THE WALL OF FACES

Gunnery Sergeant William Francis Gunset, Served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace GSGT. Gunset, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

Dear GYSGT William Gunset,
Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Leader. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On June 15, 1968 during Operation Marmeluke Thrust in Quang Nam Province, RVN, Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), became heavily engaged with a large enemy force and sustained several casualties. As the company prepared to evacuate its wounded, a friendly artillery round impacted nearby, killing the company commander CPT Henry Kolakowski Jr., platoon commander 2LT William G. Ross, company gunnery sergeant GSGT William F. Gunset, and machine gunner PFC Gary C. Seymour. Although seriously wounded by fragments from the same errant round, 1LT Joseph T. Campbell realized that he was his unit's only remaining officer and refused medical aid in order to assume command of the company. Despite his weakened condition due to the loss of blood, he ensured that a landing zone was secured and selflessly directed the evacuation of the other casualties. When the medical evacuation helicopter arrived and immediately came under intense enemy ground fire, 1LT Campbell fearlessly moved among his men to direct suppressive fire on the hostile positions, enabling the helicopter to extract the casualties. Ignoring his weakened condition, he directed a second helicopter into the zone to complete the emergency medical evacuation. He subsequently succumbed to his wounds before he could be evacuated. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 1LT Campbell’s Navy Cross citation]