US Marine Corps
Vietnam Veteran
K CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
0302 Infantry Officer
Location on The Wall - Panel 19E Line 002
The Chicago Tribune - 9 May 1967
THREE CHICAGO AREA MARINES KILLED IN VIET
2 Enlisted Men, an Officer Victims
Chicago area friends and relatives yesterday were mourning the deaths of three marines -- an officer and two enlisted men -- in Viet Nam.
They were 1st Lt. John Braxton Woodall, 23, of Pin Oak dr., Burr Oaks, Naperville; Pvt. Antonio G. Chavez, 19, of 10647 Hoxie av.; and Lance Corp. Phillip C. Skinner, 21, of 5719 Indiana av.
Dies Near Huong Ha
Corp. Skinner was killed Wednesday during combat near Huong Ha. He was in the 2d battalion, 3d marines . He was graduated from Parker High school and attended Lincoln university, Jefferson City, Mo., for two years. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Nancy L. Davis; two brothers; two sisters; and a stepbrother.
Pvt. Chavez was in the 1st battalion, 5th regiment at Chu Lai. News of his death May 1 during combat operations reached his relatives Friday, the day after his 20th birthday. Pvt. Chavez enlisted in the marines in 1965.
He leaves his widow, Judith; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Chavez Sr.; five brothers; and five sisters.
The defense department released the news of Corp. Skinners' and Pvt. Chavez' deaths yesterday.
Services Set Thursday
A memorial service for Lt. Woodall will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian church, 150 S. Ashland av., La Grange.
Lt. Woodall was among 49 killed April 30 as marines battled North Vietnamese regulars for control of hill 881, near Khe Sanh. Lt. Woodall had served as executive officer of K company, 3d battalion, 9th marines . He had been in Viet Nam since Jan. 30.
Lt. Woodall was graduated from Lyons Township High school and Washington university, St. Louis, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He entered the marines in 1965. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Woodall; two sisters; two nephews; and a niece. His father is retiring in June as vice president of the dairy and poultry division of Armour & Co.
Research done by members of Lt. Woodall's OCS and TBS Class identified the following as the circumstances surrounding his death:
John successfully completed OCS with the 4th platoon of Bravo Company and Basic School with the 5th platoon of Delta Company. Upon completion of his training, John was ordered to Vietnam where he became the platoon commander for 1st platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. His company, along with the rest of the battalion, was conducting security operations around Camp Carroll until late April 1967. However, on April 25, 1967, Kilo Company was detached and heli-lifted into the Khe Sanh Combat Base and attached to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, which was commanding the units involved in the “Hill Fights”. On the morning of April 30, 1967, Kilo Company moved to a northeastern approach to Hill 881 South and prepared to assault the entrenched NVA positions at the summit. At approximately noon, Kilo Company moved out in platoon column with John’s Kilo-1 moving up a finger on the left flank and Lt Hepner’s Kilo-2 up on the right flank to the west. Kilo-3 under S/Sgt Cobb was in reserve and provided security for Captain Giles CP group. After moving through extremely difficult terrain by mid-afternoon the lead platoons were approximately three quarters of the way to the summit. The lead fire team of John’s platoon was led by L/Cpl Freddie Pitts. Immediately behind the lead fire team, John moved with his radio operator, L/Cpl John Rapp. As the point man, L/Cpl Dave Flowers moved over a slight rise, where the terrain opened up slightly, John called for the platoon to halt. Sensing danger, John had the point hold his position while he sent L/Cpl Pitts and L/Cpl Edwin Aponte forward to check out the area. As Pitts and Aponte scouted ahead approximately 20 meters, the NVA engaged them from entrenched camouflaged positions with automatic weapons fire. L/Cpl Pitts was severely wounded with gunshot wounds to the chest and back, but his exact condition was unknown to his platoon commander. L/Cpl Aponte came scurrying back stating that L/Cpl Pitts had been wounded and was down. Reacting immediately and with total disregard for his safety, John grabbed a rifle and crawled forward with L/Cpl Flowers to bring Pitts back to the platoon. As John and L/Cpl Flowers maneuver forward, they could hear Pitts calling out “Help me – help me!” Once they located Pitts, John placed accurate fire on the nearest bunker’s aperture, then swept past Pitts and killed the two NVA soldiers in the bunker. He, then, delivered covering fire, so Flowers could recover the Pitts and drag him on his hands and knees back to the platoon. As Flowers dragged Pitts’ body back, he saw blood gushing from John’s throat. It is reported in his Silver Star Citation that John was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. The official report of casualty, however, states that he died from multiple fragmentation wounds to his entire body suggesting either a grenade or something similar to a claymore mine was responsible for his death. It was not unusual for the NVA troops to employ mines in front of their positions on likely avenues of approach. It was this type of explosive device that killed John’s classmate, 1st Lt Philip Sauer six days earlier on Hill 861. Regardless, John died a hero, while trying to save the life of one of his Marines. John died in Quang Tri Province in one of the major battles of Operation Prairie IV. He died on the same day and on the same battlefield as his Classmate, 1st Lt David S. Hackett. John was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his valor. He was single at the time of his death.
