30 Jan 2004 My dear friend and brother in arms, Well buddy, it has been 33 years now since you, me, and Larry Kuenzer stayed up 3 days and nights partying. We had no idea this would be the last time we would see you. I'll never forget when you told me that you were going back over for another tour. I begged you not to go, but I fully understand why you went back. It still haunts me to know you fought and died on the very same hill that I took you on, when you first got to Nam. I still can't accept what took place that night. Maybe if we had been together things would have been different. All I know is that I wish to God I was with you guys. I have lived with the thought of "What If" ever since that fateful night. I guess the Good Lord just had other plans for us that were left behind, plans that I don't quite understand. But I suppose it is not for us to question. Well I guess you know that me, Andrea, Narcia, and Mom, are thicker than fleas on a dog's back. We go to the Wall every Memorial Day and visit you guys. It's overwhelming to see all the names, the people, and the emotions. It took them a while, but you now have the greatest memorial in the land. We are so very proud of you. I just came back from 3rd Recon's Reunion in D.C. and as always they held a beautiful tribute to all the members of your team,"Flight Time", and all the other members of 3rd Recon Bn that were lost during the war. We love and miss each and every one of you. I miss you dearly, brother. Semper Fi. SHORTROUND Steve Shircliff (aka "Shortround") 4252 Hwy 11, Lanesville, In. 47136 shortround68@msn.com Billy's sisters Andrea and Narcia

 

15 Jun 2006 My Brother Reconners ... wish I could join you all, I know Billy would have loved it... Life flies by... I went for my 18th year this past Memorial Day to honor all of you... left Billy's 18th letter and always look to see if any of you might show up under the tree. (Shortround knows which tree) His memory is shared by so many, I wish I could hear all the stories... at least at 51 I wouldn't be shocked as the "baby sister"... I will soon be a grandmother again and as each new life enters my world... I wish my brother could hear all the words of life's wisdom that he once conveyed to me... I will continue the baby sister. From his sister, Andrea B. Richard richarda@faytechcc.edu

 

07 Sep 2007 Billy, I just learned you were killed. Over the years, I've told people of you and our time at language school, and it always brings a smile. I just now came across your site by happenstance. I truly regret not knowing sooner. I travel each 11/11 to the Wall to remember all my other buddies who died ... I will begin with you this year. Semper Fi my friend, and God speed. Pierce From an old friend, Will Pierce Syracuse, New York willard.pierce@crucible.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 02 June 1969 Recon Team "Flight Time" from D Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, was inserted on Hill 471 about a kilometer south of Khe Sanh. On the night of 03/04 June 1969 the team was attacked by an enemy force and requested both emergency extraction and immediate reinforcement. Communications with the team were lost at 0320. When the reaction force arrived a little after 0400 they were too late ... the six members of "Flight Time" were dead. Five members of the team were in a small trench; the sixth, Cpl Buck, was approximately 10 meters further down the hillside. It was apparent from the state of the battle area that "Flight Time" had been overwhelmed in fierce hand-to-hand combat. The six team members were 1stLt Michael M. O'Connor, Waterloo, IA Cpl William A. Buck, Fayetteville, NC Cpl William M. Wellman, New Carlisle, OH LCpl Douglas W. Barnitz, Columbus, OH Pfc Robert L. Pearcy, Big Bear Lake, CA Pfc Harold A. Skaggs, Phoenix, AZ The reaction force itself came under heavy attack, and one extraction helo was shot down by .51 caliber fire. The reaction force retrieved the helo crewmen and hunkered down while a larger "Sparrow Hawk" force was inserted. That turned the tide, and the Marines found (and destroyed) an NVA bunker complex only a short distance from where the recon patrol had been attacked. Enemy fire continued to be heavy, and after another helo was badly shot up the combined force walked out of the area, bringing the dead Recon Marines with them. Fortunately, there were no other Marines killed in the exchanges of fire. Visit the 3rd Recon website and the memorials to Billy Buck at http://www.3rdrecon.org/Buck.htm and http://www.3rdrecon.org/Billy.htm

Contact Us

© Copyright 1997-2019 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd ®(TM)

Last update 08/15/2019.