Colben Benjamin Jr Stokes

The TET offensive at Danang began with a rocket attack on the air base itself as well as attacks on outlying military positions. The 1st MP Bn was responsible for ground defense of the Danang and Marble Mountain air bases as well as establishing two quick reaction platoons made up of headquarters personnel. "1968: The Definitive Year" contains the following regarding an early morning attack at Hoa Vang Village, just south of Danang, where the I Corps headquarters compound was located: "[The Commanding Officer of 1st MP Bn] agreed that they would deploy one of the battalion's two reserve provisional Quick Reaction platoons composed of headquarters personnel. This platoon under First Lieutenant John E. Manning departed the airbase about 0415 and arrived in the blocking positions about 0515. ... "In the attack on the I Corps headquarters and in the defense of Hoa Vang village the allies sustained losses of nine dead and several wounded. Among the casualties were two Marines killed, including Lieutenant Manning, and six wounded from the 1st MP Battalion." The 1st MP Bn Command Chronology contains the following entry for 30 January 1968: "f. H&S Co. reaction platoons assisted by elements from Maintenance Bn while moving into blocking positions south of I Corps Headquarters made heavy contact with VC/NVA Units and the resulting fire fight lasted approximately 2-1/2 hours. 1st MP Bn casualties 2 KIA and 6 WlA, enemy casualties not officially known as bodies were taken to I Corps Headquarters by RVN Units operating in the same area; tentative results 30 VC/NVA KIA's, 24 VC/NVA POW's and several weapons and items of equipment seized." The two Marines from H&S Company, 1st MP Bn, were 1stLt Manning and Pfc Colben B. Stokes.

SILVER STAR CITATION: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Colben Benjamin Stokes (2101657), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, First Military Police Battalion, Force Logistic Command, THIRD Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 30 January 1968, during a combat operation in the DaNang Tactical Area of Responsibility, Private First Class Stokes' platoon was moving into a blocking position near Ap Bon (1). Suddenly, the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms fire and grenades from a numerically superior enemy force and, in the ensuing engagement, several Marines were wounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Stokes exposed himself to the hostile fire in order to assist his injured comrades. Ignoring the intense enemy fire, he fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to a wounded corpsman and skillfully rendered medical treatment. Despite the heavy volume of enemy fire directed at him, he unhesitatingly crawled toward an injured Marine officer. Before reaching the casualty, however, Private First Class Stokes was mortally wounded. His resolute determination and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades were an inspiration to all who served with him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Stokes upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.