M
Co. 3/5 Marines and "Doc" Charles Mariskanish (sitting in
the back, right)
(Picture courtesy of "Doc" Everett Wood)
HM3
Charles Edward Mariskanish
On
9 May 1968 while participating in Operation HOUSTON II in
Quang Nam, Petty Officer Mariskanish's unit came under intense
automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well entrenched
force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars, wounding three Marines
who fell in an open area. Repeated attempts to evacuate the
casualties failed due to the heavy enemy automatic weapons
fire.
Requesting
his platoon to deliver covering fire, Petty Officer Mariskanish
fearlessly crawled across the fire swept terrain on two separate
occasions to evacuate the injured Marines.
As
he attempted to reach the remaining casualty, Petty Officer
Mariskanish was mortally wounded by the hostile fire.
By
his extraordinary courage, resolute determination and selfless
devotion to duty at great personal risk, Petty Officer Mariskanish
saved the lives of two comrades and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
|
Charles
Edward Mariskanish
(Picture
courtesy of Catherine
Planisky,
sister)
To
my brother, Charles Edward Mariskanish
Our mother's first born...
Brother to nine siblings, six brothers and three sisters...
You are loved
and remembered by your family today and always. I grew up without
you in my life, but you will always be in my heart.
Catherine
Planisky
Bridge
Dedicated to "Doc" Mariskanish, 29 July 2004
A bridge a mile
from the home in which Doc Marishkanish was raised, was dedicated
to his memory July 29, along Route 553 in Alverda, Pennsylvania (Indiana
County).
Letter
from "Doc" Mariskanish's sister, Cathy
I know I will
never be able to put into words how beautiful yesterday, July 29,
2004, was for us. The sun shined from the minute the ceremony began
until we hugged and kissed the very last Marine from 3/5 Mike Co.
... MY Marines, as they will forever be known to me... goodbye. I
sincerely did not want any of them to leave.
Doc Wood, Frank Pacello, and Rocco Giambrocco spoke volumes to everyone
at the ceremony. Their words comforted my family in a way that had
not been possible for 36 years. They, along with the other Marines
who took the time to be with us for this very special occasion ...
Joe Smith, Art Diabo, Terry Otell, and Tom Carr... will forever be
loved and greatly appreciated by my family and me. They represented
the true devoted nature of the Marines so wonderfully!
Deb, without your wonderful website, none of this would have been
possible. Had it not been for Charlie's memorial page and the collection
of stories from the Marines, Scott Keirn - classmate of Charlie's
- wouldn't have known anything nor would have been moved enough to
make sure that the battle on Hill 1192 wouldn't be forgotten. He organized
this dedication not only for Charlie, but for all of the members of
3/5.
Sincerely,
Cathy
Mike 3/5 Marines
came from all over the country and from Canada) to pay their respects
and meet his family including Terry Otell, former captain, Frank Pacello,
"Doc" Everett Wood (close friend), Joe Smith, Rock Giambrocco,
Art Diabo and Tom Carr.
Doc
Mariskanish Shadowbox with medals including Silver Star
1.
Rock Giambrocco and Doc Everett Wood
2. Dedication, Frank Pacello at the mike
3. Frank Pacello, Doc Mariskanish's former Skipper
4. Rock Giambrocco, he was on Haivan Pass when Doc Mariskanish was
KIA
1.
"Doc" Everett Wood, close friend, also there when Doc Mariskanish
was killed
2 "Doc" Everett Wood with Charlie Mariskanish's mother,
Helen
3. "Doc" Charlie Mariskanish gravesite
(FMF Corpsman
title graphic by Redeye)
(FMF Corpsman Memorial graphic by Vic Vilionis, 7th Marines)
