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Casualty Info
Home Town Baltimore, MD
Casualty Date Feb 27, 1969
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Location Quang Nam (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Mountain View Memorial Park - Lakewood, Washington
While operating near Cua-Viet, Vietnam 28 February 1968, LCU 1500 took a direct hit on the port side of the conn, killing the radioman instantly and injuring eight others. Almost one year later to the day tragedy struck again.
While loading ammunition at Bridge Ramp, Da Nang, Vietnam , 27 February 1969, an enemy rocket hit the nearly loaded craft and killed thirteen ACU-1 sailors- including BMC Donald J. Fisher.
Seven sailors on the barge YFU-78 and three sailors working on the ramp also died in the attack for a total of 23 sailors killed in action. The craft was severely damaged and had to be stricken from the Navy list.
Comments/Citation:
After the tragedy, ACU-1 held a memorial on 14 March 1969, for the sailors who lost their lives. Every year since 1969, Assault Craft Unit one has held a memorial service to honor and remember the 14 LCU 1500 sailors killed in action. Former shipmates, friends and relatives have attended each year in tribute.
CREW of LCU-1500 KILLED IN ACTION in VIETNAM
28 February 1968
RMSN K. L. Cook
27 February 1969 BMC Donald J. Fisher
EN1 Bert E. Burton
EM1 Cecil F. Bush
CS2 Marvin D. Avery
RM2 David W. Hawryshko
QM3 Earnest J. Buckelew
GMG3 Ronald J. Gebbie
BM3 Donald M. Horton
BM3 Ronald P. Yuhas
FN Joseph F. Burinda
SN Bruno W. Demata
SN Craig E. Swagler
FN Charles A. Tavares
World War II/American Theater
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
September / 1945
Description The American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe and Asia. Thus, any threat by the Axis Powers to invade the mainland United States or other areas was considered negligible, allowing for American resources to be deployed in overseas theaters.
This article includes attacks on continental territory, extending 200 miles (320 km) into the ocean, which is today under the sovereignty of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other smaller states, but excludes military action involving the Danish territory of Greenland, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Aleutian Islands. The most well known battles in North America during World War II were the Attack on Pearl Harbor (the first attack on US soil since the Battle of Ambos Nogales), the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the Battle of the St. Lawrence, and the attacks on Newfoundland.