The VietNam Veterans Memorial Wall Message Board

PFC DAN BULLOCK
. . Contributed By STEVE ADAMS On Saturday, August 31, 2002
Dan was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Brother Bullock. Upon the death of Dan's mother when he was twelve years old his father moved the family to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Mr. Bullock hoped for better opportunities for himself and his family. Dan on the other hand would have other plans. As a young boy he dreamed of becoming a United States Marine, a pilot or a Police Officer. On September 18, 1968 Dan Bullock enlisted in the United States Marines fulfilling one of his childhood dreams. Dan was just a young man with a dream. Upon his enlistment in the Marines, Dan was sent to Parris Island , South Carolina to begin basic training. On December 12, 1968 Dan graduated from Marine Corps., Basic Training. For the next five months Dan would receive more advanced training. On May 18, 1969 Private First Class Dan Bullock was sent to Vietnam as a member of Fox Co., 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On June 7, 1969 at An Hoa Combat Base, An Hoi, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam. "Just another Casualty of War, Almost but not quite." At the time of Dan's death his company commander, Captain R.N. Kingrey, United States Marine Corps., wrote to Dan's family the following" "The recent death of your son, PFC. Dan Bullock, United States Marine Corps, on June 7, 1969 An Hoa Combat Base, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam is a source of great sorrow to me and all the members of Company F. Dan was assigned as a Rifleman in the 2nd Plt of Company F. During the early morning hours of June 7, Co. F was in night defensive positions on the perimeter of the An Hoa Combat Base. An assault of the lines started at approximately 1:00 a.m. Dan immediately realized that the attack was stronger than usual and that the ammunition supply was becoming depleted. He rushed to get more ammo for his unit� He constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to keep the company supplied with the ammunition needed to hold off the attack. As the attack pressed on, Dan again went to get more ammunition when he was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy small arms and died instantly at approximately 1:50 a.m." This simple letter to Dan's parents reflects the heroism of PFC. Dan Bullock. However, he has not been recognized for his heroism. In other circumstances, he would have at the very least been nominated for the "Medal of Honor", and/or received the "Navy Cross" or the "Bronze Star", he did not. Circumstances dictated that he would not. Upon his death Dan was returned home to Goldsboro, North Carolina where he buried in a small cemetery in an unmarked grave where he would lie for more then thirty years. Thanks to the commitment of the PFC. Dan Bullock Foundation, former United States Marines, like myself and Franklin McArthur, other veterans and veteran organizations and especially Sally Jessey Raphael the talk show host, Private First Class Dan Bullock would finally receive his headstone. On October 27, 2000 a caravan of veterans embarked on a journey from Brooklyn, New York to Goldsboro, North Carolina to place Dan's Headstone at his grave. Along the way we would receive escorts from several Police departments, veteran organizations including Rolling Thunder and Nam Knights. On October 28, 2000 after the United States Marine Corps denied our request for a military ceremony for Dan, the United States Air Force graciously performed the ceremony at the cemetery for Dan. Again circumstance dictated the Marines actions. By now you may be wondering what the circumstances were, that would cause the United States Marines to so dishonor one of their own. One who died heroically for his Country. Private First Dan Bullock, United States Marine, Deceased is the youngest U.S. Marine to die in battle since World War I. At the time of PFC. Bullock's death he was only fifteen (15) years old. Dan enlisted in the Marines at the age of fourteen. From the time Dan enlisted until his death, the Marines did not know that he was underage and Dan despite his age was in appearance quite the man. For several years the PFC. Dan Bullock Foundation has tried in vein to get the United States Marine Corps recognize Dan and to change their records regarding Dan being a Fraudulent Enlistment. While in fact this is true, in spirit Dan was a Marine Through and through and the bullets that killed Dan were not fraudulent, they in fact were very real. I have stared endlessly at Dan's photograph asking myself what if Dan had not been killed in Vietnam what greatness could he have achieved both as a Marine and as a person. This is a question we will never know. As the President of the United States and Commander In Chief you have not only the power but, the ability to right a wrong, Dan deserves his place in history despite his transgression. We have no desire to shame or embarrass the Marines for as former Marines, the eagle, globe, and anchor flows through our blood. Had there been time under the circumstances, we believe that at the very least Dan would have received for the Navy Cross, Bronze Star and/or at most he would have been nominated for the Medal of Honor. Mr. President, we respectfully request that you review the enclosed materials and upon your review, should you believe that Dan is deserving of special consideration that his record as a fraudulent enlistment be either expunged and/or reflect his heroic actions in battle. We also request that Dan be recognized for his heroics in battle.