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HM3 CHARLES EDWARD MARISKANISH
Born on Dec. 7, 1948
From BARNESBORO, PENNSYLVANIA
Casualty was on May 9, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM

Panel 57E - - Line 27

Charles E. Mariskanish
(Picture courtesy of Catherine Planisky, sister)

"Doc" Charles Mariskanish served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, India and Mike Companies. On 9 May 1968, he was with Mike Co. when they ran into an NVA Base Camp on Haivan Pass during Operation HOUSTON II. He was Killed In Action tending to his wounded Marines. Doc Mariskanish's name stands proudly on the India 3/5 Wall of Honor alongside his Marines and fellow FMF Corpsmen. Semper fi, Doc. We will never forget.

Operation HOUSTON II

(Click images to enlarge)

"Doc" Mariskanish (left) with Unidentified friend
(Picture courtesy of Catherine Planisky, sister)

3rd Battalion, 5th Marines FMF Corpsmen
"Doc" Everett Wood and "Doc" Charles Mariskanish (right)

(Picture courtesy of "Doc" Everett Wood)

M Co. 3/5 Marines and "Doc" Charles Mariskanish (sitting in the back, right)
(Picture courtesy of "Doc" Everett Wood)

HM3 Charles Edward Mariskanish

On 9 May 1968 while participating in Operation HOUSTON II in Quang Nam, Petty Officer Mariskanish's unit came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well entrenched force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars, wounding three Marines who fell in an open area. Repeated attempts to evacuate the casualties failed due to the heavy enemy automatic weapons fire.

Requesting his platoon to deliver covering fire, Petty Officer Mariskanish fearlessly crawled across the fire swept terrain on two separate occasions to evacuate the injured Marines.

As he attempted to reach the remaining casualty, Petty Officer Mariskanish was mortally wounded by the hostile fire.

By his extraordinary courage, resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Petty Officer Mariskanish saved the lives of two comrades and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Charles Edward Mariskanish
(Picture courtesy of Catherine Planisky, sister)

To my brother, Charles Edward Mariskanish

Our mother's first born...
Brother to nine siblings, six brothers and three sisters...

You are loved and remembered by your family today and always. I grew up without you in my life, but you will always be in my heart. Catherine Planisky

Bridge Dedicated to "Doc" Mariskanish, 29 July 2004

A bridge a mile from the home in which Doc Marishkanish was raised, was dedicated to his memory July 29, along Route 553 in Alverda, Pennsylvania (Indiana County).

Letter from "Doc" Mariskanish's sister, Cathy

I know I will never be able to put into words how beautiful yesterday, July 29, 2004, was for us. The sun shined from the minute the ceremony began until we hugged and kissed the very last Marine from 3/5 Mike Co. ... MY Marines, as they will forever be known to me... goodbye. I sincerely did not want any of them to leave.

Doc Wood, Frank Pacello, and Rocco Giambrocco spoke volumes to everyone at the ceremony. Their words comforted my family in a way that had not been possible for 36 years. They, along with the other Marines who took the time to be with us for this very special occasion ... Joe Smith, Art Diabo, Terry Otell, and Tom Carr... will forever be loved and greatly appreciated by my family and me. They represented the true devoted nature of the Marines so wonderfully!

Deb, without your wonderful website, none of this would have been possible. Had it not been for Charlie's memorial page and the collection of stories from the Marines, Scott Keirn - classmate of Charlie's - wouldn't have known anything nor would have been moved enough to make sure that the battle on Hill 1192 wouldn't be forgotten. He organized this dedication not only for Charlie, but for all of the members of 3/5.

Sincerely,
Cathy

Mike 3/5 Marines came from all over the country and from Canada) to pay their respects and meet his family including Terry Otell, former captain, Frank Pacello, "Doc" Everett Wood (close friend), Joe Smith, Rock Giambrocco, Art Diabo and Tom Carr.

Doc Mariskanish Shadowbox with medals including Silver Star

1. Rock Giambrocco and Doc Everett Wood
2. Dedication, Frank Pacello at the mike
3. Frank Pacello, Doc Mariskanish's former Skipper
4. Rock Giambrocco, he was on Haivan Pass when Doc Mariskanish was KIA

1. "Doc" Everett Wood, close friend, also there when Doc Mariskanish was killed
2 "Doc" Everett Wood with Charlie Mariskanish's mother, Helen
3. "Doc" Charlie Mariskanish gravesite

(FMF Corpsman title graphic by Redeye)
(FMF Corpsman Memorial graphic by Vic Vilionis, 7th Marines)

 

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