DIAS, RALPH E.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF
Place: Que Son Mountains, Republic of Vietnam
DIAS, RALPH E.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3rd Platoon,
Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF
Place: Que Son Mountains, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 12 November 1969
Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Born: 15 July 1950, Shelocta, Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Citation:
As a member of a reaction force which was pinned down by enemy fire while
assisting a platoon in the same circumstance, Pfc. Dias, observing that
both units were sustaining casualties, initiated an aggressive assault against
an enemy machine gun bunker which was the principal source of hostile fire.
Severely wounded by enemy snipers while charging across the open area, he
pulled himself to the shelter of a nearby rock. Braving enemy fire for a
second time, Pfc. Dias was again wounded. Unable to walk, he crawled 15
meters to the protection of a rock located near his objective and, repeatedly
exposing himself to intense hostile fire, unsuccessfully threw several hand
grenades at the machine
gun emplacement. Still determined to destroy the emplacement, Pfc. Dias
again moved into the open and was wounded a third time by sniper fire. As
he threw a last grenade which destroyed the enemy position, he was mortally
wounded by another enemy round. Pfc. Dias' indomitable courage, dynamic
initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and The U.S. Naval Service, He gallantly gave his life
in the service to his country.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: DIAS
First name: RALPH ELLIS
Home of Record (official): SHELOCTA
State (official): PA
Date of Birth: Saturday, July 15, 1950
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 195381053
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E2
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Monday, April 28, 1969
Date of Casualty: Wednesday, November 12, 1969
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 16W - Row 063
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