Eakin, Shelton Lee, 2ndLt

Col Don Price USMC Ret. pentrem@aol.com served with him A Marine's Marine I served with then GySgt Eakin at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado CA in the early 60's. He was an instructor in the recon school at the Landing Force Training Command. Tall, physically fit, and highly motivated, he was as handsome as a recruiting poster model. He was respected by everyone who came in contact with him. The Corps saw his potential, and made him an officer during the war. I understand he was killed by a mine while leading his troops out of a helo and off of a hot insertion LZ. Monday, May 17, 1999 A Note from The Virtual Wall From the MAG-36 Command Chronology for July 1966: "On the morning of 27 July, four UH-34D's from HMM-364, two UHlE's froia VMO-6 and two A-4's from MAG-12 attempted to insert a 20 man team fron the 1st Recon Bn at BT 164201. The landing was made near a frequently used LZ. A land nine was detonated by the team as they departed the aircraft. The blast produced 8 casualties: 5 members of the recon team and 3 members of the arcraft [crew]. The mission was aborted and the flight returned to KY HA. All the casualties were taken to 1st Med Bn. Examination of the aircraft after it returned to KY HA revealed approximately 500 schrapnel [sic] holes in the fuselage." 2ndLt Eakin appears to have the only fatality among the eight men injured by the mine.

Shelton Lee Eakin Second Lieutenant PERSONAL DATA Home of Record: Texarkana, Arkansas Date of birth: Sunday, 02/17/1935 MILITARY DATA Service: Marine Corps (Regular) Grade at loss: O1 Rank: Second Lieutenant ID No: 096591 MOS: 0302 Infantry Officer LenSvc: Between 14 and 15 years Unit: D CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV CASUALTY DATA Start Tour: Not recorded Cas Date: Wednesday, 07/27/1966 Age at Loss: 31 Remains: Body Recovered Location: Quang Tin, South Vietnam Type: Hostile, Died Of Wounds Reason: Other Explosive Device - Ground Casualty ON THE WALL Panel 09E Line 079.