Richard James Gaffaney Jr

Vietnam
-
Fallen

Fargo, ND


County:
Cass

Date of Loss:

Branch of Service:
Marines

Rank:
Corporal

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
Company E

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:
2nd Battalion

Regiment / Group / Brigade:
9th Marine Amphibious Brigade

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:
7th Marine Division
Listed on/in the:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Washington D.C.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Profile

Circumstances:

During Operation EAGER YANKEE the Marines were conducting a sweep in Phu Vang District when a Marine tripped an AP (Anti-Personnel) device west of the Thon Ba Lang village complex wounding three men. Continuing on their mission the Marines were hit with a barrage of mortar and small arms fire as they approached the hostile village, two Marines were killed and another was wounded from the hostile fire. Cpl Gaffaney was one of the casualties, he was killed as a result of shrapnel wounds from a hostile explosive device.

Biography:

Richard, the son of Richard J. Gaffaney Sr. and Marguerite A. Gaffaney of Fargo ND enlisted in the US Marine Corps on April 25, 1967, he arrived in Vietnam on October 12, 1967, and was assigned for duty with Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF. In mid-June, the 2d Battalion was assigned to the SLF and his unit was re-designated Company E, BLT 2/7, 9th MAB.

He is buried Lot 229 L in Riverside Cemetery - Fargo, ND.