THE WALL OF FACES

Corporal William Timothy Bushey, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Thank you for your service, Thank you for serving our country.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from those who knew you are especially touching and attest to their love and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever...

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Operation Idaho Canyon was a two-month search and destroy mission in an area roughly bounded by the DMZ on the north, Highway QL-9 on the south, Con Thien on the east, and Khe Sanh to the west. The terrain was rugged, the hillsides jungled, and the North Vietnamese Army was present in force. In mid-September, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines was operating predominantly along the Cam Lo River valley which ran northwest from Highway 9 into the DMZ between Mutter's Ridge and Hill 1739 north of Khe Sanh. Their Command Chronology for September 1969 contains the following entry: "15 September 1969 0830H - Elements of Company K were ambushed by a reinforced NVA platoon. The enemy used .30 caliber machinegun, AK-47s, ChiComs [grenades], RPGs, and Claymore mines hung in trees. Forty-five minutes after contact, the unit began receiving 60mm mortar rounds for a period of 4 hours, totaling 50 rounds. The unit pulled back and called in artillery, 81mm mortars, gunships, and fixed wing. Results of the contact were 8 NVA KIA, 4 USMC KIA, and 36 USMC WIA." The death of Petty Officer Sickles is missing from the account, raising the toll to five dead: HM3 James A. Sickles, PFC Jerry G. Gatlin, CPL William T. Bushey, LCPL Donald A. Liebl, and LCPL Steven A. Rickerson. [Taken from virtualwall.org]