THE WALL OF FACES

Cpl. Henry Casebolt is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Navy Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow marines. May you rest in eternal peace.

I have been researching my family history & found you & read all what you went through for our country. I am proud to have you for a cousin & want to say thank you for serving our country.

Henry Clayton Casebolt

Navy Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Corporal
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Henry Clayton Casebolt (MCSN: 1933907), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Second Squad Leader, Third Rifle Platoon, Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1966. While his company was engaged in a search and destroy operation it was taken under heavy machine gun and mortar fire by an entrenched Viet Cong battalion. Without hesitation, Corporal Casebolt maneuvered his squad through intense hostile fire in order to position them in a location where they could block the enemy's retreat. His skillful deployment of his squad enabled his men to kill approximately twenty-five Viet Cong and successfully stop the retreat of many others. When an enemy squad attempted to envelop his squad from the left, Corporal Casebolt and two other Marines assaulted the Viet Cong squad killing them all. Without stopping to catch his breath, he gave orders to his squad to cover him with fire while he crossed a seventy meter rice paddy in an attempt to destroy an enemy mortar position that he had detected. With complete disregard for his own safety he aggressively ran across the open rice paddy toward the enemy shouting instructions to his squad and directing their fire. When he was almost across the open area, the heavy enemy fire knocked him into the rice paddy. Although mortally wounded, he crawled to a mound of earth where he could observe the enemy. From this position, and still the object of intense enemy fire, Corporal Casebolt continued to direct his squad's fire by pinpointing the enemy positions for them and ordering them to deploy to positions where they could better block the Viet Cong retreat. By his tremendous devotion to duty, professional ability, and inspiring leadership, Corporal Casebolt upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Dear Cpl Henry Casebolt,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. It is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.