Date Posted:10:35:33 01/21/08 Mon Author:Jack O'Brien Subject: Re: PFC Bobby Lira In reply to:
Jack O'Brien
's message, "PFC Bobby Lira" on 10:32:31 01/21/08 Mon
>Looking for anyone that served with my buddy Robert
>(Bobby) Chagoya Lira from Indio, CA, India Co 3/1 KIA
>5 April 1969.
>
>Semper Fi
>Jack C Co 1/3 68-69
On 05 April 1969 India, Kilo, and Lima Companies, 3/1 Marines, were conducting sweeps in Quang Nam Province. At 1120, Lima began a river crossing and found themselves taking fire from a treeline on the opposite side of the river. India 3/1 was in a position to take the enemy in the flank and proceeded to do so - but by 1330 had found the enemy well entrenched and willing to fight. India 3/1 pressed the attack and by 1500 had forced the NVA to withdraw, leaving 72 bodies behind. The assault had been costly, though, with 9 men killed and 32 wounded in the action - and one of the wounded died later in the day. The dead were
2ndLt Steven E. Donaldson, Peabody, MA
2ndLt William S. Geary, Roslyn, PA
HM3 William E. Boone, Tuskegee, AL (H&S with India 3/1)
LCpl Stephen A. Daniel, Waco, TX
LCpl Paul R. Le Houllier, Somersworth, NH (Silver Star)
Pfc Richard T. Leavell, Jeffersonville, IN
Pfc Robert C. Lira, Indio, CA
Pfc Willie L. Lowe, Louisville, KY
Pfc Islam Ozger, New York, NY
Pfc Richard W. Perdue, Rocky Mount, VA
3/1 suffered another loss as well - LCpl Jimmie L. Forrest of Winona, MS, assigned to Kilo 3/1, was hit and killed by a bomb fragment during an air strike on a separate group of NVA soldiers.