The text of the Silver Star Citation awarded to Lt. Woodall posthumously reads as follows:
Silver Star Citation
1st Lt. John B. Woodall 093518 USMC (KIA)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John B. Woodall (MCSN: 0-93518), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Commander with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. As First Lieutenant Woodall led his men in an assault on Hill 881, north of Khe Sanh, the Platoon was taken under devastating fire from machine guns and automatic rifles. The initial burst of enemy fire felled the two point men, who were closest to the hidden bunker. Several attempts to reach the two critically wounded Marines were thwarted by a hail of deadly fire from the enemy position. Immediate medical attention was necessary to save their lives. With a total disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Woodall grabbed a rifle and placed accurate fire into the bunker. He then charged the bunker and killed both of its enemy occupants. From this position he laid down covering fire enabling the two Marines to be carried to safety. As he covered their withdrawal, First Lieutenant Woodall was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. His heroic actions and unselfish devotion to the welfare of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 30-Apr-67
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Company K
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
PFC Flowers, a rifleman in Lt. Woodall's platoon, has recorded the following regarding his recollection of the events surrounding his death:
Circumstance of 1st Lt Woodall's Death
It was a Sunday, April 30, 1967. I was sitting in elephant grass next to two North Vietnamese enemy soldiers who had been charcoaled by napalm. Around 11 AM I was gazing up Hill 881 South not knowing that in an hour or so we would be assaulting the hill.
Hill 881 South was really a mountain whose peak was 881 meters above sea level. From around a half mile away, I could see the enemy NVA (North Vietnamese Army) moving like rats from one hole to another near the crest.
I was part of 1st Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. As we started moving up the mountain around 12 noon I said a prayer to God, "Lord have mercy on my soul."
There was a three prong movement of Kilo Marines going up the hill. Our platoon was on the left flank. There may have been two or three other companies in the attack. Mike Company got so shot up so badly they couldn't even operate as a company that day. Some of the platoons were going up the ravines, but we were going up a ridge.
I was the point man (scout) for the platoon. We were in single file. I got almost three-fourths to the top of the hill, when we stopped. First Lieutenant John Braxton Woodall sent two other men, Eddie Aponte, from New Jersey, and Freddie Pitts, my fire team leader from Walton Beach, Florida on to scout out the area above us. They went up another 20 to 30 yards.
I heard a machine gun cut loose on them.
Evidently, they had walked over a machine gun nest which was well camouflaged with brush and bamboo and tree limbs.
Aponte came back down the hill unhurt. The Lieutenant told me to come with him and we crawled on our bellies to try to get Freddie Pitts.
On the way up I heard Pitts in a faint voice saying, "Help me, help me." When we got to him, the Lieutenant took my rifle to cover our exit back down the hill, while I got Pitts out. The Lieutenant cut loose on the enemy. It looked like Pitts had six to eight bullet holes in his chest.
I was trying to drag Pitts' body down the hill, while I was crawling on my knees.
There was a lot of confusion. I was scared - fear was everywhere. The Lieutenant was shooting into a bunker. Then I saw the Lieutenant bent over with blood running out of his neck.
