Today my walk was dedicated in honor of:
Marine SSGT Joe Gillespie, Age 37 of San Antonio, TX
KIA Sep. 11, 1967 Vietnam
He is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Panel 26E, Line 55.
He is buried in the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX.
He joined the Marines when he was only 15 during WWII. He remained in the Corps until about 1952. He joined the reserves and remained with them until he was called to active duty about 1965.
He joined the CAPS program in Vietnam and his unit of assignment was Subunit 4, Hq Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He was with CAPS units A-6 and A-9. He was killed September 11, 1967 when his A-6 compound was overrun at 3 A.M. The CAP Alpha-6 compound was located at Ga Xe Lua village, located on Highway QL-1 about halfway between Hue and Phu Bai. The attackers penetrated the perimeter, killed five Marines, seriously wounded 13 others (10 Marines, 3 PFs), and effectively destroyed the buildings and equipment within the compound before they withdrew, leaving eight of their dead behind.
SSG Gillespie was buried with full military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. He was survived by his wife, Bernice and his four children, a daughter and three sons. He was also survived by his father of El Paso and his mother, Mrs. Lea Workman of Midland.
SSGT Gillespie was awared the Purple Heart, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign medals.
We had a great 12.28 mile walk this morning. We walked by three fire stations and also walked by the 9\11 Memorial here in Crossville. We also stopped by the War Memorial Park down town . I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted. It was amazing. We had 175 honks. Thank you.
Marine SSGT Joe Gillespie will not be forgotten.
note: I will be posting photos at a later date for this walk. Thank you
