Paul Wayne Ratliff was born to George and Beulah Ratliff on February 7, 1946 in California. In the 1950 census, the family was listed as living in Lakeside Coos, Oregon. The Ratliff’s were living at 21900 S. Figueroa St., Wilmington, California when Paul enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965. He was trained on operating tracked vehicles at Schools Battalion Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California.

He would specialize as a tank crewman and would be a tank driver. He was deployed to field service in Vietnam, and assigned to a unit of the Fleet Marine Force in February,1966.

He attained the rank of corporal. He served in the Military region Quan Tri in the 3rd Marine Division, A Co. He died in combat action as the result of an artillery rocket on May 19, 1967. His body was recovered and returned to his home community.

Paul Ratliff was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, the Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He is buried at Rose Hill Memorial Park. His name is included in the National Vietnam Memorial, as well as the Torrance memorial.

Researched by LeRoy Jackson