Wayne Robert Quarles

Lance Corporal Wayne Robert Quarles was born on July 18, 1949. He was the son of Violet E. Parker of Camden, NJ and Mike Sylvania of Chester, PA, and he enlisted in the US Marine Corps on December 27, 1967 in Philadelphia, PA. His home of record is Camden. Lance Corporal Quarles arrived in Vietnam on June 18, 1968. He was assigned for duty with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

On April 15, 1969, during Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS, the men of Company G were searching a ridgeline northwest of Hill 1025 in the Hieu Duc District of Quang Nam Province when they engaged several NVA in a firefight. They assaulted the enemy position with a loss of two men killed and four who were wounded requiring medical evacuation. While moving their casualties to an LZ (Landing Zone) several hand grenades were thrown at them from hidden positions in the heavy jungle foliage. Lance Corporal Quarles was killed from hostile rifle fire and nine men were wounded.

Wayne Robert Quarles was brought home and buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey — Section Z, Site 254.

Wayne Robert Quarles is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 27W, Line 90.

November 11, 1999. To the mother of my friend, “Charles Quarles,” as we knew him. I want you to know that on the day your son died, I was with him and held him in my arms as he was dying. We became very good friends, were leaders of our squad, the only ones left after everyone else was killed in action. On the day he expired, I got shot in the head, while holding Charles. It may bring you some comfort to know that he only lived a couple of minutes, therefore he did not feel much pain. Sorry it has taken so long to contact you. We looked this up on the internet and found his name. Feel free to contact me.

— Juan Mata Sr., friend, Loxahatchee, FL — November 11, 1999

Fellow Marine

Honoring you today Marine. I did not know you but will never forget your sacrifice and service to our Country and Corps. Rest in Peace Marine. Cpl. Harton, USMC Ret., Vietnam 1967, 5th Marines.

— Ray Harton — July 18, 2000

Wayne was one of four Marines from Platoon 1086, PI, 2-29-68, who would make the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the war in Vietnam. He was a member of Gulf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines at the time of his death. Semper Fi.

— Neil Wilson, fellow Marine, Delta 1/7, RVN 68–69 — April 1, 2004