A Memorial To These Heroes, Our Brothers, Who Fell on Mutter's Ridge 17, September 1969

This "Memorial" is dedicated so that, we:

"Capt. David Jordan, CO, I Company, 3/4",
"Doc Robert A. McInerney, Corpsman",
"L/Cpl George Bennett",
"L/Cpl Robert Christ",
"L/Cpl William Truax",

"L/Cpl G. Preston Davison" & "L/Cpl William (Bill) Porter",

and L/Cpl Norman York,
will not forget their sacrifice.

Recent Fallen Heros:
Corpsman Neil Berchtold,

who was with us that fateful day,
passed away on February 11th, 2008. He had a long
history of heart problems. He is interred in the
National Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.
L/Cpl Rick "Squirrel" Henz,

who was also with us that fateful day,
passed away on March 18th, 2008. He was buried
with full Military Honors in the
National Cemetery, in Dayton Ohio,
on Monday March 24th, 2008.

Charles W. Sultzbach Jr.,

who was also with us that fateful day,
passed away on December 8th, 2008.
He was in an automobile accident.
Gone, but not forgotten.

Capt. David Jordan had the original Situation Report for that day,
which helped greatly in identifying these brave men.
Also providing proof of the units assigned were
Jim McIllhenny, Ken Davis and Doc Hoppy HM2/USN (M/3/3). Thanks to those four, I can accurately place these 26 Marines/Navy
with the proper unit assignments and SSN's (Service Numbers).

These 26 brave men
gave the ultimate on
September 17, 1969
in the service of their country!

12 of which were a proud part of
India Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division.
The other 14 were a proud part of
Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division.
Both were located in Northern I Corps, South Vietnam.

Most went by nick-names.
"We" don't know now if it was because "we"
wanted to remain anonymous or because
"we" couldn't .... or wouldn't
remember the real names.

India Company was assigned as Sparrow-Hawk
(A rapid deployment force for anyone that needed us)
for Northern "I" Corps.
Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division,
had taken a real beating and we were sent in to assist.
Upon landing on Mutter's Ridge, we were met with two mortar duds.
We humped around the ridge and it seemed that all hell
had broken loose.

"We" won't go into much more detail, but
to say that "all" men acted bravely and without
any regard for their own safety is an understatement.
Quite a few, in our humble opinion, deserve the
highest award our country has to offer:

"The Medal of Honor!"

All deserve our respect, and "we"
will respect these men until the day "we" die.

"We" just hope, and pray, that someday they will be honored
the way the World War II Veterans were when
they came home!
And more recently
like the Gulf War Veterans received in 1991!

The following have etched a part of our hearts and souls
for eternity:

L/Cpl James Betancourt - 2402064 - USMC

18; New York, NY; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/24/69
PFC John Lane Chesebrough - 2511957 - USMC

20; Beaufort, SC; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/08/69
L/Cpl Eddie Nelson Corsino - 2478857 - USMC

19; Lorain, OH; MOS: 0331; Tour Began: 02/13/69
PFC Danny Carol Cravens - 2525710 - USMC

19; West Alexandria, OH; MOS: 0351; Tour Began: 07/27/69
PFC Dennis Alan Denton - 2480863 - USMC

19; Holton, KS; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 04/13/69
L/Cpl William Clyde Joy - 2449193 - USMC
19; Epsom, NH; MOS: 0331; Tour Began: 03/18/69
L/CPL Paul Joseph Lafreniere - Unknown Service # - USMC
Assigned to us from 3rd Eng Bn
19; Pensacola, FL; MOS: 1371; Tour Began: 06/24/69
PFC Michael Brian McGinnis - 2465053 - USMC

Assigned to us from 3rd Eng Bn
20; Levittown, PA; MOS: 1371; Tour Began: 04/17/69
PFC Jerry David Rice - Unknown Service # - USMC

20; Baltimore, MD; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/05/69
PFC James Dennis Slattery - 2468581 - USMC
18; New York, NY; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 07/30/69
PFC Harvey Lee Williams - 2446381 - USMC
20; Camden, AR; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/26/69
PFC Thomas Everett Young - 2412318 - USMC
18; San Diego, CA; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 05/20/69

The following 14 Marines/Navy were not with India Company,
but with Lima Company, 3rd Btn, 3rd Marines, 3rd MarDiv
because they also died on September 17th, 1969,
and we were officially under the Operational Control of Lima 3/3,
we have included them as well.

