US Marine PFC Gary Lee Hall, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Covington, Kentucky.
US Marine Private First Class Gary L Hall was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, PFC Hall served our country until July 21st, 1976 in Cambodia. He was 19 years old and was not married. Gary was declared missing in action. His body was not recovered. Gary was born on July 26th, 1956 in Covington, Kentucky. PFC Hall is on panel 01W, line 130 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
A friend who may be lost but never forgotten. Gary was a guy who when you were with him, everything was the best there was. Never a dull moment with him. Hhe would never let you be sad. He would always cheer you up and was the most considerate person I ever new. I will always remmember him and cherish the times we had. No matter if you were young or old, he could always talk to anyone. Gary was a great guy. He was my best freind. James Brockman, 1563 Holman Street, Covington, Ky 41011.
I just read the article in the May 2005 issue of VFW magazine. Gary and I went through Boot Camp together. The First and Last KIA I saw Gary's picture and recognized him. We went through Boot Camp at P.I. together, PLT 387 Graduated Dec. 1974. After all these years I remembered him, but never knew he was KIA. He was a model Recruit and a great guy. It was a pleasure knowing him for the short time we spent togeather. SEMPER FI! Thank you. REST IN PEACE MARINE. Richard Sachs, 13712 Birch Road, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.
Rest In Peace my Brother! It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. A Poem Author Unknown: "Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints upon the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die!" Semper Fidelis, Former Sergeant of Marines, Vietnam 1966 - 1967, Bob Heise.
I DONT KNOW YOU, IN FACT I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN YOU BEFORE BUT YOU ARE STILL IN MY PRAYERS. I BOUGHT A P.O.W. BRACELET AND I GOT YOUR NAME. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND MY HEART. FROM THE DAY I RECIEVED YOUR BRACELET I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT YOU. IF ANYBODY WHO READS THIS HAVE ANY IMFORMATION ON GARY PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]. CASSIE B.
GARY YOU AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER AND PLAYED WITH OUR HOTWHEEL CARS AND AFTER WE GOT OUT OF SCHOOL HAD THE GREATEST TIME WHEN YOU CAME HOME FROM LEAVE BEFORE LEAVING ON THAT LAST JOURNEY YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART FREIND AND ARE REMEBERD ALWAYS I WEAR YOUR M.I.A. BRACELET AND HAVE HOPE FOR YOU ALWAYS, James Brockman
Gary Hall was an individual who has died far too young (like so many others). Gary never had the opportunity to enjoy a free and simple life. From his childhood of parental oppression to that day of "becoming a man," Gary was well liked and will be remembered by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Gary, even 25 years later, you are still in my memories as one who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. May you rest in peace, wherever you are, and may you one day be able to return home so that those of us who truly cared, will be able to show you and the 17 others missing from that fateful day, the respect and give you the honors you so justly deserve. Ernest M.(Marty)Smothers.
I wear his POW/MIA bracelet: I put this bracelet on almost 14 years ago this month. I was newly married and my husband was a PFC in the Army, I picked your bracelet out of a box of at least 50, there were 3 things that drew me to yours... 1st the date, 15 May 75, I would have been 8 months old, and it was my wedding day 15 May 93, 2nd my husband was a PFC at the time as were you, and third, you were a marine. My father in law is a MArine. As he tells me once a Marine always a Marine. I have worn this bracelet everyday and will continue to, to remind me...thank you. Thank you so much for all that you sacrificed. I have never seen your picture until today. I touched your name 3 weeks ago in DC. Thank you for always listening and being here for me, I wish I had known you. Always. Lori Crader, 5 Markham Street, Ft Bragg NC.
Daughter/Niece of a friend: I'm not old enough to remember Gary although I know that at one place in time we must have met. However, my parent's, grandparents, aunt and uncle (Jon Hornbeck better known as "Hoss" referred to as "Country Boy Hoss" in The Last Battle)knew him well and they have often spoken of him and remembered him. He was and is greatly loved and missed! Even, by those of us who only know him through the memory of others. ~~ NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN, THAN HE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER. Tracy Lynn Hornbeck-Hoskins, 289 Blue Jay Circle, Falmouth, Ky 471040.
