THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Lcpl Thomas Worrel, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. I researched you on your 73rd birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

LCpl Thomas Duane Worrel is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery Roanoke, Huntington County, IN

Lance Corporal Thomas Duane Worrel, Served with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Thomas D. Worrel
Date of death: Killed in Action
Home of record: Roanoke Indiana
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Thomas D. Worrel (MCSN: 2528075), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assistant Team Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 23 April 1970, Lance Corporal Worrel was providing rear security for his eight-man long-range reconnaissance team during a patrol in the Que Son Mountains in Quang Nam Province when the point element surprised and killed five North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Moving forward, Lance Corporal Worrel provided cover while the hostile soldiers were searched for items of intelligence value. Shortly thereafter, the Marines resumed their mission and had advanced as far as a tree line when they came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from three sides. Reacting instantly, the patrol deployed to form a defensive perimeter and commenced returning fire at the hostile force. Upon being informed by an aerial observer on station that another North Vietnamese Army force was moving from the north toward the Marines, Lance Corporal Worrel completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly moved across the fire-swept terrain to a position outside the northern sector of his perimeter, and fearlessly remained in his precarious position to deliver such accurate fire that he killed five of the enemy as they charged the Marines' position. On two successive assaults by the determined enemy, he delivered fire with such devastating effectiveness that the attacks were repulsed. When the increased intensity of hostile fire rendered his position untenable and he commenced to maneuver back to his perimeter, he was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. His valiant actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in preventing his patrol from being overrun by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Worrel upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Action Date: April 23, 1970

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Lance Corporal

Company: Company A

Battalion: 1st Reconnaissance Battalion

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

Very few days pass without thinking of you-forty six years after you were KIA. My kids know you even though you were gone five years before the first of them was born. You were quality Dear Friend, and as your memory is cherished, can't help but feel some difficult-to-define mix of anger and frustration at what might have been. Semper Fidelis