Posted by: PFC Kenneth Wayne Flowers, USMC
1st Platoon
Kilo Company
3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
Vietnam Veteran
K CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
0302 Infantry Officer
Location on The Wall - Panel 19E Line 002
The Chicago Tribune - 9 May 1967
THREE CHICAGO AREA MARINES KILLED IN VIET
2 Enlisted Men, an Officer Victims
Chicago area friends and relatives yesterday were mourning the deaths of three marines -- an officer and two enlisted men -- in Viet Nam.
They were 1st Lt. John Braxton Woodall, 23, of Pin Oak dr., Burr Oaks, Naperville; Pvt. Antonio G. Chavez, 19, of 10647 Hoxie av.; and Lance Corp. Phillip C. Skinner, 21, of 5719 Indiana av.
Dies Near Huong Ha
Corp. Skinner was killed Wednesday during combat near Huong Ha. He was in the 2d battalion, 3d marines . He was graduated from Parker High school and attended Lincoln university, Jefferson City, Mo., for two years. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Nancy L. Davis; two brothers; two sisters; and a stepbrother.
Pvt. Chavez was in the 1st battalion, 5th regiment at Chu Lai. News of his death May 1 during combat operations reached his relatives Friday, the day after his 20th birthday. Pvt. Chavez enlisted in the marines in 1965.
He leaves his widow, Judith; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Chavez Sr.; five brothers; and five sisters.
The defense department released the news of Corp. Skinners' and Pvt. Chavez' deaths yesterday.
Services Set Thursday
A memorial service for Lt. Woodall will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian church, 150 S. Ashland av., La Grange.
Lt. Woodall was among 49 killed April 30 as marines battled North Vietnamese regulars for control of hill 881, near Khe Sanh. Lt. Woodall had served as executive officer of K company, 3d battalion, 9th marines . He had been in Viet Nam since Jan. 30.
Lt. Woodall was graduated from Lyons Township High school and Washington university, St. Louis, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He entered the marines in 1965. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Woodall; two sisters; two nephews; and a niece. His father is retiring in June as vice president of the dairy and poultry division of Armour & Co.
Research done by members of Lt. Woodall's OCS and TBS Class identified the following as the circumstances surrounding his death:
John successfully completed OCS with the 4th platoon of Bravo Company and Basic School with the 5th platoon of Delta Company. Upon completion of his training, John was ordered to Vietnam where he became the platoon commander for 1st platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. His company, along with the rest of the battalion, was conducting security operations around Camp Carroll until late April 1967. However, on April 25, 1967, Kilo Company was detached and heli-lifted into the Khe Sanh Combat Base and attached to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, which was commanding the units involved in the “Hill Fights”. On the morning of April 30, 1967, Kilo Company moved to a northeastern approach to Hill 881 South and prepared to assault the entrenched NVA positions at the summit. At approximately noon, Kilo Company moved out in platoon column with John’s Kilo-1 moving up a finger on the left flank and Lt Hepner’s Kilo-2 up on the right flank to the west. Kilo-3 under S/Sgt Cobb was in reserve and provided security for Captain Giles CP group. After moving through extremely difficult terrain by mid-afternoon the lead platoons were approximately three quarters of the way to the summit. The lead fire team of John’s platoon was led by L/Cpl Freddie Pitts. Immediately behind the lead fire team, John moved with his radio operator, L/Cpl John Rapp. As the point man, L/Cpl Dave Flowers moved over a slight rise, where the terrain opened up slightly, John called for the platoon to halt. Sensing danger, John had the point hold his position while he sent L/Cpl Pitts and L/Cpl Edwin Aponte forward to check out the area. As Pitts and Aponte scouted ahead approximately 20 meters, the NVA engaged them from entrenched camouflaged positions with automatic weapons fire. L/Cpl Pitts was severely wounded with gunshot wounds to the chest and back, but his exact condition was unknown to his platoon commander. L/Cpl Aponte came scurrying back stating that L/Cpl Pitts had been wounded and was down. Reacting immediately and with total disregard for his safety, John grabbed a rifle and crawled forward with L/Cpl Flowers to bring Pitts back to the platoon. As John and L/Cpl Flowers maneuver forward, they could hear Pitts calling out “Help me – help me!” Once they located Pitts, John placed accurate fire on the nearest bunker’s aperture, then swept past Pitts and killed the two NVA soldiers in the bunker. He, then, delivered covering fire, so Flowers could recover the Pitts and drag him on his hands and knees back to the platoon. As Flowers dragged Pitts’ body back, he saw blood gushing from John’s throat. It is reported in his Silver Star Citation that John was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. The official report of casualty, however, states that he died from multiple fragmentation wounds to his entire body suggesting either a grenade or something similar to a claymore mine was responsible for his death. It was not unusual for the NVA troops to employ mines in front of their positions on likely avenues of approach. It was this type of explosive device that killed John’s classmate, 1st Lt Philip Sauer six days earlier on Hill 861. Regardless, John died a hero, while trying to save the life of one of his Marines. John died in Quang Tri Province in one of the major battles of Operation Prairie IV. He died on the same day and on the same battlefield as his Classmate, 1st Lt David S. Hackett. John was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his valor. He was single at the time of his death.
