This Military Service Page was created/owned by
PFC James E. Franklin (Slim)
to remember
Marine HM3 William Ray Broad.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Tulsa, OK
Last Address Pensacola, FL
Casualty Date Jan 28, 1967
Cause KIA-Died of Wounds
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Quang Ngai (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Bixby Cemetery - Bixby, Oklahoma
Wall/Plot Coordinates 14E 090/Block 5 Lot 101 Space 7
William enlisted in the US Navy on January 29,1959 in San Franciso CA, we was the loving father of daughters Stacey Marie and Connie Lynn Broad of Pensacola FL. With orders for duty in Vietnam, HN3 Broad arrived in Chu Lai on November 14, 1966 and was assigned to H&S Company attached to Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During Operation DESOTO on a search and clear mission after seizing their objective some of the villagers told the Marines of Company M that there were many enemy Viet Cong to the east, across the Quan river in the village complex of Tan Tu. Pressing onward, Company M maneuvered one platoon and the command group to the west side of the river while the rest of the men moved into the hamlet of Tan Tu.
Entering the hamlet the advancing Marines encountered some harrasing sniper fire, pressing onward they were suddenly hit with a heavy volume of fire criss crossing their avenues of approach from well fortified bunkers and trenches which stopped their advance. Unable to move forward and under heavy enemy fire, supporting artillery and air support was requested. Using the support enabled the men to retrieve their casualties and withdraw across the river. After establishing a defensive perimeter they were finally able to evacuate their casualties under the cover of darkness.
Four Marines were killed in the action, as well as two Navy Corpsmen including HM3 Broad who died as a result of an enemy gunshot wound from the hostile fire.
Posthumously promoted to HM2, he was also presented with the Silver Star Medal posthumously "For conspicuous gallantry and inrtrepidity in action ....on 28 January 1967..."
Casualties:
William Ray Broad Jackya Kederis Grant Joe Franklin Kelley Fred Lewis Pedersen Pedro Arnado Swenson Russell Mark Wagner
