OPERATION MACARTHUR, THE BATTLES AT DAK TO - Corregidor

Robert Paul Degen,
A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Bob, It's been 34 years
now, and not one has gone
by without me thinking of
you often. I always
wonder why I got to enjoy
birthdays, children,
holidays. It seems like
yesterday when we sat
around your house one
night waiting to go in and
listening to Johnny Cash
on the stereo, the last day
I saw you, July 31, 1967.
Remember, my son was
born the night before and we went swimming on the Sandy
River. You made all the kids laugh by diving off the rocks
like a frog. I'm still searching for a reason why. Maybe it
will never come, but I will never forget Bob. You were
here a short time but made such a lasting memory. You
will always be loved. Bill Whiting (deceased April 13, 2006)
Casimiro Dianda, D/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
John Michael Dunbar, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
James Cabell Farley, HHC/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Michael William Ference, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Angel Ramo Flores-Jimenes, B/4/503, 11/20/67
Troy Alexander Galyan, A/3/319, KIA 11/20/67
Juan Manuel Garcia, C/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Michael Jay Gladden,
B/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
The last time I saw Mike
before he departed for
Vietnam was in the summer
of 1967. He was home on
leave and he came by where
I worked. He was dressed
in khakis, complete with his
jump boots, airborne
patches and wings, his
infantry designations. We
met later and partook of a
few beers. I was getting
ready to go into the Army
at the time, I reported in
September, 1967. I remember telling Mike to take care of
himself. He just laughed and we shook hands as we
departed. I had just reported to AIT at Fort Huachuca,
Arizona, when I heard of Mike's death. I was shook, it was
beginning to get really scary, suddenly I was losing way too
many friends in Vietnam. Mike was killed on Hill 875 at
Dak To. A few years ago I saw the History Channel series
on that infamous battle. It was a slaughter. I knew that
Mike was initially reported MIA and as I read about the
battle, I wondered just exactly what happened to him. He
was reported to have died from multiple fragmentation
wounds. I often wonder if he was among those that may
have perished in the friendly fire episode when a U.S.
bomb was dropped into the area where the casualties were
being treated. One of those was a Catholic Chaplain who
received the Medal of Honor posthumously. I took a
picture of Mike's name at the Wall. I had talked with his
sister about giving it to her. Before I could get it to her,
Mike's dad died. I thought it was too weird. Mike would
have been 56, he never had the chance to live a full life,
have kids, a career and a home. When I was compiling
this, I found a strange irony, Mike had the same birthday
as a classmate of his who also died in Vietnam 14 months
earlier, Bobby L. Eaton , USMC. Both graduated in the
Permian High School Class of 1965, both were friends of
mine, and both are remembered on the Permian Basin
Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. According to Mike's sister,
he was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device at the
Battle of Dak To that took his life. Billy M. Brown
Hebert Hoover Gray, C/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Dennis Greenwald, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Clarence Hall, D/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Bobby Gene Hastings, C/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
William Allen Hawthorne, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
William Donald Herst, Jr., HHC/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Harold James Kaufman, C/2/503, 11/20/67
Michael James Kiley, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Weston Joseph Langley, HHC/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Roger Dale Mabe, D/4/503, KIA 11/20/67
George Michael Mattingly, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Tracy Henry Murrey, C/4/503, KIA 11/20/67
Tracy Henry Murrey was killed during a massive
attempt on Hill 875 near Dak To in November of 1967. I
am not related to him, but found his name while doing
some genealogical research. I think he deserves a
memorial here. 123 men lost their lives during this intense
3 day firefight. God rest their souls, may they have finally
found peace.
"A Chosen Few, The Herd"
Only a chosen few of my generation could
Understand why the skeleton in my closet
Rattles in my deepest sleep.
Who are you to judge us, for you have not
Followed our trail, walked the point at night
Or heard the fire, Hell and screams of a single
Night. For we are the chosen few of "The Herd"
Who have touched the gates of Hell, seen the shadow
Of death and at times, are damned for surviving...
by PFC A.M. Eyster, Co B 1/503rd, 173rd Abn
Josh Cain Noah, A/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
James William Nothern, Jr., C/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Wallace Lee Ogea, C/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
John Manuel Ortiz, C/2/503, KIA 11/20/67
Robert Edward Paciorek, B/4/503, KIA 11/20/67
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / November 2012 – Issue 47
Page 48 of 125