Marine Private First Class John Earl McVay

Marine Private First Class John Earl McVay

born March 4, 1948
died May 15, 1967, Thua Thien near Hai Lang, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam
buried Sterrs Cemetery, Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, USA
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parents John T. McVay

Home of record Decatur, AL

Boot camp - Parris Island
Commenced Training: 11 June 1966
Completed Training: 04 August 1966
SSGT A. Stafford - Senior Drill Instructor
SGT J.L. McLaughlin - Drill Instructor
SGT J.L. Wilson - Drill Instructor

MOS - 0311 Rifleman
Unit - E Company, 2ND Battlion, 4TH Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III MAF
Operation Shawnee

From Findagrave
Decatur Daily 
Funeral services for John E. McVay of 1304 5th Ave. NW, who was killed in Vietnam May 15, will be 3 p.m. Friday at Westside Baptist Church, the Rev. James I. McGahee officiating. Burial will be at Sterrs Memorial Addition Cemetery, Reynolds Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include the father, John T. McVay of Detroit, Mich; grandmothers, Mrs. Velma Irvin of Decatur; Mrs. Sarah Pointer of Decatur; a sister, Miss Delores McVay of Decatur.

DECATUR DAILY - May 24, 1967

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 Private First Class

Second Battlion 4th Marines

Third Marine Amphibious

Combat Action Ribbon

Third Marine Division

Fourth Marines

Find Marine Private First Class John Earl McVay on the Vietnam Memorial

Wall Panel 20E, Line 2

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