A Note from The Virtual Wall

During the first 22 days of May 1969 the 2/5 Marines were operating in what was known as the "Arizona Area" of Quang Nam Province. Enemy contacts were nearly continuous from 09 through 21 May, predominantly with elements of a reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion operating in the northeastern section of the area.

On 15 May 1969, Golf 2/5 Marines were engaged by the NVA and found themselves in deep trouble. Echo Company was directed to assist Golf Company. By the time the fighting ended, the two companies had lost 14 men killed in action:

B Co, 1st Tank Bn (Tank det w/ Echo 2/5)
- Pfc James Epps, New York, NY
E Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Marines
- Pfc Juan L. Contreras, Edinburg, TX
- Pfc Daniel Gauna, Corpus Christi, TX
- Pfc Norris A. Phillips, Houston, TX
- Pfc Arthur G. Villalobos, Compton, CA (Silver Star)
- Pfc Larry Warren, Chester, PA
G Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Marines
- SSgt Gary L. Gillard, Wenatchee, WA
- HM3 David J. Bredesen, Whitelaw, WI (H&S Co, with Golf 2/5)
- LCpl Emmett R. Brown, North Hills, PA
- LCpl William H. Shultz, Columbia, PA
- LCpl Authran W. Winfrey, Fall Creek, OR
- Pfc George P. Perkins, Shakopee, MN
- Pfc Harry D. Sarakov, Chico, CA
- Pfc John L. Schultz, Birch Run, MI

Bredesen, David John, HM3