Patrick Lee De Water

Lance Corporal
A CO, 1ST BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
28 December 1949 - 08 September 1968
Kent, Washington
Panel 44W Line 002

3RD MARDIV

3RD MARINES
Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Patrick Lee De Water

13 Jun 2007

Patrick,

I was only 4 years old when you went to war. I lived just down the street.

While I was growing up I became friends with your parents. Your dad taught me how to work on cars, and what it takes to be a great handyman. Your mom was always ready with a snack and a smile.

Whenever I walked up the stairs in your parents' house I would see a picture of a man in a uniform. I always wondered about it. One day I got up the courage to ask. I found out it was you, a soldier, a Marine, and a son, who had fallen in Vietnam.

Whenever I think about people serving our country, I think of you.

Whenever I think about people giving the ultimate sacrifice for their country, I think of you.

From a neighbor,
Timothy A. Anderson
tima@predator-software.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 04 Sep 1968 two companies from the 1st Bn, 3rd Marines were air-lifted into position atop Mutters Ridge just south of the DMZ. While search and destroy operations along the ridgeline did not at first elicit significant contact with the NVA, the Marines did find and destroy bunkers and other infrastructure. The remaining two rifle companies were lifted into the area on 07 Sep. Beginning on 08 Sep and continuing through 11 Sep the NVA decided to fight, engaging the Marines working along the ridgetop (Alpha and Delta companies) and Bravo Company along the southern slopes. By the time 1/3 withdrew on 14 Sep, 19 Marines had been killed in the engagements.

Six of the 19 were from Alpha 1/3 in the opening engagement on 09 Sep:

  • LCpl Patrick L. De Water, Kent, WA
  • LCpl James E. Glegg, Hammond, IN
  • Pfc Gerald J. Clarkson, Jacksonville, FL
  • Pfc Franklin Rambert, Charleston, SC
  • Pfc Billy M. Rea, Tijeras, NM


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a neighbor,
Timothy A. Anderson
tima@predator-software.com



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 13 Jun 2007
Last updated 06/16/2007