David Bone served as a platoon leader for a Marine reconnaissance platoon in South Vietnam through most of 1966. He saw action on his very first mission, and plenty of his missions thereafter, including a famous action at Howard's Hill (Hill 488) in June, 1966. He later attended the U.S. Navy's dive school in the Philippines before returning to Vietnam, where he the worked as a diver for a short time. David grew up in Jacksonville, Illinois, and prior to his wartime tour of duty, played center on the Northwestern University basketball team during a heyday for Big 10 basketball.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Too Close to the Dead
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Growing up in Jacksonville, years at Northwestern and Marine officer training
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Early experience in Vietnam as a Marine Recon Platoon Leader
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
More experiences in Vietnam, Hill 488 and dive school
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Returning home, teaching at The Basic School, and life beyond Marines
Photos
Caption
Jacksonville High School basketball team in 1959, David Bone’s senior year. In front are Mike Hudson, Jim Keller, Bone, David Allison, Merrit Norvel; back row, Coach John Chapman, Ron Spangenberg, Dick Parker, John Sutphen, John Bourn and Roger Trier.
Where:
Jacksonville, Illinois
When:
1959
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
David Bone (#22) fights for a rebound with Jerry Lucas (#1) in a game at Northwestern in early 1961. The other set of legs belongs to NU teammate John Miller. In the background (left) with his head obscured is John Havlicek. David held Havlicek to 18 points in that game while scoring 13.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
Early 1961
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Northwestern University’s basketball team for 1961-62. David Bone, #22, is second from the right in the front row. Coach Bill Rohr is sitting in the front row, far left.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
1961-62
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
David Bone received the Bronze Star with V device (for heroic achievement) from BGen. D.A. Stiles in July, 1966. Bone led his platoon on a mission to call in artillery after being inserted into enemy territory via a swift boat in May, 1966.
Where:
Unknown
When:
July, 1966
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
1LT David Bone makes a radio call on the morning of June 16, 1966 on a hill just north of Hill 488 (Howard’s Hill), where another recon platoon was defending its position from an estimated 300 to 500 NVA who were assaulting Howard’s Hill.
Where:
Vietnam
When:
June 16, 1966
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This map shows the terrain for the NVA’s attack on Hill 488 (Howard’s Hill) in June, 1966. Lieutenant Bone’s unit was occupying the hill to the north, marked on the map as Team 3.
Where:
Vietnam
When:
June, 1966
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.