The thirty-seven year old father of six was the "Recruiting Poster" Marine.  In Korea he had earned the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.  Now, in Vietnam, he was old enough to be the father of most of the 15 Marines and 2 Navy Corpsmen who were surrounded by 250 well armed enemy soldiers on Hill 488.

Moving through the darkness, the brave Gunnery Sergeant did his best to encourage his men.  Held together by sheer guts, determination, and the leadership of an aging warrior...the 18 men did their best to hold out through the night.  When they ran out of grenades their leader gave them an unusual order..."Throw rocks".   It worked!  In the darkness the enemy mistook the sound of rocks falling near them to be grenades and moved quickly into the open.

During the night, all members of the Marine patrol were wounded.  Six died.  But the brave Gunny's Marines had held.  When finally rescued, among the twelve survivors there remained only 6 rounds of ammunition.  For their heroic stand on Hill 488, the Marines and two Navy Corpsmen received 18 Purple Hearts, 4 Navy Crosses, 13 Silvers Stars, and 1 Medal of Honor.