JOHN O'DONNELL
MARINE VET
HONORING A BRAVE YOUNG MARINE
THIS MAN HAS GIVEN OF HIMSELF EVERTHING HE COULD, SO THAT HIS BROTHER MARINES AND THE PEOPLE BACK HOME COULD LIVE A MORE PEACEFUL LIFE. THIS GIFT OF HIS LIFE SHOWS THE GREATNESS OF THIS HERO. HERO'S DON'T WEAR A CAPE OR MASK NO! THEY WEAR MARINE GREEN.HERO'S COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPE'S AND SIZE'S. AS EACH DAY PASSES,WE MUST TAKE THE TIME TO REMEMBER WHAT THIS HERO GAVE UP! SO THAT WE COULD LIVE IN A FREE SOCIETY. THANK YOU ! SEMPER FI! HERO YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN DOSEN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE A 2YR, 3YR, 4YR, ENLISTMENT OR A DRAFTEE OR RESERVIST,OFFICER OR ENLISTED YOU HAVE EARNED THE TITTLE OF U.S. MARINE! A NATION CRIES OUT FOR THE LOSS OF ONE OF ITS SON'S.
May 25, 2014 |
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A Note From the Virtual Wall
On 25 May 1969 Bravo Company, 1/3 Marines, was holding a defensive position about 5 kilometers southwest of Cam Lo (in Quang Tri Province just south of the DMZ). The position had received enemy 82mm mortar fire during the morning hours, apparently without harm, but the company's luck changed in the afternoon. The Command Chronology reports that
'At 251745H, at Bravo Company position vicinity YD055684, the NVA firing 82mm mortars ... dropped one round into the increments pit of the 81mm mortars, setting them on fire, fire spread to the 81mm ammo in the ammo pits, this started the 81mm ammo going off, and the fire spread to a pallet of 81mm ammo near the position, causing it to explode. People trying to put out the fire before the explosion got too close, Bravo suffered 8 KIA, 29 WIA, and 2 MIA. Rounds continued to cook off, making it impossible that night to get every one of the KIA or WIA out. Company forced to move off hill by continuous explosions.'
On the morning of the 26th the Marines regrouped, reoccupied the position, and recovered additional bodies, increasing the casualty count to 12 dead. No identifiable remains were recovered for two Marines known to be present, and a week later one of the wounded died of his injuries. The fifteen men were
1stLt John W. Abbott, Hammond, IN, Bravo 1/3
2ndLt Timothy M. O'Neill, St Louis, MO, Bravo 1/3
Cpl Gary D. Carter, Tyler, TX, Bravo 1/3
Cpl Daniel L. Pucci, Berea, OH, Bravo 1/3 (DoW 06/02/1969)
Cpl Jan Rauschkolb, Denver, CO, H&S 1/3
Cpl William F. Skaggs, St Paul, MN, Bravo 1/3
LCpl Paul A. Graff, Sunnyvale, CA, H&S 1/3
LCpl Michael A. Powell, Atlanta, GA, H&S 1/3
LCpl John Winters, Clark, NJ, Bravo 1/3
Pfc Jimmy K. Church, Columbus, OH, Bravo 1/3
Pfc Keith A. Kahlstorf, Britt, IA, Bravo 1/3
Pfc Edward T. O'Donovan, Chicago, IL, Bravo 1/3
Pfc Jim J. Walters, Sioux City, IA, Bravo 1/3
Pfc Leroy C. Williams, Jacksonville, FL, Bravo 1/3 (Body not recovered)
Pvt Monek Weitz, Roxbury, MA, A Btry, 1/12 Marines (Body not recovered)
May 25, 2012 |
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j d
Forty years today
Cpl: Today is Memorial Day 2009 and forty years since you sacrificed all for our country and our Corp. Someday we will meet in Heaven with its streets guarded by United States Marines. With great respect from those who came home to those who did not.A special thanks to Walter and Scott who served with you and who wrote about their thoughts and observations. Personal comments like those make the Wall live. Semper Fi!!
