This Military Service Page was created/owned by
LCpl Robert Knight (Bob)
to remember
Marine 2ndLt Thomas Drew Brindley.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Saint Paul
Last Address Saint Paul
Casualty Date Jan 20, 1968
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Quang Tri (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Maplewood, Minnesota
INDIA 1/26 PATROL VICINITY HILL 881N, 9 KM W-NW OF KHE SANH AFLD 19680120
UTM grid reference is XD773453
Honored to have fought under your command. India Co., 3rd Platoon, Machine Guns, Addison Cpl (Hill 881) 20 February 1968, Semper Fi, Lieutenant
Comments/Citation:
Service number 0101761/2259919
Tour start date 10/01/1967
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to
SECOND LIEUTENANT THOMAS D. BRINDLEY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced) in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 January 1968. Lieutenant Brindley's unit was maneuvering toward Hill 881 near Khe Sanh when the lead elements suddenly came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire and sustained several casualties. Reacting instantly, he directed a heavy volume of fire against the enemy and moved his second squad to the point of heaviest contact. Despite the tall elephant grass which restricted movement, he effec- tively deployed and controlled his men, while suppressing the hostile fire sufficiently to enable the casualties to be taken from the area.
Quickly shifting his unit to the base of the hill, under covering fire, Lieutenant Brindley led an aggressive assault against the opposing force which was entrenched in well fortified positions supported by .50 caliber machine gun emplacements. Ignor- ing the fire impacting around him, he continuously moved among his men, encouraging them, controlling the squads and directing his unit's return fire. As the Marines reached the crest of the hill and overran the North Vietnamese positions, they again came under intense fire and suffered additional casualties. In an attempt to pinpoint the source of enemy fire, Lieutenant Brindley, while freely moving throughout the fire-swept area, was struck by hostile fire and fell mortally wounded.
By his inspiring leadership and unyielding devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds, he upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
