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Pfc. James William Blake and Cpl. Lawrence Allen Hayes served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Mike Company. They were Killed In Action on 3 August 1969 during Operation DURHAM PEAK in the Que Son Mountains. Their names stand proudly on the Mike 3/5 Wall of Honor. Semper Fi, Brother Marines. We will never forget.

CPL. LAWRENCE ALLEN HAYES
Born on July 15, 1948
From TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA
Casualty was on Aug. 3, 1969
in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Panel 20W - - Line 91

Larry Hayes went by L.A. Hayes...Everyone knew him as LA

LA, I was on R&R and when I got back I heard about your heroic action. I saw this "grit" in you the moment I joined "Mike Co.". Bless you and Semper Fi~ Chris Hamner, Mike 3/5

(click to enlarge)
SEA TIGER article, 3 August 1969
(courtesy of Chris Hamner)

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James William Blake, late Spring '69
(Picture courtesy of Barbara, former girlfriend)

PFC. JAMES WILLIAM BLAKE
Born on Aug. 16, 1949
From SANDUSKY, OHIO
Casualty was on Aug. 3, 1969
in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Panel 20W - - Line 91

Mike 3/5 Brother

Served with Jim in '69 until his death. I happened to be on R & R when it happened. His body was identified by Dennis Mahilo in Da Nang. Semper Fi buddy! Chris Hamner

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My dear brother

I have typed this message so many times, always unable to complete. Perhaps this time I will submit. I was a child, eleven days shy of 8 yrs. when you left this world. I remember vividly when, where and how we were notified of your death. Not a day has passed that our family has not held you close to our hearts. Not a day that we have forgotten your sacrifice. I celebrate your life, your thoughts and ideas, your dreams. What I remember most about you was your love for your little sister. Rest in peace dear brother, for we shall meet again.~Susan Wade

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The hero I never knew

You were my uncle, my father's brother and I took on your name. Even though you died way before my time, I still honor you every day and feel so very close to you. People ask what is in a name? For me, my name reflects a hero, a young man who went thousands of miles away from everything he knew to a place where such hate takes over every being. I guess you will only know how much you mean to me in spirit and maybe one day we will meet and on that day I can show you how proud I am to bear your name. Jamie Natole (I would have been his niece).

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