Mark Daniel ManginLance CorporalCAP 2-3-5, 2ND CAG, COMBINED ACTION PROGRAM, III MAF United States Marine Corps 29 April 1949 - 01 October 1969 Verona, North Dakota Panel 17W Line 023 |
 
|
|
The database page for Mark Daniel Mangin
|
I attended my cousin's funeral when I was a little girl. I have never forgotten that day ... the sounds of crying, the cloudy cold windy day, and the military funeral with 'Taps' playing. I didn't get to know my cousin when he was alive. I only saw him a few times. His fiancee sent him a 'Dear John' letter saying she was in love with someone back here and was going to marry him. Mark, after reading the letter she sent him, volunteered for the 'front lines' over in Vietnam, and was killed after stepping on a land mine. His patriotism lives on in my soul. I am so proud to be an American, and so proud of him. Thank you.
From Cheryl Anne Burger |
|
Like yesterday, I hear When bird hunting I stop at a barren lonely prairie cemetery and pay my respects, still hearing those words.
From a comrade-in-arms, |
|
I am from the Fargo area and went into the Marines with Mark ... we were in basic training together but separated shortly after we entered Vietnam. We got together a couple times while in country and stayed in touch until his death. After my discharge from the Marines, I went to North Dakota to visit Mark's family. I gave them some pictures and we visited for a couple hours. Visiting Mark's family was one of the hardest things I have ever done as emotions were very high. I felt that his family needed to know what I knew about Mark and to tell them that we had become very good friends. They took me to the gravesite which was a very sad thing. I wanted to once again send my condolences to Mark's family. Mark was a fine young man who lost his life so early. I often think about him and see his smiling face in my mind. Once while on a weekend pass in California, we went to Disneyland .... For two guys from the Dakotas we were amazed!! Thank you for remembering Mark in this way .... Sincerely, Rick Osborne
From a friend, |
|
Hey, I do not know you, Mark, but you might have known my dad. His name is Terry Ragan. He said he knew your younger brother. I just wanted to say that I am sorry that you had to die at such an early age. The best reason for having dreams is that in dreams no reasons are necessary and all are still here.
From the son of a friend, |
A Note from The Virtual WallLance Corporal Mangin was a Marine rifleman. On arrival in Vietnam he was assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Bn, 9th Marines. He volunteered for the Combined Action Program, in which a rifle squad was paired with a Vietnamese militia unit to provide local security. The CAP Marines lived, fought, and frequently died alongside their Vietnamese comrades. Mangin's request for transfer was approved and on 09 Feb 1969 he joined the 2nd Combined Action Group, based in Quang Nam Province. The 2nd CAG Chronology for October 1969 contains the following entry:"1 Oct 69 - A CAP 2-3-6 patrol received sniper fire from 1 VC at BT060607, 2 km N of Dien Ban. As the CAP returned fire and maneuvered toward the sniper, a boobytrap was tripped wounding 1 USMC. The VC then fled in an unknown direction. A sweep of the area was nonproductive."LCpl Mangin died later the same day. |
|
Top of Page
 www.VirtualWall.org Back to |
With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 21 Oct 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009