On February 27, 1969, enemy rockets were lobbed at the Da Nang bridge loading ramp, destroying Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1500 and YFU-78, a harbor utility craft. LCU-1500 received a direct hit by a rocket of unknown size. Ammunition on the LCU was detonated and an explosion occurred with fire spreading to the nearby YFU. The attack probably would have caused few casualties except for the lucky hit on LCU-1500, which was fully laden with munitions for transport to Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province. It was mostly the secondary explosions and fires which killed the 22 sailors aboard LCU-1500, YFU-78 and NSA Da Nang. Another craft, LCU-1614, sustained minor damage by shrapnel. With the exception of one man from the LCU-1500, all aboard both boats were killed. Total U.S. Navy personnel casualties were reported at 22 Navy men killed and 38 wounded. The 22 men killed during the attack were: LCU-1500, Assault Craft Unit 1, NAVSUPACT Danang - BMC Donald J. Fisher, EN1 Bert E. Burton, EM1 Cecil F. Bush, CS2 Marvin D. Avery, RM2 David W. Hawryshko, GMG3 Ronald J. Gebbie, BM3 Donald M. Horton, BM3 Ronald P. Yuhas, FN Joseph F. Burinda Jr., SN Bruno W. Demata, FN Charles A. Tavares, and SA Craig E. Swagler; YFU-78, Assault Craft Unit 1, NAVSUPACT Danang - EN1 Earl T. Moore Jr., QM1 Milton Shapiro, CS2 Charlie M. Ellison, EM2 Lyle D. Zacher, QM3 Earnest J. Buckelew, BM3 Daniel L. Overright, and SN Melvin L. Sellers; Supply Operations, NAVSUPACT Danang - BM1 Manuel Martinez, SN Thomas E. Adams, and SN Theodore S. Hamner. [Taken from wardogs.com]

Dear QM3 Earnest Jack Buckelew, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Remembering those Texans who lost their lives in Vietnam

Find below a link to the Memorial Service Program and a recounting of the ammunition explosion.

http://www.wardogs.com/br1.html

Find below a link to the annual memorial honoring the crew of the LCU 1500 and the YFU-78 crew.

http://www.acu1.navy.mil/lcu1500.htm

Sam Houston High School, where he attended, has a page dedicated to him and others at:

http://www.shhsalumni.org/memorialforseven/

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Earnest Jack Buckelew, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Mate, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you Sailor, for a job well done!

FAIR WINDS, AND ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND