THE WALL OF FACES

Petty Officer Third Class Ronald Gene Hembree, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force. He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, when he was killed in action.

Over 50 years in the future I still feel survivors guilt over Ron's death. I was the senior corpsman of 3/3/3 Lima Company. I was medevaced and returned from the Repose to find that Ron had been killed by a sniper on a mission I likely would have taken. I can only hope that I have honored his memory by helping people as a Physician Assistant. I only hope his wife and kids went on to be the wonderful people that Ron would have wanted them to be. Honestly don't know what else to say after all these years. Survivors guilt is nothing compared to the loss that family experiences. I remember Ron and others I served with every day of my life

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

HM3 Ronald Gene Hembree was killed by enemy small arms fire during Operation Napolean/Saline, during an assault on Ky Lam (Coffelt Database).

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Doc

Dear PO3C Ronald Hembree,
Thank you for your service as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class with the 3rd Marine Division. Semper Fi. Thank you for the lives you saved. Your 51st anniversary is soon, sad. Yesterday was the 44th anniversary of the official end of the war. The war was years ago, but we all need 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.