By William Tauro
This past Monday September 17th a ceremony took place honoring the 50th anniversary of PFC RONALD J POINTER’S ultimate sacrifice to his country In the Quan Tri Province In Vietnam.
PFC Pointer died saving lives and he is buried In the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Somerville .
Ken Manzi played TAPS at the ceremony in full military uniform honoring PFC Pointer.
About PFC Ronald J. Pointer:
Ronald, the grandson of Caroline Sasso of Somerville MA, the son of William Pointer deceased, and the son of Louise Pointer of Waltham MA enlisted in the US Marine Corps on February 6, 1967 in Boston MA. He arrived in Vietnam on April 17, 1968 assigned to Company H BLT 2/26 9th MAB FMFPAC.
During Operation LANCASTER II, in Hoang Hoa District of Quang Tri Province in the vicinity of LZ Margo the BLT 2/26 CP (Command Post) was hit with 60 rounds of 60mm and 82mm mortar fire, small arms fire was also exchanged by the Marines and enemy force before the NVA withdrew. Thirteen Marines were wounded and PFC Pointer was killed as a result of multiple fragmentation wounds by the hostile mortar fire.
