JOHN O'DONNELL
MARINE VETERAN 65-68
HONORING A BRAVE MARINE HERO
SOME CAME HALF WAY ROUND THE WORLD FROM PLACE'S LIKE BANGOR MAINE, FROM THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS FROM THE PLAIN'S STATES AND THE STATES ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.TO THE GREAT LAKES AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SOME CAME FROM OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE CANADA AND AUSTRALIA AND IRELAND, MANY CAME FROM THE AMERICAN TERR. LIKE PURETO RICO AND GUAM. THEY CAME TOGETHER TO FIGHT AGAINST THE COMMON ENEMY. TO HELP A FREE NATION SURVIVE. THESE MARINES GAVE THIER ALL SO THAT OTHERS WOULDNT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS THING CALLED FREEDOM. THANK YOU SIR'S SEMPER FI I KNOW YOU ARE GUARDING THE STREETS OF HEAVEN HAND SALUTE
Dec 8, 2014 |
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Marine Vietnam Vet 68/69 - 3/26 Marines
Remembering a Warrior from 3/26 Marines, Meade River.
Dec 8, 2012 |
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L W
Thank You Hero and Semper Fi !!!!!!!!!
Dec 8, 2011 |
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Paul Graves
4750psg@comcast.net
My Friend
1786 Lakemont Circle Middleburg Fl 32068 USA
My Friend and Fellow Marine
It has now been 42 years since I last saw my friend Cpl Bill Wirick. We served together in Vietnam Bill was my friend and I was his radio operator. We were finishing up our final days of Operation Meade River. It had been a tough go and we had lost many men in the past 30 days.We had seen a lot of combat with the enemy and we were all very tired. On the morning of Dec.8 we were told that we were going to sweep through an area and look for two marines who were left behind from a previous fire fight two days earlier. I remember Bill and I talking about what we were about to do. We both felt very uncomfortable. Both of us knew that we would most likely to encounter the Viet Cong. We had only gone about 300 clicks when we came across one of the Marines we were looking for. What we did not know was that the dead Marines had been positioned to draw us into an ambush. We walked right up to a bunker and group of spider holes. I was on the radio and Biil told me to radio in what we had found. Then all hell broke loose I was the first to be shot. And I went down. I could here Bill yelling out orders to the other guys. Then a short time later Bill got to me and was checking out my injuries when he was shot. He told me he was hit and it wasn't good. I asked where are you hit and he told me in the side and neck.Then he laid across my body to shield me from the heavy fire we were taking at the time. I asked Bill if he could make it and his respons was I am dying Paul and that was the last words I heard from Bill. I know that I am alive today because of his actions. The Viet Cong continued to shoot us through out the day but because Bill was laying across me I only was hit in the lower part of my body with all the other shots. He laid across my body until the Viet Cong came to search us durning the night. I had to play dead as they went through my things. I was able to crawl to saftey the next day. I lost my right leg but I owe my life to Bill and I have never forgotten that. I was the only one to survive and make it back eight others were killed in action. I told the Company Commander what Bill had done durning the fire fight and how he saved my life and he deserved a medal for bravery in battle. Semper Fi my friend. Cpl Paul Graves USMC.
May 12, 2010 |
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Vietnam Vet
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to William Charles Wirick (2386310), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Mortar Section Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 8 December 1968, while Corporal Wirick's platoon was maneuvering across a large open rice paddy, the Marines were pinned down by a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from a hostile force occupying well-fortified emplacements, and were then subjected to intense sniper fire from enemy soldiers located in elevated positions. Although seriously wounded during the initial moments of the fierce fire fight, Corporal Wirick ignored his painful injury and maneuvered boldly across the fire-swept terrain, supervising the evacuation of other casualties. Observing that another wounded and helpless companion had become a vulnerable target for sniper fire, Corporal Wirick unhesitatingly threw himself across his companion and, with his own body, absorbed the primary effects of several sniper rounds. His heroic action and selfless concern for his fellowman inspired all who observed him and saved the life of another Marine. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Wirick upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
Apr 16, 2008 |
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manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Dec 8, 2007 |
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rendal nail
rendaln@yahoo.com
Fellow Marine
Well done Marine rest in peace
THE TIME you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high. To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town. Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields where glory does not stay And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honours out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man. So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup. And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl’s. A.E. Housman, "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
I've called your name. You're mine.
Isaiah 43:1
Semper Fi
Dec 8, 2007 |
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Jennifer Burns
sky_lava@yahoo.com
PROUD AMERICAN
Though you are gone you will never be forgotten! You and men
like you, are the reason we are free today! I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the sacrifices that you made! I hold you and those like you in the highest regard and you deserve nothing less! I love you all, you were and always will be HEROES to me! I promise never to take for granted the freedoms I have, which you paid the ultimate price for! Happy Birthday!
Let no man be forgotten…I WILL REMEMBER YOU!!!
Gratefully yours,Jenn
Apr 30, 2007 |
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Garnet Jenkins
Grand Junction Co.
Never Forgotten
"SOME PEOPLE SPEND AN ENTIRE LIFETIME WONDERING IF THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE, THE MARINES DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM"... President Ronald Reagan.....In Remembrance of this Young Marine, with a Multitude of Thanks for his Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest well Cpl. William Charles Wirick and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of such a young hero, who made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam 1967.
Apr 30, 2007 |
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Beverly Rhoades Good
jaeger56@hotmail.com
Friend
852 Watten Lane Westerville OH 43081 USA
A Life Taken Too Soon
Bill and I met while we attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He introduced himself as Bo, and signed his letters, “Billy Be Good.” We dated until the end of the 1967 academic year, and I returned to my hometown. However, we continued to keep in touch by letters throughout Bo’s military training. From his letters, I know that Bo was a warm, loving, compassionate young man. He had a zest for life and was always ready for a good time. He loved his friends and enjoyed the time he spent at college. He longed for his friends and his college experience after joining the service. Bill was very proud of his military accomplishments and totally committed to the welfare of the men in his platoon. His goal was to return to his beloved Toledo, however, Bo’s letters suggested that he knew he may not return alive from Vietnam. Bo’s untimely death was a difficult time for all who knew him. I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have of Bo, and the handsome, charming Marine will always have a place in my heart. Bo must have had a very special family to have raised such a fine young man. It is, indeed, unfortunate that Bo was taken from us with so much potential untapped. May he rest in peace.
Apr 9, 2007 |
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