HN Leslie Morgan Aly - B509521 - USN

21; De Soto, MO; MOS: 8404; Tour Began: 05/01/69
L/CPL Jerry Edwin Barker - 2496772 - USMC
19; Seattle, WA; MOS: 0351; Tour Began: 02/25/69
L/Cpl Donald Lee Kennedy - 2483942 - USMC
19; Madison Heights, MI; MOS: 0331; Tour Began: 01/28/69
PFC Dennis Wayne Ferguson - 2430665 - USMC
21; Minneapolis, MN; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 11/21/68
L/CPL James Erby McGarrity, Jr. - 2488295 - USMC

20; Ripley, TN; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 02/01/69
2nd Lt James Brian McGarry - 0108720 - USMC

24; Raynham, MA; MOS: 0301; Tour Began: 09/10/69
L/Cpl Ricky Lee Meeks - 2339957 - USMC

20; Mebane, NC; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 06/18/69
HM3 Scott Phillip Smith - B521732 - USN
22; Chelsea, MI; MOS: 8404; Tour Began: 06/06/69
PFC Richard William Starkey - 2543053 - USMC

22; Schenectady, NY; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/23/69
PVT Erich Linwood Tidwell - 2413504 - USMC
18; El Centro, CA; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/23/69
HN Richard Mathias Turner - B437051 - USN
19; Youngston, OH; MOS: 8404; Tour Began: 08/23/69
PFC William Herman Waidman, Jr. - 2417297 - USMC

21; Berkshire, MD; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 08/13/69
PFC John Wesley Walker - 2499758 - USMC
20; Orange, CA; MOS: 0311; Tour Began: 07/03/69

We want to have a picture to go with each of the names.
It adds a personal touch than just seeing the name.
If you can acquire a picture for any of the ones I do not have
please contact me at ----

G. Preston Davison, Sr.
at Home
If anyone who has something to add to this Memorial
such as a picture (Preferable in Uniform);
Hopes and dreams of that particular Marine;
Kids Pictures; Biography; Service Number (Not SSN);
ANYTHING!
Please contact me, and "we" will make sure it
is placed here with dignity!

The "Vietnam Veteran's Wall", in Washington, D.C.

Please click on the Wall for a very moving story
from the Other Side of the Wall

This link is now established - bring kleenex.

Copyright © 2009 G. Preston Davison, Sr
All rights reserved.
Last updated:
Friday, July 23rd, 2009

These 26 brave men
gave the ultimate on
September 17, 1969
in the service of their country!

Please click on the Wall for a very moving story
from the Other Side of the Wall

This link is now established - bring kleenex.

12 of which were a proud part of
India Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division.
The other 14 were a proud part of
Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division.
Both were located in Northern I Corps, South Vietnam.

Most went by nick-names.
"We" don't know now if it was because "we"
wanted to remain anonymous or because
"we" couldn't .... or wouldn't
remember the real names.

"We" won't go into much more detail, but
to say that "all" men acted bravely and without
any regard for their own safety is an understatement.
Quite a few, in our humble opinion, deserve the
highest award our country has to offer:

"The Medal of Honor!"

All deserve our respect, and "we"
will respect these men until the day "we" die.

"We" just hope, and pray, that someday they will be honored
the way the World War II Veterans were when
they came home!
And more recently
like the Gulf War Veterans received in 1991!

These 26 brave men gave the ultimate on September 17, 1969 in the service of their country!

12 of which were a proud part of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The other 14 were a proud part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. Both were located in Northern I Corps, South Vietnam.

Most went by nick-names. "We" don't know now if it was because "we" wanted to remain anonymous or because "we" couldn't .... or wouldn't remember the real names.

"We" won't go into much more detail, but to say that "all" men acted bravely and without any regard for their own safety is an understatement. Quite a few, in our humble opinion, deserve the highest award our country has to offer: "The Medal of Honor!"

All deserve our respect, and "we" will respect these men until the day "we" die.

"We" just hope, and pray, that someday they will be honored the way the World War II Veterans were when they came home! And more recently like the Gulf War Veterans received in 1991!

The following have etched a part of our hearts and souls for eternity: