Unsung Heroes of Morgan County AL: Marine Lance Corporal John Wallace Hose, Jr.

Marine Lance Corporal John Wallace Hose, Jr.

born November 10, 1948
died September 27, 1967 (aged 18) Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. Mortar fire CON THIEN (HILL 158) 19670927
UTM grid reference is YD114702 Mike Company on Con Thien Hill, he was KIA from mortars along with Tommy Osbon

Decatur High School, 1966
Operation Kingfisher
buried Roselawn Gardens, Decatur, AL
Findagrave link

parents John Wallace and Zella Jean Prince Hose

Unit M Company, 3rd Battalion, 9TH MARINES, 3rd Marine Division, III MAF
MOS 0351: ANTITANK ASSAULTMAN

1. This is my rifle.

There are many like it, but this one is mine.

2. My rifle is my best friend.

It is my life.

I must master it as I must master my life.

3. My rifle, without me, is useless.

Without my rifle, I am useless.

I must fire my rifle true.

I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me.

I must shoot him before he shoots me.

I will.

4. My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire,

the noise of our burst,

nor the smoke we make.

We know that it is the hits that count.

We will hit.

5. My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life.

Thus, I will learn it as a brother.

I will learn its weaknesses, its strength,

its parts, its accessories,

its sights and its barrel.

I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage

as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage.

I will keep my rifle clean and ready.

We will become part of each other.

We will.

6. Before God, I swear this creed.

My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country.

We are the masters of our enemy.

We are the saviors of my life.

7. So be it,

until victory is America's and there is no enemy,

but peace!!

Marine Lance Corporal

3rd Marine Amphibious

3rd Marine Division

9th Marines

Combat Action Ribbon

From Adam Hose
I never got to meet you Uncle Sonny. My dad has always spoken of his big brother as a great man, but his words have always been covered in sadness. I know he would have loved to have you around to help him grow up and certainly would have loved for you to meet his kids. But he also couldn’t have been prouder of you and what you sacrificed for our country.

Thank you for your honor. Thank you for serving. I hope we make you proud.