born April 24, 1946 Morgan County, Alabama, USA
died April 30, 1967 (aged 21). Quảng Trị, Vietnam
buried Somerville Cemetery
Somerville, Morgan County, Alabama, USA
findagrave link
home town - Somerville, AL
MOS - 0311
Unit Mike Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regiment (3/3)
Battle of Khe Sanh (Hill Fights)/Battle of Hill 881 South
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| Battle at Hill 881 Memorial in San Antonio Texas. Medic waiting for helicopter over wounded Randall |
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| Photo by Catherine Leroy that inspired the bronze statue. |
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!!
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| 3rd Marine Division |
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| 3rd battalion, 3rd regiment |
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| 3rd Marine Air Ground -Amphibious |
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| Combat Action Ribbon |
Find PFC James A. Randall on the Vietnam Memorial Wall
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