Jerry Levine
Jerry Levine was born 22-Jan 1949. Jerry served in the U.S. Marines from March 1967 until March 1973. He attained the rank of sergeant. He served in Golf (G) Company, 2nd Battalion, 26 Infantry Regiment of the 5th Marine Division.
The 26th Marine Regiment fought in the Vietnam War, participating in several operations, including the Battle of Khe Sanh. The Battle of Khe Sanh took place between January 21 and July 9, 1968.
Jerry was with the 26 Marines at LZ Margo. LZ Margo was a landing zone in Vietnam during the Battle of Khe Sanh. The Battle of Khe Sanh was a 77-day siege that took place between January 21 and July 9, 1968. The LZ Margo operation was a helicopter assault into the barren hilltop of LZ Margo, which was located south of the DMZ.
On 13-SEP 1968, 3/3 Marines was replaced 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines which sent out rifle companies north of LZ Margo. On 16 September the 2/26 Marines was ordered to prepare for airlift from Margo and the rifle companies were ordered back to the landing zone. That afternoon the command post at Margo was hit by over 150 rounds of mortar fire resulting in 21 U.S killed and 135 wounded. Two hours later a further mortar attack resulted in 1 U.S. killed and 11 wounded and the following day another mortar attack resulted in 1 U.S. killed and 16 wounded.
LZ Margo was within range of heavy weapons situated within the Demilitarized Zone, and while counter-battery artillery and air strikes were used against the NVA artillery they were less than effective in knocking out guns emplaced in caves and tunnels. Thirty Marines are known to have died at LZ Margo.
SGT Jerry Levine wanted to make sure they were remembered.
IN MEMORIAM
H and S Company, Second Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment
HN W.R Brees Jr. LCPL L. Brownbey
LCPL L.G. Bryan PFC P.F DeFazio
HN D.L. Eisenbraugh PFC M. Henderson
LCPL W. Moore LCPL Oskilenick
CPL W.T Parker LCPL D. Pollastro
PFC C.E. Peden PFC F.A. Skocich
HN D.L Songe
“ECHO” Company, Second Battallion, 26th Marines
PFC E. Cunningham LCPL G.R. Daffin
PFC J.M. Donahue PFC J.C. Durham
PFC D. Hunter CPL S.R. Pettit
LCPL H. Rivers LCPL J.E. Roble
SSGT J.O. Sanchez LCPL C. Spiller
SGT B. Strickland
“FOXTROT” Company, Second Battalion, 26th Marines
CPL R. Bradford LCPL D.B Freed
“GOLF” Company, Second Battalion, 26th Marines
PFC G.A. Cabano, Jr. CPL R.L. Knisely, Jr.
PFC G.L. Kunchier LCPL D. Moore, Jr.
CPL V. Perez, Jr. LCPL M.D. Personette
CPL T.N. Phillips PFC M.R. Ross, II
“HOTEL” Company, Second Battalion, 26th Marines
PFC D.L. Adams LCPL G.A. Bond
PFC M.H. Deschenen PFC D.G. Impson
PFC L.E. Kizzle PFC J.L. Marcum
PFC D.L. McDonald PFC R.J. Pointer
PFC S.J. Reichardt CPL W.E. Wykosdic
Mortar Battery, First Battalion, 12th Marines
HH3 C.W. Carothers 2ndLt W.C. Herndon
To Honor these, Who Gave their Lives
”THEIR LAND TO SERVE, THY LAW FULFILL”
We Assembled before Almighty God
on 21-Ocober 1968 in USS Princeton (LPH-5)
The 26th Marines were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions in the war. For a copy of this story, click on the pdf below.