Robert Charles Keri

The database page for Robert Charles Keri

I served with Robert Keri in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. He was killed in action during Operation DeSoto. From a fellow Marine, George Martin m37bulldog@aol.com   31 May 2002

Virtual Wall Note Operation DeSoto involved the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, in a month-long operation to secure an area in Quang Ngai Province. The after-action report outlines an accident of war that killed one Marine and wounded eleven others: " . . . on 1 Feb at approximately 0345H, two bombs, of unknown size, exploded within Co M's defensive perimeter at BS 823403 resulting in 1 USMC KIA, 8 USMC WIA (Evac), 3 USMC WIA (Non-evac). An initial investigation of the incident indicated an error had been made in a TPQ-10 drop which had been scheduled for 1 Feb at BS827410. No further report on the incident has been made available to this organization to date." Source: Para 7, HQ 3/7 Marines ltr 3/WHG/dlj 3480 dtd 1 June 1967 The TPQ-10 system allowed a ground radar controller to vector an aircraft into position to release its weapons without the aircrew ever seeing the target ... but accuracy depended upon both ground and aircrew doing things just right. In this incident someone wasn't "just right" and a Marine died as a direct result of the error.

A memorial initiated by a fellow Marine, George Martin m37bulldog@aol.com  31 May 2002

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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 06/01/2002