SSgt Pedersen was the son of Joseph M. Pedersen of Azuza CA, Margaret Daquisto of Culver City CA,and husband of Kiyoko Pedersen of Oceanside CA. He had served in the Marine Corps for over fourteen years when he was assigned for duty with Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
Wounded on September 2, 1966 he was evacutated to Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu where he was treated and then return for duty in Vietnam.
During Operation Desoto on a search and clear mission after seizing their objective some of the villagers told the Marines of Company M that there were many enemy Viet Cong to the east, across the Quan river in the village complex of Tan Tu. Pressing onward, Company M maneuvered one platoon and the command group to the west side of the river while the rest of the men moved into the hamlet of Tan Tu.
Entering the hamlet the advancing Marines encountered some harrasing sniper fire, pressing onward they were suddenly hit with a heavy volume of fire criss crossing their avenues of approach from well fortified bunkers and trenches which stopped their advance. Unable to move forward and under heavy enemy fire, supporting artillery and air support was requested. Using the support enabled the men to retrieve their casualties and withdraw across the river. After establishing a defensive perimeter they were finally able to evacuate their casualties under the cover of darkness.
Two of their Navy Corpsmen were killed in action, as well as four Marines including SSgt Pedersen who died as a result of a gunshot wound from hostile enemy rifle fire.
Casualties:
William Ray Broad
Jackya Kederis Grant
Joe Franklin Kelley
Fred Lewis Pedersen
Pedro Arnado Swenson
Russell Mark Wagner
Wounded on September 2, 1966 he was evacutated to Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu where he was treated and then return for duty in Vietnam.
During Operation Desoto on a search and clear mission after seizing their objective some of the villagers told the Marines of Company M that there were many enemy Viet Cong to the east, across the Quan river in the village complex of Tan Tu. Pressing onward, Company M maneuvered one platoon and the command group to the west side of the river while the rest of the men moved into the hamlet of Tan Tu.
Entering the hamlet the advancing Marines encountered some harrasing sniper fire, pressing onward they were suddenly hit with a heavy volume of fire criss crossing their avenues of approach from well fortified bunkers and trenches which stopped their advance. Unable to move forward and under heavy enemy fire, supporting artillery and air support was requested. Using the support enabled the men to retrieve their casualties and withdraw across the river. After establishing a defensive perimeter they were finally able to evacuate their casualties under the cover of darkness.
Two of their Navy Corpsmen were killed in action, as well as four Marines including SSgt Pedersen who died as a result of a gunshot wound from hostile enemy rifle fire.
Casualties:
William Ray Broad
Jackya Kederis Grant
Joe Franklin Kelley
Fred Lewis Pedersen
Pedro Arnado Swenson
Russell Mark Wagner
SSgt Pedersen was the son of Joseph M. Pedersen of Azuza CA, Margaret Daquisto of Culver City CA,and husband of Kiyoko Pedersen of Oceanside CA. He had served in the Marine Corps for over fourteen years when he was assigned for duty with Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
Wounded on September 2, 1966 he was evacutated to Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu where he was treated and then return for duty in Vietnam.
During Operation Desoto on a search and clear mission after seizing their objective some of the villagers told the Marines of Company M that there were many enemy Viet Cong to the east, across the Quan river in the village complex of Tan Tu. Pressing onward, Company M maneuvered one platoon and the command group to the west side of the river while the rest of the men moved into the hamlet of Tan Tu.
Entering the hamlet the advancing Marines encountered some harrasing sniper fire, pressing onward they were suddenly hit with a heavy volume of fire criss crossing their avenues of approach from well fortified bunkers and trenches which stopped their advance. Unable to move forward and under heavy enemy fire, supporting artillery and air support was requested. Using the support enabled the men to retrieve their casualties and withdraw across the river. After establishing a defensive perimeter they were finally able to evacuate their casualties under the cover of darkness.
Two of their Navy Corpsmen were killed in action, as well as four Marines including SSgt Pedersen who died as a result of a gunshot wound from hostile enemy rifle fire.
Casualties:
William Ray Broad
Jackya Kederis Grant
Joe Franklin Kelley
Fred Lewis Pedersen
Pedro Arnado Swenson
Russell Mark Wagner
Wounded on September 2, 1966 he was evacutated to Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu where he was treated and then return for duty in Vietnam.
During Operation Desoto on a search and clear mission after seizing their objective some of the villagers told the Marines of Company M that there were many enemy Viet Cong to the east, across the Quan river in the village complex of Tan Tu. Pressing onward, Company M maneuvered one platoon and the command group to the west side of the river while the rest of the men moved into the hamlet of Tan Tu.
Entering the hamlet the advancing Marines encountered some harrasing sniper fire, pressing onward they were suddenly hit with a heavy volume of fire criss crossing their avenues of approach from well fortified bunkers and trenches which stopped their advance. Unable to move forward and under heavy enemy fire, supporting artillery and air support was requested. Using the support enabled the men to retrieve their casualties and withdraw across the river. After establishing a defensive perimeter they were finally able to evacuate their casualties under the cover of darkness.
Two of their Navy Corpsmen were killed in action, as well as four Marines including SSgt Pedersen who died as a result of a gunshot wound from hostile enemy rifle fire.
Casualties:
William Ray Broad
Jackya Kederis Grant
Joe Franklin Kelley
Fred Lewis Pedersen
Pedro Arnado Swenson
Russell Mark Wagner
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