James Walter Brock III was born December 1, 1946 in Cullman County. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served during the Vietnam War. Brock was attached to 3rd Marine Division (Amphibious Forces), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, E Company. His occupation was Rifleman.
He began his tour of duty September 26, 1967. His battalion, nicknamed the Magnificent Bastards, were committed to ground combat operations in South Vietnam. He would arrive during Operation Kingfisher in “Leatherneck Square” near Con Thien (Hill of Angels).
November 1, 1967 would mark the beginning of Operation Kentucky, yet another operation in the Battle of Con Thien. On November 4, 1967, James Walter Brock III was killed in action by hostile fire in the Quang Tri province of South Vietnam.
At the time of Brock’s death, his wife, Barrie Brock, was expecting the couple’s first child. James Walter Brock is buried at Vista Memorial Gardens, Miami Lakes, Miami-Dade County, Florida. He received the Purple Heart and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. His name is located on Panel 29e, Line 18. He is also memorialized on the Vietnam Memorial at Cullman’s Veterans Memorial Park.
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