THE WALL OF FACES

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The official USMC history states that Co F, 2d Bn, 4th Marines had taken casualties from an NVA mortar barrage and requested a medevac. When CAPT Ronald D. Bennett from HMM-363 attempted to land his UH-34D within the perimeter, those on the ground waved him off because of intense enemy fire. As he pulled away, enemy fire hit the rear of the helicopter, separating the tail pylon. They crashed, rolled and began burning about 150 meters outside the Marine position. CAPT Bennett and gunner CPL Edward Clem suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Co-pilot Vernon J. Sharpless and LCPL Howard J. Cones, both seriously injured, managed to crawl out of the wreckage. A second HMM-363 ship, piloted by CAPT Frank T. Grassi, tried to land to pick up the survivors but could not. Enemy fire hit CAPT Grassi in the leg and arm, damaged the helicopter, and wounded one of the gunners and the Navy corpsman. They made a forced landing at Strong Point C-2. CAPT James E. Murphy, the 2d Bn's air liaison officer, saw where Bennett went down and with his radio on his back, crawled out to the wreck, moving past NVA soldiers in his path. He found the two survivors but there was no way he could get them back to the Marine position. Fortunately, the NVA either did not know the 3 men were there or did not care. Murphy could hear NVA soldiers nearby and could see movement. With the aid of a FAC in an O-1C overhead, Murphy called in air strikes. Eventually he directed a Marine A-4 to deliver a line of smoke while a UH-1C from the US Army 190th AHC landed and rescued the three Marines. Enemy fire hit this aircraft twice and its pilot was wounded in the arm. They too made a forced landing at Strong Point C-2. [Taken from vhpa.org]

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Ronald is buried at Pollock Cem, Pollock, Grant Par, LA. DFC AM-GS PH