The text of the Silver Star Citation awarded to Lt. Woodall posthumously reads as follows:
Silver Star Citation
1st Lt. John B. Woodall 093518 USMC (KIA)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John B. Woodall (MCSN: 0-93518), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Commander with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. As First Lieutenant Woodall led his men in an assault on Hill 881, north of Khe Sanh, the Platoon was taken under devastating fire from machine guns and automatic rifles. The initial burst of enemy fire felled the two point men, who were closest to the hidden bunker. Several attempts to reach the two critically wounded Marines were thwarted by a hail of deadly fire from the enemy position. Immediate medical attention was necessary to save their lives. With a total disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Woodall grabbed a rifle and placed accurate fire into the bunker. He then charged the bunker and killed both of its enemy occupants. From this position he laid down covering fire enabling the two Marines to be carried to safety. As he covered their withdrawal, First Lieutenant Woodall was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. His heroic actions and unselfish devotion to the welfare of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 30-Apr-67
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Company K
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
PFC Flowers, a rifleman in Lt. Woodall's platoon, has recorded the following regarding his recollection of the events surrounding his death:
Circumstance of 1st Lt Woodall's Death
It was a Sunday, April 30, 1967. I was sitting in elephant grass next to two North Vietnamese enemy soldiers who had been charcoaled by napalm. Around 11 AM I was gazing up Hill 881 South not knowing that in an hour or so we would be assaulting the hill.
Hill 881 South was really a mountain whose peak was 881 meters above sea level. From around a half mile away, I could see the enemy NVA (North Vietnamese Army) moving like rats from one hole to another near the crest.
I was part of 1st Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. As we started moving up the mountain around 12 noon I said a prayer to God, "Lord have mercy on my soul."
There was a three prong movement of Kilo Marines going up the hill. Our platoon was on the left flank. There may have been two or three other companies in the attack. Mike Company got so shot up so badly they couldn't even operate as a company that day. Some of the platoons were going up the ravines, but we were going up a ridge.
I was the point man (scout) for the platoon. We were in single file. I got almost three-fourths to the top of the hill, when we stopped. First Lieutenant John Braxton Woodall sent two other men, Eddie Aponte, from New Jersey, and Freddie Pitts, my fire team leader from Walton Beach, Florida on to scout out the area above us. They went up another 20 to 30 yards.
I heard a machine gun cut loose on them.
Evidently, they had walked over a machine gun nest which was well camouflaged with brush and bamboo and tree limbs.
Aponte came back down the hill unhurt. The Lieutenant told me to come with him and we crawled on our bellies to try to get Freddie Pitts.
On the way up I heard Pitts in a faint voice saying, "Help me, help me." When we got to him, the Lieutenant took my rifle to cover our exit back down the hill, while I got Pitts out. The Lieutenant cut loose on the enemy. It looked like Pitts had six to eight bullet holes in his chest.
I was trying to drag Pitts' body down the hill, while I was crawling on my knees.
There was a lot of confusion. I was scared - fear was everywhere. The Lieutenant was shooting into a bunker. Then I saw the Lieutenant bent over with blood running out of his neck.
