HERBERT O ZINNEL JR
VIEW ALL PHOTOS (3)
HONORED ON PANEL 32E, LINE 90 OF THE WALL

HERBERT OWEN ZINNEL JR

WALL NAME

HERBERT O ZINNEL JR

PANEL / LINE

32E/90

DATE OF BIRTH

08/26/1948

CASUALTY PROVINCE

QUANG NAM

DATE OF CASUALTY

12/28/1967

HOME OF RECORD

DAKOTA CITY

COUNTY OF RECORD

Humboldt County

STATE

IA

BRANCH OF SERVICE

MARINE CORPS

RANK

PFC

Book a table
Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR HERBERT OWEN ZINNEL JR
POSTED ON 5.25.2025

Final Mission of Pfc Herbert O. Zinnel Jr.

Operation Auburn (December 28, 1967 – January 3, 1968) was a U.S. Marine Corps operation on Go Noi Island located 15.5 miles south of Da Nang and west of National Route QL-1, and in the area directly north of the island nicknamed “Dodge City” by the Marines due to frequent ambushes and firefights there. The areas were a Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) stronghold and base area. While the island was relatively flat, small hamlets were linked by hedges with concealed paths providing a strong defensive network. The operational plan called for four Marine infantry Companies to establish blocking positions along the railway tracks on Go Noi Island while an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) force swept west, pushing the NVA/VC against the Marine positions. Following a preparatory air and artillery bombardment, at 9:04 AM on December 28th, Marine helicopters started landing Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines at Landing Zone Hawk. The Marines were met with small arms fire coming from Bao An Dong village west of the landing zone. As they advanced on the village, they were hit by heavy fire and withdrew to allow for airstrikes on the enemy positions.  Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and the command group arrived at the landing zone by 11:30 AM, Company I quickly securing a nearby hamlet while Company E remained engaged at Bao An Dong. Company I was then sent to support Company E but was stopped by VC hidden in elephant grass. With both companies pinned down, air and artillery support were called in close to the Marine lines. At 3:30 PM, Company M, 3/5 Marines was landed and sent forward to support Company E. At 6:00 PM under the cover of UH-1E gunship fire, Company E withdrew to join up with Company M and established a night defensive position. American losses for the day were 18 dead and 25 wounded. Enemy losses were 32 killed. The lost U.S. personnel included (E, 2/3 Marines) LCpl Patrick E. Anglim, Cpl Robert L. Boyer (Silver Star), Cpl Richard L. Carlson, LCpl Carl E. Chamberlain, Cpl James B. Cox, Pfc Byron A. Gaines Jr. (Silver Star), SSgt Salome T. Hernandez, Pfc Thomas B. Holdbrooks, Pfc Arturo M. Lara, Pfc Ronald J. Streckert, Pfc Ernesto Tarango, and Pfc Herbert O. Zinnel Jr.; (I, 3/5 Marines) 2nd Lt John G. Corr, Pfc B. L. Murphy Jr., and Pfc Charles D. Townsend; (M, 3/5 Marines) Pfc Raymond A. Niedecken; (H&S CO, 2/3 Marines) LCpl Frank Florio; and (H&S CO, 1ST MP BN) Cpl William G. Fraser. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org]
read more read less
POSTED ON 8.26.2024
POSTED BY: ANON

On your birthday

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine
read more read less
POSTED ON 3.2.2024
POSTED BY: john fabris

we will remember them....

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
read more read less
POSTED ON 3.26.2023
POSTED BY: Lucy Micik

Thank You

Dear PFC Herbert Zinnel, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is spring and Lent. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.
read more read less
POSTED ON 3.12.2020
POSTED BY: Sel J. Wong

Face of a Hero

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Platoon 2025. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on September 16, 1967.

Thank you for your service to our great country my brother. Semper Fi.
read more read less
1 2 3