Michael Joseph Kilderry

The database page for Michael Joseph Kilderry

09 Jun 2008 We arrived on LZ LOON June 4th 1968. Charlie and Delta companies were relieving 2nd Bn, 4th Marines which was moving on to LZ ROBIN. The N.V.A. were shooting artillery from Coc Rock, Laos. By the early afternoon on the 5th they had us pin-pointed. Mike was the first to be hit. He died 30 days later on a hospital ship. He was a good friend and a great Marine. I miss him just as much today as i missed him then. Till. From a friend and brother, Charlie Co 1/4, Terry Tillery tt@chesbaycontractors.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1st Bn, 4th Marines' Command Chronology for June 1968 contains the following paragraph: The 06 June ground attack on Charlie and Delta Companies at Landing Zone LOON, which was 8 kilometers south-southeast of the Khe Sanh airfield, cost the lives of 13 Marines and sailors. Continuous mortar and 130mm artillery fire made LZ LOON untenable and a decision was made to evacuate the place. As noted in the exerpt, a CH-46 was shot down as it departed LZ LOON, killing another 13 Marines. Within an hour and a half, a search and recovery (SAR) team was inserted into the crash site. They were able to recover the bodies of eight men, but lacked the equipment needed to extract the other five men from the wreckage. Another effort later in June led to the recovery of another body, but four men had to be left entombed in the CH-46. The 26 men killed in the actions at LZ LOON on 06 June were C Company: SSgt John K. Brazier, Baltimore, MD LCpl Michael J. Kilderry, Philadelphia, PA (DoW 07/06/1968) Pfc Melvin D. Langston, Valentine, NE Pfc Eugene Wilson, Water Valley, MS (CH-46A 151940) D Company: LCpl Jack G. Enix, Lorain, OH LCpl Jackie Frankenstein, Cincinnati, OH LCpl Timothy J. Frazier, Cohoes, NY LCpl William H. Parker, Rockville Centre, NY LCpl Gary K. Roberts, Summerville, SC LCpl Donald L. Smith, Ino, VA Pfc Paul E. Burgard (CH-46A 151940, recovered 06/30/1968) Pfc Manuel Casares, Tehachapi, CA Pfc Larry B. Reed, New Castle, PA H&S Company: Cpl William R. Ebright, Miamisburg, OH (CH-46A 151940) HM3 Loren R. Millard, Marshfield, WI LCpl Felix F. Flores, Los Angeles, CA (CH-46A 151940) LCpl William E. Hannings, Lansdale, PA (CH-46A 151940) LCpl Ralph L. Harper, Indianapolis, IN (CH-46A 151940, BNR) HN James B. Howard, Bakersfield, CA (Corpsman w/ C/1/4) LCpl Kurt E. La Plant, Lenexa, KS (CH-46A 151940, BNR) LCpl Luis F. Palacios, Los Angeles, CA (CH-46A 151940, BNR) LCpl Lawrence E. Porter, Dalton, OH (CH-46A 151940) Pfc Catarino Morelos, Sanger, CA (CH-46A 151940) Pfc Jose R. Sanchez, New York, NY (CH-46A 151940, BNR) Pfc Donald S. Satter, Minneapolis, MN (CH-46A 151940) Pfc Jonathan L. Stoops, Union City, IN (CH-46A 151940)

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend and brother, Charlie Co 1/4, Terry Tillery tt@chesbaycontractors.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 09 Jun 2008
Last updated 06/16/2008