THE WALL OF FACES

While visiting the Traveling Memorial Wall in Wolcott, CT today, 2 guys saw me and said "he's over here". They led me right to your panel. I asked how they knew who I was looking for, they said "you look like him". So, you are remembered by 2 childhood friends, and I honor your service as well. SFC John Cavanaugh, 25th Infantry 1970.

Operation Mameluke Thrust (May 19 - October 23, 1968) was a 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) search and destroy mission into Happy Valley southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The objective of Mameluke Thrust was spoiling attacks against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong base areas to preempt any planned offensive against Allied complexes in the Da Nang area. Attached to III MAF were nearly 3,000 Marines of the Seventh Fleet's two special landing forces (SLFs). Each consisted of a Marine battalion landing team reinforced by supporting elements including a helicopter squadron. On September 19th, Company F and G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines from the SLF, were conducting a reconnaissance in force when F Company, the lead element, made contact with an unknown-size enemy force near La Hoa on the Thu Bon River, eight kilometers (4.8 miles) east of the Dai Loc-Ai Nghia Bridge. During engagements beginning at 9:00 AM, the enemy fired small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm mortars at the Marines who responded with unit weapons and supporting arms consisting of artillery, airstrikes, and UH-1E helicopter gunships. Initial attempts to neutralize the fortified enemy positions resulted in numerous casualties when heavy automatic weapons and accurate sniper fire pinned down elements of F Company. Several Marines were cited for bravery during the fighting. At 8:00 PM, the companies broke contact and moved into night defensive positions. For the day, the Marines counted four dead North Vietnamese Army soldiers and one AK-47 rifle captured against 16 U.S. dead and 54 wounded requiring evacuation; another 21 nonbattle casualties were also evacuated. The lost personnel included (from E/2/7) CPL Joseph P. Lopez (posthumously awarded the Silver Star); (from F/2/7) CPL Thomas J. Cavanaugh (posthumously awarded the Navy Cross), PFC Michael A. Figueroa, PFC James D. Kelley, LCPL Mark A. Knollmeyer, LCPL John L. Krol, PFC Peter D. Matarazzo, PFC Terrence Moran, PFC Gary E. Noles, PVT Francis S. Rhoades, LCPL Roy W. Rich, LCPL Pedro S. Rodriquez Jr., CPL Edgar A. Smith, PFC Mark L. Triplett, and LCPL Philip J. Wajda (posthumously awarded the Silver Star); and (from H&S/2/7) SGT Raymond T. Conway. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “1st Marine Division (Rein) Command Chronology for September 1968” at ttu.edu, and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Defining Year, 1968” by Shulimson, Blasiol, Smith, and Dawson]

Corporal Thomas James Cavanaugh, Served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

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.

Knew T.J. for nearly 2 years; trained as Engineers & Bulk Fuel Specialists, Camp Pendelton. He deployed to RVN, I was held back in "Baby Company" with all other 17 year olds until we turned 18. In Oct '66, T.J & I along with 52 other 1391's were transferred to 3rd MarDiv for duty as 0311's (Grunts). T.J. & I were assigned to 1st MP BN, Combined Arms Company, Foxtrot 2 as part of Gen Walts pacification program. T.J. was a devout Catholic, but also a hard charging Jarhead, always itching to take it to the enemy. He requested transfer to a line company, I rotated stateside after 18 months, didn't learn of his death, until I sent a letter to his parents home to keep in touch. His Mom wrote me back, and gently informed me of his passing. He was like the big brother I never had. I think of him often. SEMPER FI TOM, see you soon.