27 Jun 2004 Arthur, I was your squad leader for the very short time you were in Vietnam. I, like so many others who made it through an entire tour, am saddened by your death as well as the many others we lost in our time there. For me your death still haunts me as well as your good friend Carlos Gonzales. The night before the battle you two died in I was so concerned that you two were not properly trained that I told both of you to stay with me and mimic what I did. During the heated battle, about halfway through the village, I turned and you and Carlos were gone. Later I found both of you together ... dead. You both went very quickly with no apparent suffering. I felt as if I let you down then and still do today. I located your wife and son and told them both if they wished any more information to contact me. Perhaps with this memorial they will. God bless you and all who paid the ultimate price. You will never be forgotten by me and I know we will see each other again some day. You were a special person with a wonderful way about you and a brave and good Marine. That is the memory I'll take with me always. God bless. Semper Fi. Snooks..

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The Tet Offensive began in late January 1968 and by mid-February the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong assault forces largely had been turned back with heavy losses - but fighting continued at a high level into the spring. Between 27 Feb and 03 March 1968 inclusive Mike Company, 3/1 Marines, lost at least 22 men. Of those, 19 died as a result of the fighting at Mai Xa Thi West on 01/02 March 1968. The heaviest fighting was during the initial assault on 01 March, when 14 of Mike 3/1's Marines were killed in action; the final assault on 02 March cost 5 more Marines. The 3rd Bn, 1st Marines Command Chronology for March 1968 describes the action as follows: "Mai Xa Thi (west) (YD 283667) 1 Mar 68 This was the largest and most challenging attack of the operation. The situation was unique in that the friendly held attack position was separated from the objective by a small river only 140 meters wide [Note: approx 450 feet]. The objective had been previously bombarded from 2 to 14 Feb in preparation for an attack. The attack was postponed due to operations south of the river. When operations south of the river were terminated, the part of the hamlet to the east of the north-south river (Mai Xa Thi east) was again occupied and the attack by fire continued. The assault was by LVT after extensive preparation by artillery, naval gunfire, air, and direct fire from tanks and LVTH-6s. Plans called for an LVTE to be the first vehicle ashore and to neutralize the beach with a line charge. The LVTE -became stuck moving into position and was not used. In spite of a maximum effort to deliver all possible preparatory fires, the enemy inflicted heavy casualties as Co M left the LVT's. Co M pressed the attack and secured the beach area. Co I was able to cross the river using a partially destroyed bridge and to move up on Co M's right, attacking on line. One section of LVTH-6's were in direct support of Co M. A section of tanks was in direct support of both Co M and Co I. LVTE's with line charges were used to breach enemy strong points with excellent results. By-passed enemy snipers took a heavy toll and necessitated that Co L follow Co M and Co I in trace and mop up by-passed enemy. The attack was continued until 2100H when a defensive perimeter was established with about 80 per cent of the hamlet in friendly hands. A detailed search of the hamlet the following day revealed many extensive fortifications, living bunkers, and large stores of ammunition indicating that Mai Xa Thi (west) was the center of enemy activity on the north bank of the Cua Viet River." Mike 3/1's losses on the two days were 01 March 1968: 1stLt Thomas C. Gosch, Oceanside, CA (Silver Star) 2ndLt Richard W. Kapp, Orangeburg, SC SSgt Stephen J. Bobkovich, Akron, OH SSgt Edwin R. Edwards, Inman, SC (DoW 03/03/1968) Cpl Bertram A. Deso, Albany, NY HM3 Anthony O. Stringer, Rockmart, GA (Corpsman, H&S w/ M/3/1) LCpl Ricky F. Adams, Baldwin Park, CA Pfc Arthur L. Brunt, Valdosta, GA Pfc Richard L. Garlick, Aurora, IL Pfc Carlos L. Gonzales, New York, NY Pfc Danny Ledford, Belmont, NC Pfc Gerald W. Markwith, Federal Way, WA Pfc Richard D. Miller, Memphis, TN Pfc Thomas Spadaro, New York, NY 02 March 1968: LCpl Guy N. Bernard, Port Orchard, WA LCpl Frank Krec, Williamson, NY (Silver Star) Pfc Horacio Carranza, San Antonio, TX Pfc David L. Melton, Washington, DC Pfc Douglas R. Ritchie, Whittier, CA

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