Navy Hospital Corpsman
Killed In Action while serving with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam.

It's our understanding that the first Corpsman to be killed in Vietnam was HM2 Gerald O. Norton, age 23. He was killed on Oct. 6, 1962 while supporting HMM-163 on a combat mission. Along with Doc Norton 7 out of 8 on board were killed. One of these was LT (Doctor) Gerald C. Griffin (MC-USN)

During the nearly thirty years since I served with the Marines in Vietnam I have been surprised at the number of people who had no idea that Navy Corpsman served in “the bush” with the USMC. And they had no knowledge of the fact that many Corpsman were killed while serving with Marine combat units. When this page was originally placed on the Web the list of Corpsman was somewhat short. Within a few months the list of names started to become to long for this page. On February 6, 1998 I decided to move the names to a second page. You will see that a few names do remain on this page; they are the Corpsman who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

David R. Ray was one of the first corpsman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He was Killed In Action in March 1969. There is now a ship named after him.

Wayne Caron HM3 Awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon corpsman with Company K, during combat operations against enemy forces. While on a sweep through an open rice field Petty Officer Caron's unit started receiving enemy small-arms fire. Upon seeing 2 Marine casualties fall, he immediately ran forward to render first aid, but found that they were dead. At this time, the platoon was taken under intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, sustaining additional casualties. As he moved to the aid of his wounded comrades, Petty Officer Caron was hit in the arm by enemy fire. Although knocked to the ground, he regained his feet and continued to the injured Marines. He rendered medical assistance to the first Marine he reached, who was grievously wounded, and undoubtedly was instrumental in saving the man's life. Petty Officer Caron then ran toward the second wounded Marine, but was again hit by enemy f ire, this time in the leg. Nonetheless, he crawled the remaining distance and provided medical aid for this severely wounded, man. Petty Officer Caron started to make his way to yet another injured comrade, when he was again struck by enemy small-arms fire. Courageously and with unbelievable determination, Petty Officer Caron continued his attempt to reach the third Marine until he was killed by an enemy rocket round. By his inspiring valor, steadfast determination, and selfless dedication to duty, Petty Officer Caron reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

If you know of a Corpsman that lost his life while serving please contact me with as much information as possible. I would like to thank those people who have helped us to recognize and honor those Navy Corpsman who never came home from that far away place called

"VIETNAM"

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