THE WALL OF FACES

On 07 and 10 Sep 1967 the men of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, fought two bitter battles along the main supply route between Cam Lo and Con Thien, just below the Demilitarized Zone. At least 56 Marines and sailors died in the fighting.

The fight on 07 Sep 1967 took place in and around a churchyard and cost the lives of no less than 20 Americans:

C Btry, 1st Bn, 13th Marines
2ndLt Charles E. Ryberg, Jackson, MN (Forward Observer with India 3/26)

H&S Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
LCpl Dennis H. Marshall, Lisbon, NH
Sgt Roy D. O'Neal, Gahanna, OH
HM2 Frank E. Robinson, Houston, TX

I Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
LCpl James M. Daniels, Wichita, KS
LCpl Eddie D. Hamm, Nashville, TN
Sgt Bruce H. Krage, Minnesota City, MN
LCpl Gary W. Lindsay, Grand Forks, ND
LCpl Stephan J. Nelson, Princeton, MN
LCpl Robert R. Rogers, Gillette, WY

K Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
Sgt Larry V. Flora, Hilliard, OH
LCpl Donald L. Graves, Rochester, NY
Cpl James E. Lewis, Tiverton, RI
Pfc Benito Morales, New Braunfels, TX
LCpl Samuel L. Parker, Columbus, OH
Pfc James H. Stuart, Turner, OR
Cpl Robert M. Warren, Pen Argyl, PA

M Co, 3rd Bn, 26th Marines
1stLt John P. Manzi, Millbrook, NY

Dear SGT Bruce Herbert Krage, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Bruce is buried at Woodlawn Cem, Winona Co, MN. His millitary stone says Co I, 26 MAR, 3 MAR DIV.

Bruce Herbert Krage
Marine Corps Sergeant

Born: June 1, 1946
Died: September 7, 1967

Bruce Herbert Krage attended Winona High School in Winona, Minnesota, and graduated in May of 1965. He played football and basketball, loved hunting and fishing, and planned to be a forest ranger.
Bruce enlisted in Minneapolis in May of 1965 and trained at Camp Pendleton, California. He was an MP through 1966, and then assigned to the 3rd Division, 26th United States Marine Corps-India Company, Vietnam. Bruce had just a week to go before his term in the Marines was up, when he was killed.
Bruce's company came under heavy mortar rocket attack and small arms fire, and the company was immediately pinned down. Bruce, as squad leader, and with deep concern for his men and complete disregard for his own safety, moved along the lines, helping his men seek cover, unjamming guns and directing their fire. He tried to reach his company commander by radio, but found the radio inoperable. He continued to render moral support and encouragement to his men until he fell mortally wounded. He received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, two Republic of Vietnam Service Medals, the Gallantry Cross and the Military Merit Medal. He also was awarded the Rifle Expert and Expert Rifle Badge, and Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.
Bruce is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona, Minnesota. He is survived by his father and mother, Junior and Leslie; one sister, Wendy Florin; one brother, Scott, who also was a Marine; two sets of aunts and uncles, Joyce and Andy Buggs, and Shirley and Roger Myers; two cousins, five nephews, and two nieces. Bruce was a credit to his country and is loved and missed by his family very much.

The family of Bruce Krage

From "The Faces Behind the Names," by Don Ward

Semper Fidelis, Marine!