31 May 2001 MAY HIS SOUL, AND ALL OF THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFULLY DEPARTED, REST IN PEACE. From a classmate, Earnestine Collins cllnsecol@aol.com

 

05 Jun 2005 Leroy! My father passed recently and I found in his belongings a small picture of you and I. It was taken in March 1968 at Firebase Alpha-3 (near Leatherneck Square). Wow!! did it bring back memories! Leroy, you were a quiet self-introspective young man, you always had a minature Bible in your left breast pocket. One day, in fact a couple of weeks before you were KIA you privately told me you would be a Baptist Minister, when you "come back to the world." Well, my brother Marine, after some 36 years I did what I know you would have done for me. I made a 5X7 copy of our photo and called you Mother in Port Arthur, introduced myself as your friend and told her I would be sending her the photo. Leroy, she was glad to hear from me but even more proud of you for having made friendships that are still kept alive after all these years. Before I go let me tell this, Leroy: As long as I have a breath still in me I will tell about you. Ray Penland and Mike Gardner, our brother Marines, were also taken that same day you were. The three of you will only die when us the living forsake your sacrifice. I honor you and the sacrifice you made for us who survive you. Leroy, I do not despair nor do I get anxious... I KNOW we will all rejoice together someday in peace and continue our close friendship without earthly interruption. I remain, Semper Fidelis, your pal, A. J. Ramirez 138 West Marion Street, Clute, Texas 77531 art.ramirez@sbcglobal.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Heavy fighting was the norm throughout Quang Tri Province during the spring of 1968, particularly in the west around Khe Sanh and along the DMZ border to the east. During the period 22 through 28 May the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, lost 42 Marines and sailors in action, with 21 of the losses coming on a single day - 26 May. Corporal Crawford was one of three men from Mike 3/3 killed in action on that day: H&S Company: HM2 Thomas W. Peterson, Lake Wells, FL Cpl Randall W. Kelpine, Milwaukee, WI Cpl William B. O Halloran, New York, NY LCpl Wilbert W. Cuch, Springville, UT I Company: LCpl Lester Erby, Clarksdale, MS Pfc Rudy Cardenas, San Antonio, TX Pfc Ralph A. Gearheart, Crestline, OH Pfc Larry Jones, Gary, IN Pfc Thomas Murrin, New York, NY Pfc Ray L. Penland, Seadrift, TX Pfc De Wayne M. Selby, Bismarck, ND Pvt Kenneth E. Bradley, Nashville, TN Pvt Richard L. Incrocci, Madera, CA K Company: LCpl Hercules L. Moore, Brooksville, FL Pfc Otis L. Allen, Steele, MO Pfc Michael J. Gardner, Minneapolis, MN Pfc Martin J. Grace, Topeka, KS Pfc Leroy Pegross, Port Arthur, TX M Company: SSgt Raymond I. Garcia, Hayward, CA Cpl James P. Crawford, Fullerton, CA Cpl Craig B. Holt, Woonsocket, RI

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