My heartfelt
condolences to you and your family. I just returned from The Wall.
I knelt and touched the name of Jack Fiffe, and said a prayer for
him, and bid him good-bye. I did the same for many others on that
same stone, and the one next to it. They are inscribed with the
men (boys) of Mike Company 3/5 who shed their blood together on
a sorry week in May 1968.
For years I
just called it Hill 1192, but the place was Haivan Pass on Hill
1192. We had climbed for days, and we reached a spot by a large
boulder on the 8th of May. We left the marked trail, and a short
time later two shots rang out. We took what cover we could on the
steep slopes. It was sniper fire-just two shots. They both scored.
Jack Fiffe was killed, and another Marine named Andrews was wounded,
but later died.
Jack never knew
what hit him, he was killed outright. He did not suffer. A chopper
was called in, and Jack's body was carried down the slope and evaced.
The patrol went on. I went to point with my fireteam, and a guy
from rockets named Jerry Lomax.
A short time
later, we found a grouping of rocks and beyond it were two hootches
and four NVA. There was a small fire going, and there were clothes
on the line. I saw a couple AK-47s, and we hunkered down and sent
back for the Gunny (Harville) to come up. He saw what was there
and told us to wait for a machine gun team to come up to help us.
Then he retreated to get the team. We did wait for a couple minutes,
but finally we just attacked. One of my guys stayed at the rocks
to cover our tail, one more swung to the right flank and came in
on that side, and Jerry and I attacked from the front. We killed
3 of the 4.
Over the next
several days we were cut to ribbons by an NVA Base Camp that was
the size of a small city. It housed a couple thousand or so NVA.
We lost a lot
of good boys up there. And dozens more wounded. The story never
got out because it was not good press to let the folks at home know
you had an NVA Base Camp a few clicks from your Regimental AO. Many
guys bled to death slowly because for days we could get no suppport
of evac. Most of those who did survive that battle were killed in
action over the next few months. There were more than 20 of us dead
up there, and times two wounded.~Semper Fi, Rock
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"Our
Jack"
The
following remembrances are from Shirley & Steve Adams
Cousins
Jack,
Yesterday May 31, 2004 was Memorial Day. We all attended the service
at the VFW Post to Remember You and all the Guys. Held the Grandaughter's
Real tight in respect and thanksgiving. I, Shirley, Caitlin and
Alison then went to your final resting place to place an American
Flag in your Honor Jack. You will never be forgoten Brother. Thanks
for our freedoom. We Love You and miss you very much. By the way,
we have a new Grandson. Steve's (He was 6 Mon Old when we lost you.)
His name is Jack Adams. What a strong name (Jack) Rest in Peace
Marine.
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Jack, Today
is May 26, 2003. Memorial Day. Attended the Service at the VFW Post
in Rememberance of You. Held my two Grandaughters real tight. You
will never be forgotten Brother. Thanks for our freedoom. We Love
and miss You, Steve and Shirley.
May 26, 2003
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Jack, Today
is Veterans Day, a time to remember you and all the Guys who gave
us our freedoom. You paid the ultimate price brother and you will
never be forgottten.Rest in Peace Marine.
November 11, 2002
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Jack,
It will soon be 34yrs. I can still see us walking over the bridge
the day before you left to become a Marine, as you said, to go to
fight this War with the best. You are and will always be a part
of our family. Our children Steve and Kathleen both know you although
Steve was only 6 months and Kathleen wasn't born yet, and I know
they have a special Love and Respect for your Memory. Now Caitlin
and Alison our Grandaughters will be able to know you Jack, through
your Legacy. We think of you often, especially this time of year.
Thank you for the utimate sacrifice for our Family's freedom. God
Bless you Jack, Rest in Peace!
May 9, 2002
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On
the anniversary of your death, we Remember and Honor your sacrifice.
May you Rest in Peace.
May 8, 2002
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Jack: It is
almost spring time again and May 8th is approching fast. I can still
see you and I coming back from our walk across the Menands Bridge
and you talking about your excitement of becoming a Marine and leaving
the next day for boot camp and going to fight this War. Just thinking
how much we all miss you, Brother. How very Proud and Greateful
we are Jack! We Love You! Rest in Peace my Brother.
April 04, 2002
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Veterans Day
2001: Jack it has been 33 yrs now but we will never forget what
you sacraficed for us. You and all the "Guy's" will never
be forgotten, Semper Fi Cousin, May God Bless and Keep You and all
fallen Brothers.
November 11, 2001