The Mayaguez Incident: After the fall of Cambodia and South Vietnam to the Communists, Cambodian forces captured the US-registered ship SS MAYAGUEZ, taking her to the offshore island of Koh Tang. President Gerald Ford directed that the ship should be recaptured and her crew freed by use of force. The USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) battle group and an assault group from the 9th Marines were directed to land on the island and retake the ship and crew. Although intelligence estimates indicated that the island was lightly held, in fact there were a considerable number of Cambodian troops in place - and they had hand-held weapons suitable for use against helicopters. The Marines staged through U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand and were landed by USAF CH-53A helicopters. As the helicopters approached shore, the aircraft were taken under fire and four were brought down: One had disembarked its troops and ditched offshore; the crew was picked up. One went down in the surfline and all aboard made it ashore. One went down in the surfline with a single casualty. One went down offshore; eleven Marines and two Navy Corpsmen were not rescued. In a sense the rescue effort was successful - the ship was recaptured and its 39 crewmen recovered - but the cost was high: 50 wounded and 17 unaccounted for ... 14 servicemen believed killed in the downed helicopters, one known dead Marine whose body could not be recovered, and three missing Marines ashore (PFC Gary Hall, LCpl Joseph Hargrove, and Pvt Danny Marshall). Eventually the US and Cambodian governments agreed to attempt the recovery of remains from the raid and in 1995 a number of human remains were repatriated. During May and June of 2000, the US government announced the positive identification of nine of the missing men. As of 06 December 2004, nine men who participated in the MAYAGUEZ raid haven't come home:
PFC Gary Lee Hall, 2/9 Marines, was one of those Men.
He served with Echo Company, 2nd Battaion, 9th MArines, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
PFC Gary Lee Hall was declared MIA along with Joseph Nelson Hargrove and Danny G Marshall
∼Marine Pfc Hall was assigned to E Co., 2nd Bn., 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Div., (machine gun team). Gary joined the Marines soon after graduating from Holmes High School in 1974. Less than a year later, he was one of the 200 Marines sent to rescue the 40-man crew of the SS Mayaguez, a U.S. merchant ship seized by Cambodian Khmer Rouge troops. Unknown to the Marines, the Khmer Rouge had released the crew and hundreds of heavily armed Cambodians were waiting on Koh Tang, an island 30 miles off the coast of Cambodia instead. On May 15, 1975, a fierce battle between the two sides began and 15 Americans were killed in action immediately. The Marines aborted the mission and in the confusion, three men were left behind – Pfc Gary Lee Hall, Lance Cpl Joseph N. Hargrove, and Pvt Danny G. Marshall. It will probably never be known how long they fought on. Later eyewitness accounts said one Marine was captured the day after the battle and executed on the spot. The two other Marines managed to evade capture for a couple of days to a couple of weeks (the story varies). When captured, they were taken to the Cambodian mainland and brutally executed. For a kid whose idol was John Wayne, Gary lived out the role of hero to the very end.
US Marine Private First Class Gary L Hall was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, PFC Hall served our country until July 21st, 1976 in Cambodia. He was 19 years old and was not married. Gary was declared missing in action. His body was not recovered. Gary was born on July 26th, 1956 in Covington, Kentucky. PFC Hall is on panel 01W, line 130 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
A friend who may be lost but never forgotten. Gary was a guy who when you were with him, everything was the best there was. Never a dull moment with him. Hhe would never let you be sad. He would always cheer you up and was the most considerate person I ever new. I will always remmember him and cherish the times we had. No matter if you were young or old, he could always talk to anyone. Gary was a great guy. He was my best freind. James Brockman, 1563 Holman Street, Covington, Ky 41011.
I just read the article in the May 2005 issue of VFW magazine. Gary and I went through Boot Camp together. The First and Last KIA I saw Gary's picture and recognized him. We went through Boot Camp at P.I. together, PLT 387 Graduated Dec. 1974. After all these years I remembered him, but never knew he was KIA. He was a model Recruit and a great guy. It was a pleasure knowing him for the short time we spent togeather. SEMPER FI! Thank you. REST IN PEACE MARINE. Richard Sachs, 13712 Birch Road, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.
