John T. King

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Park Forest, IL

Branch of Service: United States Marine Corps

Rank: Lance Cpl.

Lance Corporal John King serviced with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF. King and two other men, James T. Reddington, and John L. Fuller were crossing a dry rice paddy toward a tree line when they were fired upon by snipers, mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire.

Most of Echo Company were wounded in this battle. King, along with good friends Fuller and Reddington, died saving the lives of their brothers next to them.

The survivors have been honoring their memories for many years and “carrying the load,” well before Carry the Load began. They do this
because those men sacrificed their lives so they could live, and so that they will never be forgotten.

Age: 20

Date of Death: March 23, 1967