Posted by: PFC Kenneth Wayne Flowers, USMC
1st Platoon
Kilo Company
3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
US Marine Corps
Vietnam Veteran
K CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
0302 Infantry Officer
Location on The Wall - Panel 19E Line 002
The Chicago Tribune - 9 May 1967
THREE CHICAGO AREA MARINES KILLED IN VIET
2 Enlisted Men, an Officer Victims
Chicago area friends and relatives yesterday were mourning the deaths of three marines -- an officer and two enlisted men -- in Viet Nam.
They were 1st Lt. John Braxton Woodall, 23, of Pin Oak dr., Burr Oaks, Naperville; Pvt. Antonio G. Chavez, 19, of 10647 Hoxie av.; and Lance Corp. Phillip C. Skinner, 21, of 5719 Indiana av.
Dies Near Huong Ha
Corp. Skinner was killed Wednesday during combat near Huong Ha. He was in the 2d battalion, 3d marines . He was graduated from Parker High school and attended Lincoln university, Jefferson City, Mo., for two years. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Nancy L. Davis; two brothers; two sisters; and a stepbrother.
Pvt. Chavez was in the 1st battalion, 5th regiment at Chu Lai. News of his death May 1 during combat operations reached his relatives Friday, the day after his 20th birthday. Pvt. Chavez enlisted in the marines in 1965.
He leaves his widow, Judith; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Chavez Sr.; five brothers; and five sisters.
The defense department released the news of Corp. Skinners' and Pvt. Chavez' deaths yesterday.
Services Set Thursday
A memorial service for Lt. Woodall will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian church, 150 S. Ashland av., La Grange.
Lt. Woodall was among 49 killed April 30 as marines battled North Vietnamese regulars for control of hill 881, near Khe Sanh. Lt. Woodall had served as executive officer of K company, 3d battalion, 9th marines . He had been in Viet Nam since Jan. 30.
Lt. Woodall was graduated from Lyons Township High school and Washington university, St. Louis, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He entered the marines in 1965. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Woodall; two sisters; two nephews; and a niece. His father is retiring in June as vice president of the dairy and poultry division of Armour & Co.
Research done by members of Lt. Woodall's OCS and TBS Class identified the following as the circumstances surrounding his death:
John successfully completed OCS with the 4th platoon of Bravo Company and Basic School with the 5th platoon of Delta Company. Upon completion of his training, John was ordered to Vietnam where he became the platoon commander for 1st platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. His company, along with the rest of the battalion, was conducting security operations around Camp Carroll until late April 1967. However, on April 25, 1967, Kilo Company was detached and heli-lifted into the Khe Sanh Combat Base and attached to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, which was commanding the units involved in the “Hill Fights”. On the morning of April 30, 1967, Kilo Company moved to a northeastern approach to Hill 881 South and prepared to assault the entrenched NVA positions at the summit. At approximately noon, Kilo Company moved out in platoon column with John’s Kilo-1 moving up a finger on the left flank and Lt Hepner’s Kilo-2 up on the right flank to the west. Kilo-3 under S/Sgt Cobb was in reserve and provided security for Captain Giles CP group. After moving through extremely difficult terrain by mid-afternoon the lead platoons were approximately three quarters of the way to the summit. The lead fire team of John’s platoon was led by L/Cpl Freddie Pitts. Immediately behind the lead fire team, John moved with his radio operator, L/Cpl John Rapp. As the point man, L/Cpl Dave Flowers moved over a slight rise, where the terrain opened up slightly, John called for the platoon to halt. Sensing danger, John had the point hold his position while he sent L/Cpl Pitts and L/Cpl Edwin Aponte forward to check out the area. As Pitts and Aponte scouted ahead approximately 20 meters, the NVA engaged them from entrenched camouflaged positions with automatic weapons fire. L/Cpl Pitts was severely wounded with gunshot wounds to the chest and back, but his exact condition was unknown to his platoon commander. L/Cpl Aponte came scurrying back stating that L/Cpl Pitts had been wounded and was down. Reacting immediately and with total disregard for his safety, John grabbed a rifle and crawled forward with L/Cpl Flowers to bring Pitts back to the platoon. As John and L/Cpl Flowers maneuver forward, they could hear Pitts calling out “Help me – help me!” Once they located Pitts, John placed accurate fire on the nearest bunker’s aperture, then swept past Pitts and killed the two NVA soldiers in the bunker. He, then, delivered covering fire, so Flowers could recover the Pitts and drag him on his hands and knees back to the platoon. As Flowers dragged Pitts’ body back, he saw blood gushing from John’s throat. It is reported in his Silver Star Citation that John was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. The official report of casualty, however, states that he died from multiple fragmentation wounds to his entire body suggesting either a grenade or something similar to a claymore mine was responsible for his death. It was not unusual for the NVA troops to employ mines in front of their positions on likely avenues of approach. It was this type of explosive device that killed John’s classmate, 1st Lt Philip Sauer six days earlier on Hill 861. Regardless, John died a hero, while trying to save the life of one of his Marines. John died in Quang Tri Province in one of the major battles of Operation Prairie IV. He died on the same day and on the same battlefield as his Classmate, 1st Lt David S. Hackett. John was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his valor. He was single at the time of his death.