Rest In Peace my Brother! It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. A Poem Author Unknown: "Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints upon the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die!" Semper Fidelis, Former Sergeant of Marines, Vietnam 1966 - 1967, Bob Heise.
I DONT KNOW YOU, IN FACT I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN YOU BEFORE BUT YOU ARE STILL IN MY PRAYERS. I BOUGHT A P.O.W. BRACELET AND I GOT YOUR NAME. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND MY HEART. FROM THE DAY I RECIEVED YOUR BRACELET I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT YOU. IF ANYBODY WHO READS THIS HAVE ANY IMFORMATION ON GARY PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]. CASSIE B.
GARY YOU AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER AND PLAYED WITH OUR HOTWHEEL CARS AND AFTER WE GOT OUT OF SCHOOL HAD THE GREATEST TIME WHEN YOU CAME HOME FROM LEAVE BEFORE LEAVING ON THAT LAST JOURNEY YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART FREIND AND ARE REMEBERD ALWAYS I WEAR YOUR M.I.A. BRACELET AND HAVE HOPE FOR YOU ALWAYS, James Brockman
Gary Hall was an individual who has died far too young (like so many others). Gary never had the opportunity to enjoy a free and simple life. From his childhood of parental oppression to that day of "becoming a man," Gary was well liked and will be remembered by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Gary, even 25 years later, you are still in my memories as one who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. May you rest in peace, wherever you are, and may you one day be able to return home so that those of us who truly cared, will be able to show you and the 17 others missing from that fateful day, the respect and give you the honors you so justly deserve. Ernest M.(Marty)Smothers.
I wear his POW/MIA bracelet: I put this bracelet on almost 14 years ago this month. I was newly married and my husband was a PFC in the Army, I picked your bracelet out of a box of at least 50, there were 3 things that drew me to yours... 1st the date, 15 May 75, I would have been 8 months old, and it was my wedding day 15 May 93, 2nd my husband was a PFC at the time as were you, and third, you were a marine. My father in law is a MArine. As he tells me once a Marine always a Marine. I have worn this bracelet everyday and will continue to, to remind me...thank you. Thank you so much for all that you sacrificed. I have never seen your picture until today. I touched your name 3 weeks ago in DC. Thank you for always listening and being here for me, I wish I had known you. Always. Lori Crader, 5 Markham Street, Ft Bragg NC.
Daughter/Niece of a friend: I'm not old enough to remember Gary although I know that at one place in time we must have met. However, my parent's, grandparents, aunt and uncle (Jon Hornbeck better known as "Hoss" referred to as "Country Boy Hoss" in The Last Battle)knew him well and they have often spoken of him and remembered him. He was and is greatly loved and missed! Even, by those of us who only know him through the memory of others. ~~ NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN, THAN HE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER. Tracy Lynn Hornbeck-Hoskins, 289 Blue Jay Circle, Falmouth, Ky 471040.
The Mayaguez Incident: After the fall of Cambodia and South Vietnam to the Communists, Cambodian forces captured the US-registered ship SS MAYAGUEZ, taking her to the offshore island of Koh Tang. President Gerald Ford directed that the ship should be recaptured and her crew freed by use of force. The USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) battle group and an assault group from the 9th Marines were directed to land on the island and retake the ship and crew. Although intelligence estimates indicated that the island was lightly held, in fact there were a considerable number of Cambodian troops in place - and they had hand-held weapons suitable for use against helicopters. The Marines staged through U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand and were landed by USAF CH-53A helicopters. As the helicopters approached shore, the aircraft were taken under fire and four were brought down: One had disembarked its troops and ditched offshore; the crew was picked up. One went down in the surfline and all aboard made it ashore. One went down in the surfline with a single casualty. One went down offshore; eleven Marines and two Navy Corpsmen were not rescued. In a sense the rescue effort was successful - the ship was recaptured and its 39 crewmen recovered - but the cost was high: 50 wounded and 17 unaccounted for ... 14 servicemen believed killed in the downed helicopters, one known dead Marine whose body could not be recovered, and three missing Marines ashore (PFC Gary Hall, LCpl Joseph Hargrove, and Pvt Danny Marshall). Eventually the US and Cambodian governments agreed to attempt the recovery of remains from the raid and in 1995 a number of human remains were repatriated. During May and June of 2000, the US government announced the positive identification of nine of the missing men. As of 06 December 2004, nine men who participated in the MAYAGUEZ raid haven't come home:
PFC Gary Lee Hall, 2/9 Marines, was one of those Men.
