Isolated Burial

An upright family headstone marking the grave of LCpl Richard Paul Dextraze.

LCpl Dextraze was awared the Silver Star for his actions.  The citation reads:

he President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Richard P. Dextraze (MCSN: 2416530), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Intelligence Scout with Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 April 1969, Lance Corporal Dextrazes squad was deployed to reinforce a friendly unit which was in heavy contact with the enemy near Cam Lo in Quang Tri Province. As his squad was maneuvering through a forest to the forward position, it was pinned down when it came under intense small arms fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force entrenched in a bunker complex. Although sustaining a painful wound in the face, Lance Corporal Dextraze commenced to deliver suppressive fire against the enemy. During the ensuing fire fight, he repeatedly disregarded his own safety to observe the enemy and point out hostile positions to his companions. Maneuvering to a dangerously exposed position, Lance Corporal Dextraze was delivering a heavy volume of suppressive fire into a well-camouflaged enemy machine gun emplacement when he was mortally wounded. His heroic actions inspired his fellow Marines and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his units mission. By his extraordinary courage, bold fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Dextraze upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

CORPORAL R.P DEXTRAZE. SS-PH-GS

USMC VIETNAM. 1947-1969