Honoring 13 Marines Who Gave Their Lives in Vietnam Jan. 20, 1968

On this date in 1968, 13 Marines were killed in a fierce battle when they encountered a large North Vietnamese Army force at My Loc on the Cua Viet River. They were members of the 1st AMTRAC Battalion. Those who died were:

• Second Lieutenant Richard P. Reynolds, New York, NY
• Corporal Warren H. Ralya, Shalimar, FL (Navy Cross)
• Lance Corporal Donald F. Parker, Dalton, GA
• Lance Corporal Michele M. Roseberry, Marysville, OH
• Lance Corporal Rick D. Deeds, Carleton, MI
• Private First Class George A. Link, New Kensington, PA
• Private First Class Steve S. Sarossy, Fairview Park, OH
• Private First Class John Washington, Earle, AR
• Private First Class Stephen A. Guardino, Norristown, PA
• Private First Class Gerald F. Lenz, Whiting, IN
• Private First Class Clarence E. Mitchell, Cincinnati, OH
• Private First Class Fred H. Spear, Roseville, MI (died six days later in hospital)
• Private Paul M. Roberts, South Bend, IN

Corporal Ralya’s Navy Cross Citation reads, in part:

“Ignoring a painful injury and refusing to move to the protection of the vehicle, Corporal Ralya continued to fire his weapon until he was wounded a second time and knocked to the ground by the intense North Vietnamese fire. He had risen from the ground and continued to place
accurate fire toward the enemy when he was hit for the third time. Refusing medical attention, he handed his weapon to another Marine and, armed with hand grenades, began to crawl toward the enemy positions. 

“He had traveled only a short distance when he succumbed to his wounds. His determined fighting spirit, strong initiative and devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed substantially to the saving of his fellow Marines from further injury and possible death and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”