Wayne Maurice Caron: Medal of Honor Hero in Operation Mameluke Thrust

Operation Mameluke Thrust (May 19 - October 23, 1968) was a U.S. Marine Corps operation southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The 1st Marine Division was tasked with conducting spoiling attacks into the valleys west of Da Nang and around Thuong Duc Special Forces Camp, a strategic area under threat following the recent loss of the Kham Duc SF Camp. Among the objectives was keeping National Routes QL-5 and QL-14 open, ensuring access to key locations like An Hoa and Thuong Duc. On July 27, 1968, during this operation, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (K/3/7) began a sweep into the southwestern “Dodge City” area, a known staging ground for the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong forces planning attacks on U.S. bases.

The following day, on July 28, at 2:00 PM, 2nd Platoon of K Company was moving through an open rice field at Giao Nghi, about five kilometers east of the Dai Loc-Ai Nghia Bridge, when they came under heavy machine gun and automatic weapons fire from a concealed NVA company. Pinned down in the open paddy field with little cover, the Marines returned fire and called for artillery and airstrikes on the enemy positions. Reinforcements from L/3/7 and a platoon from M/3/7 were sent to assist, but the beleaguered Marines remained trapped in the rice paddy, facing intense enemy fire.

It was during this harrowing battle that Wayne Maurice Caron, a Navy corpsman with Company K, risked his life to render aid to his fellow Marines. As casualties mounted under the relentless enemy assault, Caron noticed two Marines fall and immediately rushed forward through the fire-swept field to assist. Sadly, the Marines were already dead. Undeterred, and despite being struck in the arm by enemy fire, Caron continued his mission, reaching a grievously wounded Marine. His medical intervention was crucial and likely saved the Marine's life. Caron then pressed on toward another injured comrade, even after being hit again, this time in the leg. Crawling the remaining distance, he provided critical aid.

In a final act of courage, Caron attempted to reach a third wounded Marine when he was fatally struck by enemy fire, including a rocket round. Despite the overwhelming danger, his valor and selflessness in the face of extreme peril reflect the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. The brutal engagement during Operation Mameluke Thrust resulted in the loss of eighteen Marines and one Navy corpsman, Wayne M. Caron, with forty others wounded and in need of evacuation.