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GySgt Edward Aguilar (Gunny)
to remember
Marine Sgt Vince Aguilar.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Vincente Aguilar, Jr. (MCSN: 2334659), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 May 1968, Company G was attacking a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force occupying the village of Dai Do in Quang Tri Province when the Marines came under a heavy volume of hostile artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire and sustained numerous casualties. Reacting quickly, Private First Class Aguilar moved through the hazardous area to a dangerously exposed position and directed accurate suppressive machine gun fire against the enemy, enabling his platoon to regroup and evacuate its casualties. Observing four hostile soldiers crawling down a path toward his platoon, he immediately took them under fire, killing all of them. Having nearly exhausted his ammunition supply, Private First Class Aguilar fearlessly moved about the hazardous area and rapidly collected additional ammunition for his weapon. Noticing a North Vietnamese soldier attempting to envelop his gun position, he killed the man and seized his weapon. As he returned to his position, he alertly observed two injured Marines lying 100 meters to his front. With complete disregard for his own safety, he crossed the fire-swept area to aid his wounded comrades. Although they had succumbed to their wounds, he resolutely carried one casualty to his perimeter and started moving toward the other one when his unit resumed its attack. Moving forward, the platoon received heavy automatic weapons fire from an enemy bunker. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private First Class Aguilar unhesitatingly maneuvered toward the hostile emplacement and destroyed it with a hand grenade, killing three enemy soldiers. Continuing his determined efforts, he again exposed himself to the intense enemy fire and, while obtaining additional machine gun ammunition, was seriously wounded. By his courage, gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Aguilar upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase IV Campaign (1968)/Operation Kentucky / Battle of Dai Do
From Month/Year
April / 1968
To Month/Year
May / 1968
Description Some of the most prolonged and vicious combat of the war opened on 29 April and lasted until 30 May when the 8,000 men of the 320th PAVN Division, backed by artillery from across the DMZ, threatened the U.S. logistical base at Dong Ha, in northwestern Quảng Trị Province.
On 29 April 1968, the 2/4 Marine Battalion Landing Team of the 3rd Marine Division, locked horns with an NVA Division (304th) in the 'ville" of Dai Do on the Cua Viet River 'horseshoe' just south of the DMZ (I Corp RVN). Intelligence had tipped our Forces that an entire NVA Division was in the first stage of a major march to seize and destroy the 3rd Marine Division Headquarters at Dong Ha. The Army’s grunt rifle battalion 3/21st Infantry, 196th LIB (out of the Americal) was attached to the 3rd Marine Division on May 1st to help quell the NVA’s intentions.
The stubbornness of the NVA was stunning (as was always the case), though they out-numbered the US troops three to one. And though the loss of American lives was staggering (one is too many), the courage and the stamina of the Marines and Army was valorous. The campaign was marked by constant bombing and shelling (aerial, land based and Naval Cruiser USS Boston). At several points the US Military powers used experimental 2000 lb bombs, when the village areas (Dai Do, Dinh To, Dong Huan, An Lac, Thuong Do and Nhi Ha) turned into a NVA hornet nest. The 3rd Marines officially list the series of actions as ended on May 15 1968 and labeled it (during Operation Night Owl) as the Battle of Dai Do. The Americal classifed it as a continuance of Operation Napoleon.
In what became known as the Battle of Dai Do, the North Vietnamese clashed savagely with U.S. Marine, Army, and ARVN forces before withdrawing.
List of Casualties:
3d Marines Division- 233 KIA 821 WIA 1 MIA
3/21 Infantry 196th LIB- 29 KIA 130 WIA 1 MIA
Navy TF Clearwater- 15 KIA 22 WIA
ARVN- 42 KIA 124 MIA
NVA- 2945 KIA 47 POW
From the start of the battle, the CO of the Marines 2/24 BLT, LT COL William Weise had great concern about airmobility. He requested that the Army provide helicopter support for resupply, extraction, insertion and medevac. The 174th AHC provided that airmobility for the entire battle. There were three Dolphin Slicks and Crews that accomplished this.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
April / 1968
To Month/Year
May / 1968
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember G 2/4 Capt jay Vargas was awarded the Medal of Honor for action at DaiDo
