Vietnam War memorial - Cpl. Stephen E. Austin - Perryville, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 37° 45.389 W 089° 52.575
16S E 246613 N 4182693
Specific memorial to this young Marine inside the MNVM Museum. he served with C Company, 1st Bn, 27th Marines, which means the 27th Marine Regiment.
Waymark Code: WM1C928
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2025
Views: 0
County of museum: Perry County
Location of museum: Veterans Memorial Parkway, Perryville
Phone: (573) 547-2035
Hours: 8am to 5pm weekdays; 10am to 2pm Sat; and 11am to 3pm Sun
This memorial, inside the museum, is a photo of Cpl. Austin, and copies of his letter, and a photo of the Navy Cross award presentation, and text. It is a display inside the MNVM Museum. I have transcribed the text of the plaques, and you can read the letter for yourself in the photo gallery.
Plaque:
CORPORAL STEPHEN E. AUSTIN
Corporal Stephen E. Austin, C Company, was killed in action 8 June, 1968 during "Operation Allen Brook". For his bravery and heroics that day, Austin was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
"Last Letter Home"
A fellow Marine found the pictured letter and envelope in Corporal Austin's pocket after he was killed in action 8 June, 1968. The unknown Marine mailed the letter home to Austin's parents who received it two days after learning of their son's death. The bloodstains on the envelope are Corporal Austin's.
AWARDED NAVY CROSS 50 YEARS LATER
Corporal Austin's former Company Commander, LtCol. Ron Gruenberg reads the Navy Cross citation to Austin's family while the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Robert B. Neller, looks on.
More of his service can be read Here