He served with Echo Company, 2nd Battaion, 9th MArines, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
PFC Gary Lee Hall was declared MIA along with Joseph Nelson Hargrove and Danny G Marshall
∼Marine Pfc Hall was assigned to E Co., 2nd Bn., 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Div., (machine gun team). Gary joined the Marines soon after graduating from Holmes High School in 1974. Less than a year later, he was one of the 200 Marines sent to rescue the 40-man crew of the SS Mayaguez, a U.S. merchant ship seized by Cambodian Khmer Rouge troops. Unknown to the Marines, the Khmer Rouge had released the crew and hundreds of heavily armed Cambodians were waiting on Koh Tang, an island 30 miles off the coast of Cambodia instead. On May 15, 1975, a fierce battle between the two sides began and 15 Americans were killed in action immediately. The Marines aborted the mission and in the confusion, three men were left behind – Pfc Gary Lee Hall, Lance Cpl Joseph N. Hargrove, and Pvt Danny G. Marshall. It will probably never be known how long they fought on. Later eyewitness accounts said one Marine was captured the day after the battle and executed on the spot. The two other Marines managed to evade capture for a couple of days to a couple of weeks (the story varies). When captured, they were taken to the Cambodian mainland and brutally executed. For a kid whose idol was John Wayne, Gary lived out the role of hero to the very end.
US Marine PFC Gary Lee Hall, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Covington, Kentucky.
US Marine Private First Class Gary L Hall was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, PFC Hall served our country until July 21st, 1976 in Cambodia. He was 19 years old and was not married. Gary was declared missing in action. His body was not recovered. Gary was born on July 26th, 1956 in Covington, Kentucky. PFC Hall is on panel 01W, line 130 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
A friend who may be lost but never forgotten. Gary was a guy who when you were with him, everything was the best there was. Never a dull moment with him. Hhe would never let you be sad. He would always cheer you up and was the most considerate person I ever new. I will always remmember him and cherish the times we had. No matter if you were young or old, he could always talk to anyone. Gary was a great guy. He was my best freind. James Brockman, 1563 Holman Street, Covington, Ky 41011.
I just read the article in the May 2005 issue of VFW magazine. Gary and I went through Boot Camp together. The First and Last KIA I saw Gary's picture and recognized him. We went through Boot Camp at P.I. together, PLT 387 Graduated Dec. 1974. After all these years I remembered him, but never knew he was KIA. He was a model Recruit and a great guy. It was a pleasure knowing him for the short time we spent togeather. SEMPER FI! Thank you. REST IN PEACE MARINE. Richard Sachs, 13712 Birch Road, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.
Rest In Peace my Brother! It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. A Poem Author Unknown: "Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints upon the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die!" Semper Fidelis, Former Sergeant of Marines, Vietnam 1966 - 1967, Bob Heise.
I DONT KNOW YOU, IN FACT I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN YOU BEFORE BUT YOU ARE STILL IN MY PRAYERS. I BOUGHT A P.O.W. BRACELET AND I GOT YOUR NAME. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND MY HEART. FROM THE DAY I RECIEVED YOUR BRACELET I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT YOU. IF ANYBODY WHO READS THIS HAVE ANY IMFORMATION ON GARY PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]. CASSIE B.
