This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Pamela LaVerne Jeans-Historian
to remember
Marine PFC Henry Vassallo.
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Contact Info
Date of Passing Dec 24, 1953
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
St John's Cemetery Queens County Long Island, NY
Other Comments:
1953 Details behind Award The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY AND MARINE CORPS MEDAL posthumously to
CORPORAL HENRY R VASSALLO, UNTIED STATES MARINE CORPS,
for services as set forth in the following
Citation:
"For heroic conduct in attempting to rescue the occupants of a crashed helicopter in Korea on the 24 Dec 1953. While on duty at an observations post on the top of an extremely high and precipitous ridge, Cpl Vassallo observed a helicopter approaching a landing pad adjacent to his position. While hovering approximately twenty-five feet above the landing area, the helicopter suddenly dropped and side-slipped onto the pad, damaging the landing gear and resting precariously on the edge of a cliff with a sheer six-hundred and fifty-foot drop. Aware of the plight of the passengers, Cpl Vassallo rushed forward to the imperiled aircraft and crawled under the large horizontal rotor in an attempt to assist the occupants from the plane before the vibration of the rotors could force the helicopter over the precipice. As he gallantly moved forward, a portion of the damaged landing gear collapsed and one of the revolving rotor blades struck him, inflicting fatal injuries. By his inspiring initiative, courageous actions and self sacrificing efforts in behalf of others, Cpl Vassallo upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others."
3rd Battalion 2nd Marines (3/2) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. Nicknamed the "Betio Bastards," they fall under the command of the 2nd Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division.
World War II
Activated 18 January 1941 at San Diego, California. They were assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade during February 1941. Deployed to Koro Island with the 2nd Marine Division in June 1942. The battalion participated in the following World War II campaigns:
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Saipan
Tinian
Okinawa
During the Battle of Tarawa, the battalion participated in the amphibious assault on and capture of the small island of Betio in the Tarawa atoll, earning them the nickname "the Betio Bastards."
Following the war the battalion stood occupation duty in Kagoshima, Japan until February 1946 when they redeployed to Camp Pendleton, California. The battalion was deactivated on 27 March 1946.
Post World War II history
3/2 was reactivated on 28 December 1950 at Camp Pendleton, and were again assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. They deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962
The battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 and participated in Operation Desert Storm in early 1991. In 1994 they participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise.
Global War on Terror
In 2003, 3/2 deployed to Kuwait as part of Task Force Tarawa and beginning in March supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion participated in the battle of Nasiriyah .During this deployment 3/2 had 1 Marine, Sgt. Nicholas M. Hodson, of Springfield, MO killed in action.
During 2004, 3/2 was designated as the AT (anti-terrorism) battalion and was assigned to different areas around the globe. The battalion was spread between Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Cuba.
The battalion again deployed to Iraq in February 2005. The battalion launched major combat operations Operation Matador, Operation Spear, and Operation Quick Strike. They conducted security and stabilization operations in Al Anbar Province until September 2005. During this deployment 3/2 had 3 Marines killed in action.
The battalion again deployed to Iraq in the July 2006. They conducted security and stabilization operations in the Al Anbar Province in the city of Habbaniyah until mid February 2007. During this deployment the battalion had 14 Marines killed in action.
The battalion again deployed to Iraq in October 2007 operating in the Al Qaim region of the Al Anbar Province with Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army. During this deployment the battalion suffered a few casualties, and had a widespread area of operation along the Syrian border and Euphrates river. The Battalion again deployed to the Persian Gulf in May-December 2009 as the Battalion Landing Team for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. In January 2010 the battalion was dispatched as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to take part in the relief effort following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
In February 2011, 3/2 was deployed to the Musa Qal'eh and Now Zad districts of Helmand Province, Afghanistan to engage in combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 3/2 returned in September 2011.