Today our walk was dedicated in honor of:
Marine LCPL John Harrison Hawley, Age 21 of Ladoga, IN.
KIA Apr 11, 1967 Vietnam
John the son of William R. Hawley and Jane W. Hawley of Indianapolis Indiana enlisted in the US Marine Corps on February 15 1966 in Indianapolis IN. In Vietnam he was assigned to and served with Company D, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During the beginning of April the Battalion was conducting operations from the Chu Lai Military Complex on the border of Quang Tin and Quang Ngai Provinces in support of Marine infantry units.
On April 11, a 16 man team departed to conduct a patrol in the Nui Kem area in the mountainous Hau Duc District of Quang Tin Province. During the extraction of the mission 2 kilometers south east of Nui Kim two Marines were stuck by a helicopter rotor blade as they were being lifted while the aircraft hovered over the steep terrain . One of the Marines were killed instantly, PFC John Hawley, was mortally wounded by being struck in the head and he died of his injuries at the Station Hospital NSA in Da Nang, Quang Nam Province.
We had a great 5.39 Mile walk today. What a beautiful day for a walk. We walked by Holiday Hills Lake and then headed towards town to the War Memorial Park. We then headed back towards the house. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today and I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero. We had 85 honks today. It was amazing. Thank you.
Marine LCPL John Harrison Hawley will not be forgotten !
