William Hutsell Pless
Military Data
Length Service 01
Unit 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, III MAF
Casualty Data
Start Tour 30 April 1968
Incident Date 4 January 1969
Casualty Date 4 January 1969
Age at Loss 19
Location , South Vietnam
Remains Body recovered
Casualty Type Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason Ground casualty
Casualty Detail Gun or small arms fire
Vietnam Wall Panel 35W Line 036
Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA
Plot BB, 13
Linda Weathers
friend
I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU
Billy Pless was a friend of mine in high school. I remember so clearly when I heard he had been killed and how horrible I felt. He was such a nice guy and so kind and sweet. He will never be forgotten and everytime I visit DC I go to the wall and look at his name. Thank you Billy, for being a hero.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
David Martin
Fairmont17@aol.com
Friend
708 Dwight Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37406 USA
Billy was a friend and a good guy. The last time I saw him was shortly before both of us headed off for basic treaning. He came over to my house and ate fried chicken that my mom had fixed. Even though he was not in country long before he lost his life he just had the bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I will always remember him.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
WILLIAM HUDSOL PLESS is honored on Panel 35W, Row 36 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. His last rank was Lance Corporal. He was a rifleman in the Infantry. His last unit was 03111st Battaliion 11 A company. Lance Corporal 1ST PLT, A CO, 1ST BN, 1ST MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps. He was killed by small arms fire. William was 19 years old. www.VirtualWall.orgdpPlessWH01a.htm
I met pless in 1968 2/4 northern I corps..i could have sworn he was in country in march 1968. we went through daido and were two of the three men in it. morgan mentioned the third day of this battle. I was with him when he was wounded aug.4 or 6 wound was in his left arm. he was the only marine I trusted completely we both received the rank of sgt after dadio.i was lost without you being tighter. the new pvt. were nothing I ended sending most home to be buried/pless I missed you then ad I still miss now when our father calls me, I hope you are standing at the gates pless we had some very hard times and somme slack at other times. miss you so sgt v.g.johnson
pless i still miss you and think of you very very often. you were my best friend and we shared many good and bad days together.
–Submitted by Victor Johnson
Dearest Billy, I wish we could have met when you were alive. I was only 8 yrs old when you died and was very sad that you had passed away. My mother and I went to your funeral. I remember Brady saying that no one could touch you because of the injury you had sustained. The funeral home had put a piece of glass over you to prevent anyone from touching you. I remember how handsome you were in your uniform. I also remember being very proud that I had a brother in the Marine Corp. I have met Tony, Michael, Madaline and Maryline. I talk to Tony on occasion, but not often. I have spoken to Misty (adopted by Brady and Christine). Due to events Brady and I were not close. But I wish that we as brothers and sisters could have been a lot closer.
Please know that I have always loved you and you are terribly missed.
Love, Terrea Pless O’Daniel Sister by Brady H. Pless and Kathleen B. Holder
From the Editorial Page of the Chattanooga Times, Tuesday, January 7, 1969:
We had hoped against hope that the day would not come in 1969 when we carried the report of a local serviceman killed in action in viet. Lance Corporal William Hutsell Pless, fell victim to enemy sniper fire over the weekend. The tragedy is compounded by the young marine’s only recent return to combat duty after a wound received last summer. Corporal Pless had graduated from Central High School before entering the marine corps. He had served in Vietnam since April of last year. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the parents and relatives of this courageous Chattanooga native. His service and sacrifice will be remembered his memory honored, in this community and the nation for which he gave his young life.
Photo from the Parris Island Boot camp book for Platoon 2073, submitted by Bob Holladay
- Rank: Lance Corporal
- Date of birth: 31 October 1949
- Date of death: 4 January 1969
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
- Conflict: Vietnam
- Awards: Two Purple Hearts
- Burial/Memorial Location: Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXIII, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Misty Pless, Terrea O'Daniel
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