THE WALL OF FACES

I knew Pete his brother at Stepinac. I met John only once at Milkmaid by accident. He was on leave, he in his khakis. We chatted. I left. When the Vietnam Memorial was donated by General Westmoreland at Lasdon Park in Somers NY. I went, simply because I had met John and had to honor his name. Semper Fidelis John. Rest forever in peace. Bill Lynch Stepinac 1959.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Capt. Edward "Johnny" Hughes was my mother's first cousin. Growing up Johnny idolized my grandfather, a decorated WW2 Marine. Johnny was destined to be a Marine his whole life. He grew up in Westchester County, New York and went to Iona College, where he was on the crew team. Johnny soon realized his dream and became a Marine officer. I know he married and his former wife and daughter are still alive, however, I have no contact information for them. Johnny deployed to Vietnam early, I believe he was there in 1965 when the Marines landed at Danang in the very early stages of the war. I know he was wounded after stepping into a punji pit (sp?) He recuperated in Japan and taught the local children how to play baseball. A monument is erected at the camp where he was, see Sgt. Major Wyble's earlier remembrance where the photo is displayed. Johnny returned to combat and saw action at Khe Sanh. Johnny was killed in action in May 1969, Quang Tri Province. There are some accounts of his last mission on here. I strive to learn more about him all the time. Growing up hearing stories about him from my mother inspired me to join the Marine Corps. I wish I could have met him. Semper Fi, Captain. To all of the veterans, I appreciate and love you. To all of the Vietnam veterans, welcome home, you are appreciated.

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

On May 9, 1968, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, was the point company in a battalion-sized operation pursuing North Vietnamese Army elements that had threatened the Marine combat base at Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province, RVN. Advancing from a night defensive position northwest of the Marine base, Delta moved out along the center of a low gully in a westerly direction. As the company pushed forward, a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire was received from NVA units concealed in fortified positions. In addition to their many machine gun bunkers, the NVA used both rockets and mortars to harass the movement of the Marines attempting to return fire. Delta Company was reinforced by Charlie Company during the assault, and Bravo Company with tanks provided a base of fire. The attack continued, and with the help of the tanks, the NVA were pushed out of the ville. The battalion and Delta Company recovered casualties and took night defensive positions around the ville. The night was long with the crying of village women and the silhouette of the dead Marines gathered together waiting for daybreak and their helicopter flight back to Dong Ha. During the engagement, the battalion suffered about 50 killed and wounded. Delta Company sustained the most casualties, including the Company Commander, CAPT Edward J. Hughes Jr., who was killed by enemy gunshot wounds to the head and body. The following Delta Company Marines were lost in the engagement: LCPL Kurtis N. Chapman, PFC Eugenio E. Fernandez Jr., PFC Edward A. Gillaspy, LCPL Homer Mitchell Jr., HM3 Winston Parker, LCPL Jack E. Porter, LCPL Robert P. Sickles, and PFC Billy G. Stewart. Further Marine casualties included (from C Company) LCPL Larry E. Adolf, (from A Company) tank crewman CPL Robert N. Minetto, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck; and (from H&S Company) radioman CPL Paul L. Frederickson and Hospital Corpsmen HM3 Winston G. Parker and HN Melvin G. Windham. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and togetherweserved.com]