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CPL. ROGER CONRAD GAUGHAN
Born on June 24, 1946
From BELCHERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS
Casualty was on May 1, 1967
in OFFSHORE, MILITARY REGION 1, SOUTH VIETNAM
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA

Panel 19E - - Line 5

Mike 3/5, 3rd Platoon 
Dennis Tylinski, Roger Gaughan (center), Bob G.
(picture courtesy of Dennis Tylinski)

Cpl. Roger Gaughan served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Mike Company. He was killed during Operation UNION when the medevac helicopter he was on crashed into the sea, killing him and most of the other wounded Marines onboard. Cpl. Gaughan's name stands proudly on the Mike 3/5 Wall of Honor. Semper fi, Brother Marine. We will never forget.

May 1, 1967
Kevin Kelly, 3rd platoon, M Co. 3/5

About 10-10:30 a.m. on May 1, 1967, I was shot while on Operation UNION. I was carrying a radio for Lt. Johnson of the 3rd Platoon.  Around 11 a.m. I was picked up with some other Marines and medevaced to a field hospital where they removed the bullet and tended to me and others.  

Just after dark, two helicopters came to take us to the hospital ship, the USS Sanctuary. The helicopter I was on was equipped to hold stretchers, and was loaded with all Marines on stretchers. The other helicopter took Marines on stretchers, and also those who could walk. 

A short while after we took off, I saw tracers going up and our window gunners firing down. I also saw the muzzle flashes from the gunner on the other chopper, so I know they also received fire. This lasted only a short time. We continued out over the ocean to the Sanctuary. The helicopter I was on landed on the Sanctuary first. While we were being unloaded, the other helicopter circled. Before the helicopter I was on took off, the other one crashed into the sea.  A few days later, some of those from that helicopter were recovered from the ocean by sailors from the Sanctuary. I always thought that the details of that tragedy had been passed on to relatives. I did not know it was listed as mechanical failure. I believe that it was due to enemy fire. Kevin Kelly

(See also Operation UNION and 1 May 1967 Memorial page)

M Co. 3/5 Marines Golden, Gaughan, Madeira
(Picture courtesy of Dennis Tylinski)

 Thought of often

Roger was one of my team leaders early in my tour. I remember Roger as being a very friendly guy. One of the first guys I met when I got to 'Mike." I had the camera, so some of the pics we took he sent home. As we were waiting for choppers to start Operation UNION, I got a letter from his mother saying how Roger mentioned my name and that I had taken the pics. Burned the letter as the choppers came so at the time never wrote back. Her last name was different than Roger's. Got another letter from her the following spring when I was at "GTMO", Cuba, if I remember, she said that they were setting up a memorial or something at the high school that he went to. 

When we were on Hill 69, Roger met and brought Sgt. John Bowers from mortars up to our tent. It's funny how you go halfway around the world to meet someone from your hometown. Sgt. Bowers was a year behind me in school, and I never new him. We still live in the same town, and I see him occasionally when his wife cuts my hair.~Semper Fi, Dennis Tylinski

Golden, Gaughan (kneeling), Ski, Budd, (can't remember name)
(Picture courtesy of Dennis Tylinski)

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