William Regan
I just learned of Jim's passing. I never met him but had an indepth telephone conversation with him after I learned he was one of the Marines who tried to save my cousin, Jim McMahon after being shot. Mr Slaymaker was vivid in his recall of that day and even more so, the night before my cousin Jim being killed. He shared that my cousin and he were on guard duty together that night and had one of the deepest and insightful discussions between the two of them, that he said, frankly he'd ever had with anyone while in Viet Nam--about the beauty of Viet nam the Country, the stillness of it at night, and the stars all above and around. So tragic the very next day my cousin Jim was shot while carrying the Radio in a surprise ambush---but both Mr Slaymaker and fellow Marine, Dan Lorbecki (who was wounded and awarded the Silver Star) rushed to try and rescue, save and bring First Aid to my dying Cousin. Mr Slaymaker even said he did mouth to mouth on my cousin as the battle still raged on. I didnt learn any of this until nearly 50 years after my cousin Jim was killed. I am honored to have had that very personal sharing and telephone conversation Mr Slaymaker had with me--helping me fill in details to share with the rest of our extended Family on cousin Jim's death, and how fellow Marines like Mr Slaymaker came to his aid under fire. God Bless you Mr Slaymaker, and Semper Fi now forever.
