On December 30, 1969, Ellis Marlin was killed in action. Our unit was assigned to locate an enemy base camp believed to be near the village of Ben Chua and off a heavily used trail known as the "Turnpike". We moved into the area and located several booby traps that were disarmed. We moved approximately 100 meters and located the base camp. We were in the process of clearing bunkers when there was an explosion. A member of the unit touched a trip wire and detonated a booby trapped claymore mine. Marlin and three others were seriously wounded. Before a medical "Dust Off" could reach our location Ellis Marlin died. RIP Black Lion.
by Doug Miller