Today my walk was dedicated in honor of:
Marine PFC James R. Hedger, Age 24 of Pontiac, MI.
KIA Feb. 4, 1968 Vietnam
He is honored at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall on Panel 37E, Line 11
James is buried at Perry Mount Cemetery in Pontiac, Mich.
a veteran of over six years of service he had reenlisted in the US Marine Corps on March 23 1967 in Detroit. He arrived in Vietnam on November 9 where he was assigned to and served with Company H, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
During the beginning of February the Battalion made heavy contact with the enemy forces in Thua Tien Province. Companies A and B bore most of the brunt of the Tet Offensive as they defended the MACV Compound and moved out to portions of Hue City to the south of the Perfume River. On February 4, the 3d platoon was a reaction force being transported on Highway 1 to Hue City when the vehicles and Marines were hit by a heavy volume of enemy fire. The Marines quickly debarked and assaulted the enemy eventually forcing them to break contact and retreat. Three Marines were killed in the action and several were wounded, one of the casualties was Cpl James Hedger who was killed by a hostile gunshot wound.
CPL Hedger was awarded: Purple Heart, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medals.
We had a great 11.23 Mile walk today. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today. I want to thank those who honked, waved, and saluted today in helping me honor this hero. You all are amazing.
Marine PFC James R. Hedger will not be forgotten !
