THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Daniel O'Laughlin, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Presidents’, and Valentine’s Days just passed, and Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Private First Class Daniel Thomas O'Laughlin, Served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

PFC Daniel T. O'Laughlin served with F Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines. On August 23, 1967, his company was on patrol in Thua Thien Province. After completing an ambush against the enemy, the company began reforming as a unit. PFC O’Laughlin and another marine had been operating as flank security during the mission and were returning to their unit when they were fired on after being mistaken for Viet Cong. PFC O’Laughlin suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in the friendly fire incident. [Taken from virtualwall.org]

The casualty database contains 1,342 records coded for "Misadventure" as the cause of death. These men were killed by "friendly fire" - misplaced mortar or artillery fire, bombs off target, men shot by their comrades-in-arms, breech explosions, and similar incidents. Pfc O'Laughlin died in an accident of war; according to his niece, his records reflect cause of death as "Gun shot wound to the head by Marine when mistaken for hostile forces while in ambush position in combat." The August 1967 Command Chronology for 2nd Bn, 5th Marines reports the incident as follows:

"At 230330H, a patrol from F/2/26 was reforming after completing an ambush at YD893116. Two men operating as flank security were mistaken for VC and were fired on. One USMC KIA."

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in peace and honor Dan.