By William Tauro

This past Thursday, a ceremony was held honoring the 52nd anniversary of PFC RONALD J POINTER’S ultimate sacrifice to his country in the Quan Tri Province of Vietnam.

A square was dedicated to Somerville native PFC Ronald J. Pointer of the United States Marine Corp who lost his life in the line of duty.

Ronald J. Pointer was born on October 6th 1949 and was killed on September 17th, 1968 in Vietnam.

The dedication in his honor is now located at the corner of Belmont Street and Somerville Avenue in Somerville. Ken Manzi played TAPS at the ceremony in full military uniform honoring PFC Pointer.

PFC Ronald Pointer is buried in the Somerville Veterans Cemetery that’s located in Teele Square Somerville.

ABOUT PFC RONALD J POINTER:

PFC Pointer died saving lives and he is buried In the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Somerville.
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.