Walter was the son of Bernard Joseph Bem who predeceased his son and Matilda Boychew Bem of Indiana Pennsylvania; the dear brother of Bernard J. Jr., of Sunnyvale California; Stanley M. of San Francisco; Edward, Indiana; Marshall, Daly City California, John P., North Hampton; Charles Milbrae California; and Mrs. Jay (Marlene) O'Connell of Denver Colorado.
He attended Indiana High School and was a member of St. Barnard's Roman Catholic Church, and was active in Little League baseball before transferring to Fairview High School in Bolder Colorado.
Walter enlisted in the US Marine Corps on September 10, 1968 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and upon completion of Basic Training at MCRD Parris Island South Carolina and Infantry Training he received orders for duty in Vietnam. PFC Bem arrived in Vietnam on April 6, 1969, where he was assigned to and served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS During the night of April 29 – 30 the 1st Battalion Command Group with Company B and D crossed the Vu Gia River into the northern "Arizona" near the My Hoa village complex in Dai Loc District and began their attack towards the east south east. Company B became heavily engaged with enemy troops from their right rear near the My Binh village complex and both Company's turned their attack to the northwest engaging an estimated two Company NVA force firing automatic weapons, RPG's (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and mortar fire on the attacking Marines.
Reaching the river the Marines continued on their attack southwest, with the Vu Gia River as the northern border. With supporting air, and artillery, the Marines pressed onward with their assault facing heavy enemy fire as they maneuvered through a series of hedgerows and treelines chasing the fleeing NVA force. Contact was sporadic but heavy until darkness fell and the Marines were able to set up a defensive perimeter in the vicinity of My Dong. The Marines of Company B and D suffered many wounded and nine men had been killed in the action, one of the casualties was PFC Bem who died as a result of hostile rifle and mortar fire.
* PFC Bem was presented with the Silver Star Medal posthumously "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action ....on 30 April 1969...."
The Purple Heart Medal
The Navy Commendation Medal
Company B Casualties:
Walter Paul Bem
John Patrick Byrne
Larry Alfonso Cunningham
John Franklin Lawrence
Espiridion Perez
Fred Thomas William
H&S Company, Attached to Company B Casualties:
Gary Alan Johnson
Company D Casualties:
David Paul Roy
Fernando Saenz Saldana
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Panel 26W - Line 81
He attended Indiana High School and was a member of St. Barnard's Roman Catholic Church, and was active in Little League baseball before transferring to Fairview High School in Bolder Colorado.
Walter enlisted in the US Marine Corps on September 10, 1968 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and upon completion of Basic Training at MCRD Parris Island South Carolina and Infantry Training he received orders for duty in Vietnam. PFC Bem arrived in Vietnam on April 6, 1969, where he was assigned to and served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS During the night of April 29 – 30 the 1st Battalion Command Group with Company B and D crossed the Vu Gia River into the northern "Arizona" near the My Hoa village complex in Dai Loc District and began their attack towards the east south east. Company B became heavily engaged with enemy troops from their right rear near the My Binh village complex and both Company's turned their attack to the northwest engaging an estimated two Company NVA force firing automatic weapons, RPG's (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and mortar fire on the attacking Marines.
Reaching the river the Marines continued on their attack southwest, with the Vu Gia River as the northern border. With supporting air, and artillery, the Marines pressed onward with their assault facing heavy enemy fire as they maneuvered through a series of hedgerows and treelines chasing the fleeing NVA force. Contact was sporadic but heavy until darkness fell and the Marines were able to set up a defensive perimeter in the vicinity of My Dong. The Marines of Company B and D suffered many wounded and nine men had been killed in the action, one of the casualties was PFC Bem who died as a result of hostile rifle and mortar fire.
* PFC Bem was presented with the Silver Star Medal posthumously "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action ....on 30 April 1969...."
The Purple Heart Medal
The Navy Commendation Medal
Company B Casualties:
Walter Paul Bem
John Patrick Byrne
Larry Alfonso Cunningham
John Franklin Lawrence
Espiridion Perez
Fred Thomas William
H&S Company, Attached to Company B Casualties:
Gary Alan Johnson
Company D Casualties:
David Paul Roy
Fernando Saenz Saldana
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Panel 26W - Line 81
Walter was the son of Bernard Joseph Bem who predeceased his son and Matilda Boychew Bem of Indiana Pennsylvania; the dear brother of Bernard J. Jr., of Sunnyvale California; Stanley M. of San Francisco; Edward, Indiana; Marshall, Daly City California, John P., North Hampton; Charles Milbrae California; and Mrs. Jay (Marlene) O'Connell of Denver Colorado.
