Vietnam War Memorial, Christman Park, Gaithersburg, MD, USA - Vietnam War Memorials on Waymarking.com

Park is located in a residential neighborhood of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The memorial is deep with a wooded glen inside of the park. Bronze plaque mounted on a large nature stone boulder.
____________________________________________________________________________

The President of the United States
takes pride in presenting the
NAVY CROSS
posthumously to
WILLIAM JOHN CHRISTMAN III
2nd Lieutenant
United States Marine Corps
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a platoon commander with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the afternoon of 22 February 1969, Company A was patrolling north of the Ashau Valley in Quang Tri Province when its lead element was pinned down by intense fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force, well concealed in a heavily fortified bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Second Lieutenant Christman deployed his platoon to the right flank of the lead platoon and skillfully maneuvered his men forward in a coordinated attack until halted and pinned down by the extremely heavy volume of cross fire from the North Vietnamese emplacements and numerous sniper positions in trees. He directed the fire of his machine guns and light antitank weapons against the North Vietnamese emplacements and mounted such an aggressive assault that his platoon moved through the forward enemy positions. Undaunted by the enemy rounds impacting around him, he fired his light antitank assault weapon, and fearlessly charging across the fire-swept terrain, hurled hand grenades into a hostile emplacement, killing seven North Vietnamese soldiers and silencing their machine guns. Coming under fire from an adjacent bunker, he was mortally wounded while attempting to fire his light antitank assault weapon against the emplacement. With his remaining strength, he resolutely propped himself up on one arm to direct his men in outflanking and destroying the enemy bunker. His heroic actions inspired his men to such aggressive action in a coordinated company attack that 105 North Vietnamese soldiers were killed and a large bunker complex was destroyed. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Christman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
____________________________________________________________________________

Requiescat In Pace brother - For as long as your name is remembered so too are you. Thank you for serving for us and your country.

Placed by:: Not listed Date Placed: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Waymarks visited should include a full photo of the memorial.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   06/04/2010 Searcher28 visited it 01/13/2009 Mother Wolf visited it

View all visits/logs