James Joseph Tedesco

James Joseph Tedesco was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1966. He joined the Marine Corps in the fall after graduation. After nine months of training, CPL Tedesco started a 13 month tour in Southeast Asia on August 9, 1967. The young rifleman was assigned to the 1st Marine Division near the city of Hue. During the 1968 Tet Offensive CPL Tedesco was involved in several firefights. During Tet security was set up at various bridges all along the infamous Highway 1 between Hue City and Phu Bai. CPL Tedesco was stationed at an old railroad bridge over the Truoi River and outside of Hue. On the night of March 31, 1968 their position was assaulted by the enemy. Although the Americans held the south end of the bridge at the conclusion of the engagement, the Marines sustained several casualties and the bridge was partially destroyed. CPL Tedesco and 15 other Marines in his company were killed during the attack on the Truoi River Bridge. The 19-year-old’s body was returned to Iowa and buried at the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.