HONORED ON PANEL 20E, LINE 42 OF THE WALL
JAMES FRANKLIN AKINS
WALL NAME
JAMES F AKINS
PANEL / LINE
20E/42
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR JAMES FRANKLIN AKINS
POSTED ON 6.22.1999
POSTED BY: James D. Cool, Jr.
Who Were You?
It was my fifth day in Vietnam. Who you were on that sweltering, hot day in the DMZ on May 19, 1967 has haunted me for over thirty years. Thanks to this website, I can now put at least a part of that memory I've relived a thousand times to rest. Twenty-nine young Marines died in Vietnam on May 19, 1967, but you are listed as the only sergeant. I now know it was you because as I reached down to help pick up your body and rush it to the waiting helicopter, another Marine was standing over you crying. His last words to you were "goodbye sarge." I will never forget the peaceful expression on your face, even in death, and I have often prayed that you knew the Lord as I do so we can meet once again, only this time in Heaven.
PFC James D. Cool, Jr.
2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon
India Company
3rd Bn., 4th Marines
Operation Hickory - DMZ
Vietnam; May 19, 1967
PFC James D. Cool, Jr.
2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon
India Company
3rd Bn., 4th Marines
Operation Hickory - DMZ
Vietnam; May 19, 1967
read more
read less