The Magnificent Bastards (31 page)

SSgt. Reymundo Del Rio (center) gunny of G BLT 2/4 during the Battle of Dai Do, is presented the Bronze Star with his skipper, Capt. Vargas, at his side.
Courtesy R. Del Rio
.

1st Lt. Hilton (right) stands in front of an M48 tank, the type used by Marine tankers during the Battle of Dai Do.
Courtesy J. D. Hilton
.

Marines of BLT 2/4 assault Dai Do.
Courtesy W. Weise
.

A 60mm mortar team in action with B/1/3.
Courtesy N. J. Doucette
.

1st Lt. David R. Jones, E BLT 2/4 (right).
Courtesy D. R. Jones
.

Cpl. Nicolas R. Cardona, E BLT 2/4, was the only man in his squad to emerge unscathed from Echo’s assault on Dai Do on 2 May 1968.
Courtesy N. R. Cardona
.

Capt. James E. Livingston, skipper of E BLT 2/4, got the Medal of Honor for his actions while covering his company’s retreat from Dinh To on 2 May 1968.
Courtesy J. E. Livingston
.

LCpl. Philip L. Cornwell, E BLT 2/4, checks out a LAW rocket launcher.
Courtesy P. L. Cornwell
.

Lt. Col. Weise awaits medical evacuation at the BLT 2/4 casualty collection point in Mai Xa Chanh West. Weise was shot in the lower back when the NVA assaulted Dinh To on 2 May 1968.
Courtesy W. Weise
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BLT 2/4’s command group for the Battle of Dai Do (from left): Maj. Warren, Maj. Knapp, Capt. Murphy, 1st Lt. Smith, Lt. Col. Weise, Sgt. Maj. Malnar, and Capt. Forehand.
Courtesy G. F Warren
.

HM2 Roger D. Pittman, a corpsman with F BLT 2/4.
Courtesy R. D. Pittman
.

Marines bag the bodies of their dead and collect abandoned gear on 3 May 1968, the day after the bloody debacle at Dai Do.
Courtesy F. H. Morgan
.