GARY YOU AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER AND PLAYED WITH OUR HOTWHEEL CARS AND AFTER WE GOT OUT OF SCHOOL HAD THE GREATEST TIME WHEN YOU CAME HOME FROM LEAVE BEFORE LEAVING ON THAT LAST JOURNEY YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART FREIND AND ARE REMEBERD ALWAYS I WEAR YOUR M.I.A. BRACELET AND HAVE HOPE FOR YOU ALWAYS, James Brockman
Gary Hall was an individual who has died far too young (like so many others). Gary never had the opportunity to enjoy a free and simple life. From his childhood of parental oppression to that day of "becoming a man," Gary was well liked and will be remembered by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Gary, even 25 years later, you are still in my memories as one who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. May you rest in peace, wherever you are, and may you one day be able to return home so that those of us who truly cared, will be able to show you and the 17 others missing from that fateful day, the respect and give you the honors you so justly deserve. Ernest M.(Marty)Smothers.
I wear his POW/MIA bracelet: I put this bracelet on almost 14 years ago this month. I was newly married and my husband was a PFC in the Army, I picked your bracelet out of a box of at least 50, there were 3 things that drew me to yours... 1st the date, 15 May 75, I would have been 8 months old, and it was my wedding day 15 May 93, 2nd my husband was a PFC at the time as were you, and third, you were a marine. My father in law is a MArine. As he tells me once a Marine always a Marine. I have worn this bracelet everyday and will continue to, to remind me...thank you. Thank you so much for all that you sacrificed. I have never seen your picture until today. I touched your name 3 weeks ago in DC. Thank you for always listening and being here for me, I wish I had known you. Always. Lori Crader, 5 Markham Street, Ft Bragg NC.
Daughter/Niece of a friend: I'm not old enough to remember Gary although I know that at one place in time we must have met. However, my parent's, grandparents, aunt and uncle (Jon Hornbeck better known as "Hoss" referred to as "Country Boy Hoss" in The Last Battle)knew him well and they have often spoken of him and remembered him. He was and is greatly loved and missed! Even, by those of us who only know him through the memory of others. ~~ NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN, THAN HE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER. Tracy Lynn Hornbeck-Hoskins, 289 Blue Jay Circle, Falmouth, Ky 471040.
The Mayaguez Incident: After the fall of Cambodia and South Vietnam to the Communists, Cambodian forces captured the US-registered ship SS MAYAGUEZ, taking her to the offshore island of Koh Tang. President Gerald Ford directed that the ship should be recaptured and her crew freed by use of force. The USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) battle group and an assault group from the 9th Marines were directed to land on the island and retake the ship and crew. Although intelligence estimates indicated that the island was lightly held, in fact there were a considerable number of Cambodian troops in place - and they had hand-held weapons suitable for use against helicopters. The Marines staged through U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand and were landed by USAF CH-53A helicopters. As the helicopters approached shore, the aircraft were taken under fire and four were brought down: One had disembarked its troops and ditched offshore; the crew was picked up. One went down in the surfline and all aboard made it ashore. One went down in the surfline with a single casualty. One went down offshore; eleven Marines and two Navy Corpsmen were not rescued. In a sense the rescue effort was successful - the ship was recaptured and its 39 crewmen recovered - but the cost was high: 50 wounded and 17 unaccounted for ... 14 servicemen believed killed in the downed helicopters, one known dead Marine whose body could not be recovered, and three missing Marines ashore (PFC Gary Hall, LCpl Joseph Hargrove, and Pvt Danny Marshall). Eventually the US and Cambodian governments agreed to attempt the recovery of remains from the raid and in 1995 a number of human remains were repatriated. During May and June of 2000, the US government announced the positive identification of nine of the missing men. As of 06 December 2004, nine men who participated in the MAYAGUEZ raid haven't come home:
PFC Gary Lee Hall, 2/9 Marines, was one of those Men.
