William G . Leftwich , Jr . William Groom Leftwich , Jr . ( April 28 , 1931 – November 18 , 1970 ) was an officer of the United States Marine Corps who served during the Vietnam War . In 1970 , he was killed in a helicopter crash during a combat mission in the Vietnam War . Early life . William Leftwich was born on April 28 , 1931 in Memphis , Tennessee , where he graduated from Central High School . He was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 5 , 1953 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy . His roommate during part of his time at the Academy was Ross Perot . As Brigade Commander in his senior year at the Naval Academy , he was specially commended at graduation for exemplary officer - like qualities , which contributed “ to the development of naval spirit and loyalty within the Brigade . ” Military career . Upon entering the Marine Corps , Leftwich completed The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia in January 1954 , and later served as a rifle platoon commander with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina . During 1955 – 56 , he served with the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa . On his return to the United States , he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California , where he was promoted to captain in July 1957 . He then began a three - year assignment at the Naval Academy , serving as a company officer . An athlete himself , he also voluntarily performed collateral duty as assistant varsity tennis coach and battalion football coach . In 1960 , Leftwich rejoined the 2nd Marine Division , serving as a company commander until 1962 when he was named aide - de - camp to the Commanding General . In June 1963 , he was assigned as aide to the Commander of Marine Corps Schools . He was promoted to major in July 1964 . He later completed a course of study in the Vietnamese language prior to reporting for duty in Vietnam in January 1965 as Assistant Senior Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Brigade . Joining Task Force Alfa , Leftwich participated in 27 major operations against the Viet Cong in the central highlands of Vietnam , and spent more than 300 days in the field . He was wounded in the Battle of Hoai An on March 9 , 1965 and awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for extraordinary heroism . According to his citation , he “ … played a major part in all phases of the successful relief of the village of Hoai An , which was under heavy enemy attack by two Viet Cong battalion s … By his own personal example … , he led the attack … Despite injuries by enemy machine - gun bullets in the back , cheek and nose , he went to the aid of a mortally wounded comrade … and delayed his own evacuation until he could call for additional air strikes and brief the task force commander of the situation . ” Leftwich returned to the United States in January 1966 , served as an instructor at The Basic School , then completed the Command and Staff College in June 1967 and was named to the Schools Honor List . Assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps , he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1967 while serving as a systems analyst with the Manpower Management Information Branch , G - 1 Division . He later became head of the Systems Analysis Section . In 1968 , he was selected by the Under Secretary of the Navy to be his Special Assistant and Marine Corps Aide . He served in this capacity under Charles F . Baird and John W . Warner . In April 1970 , Leftwich began his second tour of duty in Vietnam , serving initially as the commander of 2nd Battalion 1st Marines . On September 13 , he assumed duty as Commanding Officer of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion , 1st Marine Division . Death . On November 18 , 1970 , Leftwich was killed in a helicopter crash during an emergency extraction of one of his reconnaissance teams . In accordance with his practice of accompanying every emergency extraction called for by his teams , he was serving as senior “ extract officer ” for such a mission on the day of his death . The team had incurred casualties and requested an emergency extraction from enemy - infested territory , in an area beginning to be enveloped by dense fog . The team was extracted under LtCol Leftwich ’ s personal supervision , then , as the helicopter began its ascent , it crashed into a mountainside in enemy territory , killing all aboard . Awards and honors . A partial list of Leftwich ’ s medals and awards includes : Monument . A monument that represents him stands at Camp Barrett at Marine Corps Base Quantico . Felix de Weldon sculpted the statue .