 In August, he was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division where he saw combat as a rifleman, M-79 Man with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.He was promoted to Lance Corporal on January 1, 1969.Noonan was killed in action on February 5, 1969, while participating in action against the enemy during Operation Dewey Canyon south of Vandegrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province.