My Brother Stevie: A Marine's Untold Story
Vietnam 1967
by
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Lieutenant Straughan Downing Kelsey, Jr. was born to be a Marine. The first born of a career service man and his military wife, Steve was born July 14, 1943, and gave his life for his country in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam on June 2-3, 1967. He is a hero and his story has never been told. He lived in many US states and while in attendance at Saint Paul's School, in Concord, New Hampshire, he was formed into the mentally, physically, and spiritually fit young man who would go on to Princeton University, majoring in French and German, and then to become a Marine – his lifelong ambition. He was a precision marksman by the age of 6 years old and knew that he belonged only to the United States Marine Corps. After graduating 2nd in his class at Quantico's Officers Training School he was assigned to Monterrey's Defense Language Institute where he graduated first in his class and was proficient in Vietnamese. He was then deployed to the 2nd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division as Lieutenant in Command of 2nd Platoon – Foxtrot. They were assigned to Quang Tin Province in the Que Son Valley at An Hoa Marine Combat Base. His Regiment, and in particular his Platoon, were called to fight Operation Union II on June 2-3, 1967. The battle, which was a search and destroy mission, took place southwest of Da Nang in the Que Son Valley. This location was the hub of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the Viet Cong meant to maintain that route at all costs. They were waiting for Fox Company on June 2nd and Operation Union II quickly became a massacre. Fifty-six Marine Riflemen were killed along with three officers, Lt. Kelsey being one. During the battle, Kelsey had been assigned to take a pagoda which was on a hill in the middle of a rice paddy at Vinh Huy. The Marines were outnumbered but didn't think much of that as they were Marine fighting men and Lt. Kelsey, along with this Platoon, crossed the rice paddy evading spider traps (holes in the ground with enemy hiding waiting to spring up and kill) peppering the field. Lt. Kelsey's steadfast courage inspired more Marines to follow his lead. It was without fear of his own safety that he upheld the honor and devotion to duty. After moving halfway across the rice paddy, the Lt. Kelsey pg. 2 North Vietnamese Army opened up with devastating machine gun fire cutting down over half of the Platoon within the first few minutes. Lt. Kelsey was subjected to withering fire and ambush from two entrenched North Vietnamese machine guns. They were approaching the pagoda when Pfc. Dennis Sheehy was wounded in an artery in his upper arm/shoulder. Lt. Kelsey, whose M-16 rifle had jammed, stopped his approach to administer to him, wrapping his own belt around his shoulder to stop the bleeding and thus saving his life. Lt. Kelsey then resumed his charge with his remaining men. Lt. Kelsey and Sgt. Rick Barnes then went around the hill and saw that there were several hundred Viet Cong coming at them. Lt. Kelsey, holding up his pants with one hand and firing with his other, led his men into the fray and it was at this time that he was killed. He was shot in the back of the head. He was 23. The survivors say of him that they cry for the loss of such a great man who could have done so much good for the world. Pfc Sheehy is quoted as saying, “He tried to save the lives of his men, he was courageous under fire. There were a lot of brave Marines that day and Lt. Kelsey was among the bravest.” Sgt. Barnes concurs, “I once knew a great man.” The Marines of Foxtrot distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry, intrepidity and extraordinary heroism on the day of battle, June 2, 1967. Kelsey, in particular, is remembered for his leadership, compassion, inspiration, duty, bravery, and uncommon valor as shown on that day in that battle that was Operation Union II.
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About the Book
Lieutenant Straughan Downing Kelsey, Jr. was my only and older brother. He was the family's Protector. When he was Killed In Action, June 2, 1967 in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam the family died with him. My younger sister and I survive. We are all that is left of a once glorious family. I wish that the gifts the Lord blessed him with will not be forgotten nor his courage, valor and compassion.
He was a gifted athlete, artist, musician and intellect. He graduated from Princeton University in June of 1965 and entered the Marine Corps almost immediately. It was his lifelong dream.
This book is his story and legacy. It is the story of the times he lived in when America went from watching Howdy Doody to civil rights race riots and war at home and Vietnam.
America lost her innocence but Stevie never wavered in his devotion to his country and the Marine Corps.
Press Release :
My Brother Stevie: A Marine’s Untold Story: Vietnam 1967
By
Marianne Kelsey Orestis
In recognition of her book, My Brother Stevie: A Marine’s Untold Story: Vietnam 1967 and tireless work in promoting patriotism while honoring the sacrifice and service of all Veterans and their families, The Department of Defense recently awarded Authorhouse author, Marianne Kelsey Orestis, the prestigious Vietnam War Commemoration Award. Orestis represented the great State of Maine and the Topsham-Brunswick Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC on June 30, 2017 at a ceremony celebrating her commitment to keeping the stories alive of Vietnam Veterans in her book. This tome is a story of courage and sacrifice of not only her brother but of all Marines, especially those who lost their lives at the massacre of Operation Union II on June 2, 1967. The battle was fought in the Quang Tin Province of Vietnam at the village of Ving Huy near the Mekong Delta where the An Hoa Marine Combat Field Base was located. This massacre resulted in the greatest loss of Marine riflemen throughout the entire war in a single day. Orestis reaches deep into their lives to tell the stories of this harrowing battle so replete with uncommon valor. In this personal account, Orestis chronicles not only the life of the Lieutenant but of the times he lived in paying respect to the lives of those who gave their utmost.
Orestis received the Department of Defense Certificate in appreciation of her dedication to the educating of those who came afterward by telling the stories of service, honor and sacrifice of the Veterans and their families in her biography.
About the Author
She is the daughter of a career Air Force military officer and pilot, traveled the country and Europe and settled in New England with her three children and eight grandchildren. To her, her brother was the world and she has written his story in remembrance of his exciting life and courageous end – dying for his country in Vietnam at the battle of Operation Union II in June of 1967. His story is for the most part unknown and she wishes to tell it by writing of his life, his love and his courage. It is a thriller and a look inside the life of the military child and of changing times in America and war. She wrote this account in his honour.