THE WALL OF FACES

The water run ambush. Some of us went from Vietnan to Okinawa to refurbish. With others, returned to Vietnam as Battalion Landing Team (BLT-1/3), 1st. Batn, 3rd. Marine Regiment (FMF). Our fleet ship was the USS Okinawa, a helicopter carrier; to do heliborne assaults against the N. Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. On the 28 April 28, 1967 we were helolifted into the Que Son Valley (Quang Tin Prov.) to sweep northwest of the village. We humped for days, contact with the enemy was increasing. On May 3, 1967 after a very hot day of search, we called off the day. It was Operation Beaver Cage-Union.
In need of drinking water, a water run was organized out of company “A” guys who proceeded to pick up every else’s canteens and hoisted them on belts to carry as many as possible to the creek. So many that they were even told not to bring their weapons. We had made the mistake of setting up camp in a flat area lower than some nearby hills. Unknowingly to us, the enemy was spying from the higher ground. The water run left and we keep digging for the night. Shortly afterwards, heavy automatic and small arms fire erupted. Since there have been no prior scouting, the water run was easily ambushed. Every body was called to commit and the battle lasted until past midnight. Artillery and gunship fire was needed to suppress the cunning enemy. 14 Marine brothers were killed ambushed that night including this hero. Some of the bodies we could not retrieve until the next day. As Shore Party man, I loaded most the bodies into the choppers. 38 years later, I want to memorialize all of them and tell their loved ones what happened. As for me, sometime later, on the evening of June 13, 1967, I lost part of my right leg to a booby trap during the first day of Operation Choctaw. God Bless you all brothers. I still love and remember you all. Semper Fi. Antonio R. Ramos.
In Memoriun 1) Borawski, James D.; 2) Button, Monty Duwayne; 3) Carnline, Troy Monroe; 4) Dickerson, Tommy Eugene; 5) Falwell, Donald Wayne; 6) Gilbertson, Ricky Mark, 7) La Rose, Joseph Rhuben, 8) Murry Eugene; 9) Plesakov, Luciano Paul; 10) Rose, Robert James; 11) Spicer, Eugene Douglas; 12) Sweesy, John Earl; 13) Urick, John William; 14) Verbilla, David.

Later on a Marine from 1/5 informed me that al least 2 of my listed belong to the 5 Marines and died during a mortar attack on them. Nevertheless I still think is in order to memorialize all of them since the died the same day and were Marine Brothers. May the

I still think of you and remember how much fun we had! Don was waiting to greet you in Heaven!

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your fellow soldier Ben Bydalek are poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

I never had the chance to meet you as you died shortly before I was born, KIA 5/3/67 and my birthday 6/23/67. It's been a long journey for a few of us. I have no doubt you are the angel who watches over me and has helped guide me through this crazy life. I want to thank you for leading Ben to me. I see you through his eyes and can also see the love he has for you. He filled the empty place I had in my heart. My only wish is that you could visit your brothers and sisters and Drake them decent people who understand the value of life more than they do. Your true brothers who served with you, are now my family. Thank you for the gift of Ben Bydalek, Bob Magnanimous and Frank Cadero. If there is anyone else out three who would like to contact me, please do. [email protected]