The 3rd Marine Division played a significant role in the Vietnam War, contributing to various operations and engagements. The division also participated in operations such as Operation Prairie, Operation Hastings, and their 1965 landings near Chu Lai in Operation Starlight (Starlite).
Throughout the conflict, the 3rd Marine Division faced challenges like guerrilla warfare, dense jungle terrain, and unconventional tactics employed by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. The division's efforts were crucial in the broader context of the U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
3rd Marine Division members of the 2nd Battalion 9th Marine Regiment in combat patrol during Operation Kentucky II, Vietnam War. In Color.
Patrol by the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam, In Color
Marines of the 3rd MARDIV man their artillery. 1967. In Color.
There are 33 soldiers of the 3rd Marine Division Vietnam that have been identified and recovered.
Second Lieutenant Heinz Ahlmeyer 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 05/10/1967, Recovered: 5/27/2003
Private First Class Daniel A. Benedett 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 8/25/1991
Private First Class Lynn Blessing 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Private First Class Walter Boyd 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Sergeant Frederick J. Burns 3rd Marines Missing: 01/02/1969, Recovered: 10/4/1994
Lance Corporal Joseph F. Cook 9th Marines Missing: 05/10/1968, Recovered: 9/8/1999
Lance Corporal Gregory S. Copenhaver 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Lance Corporal Andres Garcia 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Sergeant Edwin R. Grissett 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 01/22/1966, Recovered: 1/23/1989
Captain John R. Hagan Headquarters Battalion Missing: 05/06/1969, Recovered: 3/29/1996
Lance Corporal Ralph L. Harper 4th Marines Missing: 06/06/1968, Recovered: 10/19/2006
Staff Sergeant Samuel E. Hewitt 9th Marines Missing: 03/23/1966, Recovered: 6/24/2010
Private First Class James J. Jacques 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Michael B. Judd 3rd Marines Missing: 06/30/1967, Recovered: 6/25/2012
Lance Corporal Kurt E. LaPlant 4th Marines Missing: 06/06/1968, Recovered: 10/19/2006
Hospital Corpsman Ronald J. Manning 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Second Lieutenant Donald J. Matocha 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 04/05/1968, Recovered: 4/20/2004
Private First Class James R. Maxwell 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Hospital Corpsman James P. McGrath 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 08/03/1967, Recovered: 6/8/1994
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Malcolm T. Miller 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 05/10/1967, Recovered: 5/27/2003
Corporal Jim E. Moshier 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 06/11/1967, Recovered: 8/15/2005
Lance Corporal John B. Nahan 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 08/03/1967, Recovered: 6/8/1994
Lance Corporal Luis F. Palacios 4th Marines Missing: 06/06/1968, Recovered: 10/19/2006
Lance Corporal Kenneth L. Plumadore 4th Marines Missing: 09/21/1967, Recovered: 6/20/1996
Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Ramsay Headquarters Battalion Missing: 01/21/1968, Recovered: 1/1/1998
Private First Class Richard W. Rivenburgh 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Private First Class Jose R. Sanchez 4th Marines Missing: 06/06/1968, Recovered: 10/19/2006
Private First Class Antonio R. Sandoval 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Lance Corporal Samuel A. Sharp 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 05/10/1967, Recovered: 5/27/2003
Private First Class Kelton R. Turner 9th Marines Missing: 05/15/1975, Recovered: 12/6/1995
Sergeant James N. Tycz 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 05/10/1967, Recovered: 5/27/2003
Private First Class James E. Widener 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 06/11/1967, Recovered: 8/5/2005
Lance Corporal Jack Wolpe 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Missing: 08/03/1967, Recovered: 6/8/1994