Say His Name to Remember: HM3 William George Andrus

William George Andrus served as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class, providing crucial medical support to the Marines during the Vietnam War. His dedication to aiding his fellow Marines while attached to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, demonstrates his courage and commitment. His loss on September 16, 1967, while operating near Con Thien during Operation Kingfisher, highlights the perilous conditions faced by those involved in river crossings and other dangerous missions.

Operations Kingfish was a series of actions that took place near Con Thien in an area known as leatherneck square. It started on July 16th but initially made little contact with the North Vietnamese. On July 28th Marines made a short attack into the DMZ, on the return they were ambushed. The Marines set up defensive position overnight and held off an attack until they were relieved the next day. 23 Marines were killed in that attack. For the next two months the Marines and the NVA continued to engage. When the operation ended 340 Marines were dead and 1,461 wounded.