My Dad the Runner

This book is written to honor those men who so gallantly fought during the 77 day siege of Khe Sanh that started in January 1968. Where 5000 Marines and 1000 South Vietnamese Army Regulars stood fast and held their ground at President Johnsons request. We give special tribute to the men from Bravo company 1st platoon 1/26 Marines who assaulted the trench in front of our perimeter and nobody came back alive. Our lieutenant (FO) forward observer and his radio operator didnt make it out alive either. I also want to give special tribute to the 42 Marines whos C - 123 that was shot down coming back to Khe Sanh and crashed on the side of a nearby hill. We had 3 men coming back to A Btry 1/13 on that plane. Two were coming back from previous wounds and one was coming back from R&R. their names were Larry Kennedy, George Elliott III and the third I could no longer remember his name. To my younger brothers who is also a Vietnam Marine Veteran Gilbert Ramirez. To the Marines from A Btry 1/13 who stood fast and hand artillery duels with a very aggressive enemy. They say that there was thirty to forty thousand North Vietnamese all around us. How can I forget my neighbor Tony Zavala who grew up with me and we ended up on Hill 10 together after we were ordered to abandon Khe Sanh. I believe everyone who fought during the siege of Khe Sanh should get a Bronze Star because they were all heros; could some congressperson make that happen; during an upcoming Veterans day ceremony.