"Butch Plunkett (BG Cmdr 1962) Talks about his Viet Nam Experience

"Butch" Plunkett  HS 1960

  Thanks Cal - I have spoken to Earlene about this several times before -
  This is one of those nasty fights ( 23 KIAs, 40 WIAs 21 lost vehicles est
  150 NVA casualties ) in RVN that fell under the radar screen was not even
  included in the Marine Corps Archives until we did the "Road to the
  Graveyard". ( now accepted into the Archives )
  There were many heroes that day ( not me ), one even deserving of the
  Medal of Honor posthumously. These guys have been forsaken for 42 years
  and most have never received so much as a "how do you do" for their
  magnificent service.
  Now, we are blocked in our efforts to have several Marines considered for medals of     valor because of the "Statutes of Limitations". I know that the
  Corps will waive those requirements if it is in the interest of the Marine
  Corps to do so, they have done it before. So we are attempting to get as
  much publicity and attention as we can - I want to be in the position to
  embarrass the Corps into considering the awards. We do have support of
  several Senators, Congressmen and General Officers.
  I believe that with substantial Public Interest - the story is so rich
  that the Corps just might change their position.

  Example:
  During the fight at the "Bypass" HM3 Jerry Collier ( Corpsman ) could see
  Sgt Headlund ( Swede ) badly wounded, fall into the ditch, Swede was lying
  exposed to enemy fire, being hit with small arms fire. Jerry, in total
  disregard of his own safety, threw himself over Swede to render aid, Jerry
  was killed and we found his body laying over Swede as if to protect him.
  This is the stuff that should transcend mere "Statutes of Limitations".

  Swede was found alive, MedEvaced out that night but died the next day.
  There was only one survivor of the fight at the "Bypass" that was PFC
  Lenard Lindquist ( Link ) very badly wounded, floating in the adjacent
  rice paddy, he pretended to be dead, the water was so bloody that the NVA
  took his watch and ring and left him for dead, what a miracle!

  SO MANY THANKS FOR THE HELP remember www.2-7-68.com
  BTW The Marine Corps Gazette ( on line ) featured "The Road to the
  Graveyard" for the Month of Nov. 2009 - got very good reviews - this
  helped

LINK TO:    "ROAD TO THE GRAVEYARD"