THE WALL OF FACES

On August 12, 1970, an element of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was on a platoon-sized search and destroy mission in support of Operation Lyon Valley, a 5th Marines search and clear operation southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The platoon was winding down a 30-day patrol through the rice paddies, nipa palm, jungle, and hills, searching for Viet Cong to prevent them from massing for attacks on Da Nang and An Hoa Combat Base. At 4:25 PM, while moving near the hamlet of Phu Nhuan (3), the point man tripped a booby trap consisting of multiple explosive devices wired to a single detonator. The Viet Cong had positioned a “daisy chain” of 155mm artillery shells to wreak maximum damage, and the resulting explosion was devastating. Five Marines were killed in the blast and fifteen were wounded. Those not hurt immediately responded and provided aid to the injured. Medivacs airlifted the wounded to hospitals in Da Nang and a naval hospital ship offshore. The lost Marines included LCPL Alan W. Ashenfelter, LCPL Gary L. Jenks, CPL Kenneth E. Oliver, PFC Charles K. Puderbaugh and LCPL Edward Tarver. A week later, the battalion held a memorial service in a large, tented chapel with wooden sides at the regimental rear at An Hoa. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Michael Sanzaro (April 2021)]

Dear Cpl Kenneth Oliver, Thank you for your service as a Shore Fire Control Party Man. 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.

At 4:25 PM on August 12, 1970, an element of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was on a platoon-sized search and clear operation near the hamlet of Phu Nhuan (3) in Quang Nam Province, RVN, when a booby-trapped 155mm artillery round was detonated. Five Marines were killed in the blast and another seventeen were wounded. The five lost Marines included LCPL Alan W. Ashenfelter, LCPL Gary L. Jenks, CPL Kenneth E. Oliver, PFC Charles K. Puderbaugh and LCPL Edward Tarver. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Ken is buried in East Nassau Rural Cemetery, East Nassau, NY.

Ken is my brother in law, but passed away before I met and married his sister Nancy, who was 3 years younger than him. His death affected her deeply. Nancy provided his photo for use on this site.

On April 13th, after a long battle with a rare illness, Nancy was laid to rest in the plot beside Ken, surrounded by her Mom and Dad, and countless other relatives.

I am Proud and Grateful to have a Marine look after my loved one on the other side.

We have found that Kenneth is buried at East Nassau Rural Cemetery, Stephentown,NY.