RUSSELL L WRIGHT III
VIEW ALL PHOTOS (5)
HONORED ON PANEL 45W, LINE 34 OF THE WALL

RUSSELL L WRIGHT III

WALL NAME

RUSSELL L WRIGHT III

PANEL / LINE

45W/34

DATE OF BIRTH

07/09/1947

CASUALTY PROVINCE

QUANG NAM

DATE OF CASUALTY

09/03/1968

HOME OF RECORD

RICHMOND

COUNTY OF RECORD

City Of Richmond

STATE

VA

BRANCH OF SERVICE

NAVY

RANK

HN

Book a time
Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR RUSSELL L WRIGHT III
POSTED ON 9.3.2016
POSTED BY: David Moore, Platoon Commandar

A Real American "HERO" , Rest in Peace, your job is done

David Moore
[email protected]
platoon commander
He laid down his life for his friends.
Russell (Doc) Wright was the senior Navy medical corpsman in 3rd platoon, M Co., 3/5 when he was killed in action. On that day, M Co. was on a search and destroy mission as part of a battalion sized sweep on Gonoi Island in southern I Corps. The company was reenforced with two M-6o tanks. AS the company approached a small village located in a grove of trees moving through open grass land, firing broke out, and the third platoon Sergeant, S/Sgt Belancin was killed. The firing continued for some time and was part of a four corner "minuet" ambush. It suddenly broke off, and we were able to medevac S/Sgt Belancin's body. Doc Wright had pronounced him dead and tagged him. The company commander then told third and second platoons to get on line and assault the village which had been the source of much of the incoming fire. There was an embankment and a terrace on the outside of the treeline which afforded some cover as the platoons approached. According to our standard operating procedure, Doc Wright and the second corpsman, traveled with the platoon commander his runner, and and his radio man in the command post group. The platoon commander had discussed with Doc Wright,the need of having covering fire and a scheme of maneuver when approaching casualties for the protection of the corpsmen. There were two squads on line with the CP group in the middle. when the runner was wwounded with a graze accross the buttocks, Doc Wright pronounced the wound minor and the runner continued in action. At that moment, as the left flank sqauad crested the embankment employing assault fire, a Marine was seen to be struck by enemy fire and was hurled back over the embankment with a shattered arm. The platoon commander told Doc Wright to go to the wounded man and he was able to go using the embankment for cover. Minutes later, the left flank squad reported two men down and wounded in front of a bunker. As the incoming fire was brisk, the platoon commander called for the tanks to help him get to the wounded. While giving instructions the tank commmaander on top of the tank, a bullet passed between the two Marines and shattered against the open tank hatch spraying the bare back of the tanker with small shrapnel. The tankers ran their tanks in betwween the enemy and the wounded and the platoon commander and his radioman were the first to reach them. They were dead. Doc Wright had seen another Marine go down and had gone to his side. He was killed while kneeling and administering aid to the dying Marine. My recollection is that he was recommended for the Bronze Star and this was upgraded to the Silver Star. His platoon commander, now a seminary student paid tribute to Doc Wright Memorial Day weekend Sunday 2001 at the Plymouth NH Methodist Church. "Jesus said, no man has greater love than this than that he lay down his life for his friends." Freedom isn't free. The heroic service of men like Doc Wright preserves America. God's peace to you, your family and friends.......REST IN PEACE "HERO" REST IN PEACE..........................
read more read less
POSTED ON 8.7.2016
POSTED BY: Curt Carter [email protected]

Remembering An American Hero

Dear HN Russell L Wright III, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter
read more read less
POSTED ON 7.9.2016
POSTED BY: Dennis Wriston

I'm proud of our Vietnam Veterans

Hospitalman Russell Lynwood Wright, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.
read more read less
POSTED ON 7.7.2014
POSTED BY: Christopher Gay

I remember

We served together in Quantico before he was deployed. Another corpsman and I went to see his mother in Richmond after we got the news. He was a happy go lucky likeable guy. So sad so many died.
read more read less
POSTED ON 9.3.2013
POSTED BY: A Marine, USMC, Vietnam

Semper Fi, Doc.

Semper Fi, Doc. Thank you for your devotion to our Country and your Marines.
read more read less