Remembering LCpl. Timothy William Gilkey
Timothy William Gilkey of Irwin, Pennsylvania, answered his country’s call as a young man driven by duty. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Vietnam on October 29, 1967. Assigned as an Assaultman with D Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, LCpl. Gilkey served in some of the fiercest fighting along the approaches to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Service and Role
Assaultmen carried specialized and perilous responsibilities at the company level. They were trained and tasked to breach obstacles, employ explosives to clear fortified positions, and assault enemy bunkers—often under intense fire and in close-quarters combat. These duties required technical skill, calm under pressure, and a willingness to repeatedly place oneself forward of the main line to protect fellow Marines.
D Company, 1/1 Marines was one of the units most frequently engaged in the rugged, unforgiving terrain of Quang Tri Province. The area north of the former DMZ presented constant threats: ambushes, hidden explosive devices, and fortified enemy emplacements. For Marines like LCpl. Gilkey, every patrol, clearing operation, or mounted movement carried a heightened risk of deadly contact.
Final Action and Sacrifice
On July 5, 1968, while operating with his platoon in Quang Tri Province, LCpl. Timothy William Gilkey was killed by an enemy explosive device. He was 20 years old. His loss is recorded among the honored dead of the 1st Marine Division—young men who bore the burden of conflict and did not return home.
“We speak his name with reverence. We honor his courage. We remember his sacrifice. Semper Fidelis.”
Remembering What He Gave
Remembering LCpl. Gilkey is an act of attention and gratitude. His story, like those of many young Marines, illustrates a few enduring truths about combat service:
- Responsibility: Assaultmen confronted unique technical and tactical challenges to protect their units.
- Risk: Operating near the DMZ and in Quang Tri Province meant persistent exposure to ambushes and explosive hazards.
- Youth and sacrifice: Many who served were very young—Gilkey was 20—and paid the ultimate price far from home.
How We Can Honor His Memory
Honoring LCpl. Gilkey does not require grand gestures. Simple, sustained actions ensure his name and sacrifice are not forgotten:
- Visit and maintain memorials that list his name and those of his fellow Marines.
- Share his story with younger generations so they understand the personal cost of service.
- Support veteran and military family organizations that aid those who returned and the families of those who did not.
Context and Careful Remembrance
When recalling historical combat actions, it is important to keep to verifiable facts. This post focuses on confirmed details about LCpl. Gilkey’s service: his hometown of Irwin, Pennsylvania; enlistment and deployment to Vietnam; assignment as an Assaultman with D Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines; and his death on July 5, 1968, from an enemy explosive device in Quang Tri Province. Those facts anchor our remembrance and respect.
Closing Reflection
LCpl. Timothy William Gilkey was one of many young Marines who carried a nation’s trust into harm’s way. The names of the fallen—etched on plaques, read aloud at ceremonies, and spoken quietly by surviving friends and family—connect us across generations. To remember him is to acknowledge both the individual life lost and the collective debt owed to those who served.
We honor LCpl. Gilkey’s courage and sacrifice. We remember his service and the responsibility he carried as an Assaultman in one of the most contested areas of the Vietnam War. When we speak his name, we renew our commitment to bear witness to the cost of freedom and to support those who remain.
