Ronald James Perkins (1948 - 1967)

Born 15 Nov 1948 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

Ancestors

Died 17 Nov 1967 at age 19 in Quảng Trị, Vietnam

Biography

Lance Corporal Ronald Perkins was Killed in Action in Vietnam during The Vietnam War.

LCpl Ronald Perkins served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War
Service started: 23 Sep 1967
Unit(s): 1st Marine Division
Service ended: 17 Nov 1967

RONALD JAMES PERKINS of Pacoima, California, son of John N. Perkins and Patricia Torres, was born 15 Nov 1948 in Los Angeles, California,^[1] and was killed in action by a sniper's bullet while on patrol in Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam on 17 Nov 1967.^[2] He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.^[2][3]

Ronald was survived by his parents, a brother, Jerry, and a sister, Bernadette. He attended San Fernando High School and received his military training at Camp Pendleton.^[4] In Jan 1967, Ronald graduated from the Weapons Armorer Course at Ordinance School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia.^[5]

From Wall of Faces:

Perkins was new to the Battalion. The night before he was killed he showed me his portable record player his family sent him. The next day we went on patrol when we stopped to explode an unexploded 105 MM artillery round. I stayed with Captain Livingston later MOH winner and Major General and some engineers when Perkins stated to walk off he got about 100 meters when sniper fire hit us. The 105 dud went off wounding me almost taking the arm off of a Marine from New York, and as I was told Perkins was killed by sniper fire. I was informed it was a women sniper who killed Perkins was killed by my squad killed in a firefight.^[6]

AWARDS RECEIVED

Individual: Purple Heart,^[2] Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Unit: Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation.^[7]

MILITARY SERVICE^[8]

Full Name: Perkins, Ronald James

Rank: Lance Corporal

Grade: E3

Specialty: Machine Gunner (USMC)

Residence: Pacoima, CA

Race: Caucasian

Religion: Roman Catholic

Marital Status: Single

Gender: Male

Date Of Birth: 15 Nov 1948

Tour Start Date: 23 Sep 1967

Casualty Date: 17 Nov 1967

Death Date: 17 Nov 1967

Age: 19

Casualty Type: Hostile, Died

Died Of: Gun, Small Arms Fire

Ground Air Sea: Ground Casualty

Body Recovery: Recovered

Place: Not available, South Vietnam

Casualty Location: Not available

Service: Marine Corps

Enlistment Type: Regular

Years Served: 1

Major Command: 1st Mar Div

Company: L Co

Battalion: 3rd Bn

Regiment: 5th Marines

Panel: 30E

Line: 11

Conflict Period: Vietnam War

Served For: United States of America

Sources

1. ↑ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database, FamilySearch: 27 Nov 2014, Ronald James Perkins, 15 Nov 1948; citing Los Angeles, CA, US, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Dept, Sacramento.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} CoffeltDatabase.org - profile of Ronald James Perkins, including DD1300and headstone photo.
3. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images: accessed 17 Mar 2019, LCpl Ronald James Perkins (15 Nov 1948–17 Nov 1967), Memorial 44440820, citing Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles Co, CA, USA: headstone photo.
4. ↑ Valley News, (Van Nuys, CA) published 21 Nov 1967, page 1, 6. Accessed online at Newspapers.com($).
5. ↑ Valley News, (Van Nuys, CA) published 6 Jan 1967, page 28. Accessed online at Newspapers.com($).
6. ↑ Wall of Faces - profile of Ronald James Perkins.
7. ↑ TogetherWeServed.com = profile of Ronald James Perkins.
8. ↑ Fold3.com - profile of Ronald James Perkins.

See also:

• "United States Casualties of the Vietnam War, 1956-1998," database, FamilySearch: 12 Dec 2014, Ronald James Perkins, NARA NAID 306742, National Archives at College Park, MD.
• "United States Military Personnel who Died During the Vietnam War, 1956-2003," database, FamilySearch: 12 Dec 2014, Ronald James Perkins, 17 Nov 1967; citing South Vietnam, panel 30E, line 011, NARA NAID 571687, National Archives at College Park, MD.
• VirtualWall.org - profile of Ronald James Perkins.
• Wall of Faces - profile of Ronald James Perkins.