THE WALL OF FACES

I'm embarrassed that I'm just now discovering this website. Bill and I were platoon mates in OCS and Basic School, and I always remember him as being one of the guys who looked like a Marine should. He was a natural leader. We were sent to Vietnam together, but I lost touch with him when I was assigned to the 9th Marines. I was greatly saddened when I learned of his death. He was a good man.

Bill and I were classmates in OCS and The Basic School and went to Vietnam at approximately the same time. He was a good friend to me and I think of him often. Bill was married with a new baby when we were at Quantico and we had many conversations about the well being of our families when we went to war. I hope his wife and child are well. I was not surprised at the actions described in his Navy Cross citation. He was a good leader of Marines who always put the well being of others ahead of his own. I have missed him.

When that fire fight was over, every officer in Alpha Company was either dead or wounded. The company commander would later receive the Medal of Honor! The bodies of Marines and NVA were inter dispersed among each other. The Navy chaplain was giving the last rights to both Marines and dying NVA soldiers. They say a person is never really dead until the last person alive that remembers them, dies. I’m still here after 50 years and I remember those 52 days in the Ashau Valley every week and guys like Bill Christman along with them.

It was the Spring of 1954 and I had just moved to Gaithersburg, Md. On the way to my first day of school I met Billy outside, in front of the school. Aside from the principal of the school, he was the very first person I met in Gaithersburg. I remember him being nice to me. I always had respect and admiration for Billy. The last I saw him was our senior year. I learned of his passing in Vietnam. A part of me died that day. There is a park in Gaithersburg dedicated to him. It is beautiful and befitting for such a honorable man. I recall my memories of Billy from time to time and I'm so grateful to have known him.

William J. Christman

Navy Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 3d 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 Second Lieutenant William J. Christman, III (MCSN: 0-106531), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the afternoon of 22 February 1969, Company A was patrolling north of the A Shau Valley in Quang Tri Province when its lead element was pinned down by intense fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force, well concealed in a heavily fortified bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Second Lieutenant Christman deployed his platoon to the right flank of the lead platoon and skillfully maneuvered his men forward in a coordinated attack until halted and pinned down by the extremely heavy volume of cross fire from the North Vietnamese emplacements and numerous sniper positions in trees. He directed the fire of his machine guns and light antitank weapons against the North Vietnamese emplacements and mounted such an aggressive assault that his platoon moved through the forward enemy positions. Undaunted by the enemy rounds impacting around him, he fired his light antitank assault weapon, and fearlessly charging across the fire-swept terrain, hurled hand grenades into a hostile emplacement, killing seven North Vietnamese soldiers and silencing their machine guns. Coming under fire from an adjacent bunker, he was mortally wounded while attempting to fire his light antitank assault weapon against the emplacement. With his remaining strength, he resolutely propped himself up on one arm to direct his men in outflanking and destroying the enemy bunker. His heroic actions inspired his men to such aggressive action in a coordinated company attack that 105 North Vietnamese soldiers were killed and a large bunker complex was destroyed. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Christman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.