THE WALL OF FACES

Dear HN Franklin Willeford, Thank you for your service as a Hospitalman with the 5th Marines, Semper Fi, Thank you for the lives you saved. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy New Year. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Patrick was my uncle a I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful things you have said about him I was a baby when he passed but my grandpa his brother was so proud of him and spoke about him all the time so thank you

On the remembrance of your 78th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

"Greater love hath no man, than that man lay down his life for a friend."

Semper Fi, Doc...you did good

Hospitalman Franklin Patrick Willeford, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Franklin Patric Willeford
Date of birth: 17-Mar-43
Date of death: December 14, 1968
Home of record: Lawton Oklahoma
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Navy Cross


Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Franklin Patric Willeford (NSN: 3537852), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 14 December 1968 while serving as a Platoon Corpsman in Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. As Hospitalman Willeford's platoon was participating in a company-sized sweep through an area, the lead element came under intensive automatic-weapons fire which wounded and trapped one Marine in very close proximity to one of the enemy bunkers. Seeing his comrade fall and subsequently receive another hit from a grenade, Hospitalman Willeford unhesitatingly left his position of relative security and moved forward to the side of the mortally-wounded Marine. Hidden from the enemy positions by the tall grass in the area, he found the Marine bleeding severely and in no condition to be moved. Hospitalman Willeford raised himself up and into the grazing zone of hostile fire in order to administer a heart massage and mouth- to-mouth resuscitation, continuing his desperate attempts to save the Marine until all hope of life had expired. Only then did he begin the slow return through the fire-swept zone to the trench line, bringing with him the body of his comrade. As his platoon again started through the area, the enemy opened up with intensive small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, wounding and trapping the three lead Marines. When two Marines started to move out of the trench line to retrieve the casualties, one was mortally wounded and the other critically wounded. Disregarding the intense danger, Hospitalman Willeford again moved forward to aid his fellowman. Finding the first Marine mortally wounded, and realizing the impossibility of trying to move him back to a secure area, Hospitalman Willeford stayed with the Marine, rendering what aid and comfort he could, until the Marine succumbed to his injuries. After he had informed the remainder of the platoon that the Marine had died, he proceeded deeper into the fire zone toward the second Marine, and drew fire from an enemy bunker a short distance from the wounded man. With full knowledge that the enemy was now concentrating their fire upon him, Hospitalman Willeford forged his way through the tall grass to the wounded Marines' side and began administering aid. While treating the fallen Marine, Hospitalman Willeford was also struck and mortally wounded. His courageous actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

Action Date: 14-Dec-68

Service: Navy

Rank: Hospitalman

Company: Corpsman (Attached), Company C

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 5th Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF