During the latter half of June 1968 the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines were providing security for the Khe Sanh Combat Base. During the early morning hours of 18 June 1968 The Kilo 3/4 position came under attack. The following description is taken from 3/4's Command Chronology:"18 June: 3/4 received an attack from an estimated NVA company from the 88th Regiment of the 308th Division. At 0555H Co "K" received a light probe and called in illumination mixed with high explosive. At 0610H, Co "K" received the main thrust of the attack. The enemy crawled to within 30 feet of the lines before launching their attack. The attack was supported by 82mm mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
The NVA were able to penetrate the FEBA. Co "M" was informed by Col BOURNE to displace one platoon OPCON to Co "K". At 0620, an Aerial Observer came on station and observed one group of 25 to 30 NVA and numerous smaller groups of eight to ten NVA at XD875264. He called in fixed wing air strikes and Huey gun ships. The attack continued until 0945. The NVA left snipers and automatic weapons behind to try to cover their withdrawal. ... At 1030, Co "K" with the platoon from Co "M" were able to restore the FEBA and tie in with Co "I". ... At 1215, units began to sweep the battlefield and to clear out the remaining pockets of resistance. At 1417, the sweep was completed ... The casualties were 14 KIAs and 30 WIAs. There were 129 NVA KIAs confirmed (91 small arms, 25 artillery, 13 air)."Fifteen American dead can be associated with the fight, including two combat engineers. They are·
A Co, 3rd Engineers
Pfc Elmer L. Faulkner, Greenwood, DE
Pfc Calvin L. Terrell, Louisville, KY·
H&S Co, 3rd Bn, 4th Marines
LCpl Carey L. Johns, Oneonta, AL (with Kilo 3/4)
Pvt James E. Degnis, Worcester, MA (with Kilo 3/4)·
K Co, 3rd Bn, 4th Marines
SSgt Albert R. Taylor, Springville, CA
Cpl Fergus J. Carroll, Philadelphia, PA
Cpl James M. Mathews, Butler, NJ
LCpl Steven B. Lavigne, Cheboygan, MI
LCpl Elwood Owens, Windsor, NC
LCpl Rito Silva, Alice, TX
Pfc Robert L. Ball, Trenton, NJ
Pfc Ronald D. Fogard, Battle Lake, MN
Pfc William T. Gibson, Easton, PA·
M Co, 3rd Bn, 4th Marines
Sgt Jose R. Moncayo, Morenci, AZ
Cpl John R. Schurrer, Milwaukee, WI
William "Terry" Gibson
United States Marine Corps
3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division
William "Terry" Gibson served as a - Pfc - Grade E3 - Marine - Regular Enlisted Service
Terry was 18 years old at the time of his death.
Terry was born on September 17, 1949 in Stuebenville, Ohio.
His tour of duty began in Vietnam on June 9, 1968.
Terry served with K Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
Terry died on June 18, 1968 in Quang Tri Province, Republic of South Vietnam on a jungle rat hole named Phui Nui.
Terry died as a result of enemy small arms fire upon his position.
His body was recovered.
Terry is interred at the Easton Cemetery, Easton Pa. Sec. C, Lot 265, Plot 66
next to Heros of many wars.
Terry's religion was Protestant. He was not married.
Terry's name is listed on Panel 56W --- Line 21
of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
"Rest In Peace Terry You Are Missed By All Who Knew You"
"Click on the Unit logo to view that Unit's website."
Honors
William Terry Gibson was sent to Vietnam on 6/9/68 and died on 6/18/68, a mere 10 days. Those 10 days were however, were the last days of a Hero. He served with Honor and Distinction in the defense of His Men, His Country, and of His beloved Corps. His Distinguished Service earned him the following awards:
Purple Heart for wounds received in an armed conflict.
Combat Action Ribbion
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Gallantry Cross with Palm
Please sign this book to leave a personal remembrance for this Hero.
If you have photos of this Hero and want to comtribute them, please contact the webmaster
We have tried to present the most accurate of information. If you find discrepancies or dead links, please contact the webmaster.
John Masterjohn served with Terry. He was with him when he died.
Easton Marine Killed In Action
In Vietnam War
Marine Pfc. William Terry Gibson, 18, son of Mrs. Armelia Gibson, 502 Charles St. was killed in action in Vietnam June 18, Two weeks after he arrived there for duty.
The youth, whose father lives in Ambler Pa, was an outstanding wrestler in the Easton Area High School Christmas Tournament in 1967.
The boys Mother first heard about her Son’s death from his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, from 24 Cedar Alley Phillipsburg, who had received a telegram from the boy’s father. Upon receiving the news from Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Gibson got in touch with the Red Cross and a short time later two Marine officers called on Mrs. Gibson to verify her sons death.
Details Uncertain
Details of the Marine’s death are not definite, but Mrs. Gibson believes he died in Saigon from head and stomach wounds after being struck by a mortar shell. He arrived in Vietnam on June 3.
Pfc. Gibson graduated from Easton Area High School and was co-captain of the wrestling team in 1966-67. He took first place in the 141 pound division at the open tournament in Wilkes-Barre in 1967 where he represented the Easton YMCA.
He also won two first places when he wrestled on the team at St. Anthony’s Youth Center.
After graduation, Gibson was employed at Lehigh Foundries Co., until he entered the service last Dec. 26..
At Pariss Island
He was stationed at Parris Island, S. C. and Camp Lejeune, N. C. before being sent overseas.
He was a member of the Easton Police Athletic League.
Besides his parents and maternal grandmother, he is survived by three sisters, Carolyn and Kathleen, both of Easton, and Beverly, at home, and five brothers, Robert, Larry, David, Thomas and Russell, all at home and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Ada Williams of Washington, Pa.
When the body is returned to the United States, the Strunk Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.
"The following was a reprint of an article that appeared in the Easton Express Newspaper in 1968"
Terry’s grave site here, is situated among hundreds of fellow veterans who gave their lives for their Country. They are from the many wars that have been fought for our freedom.
An early high school photo of Terry. "Photo courtesy of Carol Free"
The following photos are from a collection belonging to Kate Carroll, niece of Cpl. Fergus Carroll Kia’d June 18, 1968 along with William Gibson and 12 others. The photos represent the places and brothers William served with in and with. My thanks to Kate for sharing. Others can be seen on her Facebook Page.