The text of the Silver Star Citation awarded to Lt. Woodall posthumously reads as follows:
Silver Star Citation
1st Lt. John B. Woodall 093518 USMC (KIA)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John B. Woodall (MCSN: 0-93518), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Commander with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. As First Lieutenant Woodall led his men in an assault on Hill 881, north of Khe Sanh, the Platoon was taken under devastating fire from machine guns and automatic rifles. The initial burst of enemy fire felled the two point men, who were closest to the hidden bunker. Several attempts to reach the two critically wounded Marines were thwarted by a hail of deadly fire from the enemy position. Immediate medical attention was necessary to save their lives. With a total disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Woodall grabbed a rifle and placed accurate fire into the bunker. He then charged the bunker and killed both of its enemy occupants. From this position he laid down covering fire enabling the two Marines to be carried to safety. As he covered their withdrawal, First Lieutenant Woodall was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. His heroic actions and unselfish devotion to the welfare of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 30-Apr-67
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Company K
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
PFC Flowers, a rifleman in Lt. Woodall's platoon, has recorded the following regarding his recollection of the events surrounding his death:
Circumstance of 1st Lt Woodall's Death
It was a Sunday, April 30, 1967. I was sitting in elephant grass next to two North Vietnamese enemy soldiers who had been charcoaled by napalm. Around 11 AM I was gazing up Hill 881 South not knowing that in an hour or so we would be assaulting the hill.
Hill 881 South was really a mountain whose peak was 881 meters above sea level. From around a half mile away, I could see the enemy NVA (North Vietnamese Army) moving like rats from one hole to another near the crest.
I was part of 1st Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. As we started moving up the mountain around 12 noon I said a prayer to God, "Lord have mercy on my soul."
There was a three prong movement of Kilo Marines going up the hill. Our platoon was on the left flank. There may have been two or three other companies in the attack. Mike Company got so shot up so badly they couldn't even operate as a company that day. Some of the platoons were going up the ravines, but we were going up a ridge.
I was the point man (scout) for the platoon. We were in single file. I got almost three-fourths to the top of the hill, when we stopped. First Lieutenant John Braxton Woodall sent two other men, Eddie Aponte, from New Jersey, and Freddie Pitts, my fire team leader from Walton Beach, Florida on to scout out the area above us. They went up another 20 to 30 yards.
I heard a machine gun cut loose on them.
Evidently, they had walked over a machine gun nest which was well camouflaged with brush and bamboo and tree limbs.
Aponte came back down the hill unhurt. The Lieutenant told me to come with him and we crawled on our bellies to try to get Freddie Pitts.
On the way up I heard Pitts in a faint voice saying, "Help me, help me." When we got to him, the Lieutenant took my rifle to cover our exit back down the hill, while I got Pitts out. The Lieutenant cut loose on the enemy. It looked like Pitts had six to eight bullet holes in his chest.
I was trying to drag Pitts' body down the hill, while I was crawling on my knees.
There was a lot of confusion. I was scared - fear was everywhere. The Lieutenant was shooting into a bunker. Then I saw the Lieutenant bent over with blood running out of his neck.
