THE WALL OF FACES

Proud of Dennis and will never be forgotten as a small town Hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Semper Fi Marine

Dennis the son of George H. Marshall and Ruth Marshall of Lisbon New Hampshire enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on January 11 1966 in Boston MA. In Vietnam he was assigned to and served with H&S Company, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 3d MARDIV (Rein) FMF.

In September the Battalion engaged the enemy in Operation KINGFISHER in the Gio Linh District of Quang Tri Province. Heli-lifted to Camp Carroll Companies I and L were placed under the OPCON (Operational Control) of the 9th Marines. The Companies relieved two units of the 9th Marines at their defensive perimeter in the vicinity of Thon Trung An south of Route 606 and assumed patrols in their sector.

Significant contact with the enemy was made on September 7, when the lead elements of a two platoon patrol from Company I began to receive rifle fire from three sides initially killing two Marines in the vicinity of Thon Tan Hoa some two kilometers southwest of their perimeter. The Company was unable to move forward because of the intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from concealed NVA positions, air strikes by Fixed Wing aircraft hit the enemy positions and Company K supported by two tanks moved up to assist and help to drive the enemy from the battle.

The Marines were able to recover their dead and evacuate the wounded, still facing enemy rocket fire as they slowly returned to their perimeter.

One of the casualties was LCpl Marshall who was killed in action from a hostile gunshot wound.

H&S Company Casualties:

Dennis Hardie Marshall
Roy David O'Neal
John David Reynolds
Frank Eugene Robinson

Before losing my brother, we had made a pact to meet in Oakland (he from Vietnam and I from my Army base in Thailand) and fulfill a long awaited wish to visit Disneyland. Though I was unable to do this with him, I have since visited Disneyland and Disney World.

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.

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Platoon 213. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on March 10, 1966.

Thank you for your service to our great country my brother. Semper Fi.