PFC.
STEPHEN RANDALL KITTLE
Born
on Dec. 14, 1946
From HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
Casualty was on July 24, 1966
in QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Panel
9E - - Line 69
Pfc.
Stephen Kittle
Picture courtesy of Dick Weber, I/3/5
Pfc.
Stephen Kittle served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines,
India Company. He was Killed In Action during Operation HASTINGS in
Quang Tri Province at the DMZ. His name stands proudly on the India 3/5 Wall of
Honor alongside the Marines he fought and died with. Semper fi,
Brother Marine. We will never forget.
Operation
HASTINGS
Pictures
courtesy of Dick Weber, I/3/5
(click to enlarge)
Marko
Whitely, Stephen Kittle, Houghton (from Canada)
Marko (kneeling), Kittle, Weber, Houghton
after first mail call in Vietnam
On leave in Olongapo, Phillipines
Dick Weber, Steve Kittle, unknown Marine, Sgt. Simpler and Robin "Tink"
Arnold
Best
Friends
We
were good friends in the same platoon, and had some very good times
together. We were the same age, and my innocence was lost with you.
One day I found myself drawing a body bag on my bedroom wall, and
when I got to the toe tag it was too small for Steve's name so I used
Sgt. Andy as a metaphor. I know Steve did not have any children, I
in the end had two. Maybe the stanza is for me, or something that
could have been for Steve. As I wrote the name on the tag, I started
hearing the sound of marching feet in my head. Hup two three four,
hup two three four. It is the rythm of the poem.
SGT.
ANDY
Sgt.
Andy
Proud Marine
Sgt.
Andy
Fighting machine
Sgt.
Andy
Father twice
Sgt.
Andy
Thoughtful nice
Sgt.
Andy
Flesh to clay
Sgt.
Andy
Died today
God speed my friend. I told your story like I said I would. Promise
kept Bro.
Semper Fi always,
Marko Whiteley
India 3/5 website
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