Posted by: PFC Kenneth Wayne Flowers, USMC
1st Platoon
Kilo Company
3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
Vietnam Veteran
K CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
0302 Infantry Officer
Location on The Wall - Panel 19E Line 002
The Chicago Tribune - 9 May 1967
THREE CHICAGO AREA MARINES KILLED IN VIET
2 Enlisted Men, an Officer Victims
Chicago area friends and relatives yesterday were mourning the deaths of three marines -- an officer and two enlisted men -- in Viet Nam.
They were 1st Lt. John Braxton Woodall, 23, of Pin Oak dr., Burr Oaks, Naperville; Pvt. Antonio G. Chavez, 19, of 10647 Hoxie av.; and Lance Corp. Phillip C. Skinner, 21, of 5719 Indiana av.
Dies Near Huong Ha
Corp. Skinner was killed Wednesday during combat near Huong Ha. He was in the 2d battalion, 3d marines . He was graduated from Parker High school and attended Lincoln university, Jefferson City, Mo., for two years. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Nancy L. Davis; two brothers; two sisters; and a stepbrother.
Pvt. Chavez was in the 1st battalion, 5th regiment at Chu Lai. News of his death May 1 during combat operations reached his relatives Friday, the day after his 20th birthday. Pvt. Chavez enlisted in the marines in 1965.
He leaves his widow, Judith; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Chavez Sr.; five brothers; and five sisters.
The defense department released the news of Corp. Skinners' and Pvt. Chavez' deaths yesterday.
Services Set Thursday
A memorial service for Lt. Woodall will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian church, 150 S. Ashland av., La Grange.
Lt. Woodall was among 49 killed April 30 as marines battled North Vietnamese regulars for control of hill 881, near Khe Sanh. Lt. Woodall had served as executive officer of K company, 3d battalion, 9th marines . He had been in Viet Nam since Jan. 30.
Lt. Woodall was graduated from Lyons Township High school and Washington university, St. Louis, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He entered the marines in 1965. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Woodall; two sisters; two nephews; and a niece. His father is retiring in June as vice president of the dairy and poultry division of Armour & Co.
Research done by members of Lt. Woodall's OCS and TBS Class identified the following as the circumstances surrounding his death:
John successfully completed OCS with the 4th platoon of Bravo Company and Basic School with the 5th platoon of Delta Company. Upon completion of his training, John was ordered to Vietnam where he became the platoon commander for 1st platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. His company, along with the rest of the battalion, was conducting security operations around Camp Carroll until late April 1967. However, on April 25, 1967, Kilo Company was detached and heli-lifted into the Khe Sanh Combat Base and attached to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, which was commanding the units involved in the “Hill Fights”. On the morning of April 30, 1967, Kilo Company moved to a northeastern approach to Hill 881 South and prepared to assault the entrenched NVA positions at the summit. At approximately noon, Kilo Company moved out in platoon column with John’s Kilo-1 moving up a finger on the left flank and Lt Hepner’s Kilo-2 up on the right flank to the west. Kilo-3 under S/Sgt Cobb was in reserve and provided security for Captain Giles CP group. After moving through extremely difficult terrain by mid-afternoon the lead platoons were approximately three quarters of the way to the summit. The lead fire team of John’s platoon was led by L/Cpl Freddie Pitts. Immediately behind the lead fire team, John moved with his radio operator, L/Cpl John Rapp. As the point man, L/Cpl Dave Flowers moved over a slight rise, where the terrain opened up slightly, John called for the platoon to halt. Sensing danger, John had the point hold his position while he sent L/Cpl Pitts and L/Cpl Edwin Aponte forward to check out the area. As Pitts and Aponte scouted ahead approximately 20 meters, the NVA engaged them from entrenched camouflaged positions with automatic weapons fire. L/Cpl Pitts was severely wounded with gunshot wounds to the chest and back, but his exact condition was unknown to his platoon commander. L/Cpl Aponte came scurrying back stating that L/Cpl Pitts had been wounded and was down. Reacting immediately and with total disregard for his safety, John grabbed a rifle and crawled forward with L/Cpl Flowers to bring Pitts back to the platoon. As John and L/Cpl Flowers maneuver forward, they could hear Pitts calling out “Help me – help me!” Once they located Pitts, John placed accurate fire on the nearest bunker’s aperture, then swept past Pitts and killed the two NVA soldiers in the bunker. He, then, delivered covering fire, so Flowers could recover the Pitts and drag him on his hands and knees back to the platoon. As Flowers dragged Pitts’ body back, he saw blood gushing from John’s throat. It is reported in his Silver Star Citation that John was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. The official report of casualty, however, states that he died from multiple fragmentation wounds to his entire body suggesting either a grenade or something similar to a claymore mine was responsible for his death. It was not unusual for the NVA troops to employ mines in front of their positions on likely avenues of approach. It was this type of explosive device that killed John’s classmate, 1st Lt Philip Sauer six days earlier on Hill 861. Regardless, John died a hero, while trying to save the life of one of his Marines. John died in Quang Tri Province in one of the major battles of Operation Prairie IV. He died on the same day and on the same battlefield as his Classmate, 1st Lt David S. Hackett. John was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his valor. He was single at the time of his death.
