Richard, the son of Richard H. Dillon and Suzan Dillon of North Little Rock AR, enlisted in the US Marine Corps on August 10, 1967 in Little Rock AR. He arrived in Vietnam on February 1, 1968 and was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
The lead Company, C, left the LOD (Line of Departure) on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST at at 06:00H and quickly attacked west and seized Hill 126 their first objective. Their next objective was a hill top north west of their location and while maneuvering towards it the Marines began to receive sporadic small arms fire from the high ground. Orders were given to assault, and destroy the enemy position, while maneuvering towards the enemy the Marines were hit with heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from what proved to be a well dug in and equipped NVA force estimated as a reinforced Company. Company D attached to the south and were also hit with devastating enemy fire as they tried to manoeuvre towards the enemy position along a small ridge line just north of Route 4 with Vu Gia River behind it. Casualties were mounting in the difficult terrain, Fixed wing, artillery, and UH-1E gunships were used in support as well Company B supported the attack by fire. Company L under the OPCON (Operational Control) of the 1st Battalion for the operation was ordered forward supported by M48A1 Tanks to counter attack the enemy from the south and assist with the medical evacuation of the wounded. The confrontation with the enemy proved costly for the Marines, by days end, twelve Marines and two USN Corpsman were killed in action and forty one men were wounded.
One of the casualties was LCpl Dillon, he was killed in action as a result of fragmentions wounds from a hostile explosive device.
Casualties:
Richard Hall Dillon Jr.
Larry Vernon Johnsen
The lead Company, C, left the LOD (Line of Departure) on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST at at 06:00H and quickly attacked west and seized Hill 126 their first objective. Their next objective was a hill top north west of their location and while maneuvering towards it the Marines began to receive sporadic small arms fire from the high ground. Orders were given to assault, and destroy the enemy position, while maneuvering towards the enemy the Marines were hit with heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from what proved to be a well dug in and equipped NVA force estimated as a reinforced Company. Company D attached to the south and were also hit with devastating enemy fire as they tried to manoeuvre towards the enemy position along a small ridge line just north of Route 4 with Vu Gia River behind it. Casualties were mounting in the difficult terrain, Fixed wing, artillery, and UH-1E gunships were used in support as well Company B supported the attack by fire. Company L under the OPCON (Operational Control) of the 1st Battalion for the operation was ordered forward supported by M48A1 Tanks to counter attack the enemy from the south and assist with the medical evacuation of the wounded. The confrontation with the enemy proved costly for the Marines, by days end, twelve Marines and two USN Corpsman were killed in action and forty one men were wounded.
One of the casualties was LCpl Dillon, he was killed in action as a result of fragmentions wounds from a hostile explosive device.
Casualties:
Richard Hall Dillon Jr.
Larry Vernon Johnsen
Richard, the son of Richard H. Dillon and Suzan Dillon of North Little Rock AR, enlisted in the US Marine Corps on August 10, 1967 in Little Rock AR. He arrived in Vietnam on February 1, 1968 and was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
The lead Company, C, left the LOD (Line of Departure) on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST at at 06:00H and quickly attacked west and seized Hill 126 their first objective. Their next objective was a hill top north west of their location and while maneuvering towards it the Marines began to receive sporadic small arms fire from the high ground. Orders were given to assault, and destroy the enemy position, while maneuvering towards the enemy the Marines were hit with heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from what proved to be a well dug in and equipped NVA force estimated as a reinforced Company. Company D attached to the south and were also hit with devastating enemy fire as they tried to manoeuvre towards the enemy position along a small ridge line just north of Route 4 with Vu Gia River behind it. Casualties were mounting in the difficult terrain, Fixed wing, artillery, and UH-1E gunships were used in support as well Company B supported the attack by fire. Company L under the OPCON (Operational Control) of the 1st Battalion for the operation was ordered forward supported by M48A1 Tanks to counter attack the enemy from the south and assist with the medical evacuation of the wounded. The confrontation with the enemy proved costly for the Marines, by days end, twelve Marines and two USN Corpsman were killed in action and forty one men were wounded.
One of the casualties was LCpl Dillon, he was killed in action as a result of fragmentions wounds from a hostile explosive device.
Casualties:
Richard Hall Dillon Jr.
Larry Vernon Johnsen
The lead Company, C, left the LOD (Line of Departure) on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST at at 06:00H and quickly attacked west and seized Hill 126 their first objective. Their next objective was a hill top north west of their location and while maneuvering towards it the Marines began to receive sporadic small arms fire from the high ground. Orders were given to assault, and destroy the enemy position, while maneuvering towards the enemy the Marines were hit with heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from what proved to be a well dug in and equipped NVA force estimated as a reinforced Company. Company D attached to the south and were also hit with devastating enemy fire as they tried to manoeuvre towards the enemy position along a small ridge line just north of Route 4 with Vu Gia River behind it. Casualties were mounting in the difficult terrain, Fixed wing, artillery, and UH-1E gunships were used in support as well Company B supported the attack by fire. Company L under the OPCON (Operational Control) of the 1st Battalion for the operation was ordered forward supported by M48A1 Tanks to counter attack the enemy from the south and assist with the medical evacuation of the wounded. The confrontation with the enemy proved costly for the Marines, by days end, twelve Marines and two USN Corpsman were killed in action and forty one men were wounded.
One of the casualties was LCpl Dillon, he was killed in action as a result of fragmentions wounds from a hostile explosive device.
Casualties:
Richard Hall Dillon Jr.
Larry Vernon Johnsen
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