He was killed in action at Phu Loc, RVN, while providing security (mortar crew) for rock crusher, Detail Echo. The camp was named Camp DeShurley after the mortar crew leader who was also KIA in the same incident.
From a classmate in BU "A" School (1966).
24 Jul 2005
You are forever in my heart.
From from someone who has never forgotten, Charlene Rowan Pemberton
06 Jun 2007
I was there the day he died. I knew him, I miss him. I pray for all the Seabees killed that day ... Rest in Peace.
From a member of Detail Echo, MCB-9, Jerry G. Baumgartner, UTP-3 21319 Edgewater Drive, Port Charlotte, Florida 33952
A Note from The Virtual Wall
These extracts explain what happened at the Phu Loc rock crusher site. The first entry from the 5th Marines describes the 3 AM attack on the site, while the second reports the downing of a medevac helo. The HMM-362 report concerns the helo and its crew.
Six sailors and two Marines died in the incident at Phu Loc:
* Det Echo, NMCB-9: o BUL3 George R. De Shurley, Roswell, NM; o BUL3 Allan L. Mair, Park City, UT; o BUL3 John F. Peek, Pontiac, MI; o CN James F. Galati, Philadelphia, PA; o CN Mark E. Hodel, Lodi, CA; and o CN James R. Retzloff, Redding, CA. * UH-34D 148792 aircrew, HMM-362, MAG-36: o Sgt Daniel Pesimer, Salt Rock, WV and o Cpl Kenneth R. Yantis, Philadelphia, PA