Fifteen Marines Left Behind

Part of being a Marine is knowing and believing that no matter what happens, you won't be left behind. It is a point of pride for the Marine Corps that "we don't leave our men behind". Well, there were at least 15 left behind on Sept 21, 1967. Now I know that some of you reading this are thinking we have left men behind before, but we go back and get them. While it is true that units have left men on the field of battle before, they usually go back and get them in a day or two. Well, the 15 left behind on Sept 21, 1967, were left laying out in the heat and rain for three weeks! During these three weeks the area was pounded by our planes and artillery. Who knows what else happened to them?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't know of any other instance where Marines were left on the field of battle for three weeks. If anyone knows of another case like this, please contact Bill, Bob, or Mark on this site. You are also invited to leave your comments. If we are wrong, we need to know.

Semper Fi,
Bill