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Willie was born and raised in Farmindale, New York. He was on vacation in North Carolina when he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
PFC Oxendine arrived in-country on 13 April 1968 and promptly was assigned to India 3/26 Marines. No problem there, except that India 3/26 was defending Hill 881 South near Khe Sanh. Then-Captain William H. Dabney, commanding officer of India 3/26 at the time, called 881S "that God-awful hill" ... and it was. While PFC Oxendine survived the siege of 881S he was killed by a land mine shortly afterwards.
But he is remembered as one of the Warriors assigned to Hill 881S
It is now 42 years since Willie was killed in action in Quang Tri Province. Willie arrived in Vietnam in April 1968 and was killed in action on May 30th 1968. I have waited all the time hoping that some day, someone who served with Willie in Vietnam will contact me.
If you served with Willie, could you please write me at:
Dorothy Oxendine
16 West Chestnut Street
Farmingdale, NY 11735-3114
Phone: 516-249-1073
E-mail: DOxendineGSMOM@aol.com
Dorothy Oxendine was the Gold Star Mothers National President for 2002/2003. She became a Gold Star Mother on what she calls the real Memorial Day, May 30, 1968 - and she joined the American Gold Star Mothers in 1969.
I am posting this for Dorothy Oxendine. I have worked with Dorothy via the Vietnam Veterans of America, Suffolk County Chapter 11.
Bill Stoddard
Senior Chief Gunner's Mate,
U. S. Naval Reserve (Ret)
wstoddardjr@yahoo.com