| Bartholomew, Tilmen Verges (BART), PFC | Fallen | |
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Last Known Activity patrick hanley pkhanley@chartermi.net Bart died in my arms. God bless him 3120 Avon Street Midland, Michigan48640 USA I knew Tilmen as 'Bart'. Bart & I were part of 3rd squad, 3rd platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. We were in an operation in what was called the Arizona territory. Early in the morning of August 12, 1969, a Bravo company squad on a listening post at the base of 3 hills engaged NVA regulars from across the paddy in a tree line. What was originally thought to be a light contact turned out to require a company size react 'online' across at least 150 feet of open rice paddy on a bunker complex. That company was Delta company & the 3rd squad, 3rd platoon was on the left side. As we approached the the tree line, we took heavier gun fire. We left the paddy into the treeline & during multiple bursts of machine gunfire back & forth, first at Bart & then at me - Bart died in my arms. It well could have been me, God Bless him & his family. I have many times, starting with the day that I was discharged from Great Lakes Naval hospital, regretted not flying to Louisiana to say these things in person. Bart & I came into the bush within days of each other in the summer of 1969, stood in the rain together, sweated on humps together, saw the stars of the southern hemisphere in jet black nights on night watch, shared C-rats laced with pilfered hot peppers from some garden along the Quang Nam south of Charly Ridge, west of hill 55 on road duty. Hill 55 was between DaNang & AnHoa. I remember we bought rice popcicles from the kids that had been wrapped in banana leaves & ice & stored in holes in the ground, probably brought from DaNang the day before for sale to young marines. As with many others, I remember him best with a towel drapped over his neck, he wore his helmet, many didn't, it seems he carried the M-79 at the time. Bart died in the Arizona territory, across the Quang Nam further south from the areas noted above. Bart - not going see your family was not out of disrespect - I went to see Wayne Morse when I was discharged - Wayne had lost his legs & was in a New Jersey Naval hospital. God Bless you & your family. |
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Comments/Citation PFC - E2 - Marine Corps - Regular Length of service 0 years His tour began on Jun 4, 1969 Casualty was on Aug 12, 1969 In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE Body was recovered Panel 19W - Line 18 |
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