May 25, 2009 |
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Walter Smith
walt.smith@washcg.com
MCRD Plt 336 leaders together
1669 S Water Leaf Ave Eagle Idaho 83616 United States
You were an exceptional leader
It has been over 40 years. We really did a great job at MCRD with GY SGT Baker, SSGT Mullins and SGT Lumbardi...After Vietnam I stayed in the reserves, became an aviator and retired as a General Officer. I often think of our time in San Diego with our fellow Marines...This Memorial Weekend I was finally able to visit your name on the wall... May 2009, Walt Smith
May 24, 2009 |
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Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~ With Profound Gratitude, To A Young Colorado Marine ~
In Remembrance of your Sacrifice, with a Multitude of Thanks for your Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest in Peace, Cpl Jam Rauschkolb and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of another young Denver Hero, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam in 1967..... 'FOR WE KNOW THAT IF OUR EARTHLY HOUSE, THIS TENT, IS DESTROYED, WE HAVE A BUILDING FROM GOD, A HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS.' ~2 Corinthians 5:1 ~
Feb 9, 2009 |
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7th grader
"What this Mural Holds"
Color doesn't matter here
and courage is something that they
all have shared
For upon this mural, are memories
to embrace
and it breaks my heart to have to add
yet, another face
who will sing for them now, who will
be their voice
Mothers, Fathers, and their children
a delegated choice
It will be a song of victory, and
proudly they will speak
smiles will be upon their faces, as
the eyes may weep
This mural may not ever be completed
each day a new one comes
But, in heaven these soldiers, are
rejoicing for their good works are done
Brenda Hill - 4/2005
Even though you were in a safe base, you asked to transfer to the war. I admire your bravery.
Nov 29, 2007 |
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Bruce & Winnie Hawkins
Never had the pleasure of meeting you but your brother is one of our dear friends. We know you are loved and missed by your entire family and friends. Thank you for your sacrifice for our freedom. It will not be forgotten.nor you.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004 |
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Manuel Pino Jr.
Fellow Viet Vet And Denverite
REFLECTIONS FROM THE MOVING WALL". I am a monument to a black period in this countries history.I am the vietnam wall.,composed to two angled granite walls,inscribed with the names of fifty eight thousand,one hundred thirty four american men and women who died in hell (that was vietnam) Many people come to see me. strangely they come mostly in silence-old people,young people,children,mothers,fathers,widows,and veterans.all for reasons of their own.they bring gifts,pictures,letters,flowers,poems and cigarettes.the letters speak of grief and loneliness and regret.they ask forgiveness.they are an out pouring of pain.the people softly touch names on my face.they water my grass with tears.then they leave in silence and I hope in peace.for I am more than two stone walls.I am a thank you from a nation that forgot.I am a long past due apology.I am healing for wounds too long left untended.I am a tribute paid to fallen warriors.I AM THE VIETNAM WALL. "america has forgotten the wars.will she remember her warriors"? you may be gone , BUT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004 |
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Scott Herriott
sherriot@cinci.rr.com
A Friend
1069 Carraway Ln
Milford , Ohio 45150 USA
I knew Jan for only a few months. He was a comrade in arms, and a friend. Upon arriving in the Republic of Vietnam he was assigned to a relatively safe and comfortable administrative post at the military base in Quang Tri. He requested a transfer to the field because he thought it was his duty to join most of us and participate in the fighting. His request was granted and he was placed in harm's way. I was there when he was killed on May 25th, 1969. There were almost fifteen Marines killed in that event. There was nothing I could have done to change the course of events that day. Jan's picture can be seen in the June 27, 1969 issue of Life Magazine. The events of that day are described in some detail in a book titled "The Grunts," written by Charles R. Anderson. When I reflect on it, I can see still see Jan's face as though I am looking at a picture, and he looks so young. It's tragic that his life was cut short. I think of him often.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005 |
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Charlie Roberts
carbts@att.net
Friend and Father of Fellow Marine
1586 S. River Grove Way
Eagle, Monday, January 02, 2006 |
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