Remember 1STSGT Tandy Wells
Sgt. Grit,
A google search of First Sergeant Tandy Wells brought me to your site and the posting last week by Ken Bell (1st Sgt. USMC Ret. 1965-1985) in which he cited his friend Tandy Wells as one of the heroes who was KIA at Beirut. I hope that Ken Bell and any others that knew 1SGT Wells get to see this. Wells was a L/Cpl on June 15, 1968 serving with Mike Co. 3/4 Third Marine Division. It was on that day that my brother L/Cpl. Richard B. Murphy of Norwood, Mass. was KIA. A flag that my brother carried with him was returned with his effects. It had been signed by Tandy Wells and 20 others. Needless to say it is a cherished item to us.
Through recent research I have located many of the Marines (and one Corpsman) that signed my brothers flag. During this research, I learned that Tandy Wells was KIA in 1983 in the Beirut Barracks Bombing. This past August I attended the 3/4 (Thundering Third) Battalion reunion inSan Antonio (site of the Alamo)and met ten men who had served with my brother and Tandy Wells. Ken Bell and all others should know that Tandy Wells is fondly remembered by another group of Marines that served with him proudly 15 years before Beirut. Attached is a picture of Wells as a young Marine. If Ken Bell is in touch with family I even have a snippet of 8mm of wells in Vietnam.
I’m proud to be the son of two Marines and brother of six Marines.
Semper Fi,
Lieut. Brian P. Murphy
Norwood Police Department
Norwood, MA 02062