Memorial

Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C. Panel 31W - Line 11	Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C. Panel 31W - Line 17	Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C. Panel 31W - Line 31
Corporal USMC, Serial No. 2174970	Lance Corporal USMC, Serial No. 2385251	Corporal USMC, Serial No. 2137664
1st Marine Division Band, Danang, RVN	1st Marine Division Band, Danang, RVN	1st Marine Division Band, Danang, RVN
MOS: 5544 - Frence Horn	MOS: 5534 - Clarinet	MOS: 5541 - Cornet/Trumpet
Born: September 29, 1947, Mahanoy City, PA	Born: November 10, 1948, Wheaton, MN	Born: October 20, 1947, Altoona, PA
Arrived in Vietnam November 2, 1967	Arrived in Vietnam August 20, 1968	Arrived in Vietnam September 29, 1966
Killed in Action February 23, 1969 Hill 327, 1st Marine Division Alpha Line Danang, Republic of South Vietnam Cause: hostile, ground casualty, other explosive device	Killed in Action February 23, 1969 Hill 327, 1st Marine Division Alpha Line Danang, Republic of South Vietnam Cause: hostile, ground casualty - gun, small arms fire	Killed in Action February 23, 1969 Hill 327, 1st Marine Division Alpha Line Danang, Republic of South Vietnam Cause: hostile, ground casualty, multiple fragmentation wounds

Corporal Paul J. Mitchell

LCpl Victor A. Rabel

PHOTOGRAPH NOT AVAILABLE

Cpl John P. Ziegler

PHOTOGRAPH NOT AVAILABLE

IN REMEMBERANCE
OF
OUR FALLEN COMPATRIOTS
LEST WE FORGET

     Reminiscent of their startling 1968 Tet offensive, elements of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army launched a second major offensive against U.S. and South Vietnamese forces on February 23, 1969. More than 110 targets throughout Vietnam were struck. In Quang Nam Province in and around Danang the 2nd NVA Division supported by Viet Cong Sapper Battalions initiated the offensive. NVA and Viet Cong units infiltrated Danang while an attack was launched from south of the city, and a major thrust was made from mountains west of Danang. Danang came under heavy and widespread attacks.
     Hoping to disrupt Allied command and control, during the early morning hours of February 23 an NVA Sapper unit assaulted the command headquarters of the 1st Marine Division and the 26th Marine Regiment situated on the slopes of Hill 327 southwest of the Danang Air Base. Among the Marines in defensive posture on Hill 327 were those of the 1st Marine Divsion Band. During the fierce combat that followed, Cpl Mitchell, LCpl Rabel, and Cpl Ziegler of the 1st Marine Division Band were killed in action. Due in no small measure to the determined defense and sacrifice of these and other Marine warriors on the line, the NVA Sapper unit was decimated and their attack on the command centers thwarted.
     Unlike the surprise Communist successes during the Tet 1968 enemy offensive, Allied troops were well prepared for this enemy action resulting in substantial heavy casualties to enemy troops and materials. Elements of the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, supporting U.S. Army and Naval units, and troopers of the South Vietnamese Army pursued and relentlessly hammered the retreating enemy through May. The enemy offensive was officially declared neutralized on June 8, 1969.

                                                                   And when they get to Heaven
                                                                   to Saint Peter they will tell
                                                                 "Three more Marines reporting, Sir,
                                                                  We've served our time in Hell!"