The Lexington Veterans Association brings veterans and community members together in fellowship
to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
Serving Those Who Served
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Looking for a previous program recording? Search here.
Learn about Veterans Benefits
with Karen Tyler Veterans Services Director Thursday May 23, 2024 at 7:00pm At the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd Enrollment in VA Healthcare; Service-Connected Disability Claims; Hearing Benefits, VA benefit Aid & Attendance; Agent Orange; Camp LeJeune, PACT Act, Chapter 115 for low-income Veterans & Surviving Spouses [email protected] (781)698-4848 www.lexingtonma.gov/710/Veterans-Services Join us on June 10, 2024 |
Vietnam 1967: Operation Medina
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The Heroic Marines of Charlie Company
Presented by Jim Ramsey, Captain, Retired, US Navy
Live at Cary Library and via Zoom webinar, free and open to the public.
Coffee and conversation at 12:45, program begins at 1:15 p.m.
If you are watching via Zoom, use this Zoom Link.
Jim Ramsey
On October 11, 1967 Charlie Company, First Battalion, First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division landed on a low hill-top clearing in the dense Hai Lang National Forest south of Quang Tri, South Vietnam. Charlie Company was the point company for Operation Medina, a search-and-destroy mission against a North Vietnamese Army staging area that supported two NVA Regiments. At 2 P.M. on October 12 Charlie Company was ambushed and surrounded by 4 NVA companies. Jim Ramsey, former Navy lieutenant and Seabee company commander in Vietnam, will relate the story of the ensuing battle.
In the fall of 1967 North Vietnamese Army troops were pouring into South Vietnam from Laos via the Ho Chi Minh Trail and establishing base areas to support operations against the South. U.S. Marines, who were being severely tested by the NVA throughout northern South Vietnam, launched multi-battalion Operation Medina to root out enemy forces in NVA Base Area 101.
Charlie Company saw the bulk of the action. During the night of October 12-13 the superior enemy force, which had nearly encircled the Marine position, launched wave after wave of attacks. Many Marines were certain that this was their last night on earth. The NVA came very close to overwhelming Charlie Company that night - but 1st Lt. Jack Ruffer decided to take matters into his own hands and lead a counter-attack that changed everything. Emboldened, the Marines heroically fought back and prevailed against a superior force. Corporal William T. Perkins, Jr. would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.
Jim Ramsey earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Cornell University. He completed the Naval ROTC Program at Cornell and served in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 5 years. A Harvard MBA, Jim worked in management consulting and held marketing and business development positions with several companies. A member of the Board of Directors of the Lexington Veterans Association, Jim is a volunteer with the Veterans’ Library at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, bringing books and companionship to Veteran residents.
In the fall of 1967 North Vietnamese Army troops were pouring into South Vietnam from Laos via the Ho Chi Minh Trail and establishing base areas to support operations against the South. U.S. Marines, who were being severely tested by the NVA throughout northern South Vietnam, launched multi-battalion Operation Medina to root out enemy forces in NVA Base Area 101.
Charlie Company saw the bulk of the action. During the night of October 12-13 the superior enemy force, which had nearly encircled the Marine position, launched wave after wave of attacks. Many Marines were certain that this was their last night on earth. The NVA came very close to overwhelming Charlie Company that night - but 1st Lt. Jack Ruffer decided to take matters into his own hands and lead a counter-attack that changed everything. Emboldened, the Marines heroically fought back and prevailed against a superior force. Corporal William T. Perkins, Jr. would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.
Jim Ramsey earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Cornell University. He completed the Naval ROTC Program at Cornell and served in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 5 years. A Harvard MBA, Jim worked in management consulting and held marketing and business development positions with several companies. A member of the Board of Directors of the Lexington Veterans Association, Jim is a volunteer with the Veterans’ Library at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, bringing books and companionship to Veteran residents.
Bulletin BoardCheck out veteran-related programs and events of interest around Lexington. Check in with timely veteran-related news articles.
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Speaker Series You’ll find our monthly presentations educational and inspiring. Listen to top-notch speakers on military-related subjects.
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Community ServiceWe are an active partner with other community organizations to honor and recognize veterans and to promote community support of the military.
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Veterans ResourcesNeed help with veterans benefits? Contact our Veterans Services Director to learn more.
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Veterans DayA Veterans Breakfast and a traditional Veterans Day ceremony marked the 2022 Veterans Day observance.
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LVA SurveyTell us about your military or non-military related service. Let us know how we’re doing, suggest future programs, and explore volunteering.
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We Are Grateful
To the following organizations and companies who have been invaluable supporters.
Please click on the logo to go to their homepage.
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Thanks to Dinesh Patel, MD, Sue Stering, and volunteers from the Lexington Town Celebrations Committee
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.