” at ttu.edu; also, information provided by JD Murray (January 2004)]

I did not know that I had a brother until approximately seven years. I am so very sorry that I never got to meet you. Regardless of the circumstances, you will always be loved and in my broken heart forever. You will always be a HERO in both my heart and my soul and you will never be forgotten. Love, your sister, Karon Guerette Hudson

Without people like you our great nation would not exist. Rest in peace PFC. Guerette
I salute your brave soul. Semper Fidelis!

Private First Class Roland Philippe Guerette, Served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.