Unsung Heroes of Morgan County AL: Marine Staff Sergeant Paul George Hendrix

Marine Staff Sergeant Paul George Hendrix

born October 12, 1933, Hartselle, AL
died July 15, 1966 Song Ngan Valley, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam
Operation Hastings

buried Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park
Colleyville, Tarrant County, Texas, USA
Findagrave link

Father J.D. Hendrix, Hartselle

Unit - H&S Company, 3RD BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD Marine Division IV, III MAF

MOS - 2511, 2512: Wireman and communications

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!!

Note from Findagrave - Funeral services for Marine SSgt. Paul G. Hendrix of Fort Worth, Tex., who was killed July 15, in Quang Tri Republic in South Viet Nam were held recently in Fort Worth.

SSgt. Hendrix was husband of Emma D Hendrix and they
had four children of Fort Worth, and the son of J. D. Hendrix of 507 North Stewart St., Hartselle [Alabama].

The 32-year-old father of four children attended school in Birmingham.

SSgt. Hendrix had been stationed in Viet Nam since July, 1965 with H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He was to return to the U. S. in August.

Gravesite Details Grave Marker has GySgt. Incorrect. He was a SSgt at time of death.

Marine Staff Sergeant

Thundering Third Battalion

3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Nicknamed "Thundering Third". The most recent leader Lt. Col. B. Middleton's radio callsign is "Darkside". They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, and consist of approximately 1,000 Marines. The unit currently falls under the command of the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, but — along with its two sister battalions — is hosted by the 3rd Marine Division, at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan, when training in jungle warfare. The 3rd falls under the 4th Marine Regiment at such times.