He attended Indiana High School and was a member of St. Barnard's Roman Catholic Church, and was active in Little League baseball before transferring to Fairview High School in Bolder Colorado.
Walter enlisted in the US Marine Corps on September 10, 1968 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and upon completion of Basic Training at MCRD Parris Island South Carolina and Infantry Training he received orders for duty in Vietnam. PFC Bem arrived in Vietnam on April 6, 1969, where he was assigned to and served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS During the night of April 29 – 30 the 1st Battalion Command Group with Company B and D crossed the Vu Gia River into the northern "Arizona" near the My Hoa village complex in Dai Loc District and began their attack towards the east south east. Company B became heavily engaged with enemy troops from their right rear near the My Binh village complex and both Company's turned their attack to the northwest engaging an estimated two Company NVA force firing automatic weapons, RPG's (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and mortar fire on the attacking Marines.
Reaching the river the Marines continued on their attack southwest, with the Vu Gia River as the northern border. With supporting air, and artillery, the Marines pressed onward with their assault facing heavy enemy fire as they maneuvered through a series of hedgerows and treelines chasing the fleeing NVA force. Contact was sporadic but heavy until darkness fell and the Marines were able to set up a defensive perimeter in the vicinity of My Dong. The Marines of Company B and D suffered many wounded and nine men had been killed in the action, one of the casualties was PFC Bem who died as a result of hostile rifle and mortar fire.
* PFC Bem was presented with the Silver Star Medal posthumously "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action ....on 30 April 1969...."
The Purple Heart Medal
The Navy Commendation Medal
Company B Casualties:
Walter Paul Bem
John Patrick Byrne
Larry Alfonso Cunningham
John Franklin Lawrence
Espiridion Perez
Fred Thomas William
H&S Company, Attached to Company B Casualties:
Gary Alan Johnson
Company D Casualties:
David Paul Roy
Fernando Saenz Saldana
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Panel 26W - Line 81
He attended Indiana High School and was a member of St. Barnard's Roman Catholic Church, and was active in Little League baseball before transferring to Fairview High School in Bolder Colorado.
Walter enlisted in the US Marine Corps on September 10, 1968 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and upon completion of Basic Training at MCRD Parris Island South Carolina and Infantry Training he received orders for duty in Vietnam. PFC Bem arrived in Vietnam on April 6, 1969, where he was assigned to and served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS During the night of April 29 – 30 the 1st Battalion Command Group with Company B and D crossed the Vu Gia River into the northern "Arizona" near the My Hoa village complex in Dai Loc District and began their attack towards the east south east. Company B became heavily engaged with enemy troops from their right rear near the My Binh village complex and both Company's turned their attack to the northwest engaging an estimated two Company NVA force firing automatic weapons, RPG's (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and mortar fire on the attacking Marines.
Reaching the river the Marines continued on their attack southwest, with the Vu Gia River as the northern border. With supporting air, and artillery, the Marines pressed onward with their assault facing heavy enemy fire as they maneuvered through a series of hedgerows and treelines chasing the fleeing NVA force. Contact was sporadic but heavy until darkness fell and the Marines were able to set up a defensive perimeter in the vicinity of My Dong. The Marines of Company B and D suffered many wounded and nine men had been killed in the action, one of the casualties was PFC Bem who died as a result of hostile rifle and mortar fire.
* PFC Bem was presented with the Silver Star Medal posthumously "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action ....on 30 April 1969...."
The Purple Heart Medal
The Navy Commendation Medal
Company B Casualties:
Walter Paul Bem
John Patrick Byrne
Larry Alfonso Cunningham
John Franklin Lawrence
Espiridion Perez
Fred Thomas William
H&S Company, Attached to Company B Casualties:
Gary Alan Johnson
Company D Casualties:
David Paul Roy
Fernando Saenz Saldana
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Panel 26W - Line 81
Inscription
WALTER PAUL BEM
PENNSYLVANIA
PFC CO B 4 MAR 1 MAR DIV
VIETNAM SS-PHAUG 6 1950 - MAR 30 1969
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