James Victor Bigtree

U.S Marine Corps. DOB 9 Oct 1940 Died of wounds on 11 Jan 1966 in South Vietnam (Quang Nam)in combat by small arms fire. Age 25 American Indian Assaultman (USMC) Corporal James Victor Bigtree was from Oneida, New York and born on 9 October 1940. Corporal Victor was in the U. S. Marine Corps and was 25 and single when he died on 11 January 1965 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He died of small arms fire and his body was recovered. James was the son of Dorothy McVay and Wilbur C. Bigtree, the dear brother of Barbara A. Freer and the beloved grandson of his grandmother Emily Johnson of Oneida. James Victor Bigtree was one of many Native Americans who fought and died for the USA. Corporal Victor was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross and was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd MARDIV (Rein) FMF. On January 11, the VC opened fire on a Company F patrol in the vicinity of the Bich Nam District of Quang Nam Province. Two Marines were mortally wounded in the action, Corporal Bigtree was one of those casualties. His name is located on panel 4E Line 63 on the Vietnam Memorial. His body rests in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.