| This is a picture of team "Box Score" on 10
January, 1968. They had captured a POW and were extracted, given a bottle of
Champaign (which Sgt. BillyAndress is holding), a steak dinner and a 3 day R&R in
DaNang. It was also the first patrol that Lt. Terry Graves made in Vietnam; in
keeping with company policy for new officers Graves did not lead this patrol, Sgt. Andress
did, but went along to observe and learn. On 16 February, 1968, team "Box
Score" was practically wiped out! Graves, R. B. Thomson, Honeycutt, Lopez and
Emerick (the last three are not in this team picture as they weren't on this patrol) were
KIA. Slocum and Nation were WIA; the only member of the team not wounded was HM3
Thompson. Graves was awarded the medal of honor as a result of his actions.
In 1974 a BOQ at the basic school was dedicated to Lt. Graves and is called
"Graves Hall." The basic school intends to rededicate Graves Hall on 26
July, focusing on the team vice Lt. Graves. They feel, as do I, that Marine Officers
should be reminded that it is the efforts and performance of the enlisted Marines that
ultimately lead to the success or failure of an officer. I furnished this photo and
they will have it on the wall along with the names and citations of all team members.
We are trying to identify all the members of the team in the photo. |