Marine Lance Corporal, John Robert Baird, Jr. selflessly gave his life for his fellow Marines.
On Saturday, February 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon, Company 'A' was conducting a combat patrol in A Shau Valley when the Marines came under a heavy volume of fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion occupying well-fortified positions.
Accurately assessing the situation and realizing the need for immediate action, Lance Corporal Baird fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire and commenced delivering rapid grenade launcher fire upon the enemy positions, thereby enabling his companions to organize for an assault on the bunkers.
Skillfully maneuvering to an advantageous position, he was seriously wounded while destroying a machine gun emplacement. Ignoring his painful injury, Lance Corporal Baird resolutely continued his determined efforts to neutralize the enemy position when he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire.
His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the subsequently successful accomplishment of his company's mission.
By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Baird upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The nine other soldiers who died in the assault with Lance Corporal John R. Baird were:
1st Lt Lee R. Herron, Lubbock, TX
2nd Lt William J. Christman, Gaithersburg, MD
Cpl Richard P. Hodges, Atlanta, GA
LCpl David A. Chacon, Gilcrest, CO
Pfc Larry J. Boehm, San Felipe, TX
Pfc Fred Butler, Miami, FL
Pfc Norman P. Chittester, Falls Creek, PA
Pfc Anthony L. Johnson, Buena Vista, VA
Pfc William B. Tarrance, Torrance, CA
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Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 32W, Row 75
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On Saturday, February 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon, Company 'A' was conducting a combat patrol in A Shau Valley when the Marines came under a heavy volume of fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion occupying well-fortified positions.
Accurately assessing the situation and realizing the need for immediate action, Lance Corporal Baird fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire and commenced delivering rapid grenade launcher fire upon the enemy positions, thereby enabling his companions to organize for an assault on the bunkers.
Skillfully maneuvering to an advantageous position, he was seriously wounded while destroying a machine gun emplacement. Ignoring his painful injury, Lance Corporal Baird resolutely continued his determined efforts to neutralize the enemy position when he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire.
His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the subsequently successful accomplishment of his company's mission.
By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Baird upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The nine other soldiers who died in the assault with Lance Corporal John R. Baird were:
1st Lt Lee R. Herron, Lubbock, TX
2nd Lt William J. Christman, Gaithersburg, MD
Cpl Richard P. Hodges, Atlanta, GA
LCpl David A. Chacon, Gilcrest, CO
Pfc Larry J. Boehm, San Felipe, TX
Pfc Fred Butler, Miami, FL
Pfc Norman P. Chittester, Falls Creek, PA
Pfc Anthony L. Johnson, Buena Vista, VA
Pfc William B. Tarrance, Torrance, CA
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Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 32W, Row 75
******************************
Marine Lance Corporal, John Robert Baird, Jr. selflessly gave his life for his fellow Marines.
On Saturday, February 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon, Company 'A' was conducting a combat patrol in A Shau Valley when the Marines came under a heavy volume of fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion occupying well-fortified positions.
Accurately assessing the situation and realizing the need for immediate action, Lance Corporal Baird fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire and commenced delivering rapid grenade launcher fire upon the enemy positions, thereby enabling his companions to organize for an assault on the bunkers.
Skillfully maneuvering to an advantageous position, he was seriously wounded while destroying a machine gun emplacement. Ignoring his painful injury, Lance Corporal Baird resolutely continued his determined efforts to neutralize the enemy position when he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire.
His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the subsequently successful accomplishment of his company's mission.
By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Baird upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The nine other soldiers who died in the assault with Lance Corporal John R. Baird were:
1st Lt Lee R. Herron, Lubbock, TX
2nd Lt William J. Christman, Gaithersburg, MD
Cpl Richard P. Hodges, Atlanta, GA
LCpl David A. Chacon, Gilcrest, CO
Pfc Larry J. Boehm, San Felipe, TX
Pfc Fred Butler, Miami, FL
Pfc Norman P. Chittester, Falls Creek, PA
Pfc Anthony L. Johnson, Buena Vista, VA
Pfc William B. Tarrance, Torrance, CA
******************************
Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 32W, Row 75
******************************
On Saturday, February 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon, Company 'A' was conducting a combat patrol in A Shau Valley when the Marines came under a heavy volume of fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion occupying well-fortified positions.
Accurately assessing the situation and realizing the need for immediate action, Lance Corporal Baird fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire and commenced delivering rapid grenade launcher fire upon the enemy positions, thereby enabling his companions to organize for an assault on the bunkers.
Skillfully maneuvering to an advantageous position, he was seriously wounded while destroying a machine gun emplacement. Ignoring his painful injury, Lance Corporal Baird resolutely continued his determined efforts to neutralize the enemy position when he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire.
His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the subsequently successful accomplishment of his company's mission.
By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Baird upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The nine other soldiers who died in the assault with Lance Corporal John R. Baird were:
1st Lt Lee R. Herron, Lubbock, TX
2nd Lt William J. Christman, Gaithersburg, MD
Cpl Richard P. Hodges, Atlanta, GA
LCpl David A. Chacon, Gilcrest, CO
Pfc Larry J. Boehm, San Felipe, TX
Pfc Fred Butler, Miami, FL
Pfc Norman P. Chittester, Falls Creek, PA
Pfc Anthony L. Johnson, Buena Vista, VA
Pfc William B. Tarrance, Torrance, CA
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Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 32W, Row 75
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