Operation Texas

In Memory of these brave MARINES

"Images from the Otherland" brings you back to 21 March 1966 and Operation Texas. General P.X. Kelley notes in his foreword to the book, "Because of its relatively short duration, Operation Texas has never been given its rightful place in history. For those who were there on March 21, 1966, however, it is a day they shall always remember. In the words of Major Ernie DeFazio, who was my executive officer at the time and who had landed on the beach at Iwo Jima as a young enlisted marine over two decades before, 'TEXAS WAS THE LONGEST AND TOUGHEST DAY OF MY LIFE.'"

LZ on TEXASDennis Andrews

Noah Morris Kraft 1st Lt. USMC born 10/03/41 died hostile air loss Pilot helicopter 03/21/66 air crash in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 33 Thomas Arnold Bird Jr. 1stLT Copilot helicopter 03/21/66 air crash in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Chow, Calvin Kealohaokalan GYSGT USMC hostile air loss Crew Chief helicopter 03/21/66 air crash in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Igarta Jr., Benito GYSGT Gunner USMC hostile air loss Gunner helicopter 03/21/66 air crash in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam

CRASH SCENE 3/21/1966
John Albert Mitchell Weapons Plt. K-3-1-1; M-60 Squad Leader, Sgt. USMC born 01/08/41 hostile air loss non crew died burns 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 33
Bruce Lemar Watkins PFC K-3-1-1 died hostile air loss noncrew helicopter 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam.
Dennis Richard Andrew Weapons Plt. K-3-1-1; L/cpl USMC died hostile air loss noncrew helicopter 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 28
James Henry Cavicchi,Jr. Weapons Plt. K-3-1-1; L/cpl. USMC born 08/07/44 died hostile air loss noncrew helicopter 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 31
Louis Allen Ambrose Weapons Plt. K-3-1-1; Pfc USMC born died burns hostile air loss noncrew helicopter 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 27
Billy Joe Williams K-3-1 Pfc hostile air loss noncrew helicopter 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam.
Walter Glenn Shults, 2nd Plt. K-3-1-1; L/cpl USMC born 07/22/46 died ground casualty gun, small arms fire 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 35
Marvin Edward Glassburn, 2nd Plt. Squad Leader, Sgt. USMC born 08/13/42 died ground casualty gun, small arms fire 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 31
Walter Ruben Shortt Weapons Plt. K-3-1-1; M-60 Team Leader, Cpl USMC born 04/01/43 died hostile ground casualty gun, small arms fire 03/21/66 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Panel 06E line 35

XUAN HOA

The helilift of Lieutenant Colonel Young's 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines began at 1600...The transport helicopters carrying Young's battalion flew low over open fields toward the hamlet, situated at the foot of a low lying hill...

According to the VMO-6 commander:

The hamlet was almost totally destroyed, but a few large mm tracers were fired at the flight and hit their mark.

The helicopter from HMM-163 rolled inverted and crashed, exploding and burning on impact. Seven 3d Battalion Marines and three crew members died in the wreckage. The pilot, 1st Lt. Noah H. Kraft, was thrown clear, but later died of injuries.

On the ground

The Marine infantry and ARVN met well-entrenched VC who had organized their defenses within a tree line and bamboo fence which surrounded the hamlet.

HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION

U.S. Marines in Vietnam 1966 By Jack Shulimson History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Washington, D.C.

Other K-3-1 Web Sites

Via the World Wide Web

For casualty information and location on the Vietnam Memorial Wall click on flag below