The Magnificent Bastards (30 page)

Maj. G. F “Fritz” Warren, BLT 2/4 S3, conducts a briefing in the unit’s Mai Xa Chanh West command post.
Courtesy W. Weise
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Lt. Col. Weise (left) and Maj. Warren celebrate Weise’s thirty-ninth birthday at Mai Xa Chanh West on 10 March 1968.
Courtesy W. Weise
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Sgt. Maj. John M. “Big John” Malnar, the BLT 2/4 sergeant major, during a moment of casual reflection at Mai Xa Chanh West.
Courtesy W. Weise
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1st Lt. Judson D. Hilton (without hat), BLT 2/4’s forward air controller at Dai Do, poses with his tactical air control party at Subic Bay, Philippines, in January 1968.
Courtesy J. D. Hilton
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Capt. James L. Williams led H BLT 2/4 during the initial assault on Dong Huan on 30 April 1968. He was seriously wounded by an enemy grenade.
Courtesy J. L. O’neill
.

LCpl. James L. O’neill, a sniper attached to H BLT 2/4, got one kill at Dong Huan on 30 April 1968, then two dozen more in Dinh To on 2 May.
Courtesy J. L. O’neill
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2d Lt. Bayard V. “Vic” Taylor (center), a former enlisted man, wound up as skipper of H BLT 2/4 in Dai Do.
Courtesy B. V. Taylor
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Capt. James H. Butler (holding canteen cup) was the CO of F BLT 2/4 during the Battle of Dai Do.
Courtesy W. Weise
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A trio of BLT 2/4 Marines check out a 12.7mm machine gun captured during the Battle of Dai Do.
Courtesy W. Weise
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1st Lt. George C. Norris (center) was killed, and GySgt. Norman J. Doucette (right) was badly wounded when their company, B/1/3, was attached to BLT 2/4 on 30 April 1968.
Courtesy N. J. Doucette
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SSgt. Robert J. Ward, H BLT 2/4, receives the Silver Star for his actions in Dong Huan, where he cleared an NVA trenchline while armed only with a shotgun and despite having been wounded twice.
Courtesy R. J. Ward
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Cpl. Richard J. “Mongoose” Tyrell, F BLT 2/4.
Courtesy R. J. Tyrell
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Capt. J. R. Vargas was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while commanding G BLT 2/4 in Dai Do.
Courtesy J. R. Vargas
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