A monument bearing bronze plaques honoring the Purple Foxes and the Warriors of Hill 881S who gave their lives in Vietnam, is in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park near the
National Museum of the Marine Corps
. The Purple Foxes were members of the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364. The Warriors of Hill 881S were Marines and Navy corpsmen who died defending Hill 881S in Khe Sanh, Vietnam.
When surviving veterans of the Purple Foxes learned of plans to construct an adjoining memorial park to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, they commissioned the Purple Fox plaque for display in the park. The sculptor was Cpl. Cliff Dupill, who was also a Marine Reservist.
Across the top of the plaque are reliefs of the UH-34 and CH-46 helicopters and Swifty, the Purple Fox mascot. Inscribed is:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364
"The Purple Foxes"
Dedicated in memory of these Marines and Navy Corpsmen
who made the supreme sacrifice for their Corps and Country
A roster of the fallen Marines listed by rank, name, and date of death follows.
At the bottom, it reads:
Often Tested Always Faithful Brother Forever
Donated to and Property of
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and
the United States Marine Corps
This 9th day of July 2004
by
Their Purple Fox Brothers and
Sisters, Families, and Friends
Aircraft art by LtCol. Michael Leahy, USMCR (Ret)
Sculptor Cpl. Cliff F. Dupill, USMCR
The plaque was formally presented and dedicated in Reno, Nevada, in July 2004. Because the museum or park were not yet completed, a squadron of active Purple Foxes took it into their care and transported it to a temporary home in California.
In the meantime, another plaque was commissioned to honor the Warriors of Hill 881S and it was dedicated in November 2006. At the top it reads:
To Honor
The Warriors of Hill 881 South
Khe Sanh
Dedicated to the memory of these Marines and Navy
Corpsmen who served Corps and Country in defense of
the hill and gave their lives in Vietnam.
26 December 1967 - 17 April 1968
An alphabetical list of the men who lost their lives follows.
The bottom inscription reads:
"Go With God, Gentlemen. You Earned It."
William H. Dabney, Captain USMC Commanding
Donated by
Henry D. Bruns, II, USMCR - 5th SBC
Semper Fidelis
Both plaques have finally come 'home' and been installed on either side of a 4000 lb. polished black granite monument in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. An inscription in white letters on the base reads: The Marine Air/Ground Team. On the side, representing the Air/Ground Team, are digital renderings of 1st Lt. Steve Erb and Capt. William H. Dabney.
The park is open daily to the public from 9 AM to 5 PM. There is no admission.
Reference:
NOTE: The monument was moved and the original GPS coordinates have been changed to its new location. See my visit for more info and updated photos.