LCpl Melvin Joseph Riley Jr.

Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum

Melvin, the son of Bernice F. Riley of Hazelwood Missouri and Melvin J. Riley Sr. who predeceased his son, enlisted in the US Marine Corps on September 6, 1966 in St Louis. In Vietnam he was assigned to and served with Company D, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.

During the month of March, Companies A ad D of the Battalion were in general support of the 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF, 196t Light Infantry Brigade USA, and 101st Airborne Brigade USA, Task Force OREGON deploying from Chu Lai in Quang Tin Province.

A Team from the 1st platoon departed on their mission on August 30 to establish an outpost on Nui (Mountain) Liet Kiem (Hill 445) in the Thang Binh District of Quang Tin Province. The Marines observed enemy movement calling in air and artillery strikes, and on September 1 the patrols position was attacked by a group of Viet Cong. Throwing hand grenades and firing small arms the enemy engaged the Marines, during the fire fight LCpl Melvin Riley was killed in the action by hostile rifle fire.

Mel was my a friend and McCluer high school classmate of my oldest brother, Rich 'Ace' McGuire. We lived in Florissant, MO at the time. Mel was loved by all of us McGuire's..mother, father, five sons, two daughters. We all cried so much when we heard about him in September 1967. But we remember the smiling, happy-go-lucky-slightly-crazy and fun guy he was. He shared a lot of dinners with us and was always welcome..we younger brothers admired him, looked up to him. He was not a big man, but had a build like a boxer and a big heart and drove a fast car. I was only 14 years old, but I remember very clearly how much we love and miss Mel Riley, Jr. God Bless You and may you rest in peace..You will be remembered always.

LOVED FRIEND OF MY FAMILY

HONORED ON PANEL 25E, LINE 79 OF THE WALL


MELVIN JOSEPH RILEY JR


WALL NAME: MELVIN J RILEY JR


PANEL / LINE25E/79


DATE OF BIRTH: 03/14/1947


CASUALTY PROVINCEQUANG TIN


DATE OF CASUALTY: 09/01/1967


HOME OF RECORD: HAZELWOOD


COUNTY OF RECORDSt.: Louis County


STATE: MO

Melvin Joseph Riley, Jr
Lance Corporal
1ST PLT, D CO, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Hazelwood, Missouri

Sept. 1st, 1967 Patrol Report #78-67