Michael David Dawson

Lance Corporal
M CO, 3RD BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
09 July 1948 - 17 June 1969
Knoxville, Tennessee
Panel 22W Line 064

3RD MARDIV

3RD MARINES
Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Michael David Dawson

21 Aug 2004

Mike was my soulmate. He had the most beautiful and contagious smile and laugh. Mike had a strong faith in God. He had strength of character, high moral values, a loving heart, and a gentle nature.

He was truly one of the "best of the best" that the Marine Corps talks about.

He remains forever in my heart and memories. I know that he is with our LORD in Heaven and I await the day when I will see him again.

A Note from The Virtual Wall

From the first days of US involvement in Vietnam the Marines provided the bulwark against North Vietnamese invasion across the Demilitarized Zone. Although almost every Marine maneuver battalion operated at some time in the northern-most Province, Quang Tri was the 3rd Marine Division's area of operations and 3rd MarDiv's assigned units bore the brunt of the fighting, losing 7,259 men during the war - more than any other US Division in Vietnam.

On 17 June 1969, during Operation VIRGINIA RIDGE, the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, lost 19 men in a heavy engagement with North Vietnamese Army units; 10 of the dead were from Mike 3/3:

  • 2ndLt Bruce Kolter, Wapakoneta, OH (Silver Star)
  • LCpl Michael D. Dawson, Knoxville, TN
  • LCpl William M. Stone, Glen Burnie, MD
  • Pfc Derrick Core, Dayton, OH
  • Pfc Joseph D. Fournier, Van Buren, ME
  • Pfc Johnie F. Granberry, Round Lake, FL
  • Pfc William J. Revell, Florence, SC
  • Pfc Roger D. Rosenberger, Swartz Creek, MI (Navy Cross)
  • Pfc David M. Steele, Comanche, OK
  • Pfc Robert W. Witty, South Amherst, OH


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his fiance.
E-Mail may be forwarded via the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org
21 Aug 2004



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 08/21/2004