Lcpl. David Dinehart, WIA August 12, 1969, packing up for the move south to the LZ Baldy/Ross area.
We thought we were moving to the end of the earth when we left the Dia La area. Today I probably drive that far, or more, everyday to work.
Sgt. William Adams, from 2nd platoon, had been in the area in an earlier tour. He told us that it was a rough area and we should expect a lot of contact.
Sgt. Adams was killed there on August 24th.
In the front from left to right: Frank Stewart, Gus Mann, Unknown, Tony Poole, Conway. Of the Marines in the rear only Clark "Powerhouse" Mills" on the far right is known.
Conway was wounded on August 26, 1969. We were moving along between the road and river that runs through Hiep Duc Valley. 1st platoon had the point. Hayward Peliholani was the point man on the right flank. Conway was second and I was third. The first mortar round dropped between and just to the right of Peleiholani and Conway. During the confusion of the next 20 minutes or so nobody noticed that they weren't around anymore. Later, when we had regrouped it was discovered that they were missing. Sgt. Ferguson got some men and went out looking for them. But it was dark by then and the area was knee high grass, so the couldn't find them.
I have always felt very guilty about this. They were in front of me and I should have noticed that they weren't there any more.
We went out again first thing in the morning looking for them. We found Conway when he sat up in the grass. He had been hurt pretty bad and was lucky to be alive. Peleiholani was dead.
David Dinehart visited Roary sometime after he got home from Vietnam. Dave visited Roary in the early 70's. He said that Roary had a lot of problems from his wounds. He had been shot in the hip and it had really messed up his leg. He had also had a sevear wound to the head.
Walsh was wounded August 29, 1969.