CPL.
JOHN WALTER REAGAN
Born
on Mar. 25, 1946
From LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Casualty was on July 22, 1966
in QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Panel
9E - - Line 59
Cpl.
John Reagan served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, India
Company. He was Killed In Action during Operation HASTINGS. His name
stands proud 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
Resting
easy, heading home
I served with John. We were, and still are, part of the best, India
3/5 1st Marine Division. Like others, I have written something about
these last few days. John was killed in a fierce ambush and fire fight
on a late July day in 1966. John had been incountry before, some of
the very early Marines. I don't recall if he saw combat or not, it
doesn't matter I guess. I know John was a leader and friends with
Cpl. Ridge. Seems Ridge and him were "tight buddies."
Like others, John was on point that afternoon and came under heavy
fire from the NVA down in the stream bed. The last time I saw John
was early evening after the fire fight. We were headed up a hill to
set in for the night, it was dark and wet. There were flares going
off overhead, I remember slipping as I went up the hill. I grabbed
for something to stop my fall, and there laying in the trail was John.
No shirt on, laying very peacefully, eyes closed. I found out later
that he was carried there, and died there. I remember being told later
that he asked to be put down, and told those with him that he was
resting easy and heading home. That's what I remember about that day
and John.
God
Bless.
Tom Gainer
