LCpl.
William Buckles served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines,
Mike Company. He was Killed In Action during the 1968 TET Offensive
and was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously. LCpl. Buckles'
name stands proudly on the Mike 3/5 Wall of Honor.
Semper fi, Brother Marine. We will never forget.
2nd
plt.M Co. 3/5, late 1967
William Buckles is on the far right, picture courtesy of Tony
Martinez (front, center)
BUCKLES, WILLIAM T.
Silver Star Citation:
The President
of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star
Medal (Posthumously) to William T. Buckles, Lance Corporal, U.S.
Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion,
Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection
with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On the morning
of 6 February 1968, Company M was assisting an Army of the Republic
of Vietnam unit that was engaged with a numerically superior North
Vietnamese force. As the Marines maneuvered toward the enemy positions,
they came under a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons,
and mortar fire and sustained numerous casualties.
Disregarding
his own safety, Corporal Buckles moved across the fire-swept area
and, evacuating several wounded men to positions of relative safety,
skillfully administered first aid to the injured Marines. Observing
an enemy machine gun that had his platoon pinned down, he obtained
an M-79 grenade launcher and a pistol and fearlessly began maneuvering
toward the hostile emplacement. Unhesitatingly moving forward,
Corporal Buckles continued his aggressive assault until he was
mortally wounded. In large measure due to his heroic actions and
resolute determination, the enemy was forced to break contact
and flee.
By his courage,
intrepid fighting spirit, and selfless devotion to duty in the
face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Buckles inspired all
who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United
States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*********************
His
Corpsman Always Remembers
I
was with him when he died on 2/6/68. He and I both earned Silver
Stars and Purple Hearts that day. He paid a much high price. I
have always kept him in my thoughts as it was he who helped keep
this young rookie alive his first two months in-country. He shared
tapes and letters from home, laughs, and tears.
William Buckles
grave site
(click
to enlarge)
I visited his grave in FL in 1995 and left a Purple Heart and
a note for his family. After speaking to his brother, I learned
of the effects of his death on his family and other loved ones.
If he only knew how his death affected so many people. I'm sure
M/3/5 will have a reunion in a better place someday, and joke
and coke together again. Semper Fi.~Phil "Doc"
Stern (Friend/Doc in M/3/5)
(click
to enlarge)
Rubbing
of William Buckles' name from The Wall in DC, taken by Phil Stern
********************************************
A
great person whom I cared for a lot
I
went to school with Bill in Hollywood, Fla. I would love very
much to be in contact with his family or friends whom he served
with. I served in Viet Nam as well. I was with a Company in 1st
Marines in Da Nang near Freedom Hill exc and air base.~Jim
Kirby
********************************************
We
were high school classmates
