Paul
Cletus Latender served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines,
M Company.He entered in the USMC on September 27, 1968 and was discharged
March 11, 1970 with 1year, 5 months, and 15 days of active duty. He
did 11 months and 6 days incountry. He was awarded the National Defense
Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/1*, Vietnam Campaign Medal
w/1*, and the Combat Action Ribbon.Semper Fi, Brother Marine. We will
never forget.
We
Served Together
I
got to M Co. 3/5 sometime in late Feb. of '69, and left in the middle
of May. I think I got in there replacing everyone from "Operation
TAYLOR COMMON." I saw Paul Latender and spent some time with
him. I was hit May 4, '69 in a village and never went back, heard
we were hit pretty bad back at An Hoa about 10 days after. I don't
know what happened after I left. I re-met Paul at a Veterans Pow Wow,
he said he was healing through their way of life.~Fernando
Rodriguez, 0351 Mike Co. Mortars, 1969
I feel the Vietnam
War contributed to Paul's death. After his death he was approved for
Agent Orange, too late. He left one daughter; Kathy Morning Star Latender.~Honey,
Paul's sister
(3/5
Memorial Wall graphic by Vic Vilionis, 7th Marines)
