THE WALL OF FACES

I was about turn 4 that November 1969. I remember the day the Marines came to the house. I yelled Jimmys home. Moments later I heard my mother scream. Although I was young, I do remember my brother. He bought me a small blue pool. Days later he explained that the wiggle worms were not fish. He had to dump the water out. Ive always dreamed of the days we could have together fishing and camping. I have all your letters. I recently located your final mission. I served 24 years in the Air Force retiring in 2008 as an E8 First Sergeant. I dedicated my service to you. I would love to meet anyone that knew or wrote to you. [email protected]. Donald Blake, SMSgt/1Sgt, USAF Retired.

PFC James William Blake was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his exemplary gallantry in action. He served as a Rifleman and was assigned M CO, 3RD BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV.
See https://www.virtualwall.org/db/BlakeJW01a.htm

Operation Durham Peak (July 20 – August 13, 1969) was a 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 21st and 37th Ranger Battalions search and clear operation in Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces, RVN. The operation took place in Antenna Valley and the Que Son Mountains. Enemy forces were filtering into this area after the carnage inflicted on them at Goi Noi and Dodge City during Operation Pipestone Canyon. On August 3rd, M Company, 3/5 Marines were patrolling near the crest of Hill 953, a peak located 14 kilometers (8.4 miles) southeast of An Hoa, when elements of 3rd Platoon were ambushed by an estimated reinforced squad of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers firing small arms and tossing Chicom grenades. Two Marines, rifleman PFC James W. Blake and machine gunner PFC Carl E. Morgan, were killed in the attack. Pinned down, 2nd Platoon moved to support 3rd Platoon, maneuvering along their right flank when a third Marine, machine gunner CPL Lawrence A. Hayes, was killed by enemy fire. The Company assaulted the enemy position and killed five NVA. Five enemy rifles (AK-47’s) were captured. Fourteen other Marines were wounded, ten requiring evacuation. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Significant Events III MAF (III Marine Amphibious Force), August 1969” at ttu.edu; also, information provided by Tim Summers (December 2020) at vvmf.org]

I wrote vienam vets while in high school as a way a girl could then do her duty. Jim was one of those I got to "know" UT never got to meet. I think of him often.

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine