Ronnie Darnell Adcox 

Lance Corporal Ronnie Darnell Adcox was killed in action on March 3, 1967 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam.  He was 23 years old.

Ronnie Darnell Adcox was born in Henderson, North Carolina on February 21, 1944, the son of James Rhoby Adcox and Gillie Parrish Adcox. He graduated from Henderson High School in 1965.

Adcox was drafted into military service on February 25, 1966 and joined the Marines Corps. He was assigned to 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 9th Marines. 

The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9)—often referred to as the "Walking Dead"—was an infantry battalion that sustained the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history during the Vietnam War, particularly between 1965 and 1969. Known for its resilience, it faced relentless combat near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and earned a reputation for extraordinary, sustained sacrifice.

Beginning February 1, 1967, the 1st Battalion was engaged in Operation Prairie II  in Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam that sought to eliminate People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).    The operation, which continued until March 18, was characterized by scattered, limited engagements in the beginning and consistent bombardment of American positions towards the end.  

On March 1, 1st Battalion 9th Marines landed at Hill 162 and began sweeping north, while the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines moved northwest from Cam Lộ in an attempt to squeeze any PAVN between them and the 1/9 Marines.   On March 3, aerial reconnaissance spotted three large groups of PAVN moving towards the DMZ carrying bodies. Air and artillery strikes were called in and 1/9 Marines searched the area after the bombardment, claiming to have found more than 200 PAVN dead. LCpl Adcox was killed in action during the patrol. 

Lance Corporal Ronnie Darnell Adcox is buried in Sunset Memorial Garden, Henderson, N.C.  His name is inscribed on Panel 16E, Line 006 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

Last edited: 23 April 2026