He served with Echo Company, 2nd Battaion, 9th MArines, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
PFC Gary Lee Hall was declared MIA along with Joseph Nelson Hargrove and Danny G Marshall
∼Marine Pfc Hall was assigned to E Co., 2nd Bn., 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Div., (machine gun team). Gary joined the Marines soon after graduating from Holmes High School in 1974. Less than a year later, he was one of the 200 Marines sent to rescue the 40-man crew of the SS Mayaguez, a U.S. merchant ship seized by Cambodian Khmer Rouge troops. Unknown to the Marines, the Khmer Rouge had released the crew and hundreds of heavily armed Cambodians were waiting on Koh Tang, an island 30 miles off the coast of Cambodia instead. On May 15, 1975, a fierce battle between the two sides began and 15 Americans were killed in action immediately. The Marines aborted the mission and in the confusion, three men were left behind – Pfc Gary Lee Hall, Lance Cpl Joseph N. Hargrove, and Pvt Danny G. Marshall. It will probably never be known how long they fought on. Later eyewitness accounts said one Marine was captured the day after the battle and executed on the spot. The two other Marines managed to evade capture for a couple of days to a couple of weeks (the story varies). When captured, they were taken to the Cambodian mainland and brutally executed. For a kid whose idol was John Wayne, Gary lived out the role of hero to the very end.
US Marine Private First Class Gary L Hall was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, PFC Hall served our country until July 21st, 1976 in Cambodia. He was 19 years old and was not married. Gary was declared missing in action. His body was not recovered. Gary was born on July 26th, 1956 in Covington, Kentucky. PFC Hall is on panel 01W, line 130 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
A friend who may be lost but never forgotten. Gary was a guy who when you were with him, everything was the best there was. Never a dull moment with him. Hhe would never let you be sad. He would always cheer you up and was the most considerate person I ever new. I will always remmember him and cherish the times we had. No matter if you were young or old, he could always talk to anyone. Gary was a great guy. He was my best freind. James Brockman, 1563 Holman Street, Covington, Ky 41011.
I just read the article in the May 2005 issue of VFW magazine. Gary and I went through Boot Camp together. The First and Last KIA I saw Gary's picture and recognized him. We went through Boot Camp at P.I. together, PLT 387 Graduated Dec. 1974. After all these years I remembered him, but never knew he was KIA. He was a model Recruit and a great guy. It was a pleasure knowing him for the short time we spent togeather. SEMPER FI! Thank you. REST IN PEACE MARINE. Richard Sachs, 13712 Birch Road, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.
Rest In Peace my Brother! It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. A Poem Author Unknown: "Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints upon the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die!" Semper Fidelis, Former Sergeant of Marines, Vietnam 1966 - 1967, Bob Heise.
I DONT KNOW YOU, IN FACT I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN YOU BEFORE BUT YOU ARE STILL IN MY PRAYERS. I BOUGHT A P.O.W. BRACELET AND I GOT YOUR NAME. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND MY HEART. FROM THE DAY I RECIEVED YOUR BRACELET I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT YOU. IF ANYBODY WHO READS THIS HAVE ANY IMFORMATION ON GARY PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]. CASSIE B.
GARY YOU AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER AND PLAYED WITH OUR HOTWHEEL CARS AND AFTER WE GOT OUT OF SCHOOL HAD THE GREATEST TIME WHEN YOU CAME HOME FROM LEAVE BEFORE LEAVING ON THAT LAST JOURNEY YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART FREIND AND ARE REMEBERD ALWAYS I WEAR YOUR M.I.A. BRACELET AND HAVE HOPE FOR YOU ALWAYS, James Brockman
Gary Hall was an individual who has died far too young (like so many others). Gary never had the opportunity to enjoy a free and simple life. From his childhood of parental oppression to that day of "becoming a man," Gary was well liked and will be remembered by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Gary, even 25 years later, you are still in my memories as one who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. May you rest in peace, wherever you are, and may you one day be able to return home so that those of us who truly cared, will be able to show you and the 17 others missing from that fateful day, the respect and give you the honors you so justly deserve. Ernest M.(Marty)Smothers.
I wear his POW/MIA bracelet: I put this bracelet on almost 14 years ago this month. I was newly married and my husband was a PFC in the Army, I picked your bracelet out of a box of at least 50, there were 3 things that drew me to yours... 1st the date, 15 May 75, I would have been 8 months old, and it was my wedding day 15 May 93, 2nd my husband was a PFC at the time as were you, and third, you were a marine. My father in law is a MArine. As he tells me once a Marine always a Marine. I have worn this bracelet everyday and will continue to, to remind me...thank you. Thank you so much for all that you sacrificed. I have never seen your picture until today. I touched your name 3 weeks ago in DC. Thank you for always listening and being here for me, I wish I had known you. Always. Lori Crader, 5 Markham Street, Ft Bragg NC.
Daughter/Niece of a friend: I'm not old enough to remember Gary although I know that at one place in time we must have met. However, my parent's, grandparents, aunt and uncle (Jon Hornbeck better known as "Hoss" referred to as "Country Boy Hoss" in The Last Battle)knew him well and they have often spoken of him and remembered him. He was and is greatly loved and missed! Even, by those of us who only know him through the memory of others. ~~ NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN, THAN HE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER. Tracy Lynn Hornbeck-Hoskins, 289 Blue Jay Circle, Falmouth, Ky 471040.
The Mayaguez Incident: After the fall of Cambodia and South Vietnam to the Communists, Cambodian forces captured the US-registered ship SS MAYAGUEZ, taking her to the offshore island of Koh Tang. President Gerald Ford directed that the ship should be recaptured and her crew freed by use of force. The USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) battle group and an assault group from the 9th Marines were directed to land on the island and retake the ship and crew. Although intelligence estimates indicated that the island was lightly held, in fact there were a considerable number of Cambodian troops in place - and they had hand-held weapons suitable for use against helicopters. The Marines staged through U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand and were landed by USAF CH-53A helicopters. As the helicopters approached shore, the aircraft were taken under fire and four were brought down: One had disembarked its troops and ditched offshore; the crew was picked up. One went down in the surfline and all aboard made it ashore. One went down in the surfline with a single casualty. One went down offshore; eleven Marines and two Navy Corpsmen were not rescued. In a sense the rescue effort was successful - the ship was recaptured and its 39 crewmen recovered - but the cost was high: 50 wounded and 17 unaccounted for ... 14 servicemen believed killed in the downed helicopters, one known dead Marine whose body could not be recovered, and three missing Marines ashore (PFC Gary Hall, LCpl Joseph Hargrove, and Pvt Danny Marshall). Eventually the US and Cambodian governments agreed to attempt the recovery of remains from the raid and in 1995 a number of human remains were repatriated. During May and June of 2000, the US government announced the positive identification of nine of the missing men. As of 06 December 2004, nine men who participated in the MAYAGUEZ raid haven't come home:
PFC Gary Lee Hall, 2/9 Marines, was one of those Men.
He served with Echo Company, 2nd Battaion, 9th MArines, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
PFC Gary Lee Hall was declared MIA along with Joseph Nelson Hargrove and Danny G Marshall
∼Marine Pfc Hall was assigned to E Co., 2nd Bn., 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Div., (machine gun team). Gary joined the Marines soon after graduating from Holmes High School in 1974. Less than a year later, he was one of the 200 Marines sent to rescue the 40-man crew of the SS Mayaguez, a U.S. merchant ship seized by Cambodian Khmer Rouge troops. Unknown to the Marines, the Khmer Rouge had released the crew and hundreds of heavily armed Cambodians were waiting on Koh Tang, an island 30 miles off the coast of Cambodia instead. On May 15, 1975, a fierce battle between the two sides began and 15 Americans were killed in action immediately. The Marines aborted the mission and in the confusion, three men were left behind – Pfc Gary Lee Hall, Lance Cpl Joseph N. Hargrove, and Pvt Danny G. Marshall. It will probably never be known how long they fought on. Later eyewitness accounts said one Marine was captured the day after the battle and executed on the spot. The two other Marines managed to evade capture for a couple of days to a couple of weeks (the story varies). When captured, they were taken to the Cambodian mainland and brutally executed. For a kid whose idol was John Wayne, Gary lived out the role of hero to the very end.
