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Remember...Gene William Somers Jr.
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| Gene William Somers Jr. was born on July 27, 1948, in Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. He was the oldest of five children of Gene William Somers Sr., a World War II Navy veteran, and Alice Marie Peet Somers. He had two brothers, Edgar (Pete) and Todd, and two sisters, Marie and Nancy. Todd would go on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring in 2004. Gene was commonly known as "Bill" to his family and friends. He attended Unidos Elementary School and South Harrison High School, where he played football and was a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), graduating in 1967. Bill loved working on cars and machinery or pretty much anything he could get his hands on. |  Courtesy Marie Somers Hill, sister of Gene William Somers Jr. |
Bill grew up on a farm in West Milford in Harrison County, West Virginia. It is a very small and rural community with a population of around 400 when Bill was growing up. It received its name from the "West Fork" of the Monongahela River, the "mill" having been built there in the early days and the much used "ford" that crossed the river a short distance below, giving the name West Milford. ("Town of West Milford, West Virginia," accessed 21 April 2020, https://local.wv.gov/WestMilford/Pages/about.aspx.) Bill's dad worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) in Clarksburg, and his mother worked for a phone company for a few years and was the president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary while her husband was serving in World War II. She was also a full-time mom taking care of five children and was a master gardener.
 Photo courtesy Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund |
The population of this little town was starting to dwindle as Bill graduated high school. Employment was hard to come by in this rural area, and the Vietnam War was escalating. This meant more men would be called upon to be drafted into service without the option to choose their branch. Bill decided to enlist into the Marine Corps Reserves. |
The Vietnam War spanned the period from November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975. The United States entered the war with Vietnam in the 1960s in an attempt to prevent the spread of communism. North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin on August 5, 1964, attacked two U.S. destroyers, which led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving the U.S. president new authority to wage war. By 1969, more than 500,000 U.S. military personnel were stationed in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and China poured weapons, supplies, and advisers into the North. On March 29, 1973, the last U.S. unit left Vietnam. The casualties of the war were over 58,220 Americans killed, 1.1 million North Vietnamese soldiers, and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers. (Ronald H. Spector, "Vietnam War: 1954-1975," Encyclopedia Britannica [online], accessed 21 April 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War.)
Bill Somers Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves on September 18, 1967. His service number was 2227579 and his military occupation skill (MOS) was 3531/Motor Vehicle Operator. After his basic training and specialty training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was activated and sent to Vietnam. His tour of duty started on February 6, 1968. He served with the Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force. His job was to operate motor transport tactical wheeled vehicles and equipment, transporting passengers and cargo in support of combat and garrison operations. He had been in Vietnam for over a year and had extended his tour of duty and achieved the rank of corporal. During one combat operation, Cpl. Somers was driving in and out of a firefight to deliver ammo to the Marines and transport casualties back to safety. He did this six times, risking his life to support and aid his fellow Marines. For his bravery that day, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor.
In March of 1969, enemy activity declined in intensity throughout the month after the initial phase of the "Post-Tet Offensive," which started during the last week of February. This latest enemy offensive continued to be characterized by numerous attacks by fire and small scale ground probes against allied units and installations. Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces continued to be the focal point of enemy activity; however, significant engagements also occurred in the vicinity of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
On Wednesday, March 19, the Marines' Battalion Command Post in Quang Nam Province received a ground attack by an estimated North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Company supported by mortar and rocket fire. While under attack, Cpl. Bill Somers was mustering to the Command Post when a sniper shot him in the head. He was Medevac'd out, but while on the helicopter Cpl. Bill Somers Jr. would succumb to his fatal injury. In all, 13 Marines were killed in action (KIA), 54 Marines were wounded in action (WIA) along with 72 NVA KIA, 21 individual weapons captured, and 5 crew-served weapons captured. ("Command Chronology," Air Ground Team, Marine Amphibious Force, March 1969, accessed 21 April 2020, https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/reports/images.php?img=/images/1201/1201005046.pdf.)
| Cpl. Somers's remains were returned to the U.S., where he was honored and buried at Bridgeport Cemetery in Bridgeport, Harrison County, West Virginia. His mother, father, and one of his sisters (Nancy) are also buried in the same cemetery. Cpl. Gene William Somers Jr. is memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., as his name is inscribed on Panel 29 West, Line 84. He is also honored at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, West Virginia, as well as in his hometown at Memorial Park in West Milford, West Virginia, as he was the first person from Milford to die in combat serving his country during the Vietnam War. |  Military marker for Cpl. Gene W. Somers in Bridgeport Cemetery. Courtesy Cynthia Mullens |
 Photo courtesy Cynthia Mullens |
On January 17, 2014, the West Virginia Legislature introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8, wherein the bridge numbered S317-27-0.73 in West Milford on Route 270 would be renamed as the "USMC Corporal Gene William Somers Jr. Memorial Bridge." |
The HonorStates.org website indicates that Bill's commendations include the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation Award, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
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Todd Somers honors his brother by preserving the memorabilia from Bill's service. The black and white photo has a November 1967 date, appearing that he is leaving for active duty. Courtesy Todd Somers |
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Cpl. Gene William Somers Jr. gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and it is fitting and proper that he be remembered and acknowledged for his courageous action and service to our country. This Marine will never be forgotten, Semper Fidelis.
Article prepared by Sam Nicholas, Abagail Thaxton and MAJ (Ret) T. Brad McGee, George Washington High School JROTC
April 2020
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
