HONORED ON PANEL 26E, LINE 47 OF THE WALL
RAYMOND ROLAND LAPOINTE
WALL NAME
RAYMOND R LAPOINTE
PANEL / LINE
26E/47
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR RAYMOND ROLAND LAPOINTE
POSTED ON 6.9.2003
POSTED BY: Jim Gutierrez
I served with LCPL Lapointe In Viet Nam.
I served with LCPL Ray LaPointe in the Weapons Platoon of Kilo Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marine Regiment. Late in the afternoon of September 10, 1967 our Battalion was returning to our base camp on Hill 55 after a day-long Search and Destroy mission in the area known as Con Thien, Quang Tri Province. Most of the Battalion was strung out in a very long single file when we were suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by a very large NVA force. LCPL LaPointe and our respective weapons teams were with the lead elements of the Battalion that managed to return to the perimeter before the attack began. However, much of the Battalion that had not yet returned to the perimeter had been killed or wounded out on open ground. The Battalion Command Post was located on the top of Hill 55 and those of us who had returned to the perimeter when the attack began were thinly dispersed around the perimeter.
LCPL Ray LaPointe and his M60 Maching Gun Team were deployed at the main avenue of approach to Hill 55. I was approximately 30 yards from LCPL LaPointe's fighting hole during the attack. High, heavy brush separated our positions therefore I did not have visual contact with him. I could tell, however, that his team was engaged in very heavy fighting. (Later we determined that LCPL LaPointe's M60 team killed approximately 50 NVA soldiers). LCP LaPointe's team had effectively stopped the main NVA attack on Hill 55 until nightfall, when having exhausted their M60 Maching Gun ammunition, their position was overrun. I and my squad regrouped at the top of the hill where we fought throughout the night and were assisted by Jets, Huey Gun Ships, Puff and Artillery. The next morning, I had the sad duty of recovering LCPL LaPointe's body and those of his fire team. As a result of this battle, the Third Battalion of the Twenty-sixth Marine Regiment suffered so many casualties that we were rendered non-combatant.
I will never forget Lance Corporal Ray LaPointe. I can see his face clearly in my mind today. Ray was a soft spoken, quiet person who performed his duty in a professional, military manner.
Lance Corporal Raymond LaPointe is a true American Hero.
LCPL Ray LaPointe and his M60 Maching Gun Team were deployed at the main avenue of approach to Hill 55. I was approximately 30 yards from LCPL LaPointe's fighting hole during the attack. High, heavy brush separated our positions therefore I did not have visual contact with him. I could tell, however, that his team was engaged in very heavy fighting. (Later we determined that LCPL LaPointe's M60 team killed approximately 50 NVA soldiers). LCP LaPointe's team had effectively stopped the main NVA attack on Hill 55 until nightfall, when having exhausted their M60 Maching Gun ammunition, their position was overrun. I and my squad regrouped at the top of the hill where we fought throughout the night and were assisted by Jets, Huey Gun Ships, Puff and Artillery. The next morning, I had the sad duty of recovering LCPL LaPointe's body and those of his fire team. As a result of this battle, the Third Battalion of the Twenty-sixth Marine Regiment suffered so many casualties that we were rendered non-combatant.
I will never forget Lance Corporal Ray LaPointe. I can see his face clearly in my mind today. Ray was a soft spoken, quiet person who performed his duty in a professional, military manner.
Lance Corporal Raymond LaPointe is a true American Hero.
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