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Submitted: 5/11/23 • Approved: 5/14/23 • Last Updated: 5/17/23 • R1484675-G0-S3
Arkansas
SERGEANT Company B 9th Marine 3rd Marine Division
Vietnam
December 22, 1943 - July 2, 1967
Purple Heart
Killed in Action
Kenneth was the son of James H. Clopton, and Lora F. Clopton who predeceased her son, of Fort Worth TX and he enlisted in the US Marine Corps on June 10, 1963 in Birmingham AL. He Vietnam he served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine, 3d MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
On the first day of Operation BUFFALO July 2, Company B formed up along Route 561 several kilometers northeast of Con Thien in Quang Tri Province and headed north towards the DMZ. The Marines were unaware that elements of the NVA 324B Division were waiting for them in freshly dug and camouflaged positions. As the Company moved forward the NVA opened up with devastating fire on the men in the open who found themselves caught in a well prepared trap in the vicinity of Route 561 and 605. Snipers were picking off individual Marines and heavy enemy machinegun fire prevented the Marines to move in any direction.
Ordered to link up with the Marines under heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, Company A was prevented to move forward by the enemy using their supporting arms fire. The engagement developed into a day long battle. By the time reinforcements were able to reach the men, little remained of Company B, among the dead and wounded were the Company Commander, two Platoon Commanders, the Forward Artillery Observer, and Forward Air Controller. The battle was costly for the Marines, eighty-eight men were killed in action, many more were wounded, and fifty-three men who died were from Company B, one the many casualties was Sgt Clopton who was killed in the action as a result of fragmentation wounds from hostile artillery fire.
Photo courtesy of Linda McGahan
Contributed on 5/11/23 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1484675