THE WALL OF FACES

I will never forget the night before when we had a few more beers than we should have. The next morning is when we scrambled the boats and got the sad news. Just touched your name on the Wall May 5, 2022.
Leeds
Qm-2

Never forgotten.

Semper Fortis

Dear PO2C David Merrill, Thank you for your service as an Engineman 2nc Class. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another autumn. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I went to Swift Boat training with Dave in San Diego in 68 he was a very personable guy and fun to be around we both were stationed in Da Nang but on different boats I'll never forget that day we heard the news RIP my friend Phil from Wa

On November 6, 1968, PCFs 70 and 75, U.S. Navy Patrol Craft Fast boats (PCF’s) also known as Swift Boats, were participating in a naval gunfire mission adjacent to the Batangan Peninsula, seven miles east of Quang Ngai, RVN. During the operation, the two vessels were attacked by enemy recoilless rifle and small arms fire. Two recoilless rifle rounds struck PCF-70, causing heavy damage and killing one crewman, EN2 David L. Merrill. Three others were wounded, and a U.S. Marine rider with them was knocked overboard. Both craft also received several small arms hits. The Marine lost overboard, LCPL Fredrick R. Turner, was not found by the search carried out by PCF 75 and three other Swift boats which arrived at the scene to assist. PCF 70 was put out of service until January 1, 1969, requiring repairs by YR-71 personnel in Da Nang. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and swiftboats.net]