Notes from The Virtual Wall

In late April 1967 the 1st Marine Division initiated "Operation Union", a search-and-destroy effort aimed at the 21st NVA Regiment and other enemy forces operating in the Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces in Military Region 1. The Marines were engaged in heavy fighting throughout the first half of May, effectively destroying the NVA Regiment by mid-month.

A follow-on, "Operation Hastings II", was initiated on 26 May with air assaults into the Que Son Valley with the intention of locating and defeating in detail the remnants of the 21st NVA Regiment. Instead, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, found the 3rd NVA Regiment dug in near Vinh Huy.

Fighting continued throughout the afternoon. When the Marines finally overran the last enemy positions at 1630, they counted 118 dead NVA soldiers scattered over the battlefield. The 3rd Battalion lost 37 killed and 82 wounded.

H&S Company:

Capt James W. Ayers, Moncks Corner, SC

HM2 John E. Schon, Portland, OR (Silver Star)

HM3 Thomas A. Conklin, South Euclid, OH

LCpl William R. Dalrymple, Hoquiam, WA

LCpl Anthony J. Salerno, Cinnaminson, NJ

LCpl Jerry G. Waller, College Park, GA

Pfc Donald R. Troxell, Shelby, OH

I Company:

LCpl Brock D. Elliott, Manteca, CA

HN Edward D. Drohosky, Gary, IN

Pfc Thomas G. Jones, Utica, NY

Pfc Alexander G. Wainio, Troy, NH

K Company:

Pfc William J. Bresnahan, Ashburnham, MA

Pfc Michael J. Greeley, Milwaukie, OR

L Company:

Cpl Anthony M. Cass, Artesia, NM

Cpl Michael H. Collins, Tampa, FL

Cpl Gerald F. Mc Donald, Dorchester, MA

Cpl Benjamin Richardson, Detroit, MI (Silver Star)

Cpl Joseph P. Smith, West Point, VA

Cpl Allen W. Stath, Rensselaer, IN

HM3 Laddie C. Stierwalt, Las Vegas, NV

Cpl Arnold G. Wilkening, Spokane, WA

LCpl Thomas R. Burns, Fremont, WI

HN Michael W. Carey, Rescue, CA

LCpl Lowell R. Lloyd, Woodlawn, IL (Silver Star)

Pfc Dennis W. Frasier, St Johnsville, NY

Pfc William G. Landon, Deerfield, IL

Pfc Joseph Matthews, Chicago, IL

Pfc Robert D. Millan, Southfield, MI

Pfc Benjamin G. Mollica, Flushing, NY

Pfc Jack Smaso, New York, NY

M Company:

Cpl Roger V. Inscore, Huntington Beach, CA (Silver Star)

Cpl James J. Menart, Mentor, OH

Cpl John D. Rogers, Albuquerque, NM

Cpl Charles A. Crump, Greenville, TX

LCpl Harry K. Cartrette, Clarendon, NC

LCpl Robert G. Goddard, Jenks, OK

LCpl Allan H. Kellermann, Chicago, IL

Goddard, Robert Gordon, LCpl