This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cpl Elizabeth Davis
to remember
Marine Capt William A. Griffis, III.
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Casualty Info
Last Address San Angelo
Casualty Date Jan 24, 1970
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Binh Thuy (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Fairmont Cemetery - San Angelo, Texas
Description Operation Kansas from 16 to 23 June 1966; Acting on 2d ARVN Div intelligence that the 2d NVA Division (AKA 620th NVA) with all three regiments, the 3d NVA, the 21st NVA, and the 1st VC had entered the strategic Que Son Valley that straddled the Quang Tin and Quang Nam provinces.
In June 1966, the 1st Marine Division began expanding its Tactical Area of Responsibility north into Quang Tin Province (today part of Quảng Nam Province). In order to interdict enemy fighters between Tam Kỳ and the Hiệp Đức District, Brigadier General William A. Stiles conceived of an extensive reconnaissance effort in the area.
The initial phase was to find the headquarters of the 2nd North Vietnamese Army near the Quế Sơn Valley, then exploit that in the second phase by engaging with eight battalions of Marine and Army of the Republic of Vietnam infantry.
Seven teams from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion were deployed in the area around Núi Lộc Sơn and Quế Sơn, ringing the valley. They were tasked to actively report on enemy activity via AN/PRC-25 radio, and to call in artillery fire and airstrikes.
