Doc Marishkanish Bridge

 bridge, road bridge, memorial plaque

HM3 Charles "Doc" Mariskanish Memorial FMF Corpsman, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, KIA 9 May 1968.

On 9 May 1968 while participating in Operation HOUSTON II in Quang Nam, Petty Officer Mariskanish's unit came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well entrenched force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars, wounding three Marines who fell in an open area. Repeated attempts to evacuate the casualties failed due to the heavy enemy automatic weapons fire.

Requesting his platoon to deliver covering fire, Petty Officer Mariskanish fearlessly crawled across the fire swept terrain on two separate occasions to evacuate the injured Marines.

As he attempted to reach the remaining casualty, Petty Officer Mariskanish was mortally wounded by the hostile fire.

By his extraordinary courage, resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Petty Officer Mariskanish saved the lives of two comrades and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.