SSgt Alfred T. Dwyer, USMC
February, 18 1935 – January 30, 1968

Born to Carmen Dwyer with a home of record of El Paso, Texas, Alfred Dwyer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in May 1953.  While on active duty Dwyer served in the Korean War and in the Middle East. Prior to receiving orders to Vietnam in January 1967, the Dwyer family was stationed in Puerto Rico for three years, probably Naval Security Group Activity Sabana Seca. Alfred Dwyer was married to Marjorie and they had three children, Kenneth, Michael and Kelly.

SSgt Dwyer was killed in action on January 30, 1968 along with three other Marines as a result of fragmentation wounds from hostile mortar fire while in defense of his position in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. Dwyer was attached to 1st Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion, Comm Company when he was killed.  The three other Marines killed are:

LCpl Patrick J. McKinley, Trenton, MI (Comm Co, HQ Bn, 1st MarDiv)
LCpl Robert L. Staley, Princeton, IN (MWCS-1, MWHG-1, 1ST MAW)
Pfc Richard J. Clementz, McGuffey, OH (Comm Co, HQ Bn, 1st MarDiv)  

Commendations:
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

SSgt Alfred Thomas Dwyer is buried and memorialized at Hillside Cemetery in Townsend, Massachusetts.  His name can be found on panel/line 35E/68 on the Vietnam memorial Wall.

A note from Kenneth Dwyer, the son of Alfred Dwyer:

Hi,

My name is Kenneth Dwyer and I am SSgt Alfred T Dwyer’s son. In my family, my father’s death was extremely traumatic with my mother not willing to talk about the subject to this day. I am almost 50 years old and it is just now that I am asking questions about a man I never knew. I am looking for anyone that personally knew my father. The reason I am asking is that he died when I was 6years old and I have no memories of him. If you knew him or know anyone that did, I would love to hear stories you may have about him. For example, was he a good or bad man?

About my dad: On January 30, 1968, Comm Company’s radio shack on Hill 200 was destroyed when sappers from the 406th NVA Sapper Battalion got through the wire and overran Hill 200. Four Marines were killed in the attack. Three of them were from Radio Platoon, Communications Company, and one was from the Air Wing.My dad was SSgt Alfred T. Dwyer, El Paso, TX (Comm Co, HQ Bn, 1st MarDiv, 3rdMAF)

Ken Dwyer
amxhusband@yahoo.com