Robert the son of Stewart Mabee and Irene Mabee of Scotia NY enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on December 29 1965 in Albany NY. In Vietnam on extended duty he was assigned to and served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
On the first day of Operation BUFFALO July 2, Company B formed up along Route 561 several kilometers northeast of Con Thien in Quang Tri Province and headed north towards the DMZ. The Marines were unaware that elements of the NVA 324B Division were waiting for them in freshly dug and camouflaged positions. As the Company moved forward the NVA opened up with devastating fire on the men in the open who found themselves caught in a well prepared trap in the vicinity of Route 561 and 605. Snipers were picking off individual Marines and heavy enemy machinegun fire prevented the Marines to move in any direction.
Ordered to link up with the Marines under heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, Company A was prevented to move forward by the enemy using their supporting arms fire. The engagement developed into a day long battle. By the time reinforcements were able to reach the men, little remained of Company B, among the dead and wounded were the Company Commander, two Platoon Commanders, the Forward Artillery Observer, and Forward Air Controller. The battle was costly for the Marines, eighty-eight men were killed in action, many more were wounded, and fifty-three men who died were from Company B, one of the casualties was LCpl Jamro was killed in action from hostile rifle fire.
On the first day of Operation BUFFALO July 2, Company B formed up along Route 561 several kilometers northeast of Con Thien in Quang Tri Province and headed north towards the DMZ. The Marines were unaware that elements of the NVA 324B Division were waiting for them in freshly dug and camouflaged positions. As the Company moved forward the NVA opened up with devastating fire on the men in the open who found themselves caught in a well prepared trap in the vicinity of Route 561 and 605. Snipers were picking off individual Marines and heavy enemy machinegun fire prevented the Marines to move in any direction.
Ordered to link up with the Marines under heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, Company A was prevented to move forward by the enemy using their supporting arms fire. The engagement developed into a day long battle. By the time reinforcements were able to reach the men, little remained of Company B, among the dead and wounded were the Company Commander, two Platoon Commanders, the Forward Artillery Observer, and Forward Air Controller. The battle was costly for the Marines, eighty-eight men were killed in action, many more were wounded, and fifty-three men who died were from Company B, one of the casualties was LCpl Jamro was killed in action from hostile rifle fire.
Robert the son of Stewart Mabee and Irene Mabee of Scotia NY enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on December 29 1965 in Albany NY. In Vietnam on extended duty he was assigned to and served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
On the first day of Operation BUFFALO July 2, Company B formed up along Route 561 several kilometers northeast of Con Thien in Quang Tri Province and headed north towards the DMZ. The Marines were unaware that elements of the NVA 324B Division were waiting for them in freshly dug and camouflaged positions. As the Company moved forward the NVA opened up with devastating fire on the men in the open who found themselves caught in a well prepared trap in the vicinity of Route 561 and 605. Snipers were picking off individual Marines and heavy enemy machinegun fire prevented the Marines to move in any direction.
Ordered to link up with the Marines under heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, Company A was prevented to move forward by the enemy using their supporting arms fire. The engagement developed into a day long battle. By the time reinforcements were able to reach the men, little remained of Company B, among the dead and wounded were the Company Commander, two Platoon Commanders, the Forward Artillery Observer, and Forward Air Controller. The battle was costly for the Marines, eighty-eight men were killed in action, many more were wounded, and fifty-three men who died were from Company B, one of the casualties was LCpl Jamro was killed in action from hostile rifle fire.
On the first day of Operation BUFFALO July 2, Company B formed up along Route 561 several kilometers northeast of Con Thien in Quang Tri Province and headed north towards the DMZ. The Marines were unaware that elements of the NVA 324B Division were waiting for them in freshly dug and camouflaged positions. As the Company moved forward the NVA opened up with devastating fire on the men in the open who found themselves caught in a well prepared trap in the vicinity of Route 561 and 605. Snipers were picking off individual Marines and heavy enemy machinegun fire prevented the Marines to move in any direction.
Ordered to link up with the Marines under heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, Company A was prevented to move forward by the enemy using their supporting arms fire. The engagement developed into a day long battle. By the time reinforcements were able to reach the men, little remained of Company B, among the dead and wounded were the Company Commander, two Platoon Commanders, the Forward Artillery Observer, and Forward Air Controller. The battle was costly for the Marines, eighty-eight men were killed in action, many more were wounded, and fifty-three men who died were from Company B, one of the casualties was LCpl Jamro was killed in action from hostile rifle fire.
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