During the month of April the Battalion was participating in Operation PEGASUS in the Huong Hoa District of Quang Tri Province patrolling the western portion of the Khe Sanh Combat Base.
On April 6, Company G departed their position moving north towards their objective when they came under heavy enemy fire as they maneuvered toward the ridgeline near Hill 558. Under heavy mortar and rocket propelled fire and unable to advance, additional reinforcements arrived and engaged in the battle with the NVA. The Marines fought throughout the day until they were forced to withdraw before dusk and set up defensive perimeters for the night. Losses were heavy, many were killed in the fire fights and many more were wounded requiring evacuation. Six of their casualties were left on the battlefield; four men who had been left behind were eventually recovered with the exception of Cpl James Mitchell Trimble and PFC Anthony John Pepper who remain missing.
One of the casualties was PFC Thomas Bayes, killed in action by hostile rifle fire, left on the battlefield, he was recovered on April 10.
∼Home of record at time of death was Bayside, NY.
THOMAS JOSEPH BAYES is honored on Panel 48E, Row 38 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
During the month of April the Battalion was participating in Operation PEGASUS in the Huong Hoa District of Quang Tri Province patrolling the western portion of the Khe Sanh Combat Base.
On April 6, Company G departed their position moving north towards their objective when they came under heavy enemy fire as they maneuvered toward the ridgeline near Hill 558. Under heavy mortar and rocket propelled fire and unable to advance, additional reinforcements arrived and engaged in the battle with the NVA. The Marines fought throughout the day until they were forced to withdraw before dusk and set up defensive perimeters for the night. Losses were heavy, many were killed in the fire fights and many more were wounded requiring evacuation. Six of their casualties were left on the battlefield; four men who had been left behind were eventually recovered with the exception of Cpl James Mitchell Trimble and PFC Anthony John Pepper who remain missing.
One of the casualties was PFC Thomas Bayes, killed in action by hostile rifle fire, left on the battlefield, he was recovered on April 10.
∼Home of record at time of death was Bayside, NY.
THOMAS JOSEPH BAYES is honored on Panel 48E, Row 38 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
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