The text of the Silver Star Citation awarded to Lt. Woodall posthumously reads as follows:
Silver Star Citation
1st Lt. John B. Woodall 093518 USMC (KIA)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John B. Woodall (MCSN: 0-93518), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Commander with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. As First Lieutenant Woodall led his men in an assault on Hill 881, north of Khe Sanh, the Platoon was taken under devastating fire from machine guns and automatic rifles. The initial burst of enemy fire felled the two point men, who were closest to the hidden bunker. Several attempts to reach the two critically wounded Marines were thwarted by a hail of deadly fire from the enemy position. Immediate medical attention was necessary to save their lives. With a total disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Woodall grabbed a rifle and placed accurate fire into the bunker. He then charged the bunker and killed both of its enemy occupants. From this position he laid down covering fire enabling the two Marines to be carried to safety. As he covered their withdrawal, First Lieutenant Woodall was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. His heroic actions and unselfish devotion to the welfare of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 30-Apr-67
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Company K
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
PFC Flowers, a rifleman in Lt. Woodall's platoon, has recorded the following regarding his recollection of the events surrounding his death:
Circumstance of 1st Lt Woodall's Death
It was a Sunday, April 30, 1967. I was sitting in elephant grass next to two North Vietnamese enemy soldiers who had been charcoaled by napalm. Around 11 AM I was gazing up Hill 881 South not knowing that in an hour or so we would be assaulting the hill.
Hill 881 South was really a mountain whose peak was 881 meters above sea level. From around a half mile away, I could see the enemy NVA (North Vietnamese Army) moving like rats from one hole to another near the crest.
I was part of 1st Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines. As we started moving up the mountain around 12 noon I said a prayer to God, "Lord have mercy on my soul."
There was a three prong movement of Kilo Marines going up the hill. Our platoon was on the left flank. There may have been two or three other companies in the attack. Mike Company got so shot up so badly they couldn't even operate as a company that day. Some of the platoons were going up the ravines, but we were going up a ridge.
I was the point man (scout) for the platoon. We were in single file. I got almost three-fourths to the top of the hill, when we stopped. First Lieutenant John Braxton Woodall sent two other men, Eddie Aponte, from New Jersey, and Freddie Pitts, my fire team leader from Walton Beach, Florida on to scout out the area above us. They went up another 20 to 30 yards.
I heard a machine gun cut loose on them.
Evidently, they had walked over a machine gun nest which was well camouflaged with brush and bamboo and tree limbs.
Aponte came back down the hill unhurt. The Lieutenant told me to come with him and we crawled on our bellies to try to get Freddie Pitts.
On the way up I heard Pitts in a faint voice saying, "Help me, help me." When we got to him, the Lieutenant took my rifle to cover our exit back down the hill, while I got Pitts out. The Lieutenant cut loose on the enemy. It looked like Pitts had six to eight bullet holes in his chest.
I was trying to drag Pitts' body down the hill, while I was crawling on my knees.
There was a lot of confusion. I was scared - fear was everywhere. The Lieutenant was shooting into a bunker. Then I saw the Lieutenant bent over with blood running out of his neck.
Posted by: PFC Kenneth Wayne Flowers, USMC
1st Platoon
Kilo Company
3rd Battalion, 9th Marines
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