THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Fire Support Base Hatchet was located 20 miles north of Hill 110 in Quang Nam Province, RVN. On August 9, 1970, the base was occupied by 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in support of nearby Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operations. During its time patrolling around FSB Hatchet, the 2/7 Marines made contact with North Vietnamese Army (NVA) regulars. At approximately 9:15 AM on August 20th, the 3rd Platoon of Company H was sweeping toward the northeast through open forest and elephant grass near the hamlet of My Hiep (2), two miles north of the firebase. An estimated platoon of NVA opened fire from bunkers with machine guns and grenade launchers, wounding three members of Company H. The Marines replied with small arms and grenades and called in artillery and air support. The fight continued through the morning with other elements of Company H assisting the engaged platoon. Company F, 2/7 marched toward the action from its search area to the southeast, and Company G, 2/7 was brought in by helicopter from LZ Baldy. The action ended around 1:00 PM, when the Marines lost contact with the enemy. By that time, they had suffered one man killed, PFC Don Manac (H/2/7), and a total of nine wounded; the fleeing NVA left behind three dead. Manac was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for valor. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971” by Cosmas and Murray]

Dear PFC Don Manac, Thank you for your service as an Antitank Assaultman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was the 76th anniversary of Operation Overlord. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Don Manac

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Private First Class
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Don Manac (MCSN: 2599169), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 August 1970, Private First Class Manac was a member of a reaction force which was directed to relieve another Marine unit that had been pinned down by fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. Arriving at the site of the beleaguered unit, the reactionary force came under intense automatic weapons fire and, during the initial moments of the engagement, two Marine were seriously wounded. Observing that the casualties were lying in an open area, Private First Class Manac unhesitatingly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the side of his comrades and seemingly heedless of the enemy rounds impacting around him, dragged them to a covered location. Having necessarily left their weapons behind, and determined to prevent their destruction or capture by the hostile force, he again braved the enemy fusillade as he retrieved the rifles but, before he could reach the safety of his platoon's defensive, he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of two fellow Marines. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Private First Class Manac upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

I am Don's baby sister I will always love him until I die. I miss him every day and love him so much. And proud of him and a proud United States Marine Corps sister..still walking with the angels