On September 5, 1967, members of a reconnaissance patrol from Company D, the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division were awaiting extraction from a helicopter pick-up zone in the vicinity of (GC) YD 316 355, southwest of Thon Thuong Ngyen Village, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. While waiting, the men came under heavy enemy fire that hit and killed one of the patrol members. The active enemy presence in the area prevented the immediate removal of the man's body. The next day friendly forces attempted to recover the remains, but the heavy concentration of enemy forces made it too costly to return. The area was subsequently bombed with napalm and explosive ordnance.

Lance Corporal Martin William Prather entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Kentucky and was a member of Company D, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He was the patrol member killed during this reconnaissance patrol, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Lance Corporal Prather is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

If you are a family member of this serviceman, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.