ATTACK ON CAP COMPOUND 3 KM NORTHEAST OF HOI AN 19680820
Attack on CAP compound, KIA by grenade and Gun Shot Wound
The Combined Action Program placed a squad of Marines in a South Vietnamese village where they lived, fought, and frequently died alongside their hosts. In the early morning hours of August 20 the compound of Combined Action Platoon 2-4-3, 3 kilometers northeast of Hoi An in the Dien Ban District of Quang Nam Province was attacked by a large enemy force. The compound defenses were breeched by the enemy with satchel charges and the defenders were overrun suffering numerous casualties. Eight Marines and one sailor from CAP 2-4-3 were killed in combat:HM2 Ronald W. Kempff, New Orleans, LA
Sgt Brinson I. Paul, Memphis, TN
Cpl Joseph E. Smith, Port Chester, NY
Cpl Bill A. Webb, Ripley, OK
LCpl Martin Espinoza. San Antonio, TX
Pfc Jonas Benford, Chicago, IL
Pfc Victor Boochko, Chicago, IL
Pfc Raymond E. Musick, Compton, CA
Pfc Pedro A. Vera, New York, NY
Pfc J C. Whiting, Memphis, TN

Pedro Vera, First Cousin from Reston, VA. I was born after Pedro's death and did not get to see his picture until after I enlisted in the US Army in 1992 (an aunt was trying to convince me to get out of the Army). Pedro enlisted at 17 against the wishes of his father (his mother signed his age waiver) and was killed 7 days before his 18th birthday. He had been in Vietnam for less than 5 months.

Vera, Pedro Angel, PFC