Commandant of the Marine Corps Names Dickey Chapelle “Honorary Marine”

Dickey Chapelle to receive Honorary Marine status.

CCHQ was notified October 4 that the Commandant of the Marine Corps has approved Dickey Chapelle for Honorary Marine status. As most know, Dickey was killed November 4, 1965 while with “her Marines” on Operation Black Ferret near Chu Lai in Vietnam. At our request, retired BGen. Tom Draude, a former Director of Information, initiated the formal request to HQMC. In his letter, written in June 2015, he pointed out the following:

For the record, Ms. Chapelle was killed November 4, 1965 by fragments of a booby-trapped mortar shell while covering Marine action during Operation Black Ferret with the 7th Marine Regiment near ChuLai, Republic of Vietnam. Following her death, Lt. Gen. Lewis Walt and other officials from the III MAF honored her by placing a plaque near the spot where she was killed. As a matter of information, this plaque no longer exists in that area. She was returned to the United States accompanied by an honor guard of six Marines, proof of the regard in which she was held by all.

Background: During her career, which began with Marine operations on Okinawa and Iwo Jima in the Pacific during World War II, Ms. Chapelle developed a strong affection for, in her words: “her Marines.” She reported very early during the Vietnam conflict on both Army and Marine advisory activities. In all of her dispatches from the various war zones, it became apparent that Marines at all levels appreciated the fact that Ms. Chapelle required no “high maintenance.” As many quickly noted, the diminutive war reporter made do as the Marines did. Her war reporting, much like that of the more-heralded Ernie Pyle, told the story of the individual fighting man; how he lived and, unfortunately at times, how he died.

In September, her life will be told pictorially in a book written by John Garofolo: “Dickey Chapelle Under Fire,” Photographs of the First American Female War Correspondent Killed in Action. The Milwaukee, WI Public Broadcasting Station produced a 30-minute production “Behind The Pearl Earrings” that was aired on the anniversary of her death.

She will also be featured in the November issue of Leatherneck Magazine, in a story with photos written by the Executive Director of the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, who at several times during his career, worked with Ms. Chapelle. His review of Garofolo’s book will also be in the same issue.

By bestowing the title “Honorary Marine” on Ms. Chapelle, we, belatedly will be recognizing her for the zeal with which she approached her craft, especially when working with “her Marines.” Then-Commandant, General Wallace M. Green Jr., issued (in part) the following statement shortly after her death to all Marines:

” All U.S. Marines the world over mourn the death of Dickey Chapelle who died of wounds received while covering combat operations by Marines in South Vietnam on November 4, 1965. She was not only a skilled, dedicated newspaperwoman, but she was an exemplary patriot whose great love for her country was an inspiration to all who knew her and worked with her. It has been said by her media colleagues that she died with the men she loved. It must also be said that affection, admiration and respect was mutual. She was one of us, and we will miss her.”

The actual presentation will be announced shortly by immediate past-President Manny Pacheco.