THE WALL OF FACES

Dear SFC Alfred Combs,
Thanks for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. Your 87th birthday is soon. Happy Birthday. It is 2018, Happy New Year, and it is the 9th Day of Christmas. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On June 25, 1965, two powerful terrorists’ bombs exploded in quick succession besides a crowded floating restaurant on the Saigon River, killing at least 38 and wounding about 75. Eight of the dead and 10 of the wounded were Americans. The terrorist strike, about 500 yards from the United States Embassy, was the bloodiest of its kind up to that point in the Vietnam War. The blasts from shore slashed across the luxuriously appointed decks of the restaurant, the My Canh, at about 8:15 PM. The blast broke windows as far as two blocks away. American investigators said one of the bombs was a powerful shaped charge—possibly an American Claymore electric mine—planted into the bank of the river near the restaurant’s awning-covered gangplank. The other was a bicycle bomb. The eight American killed in the blast were military personnel. They included MSGT Douglas H. D'Orsay, A1C Robert J. Smith, A1C Michael E. Widener, PO1C German P. Acosta, SFC Alfred Combs Jr., PFC Michael J. Ihnat, PFC James T. Brown Jr., and SSGT Charles A. Williamson. [“Saigon Bomb Kills 38 in Floating Restaurant.” Chicago Tribune, June 26, 1965]

Dear SFC Alfred Henry Combs Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

(Photo Credit: Wes Shull) Rest in peace with the warriors.

This is Alfred Combs's Granddaughter the youngest I never knew him. But of course I love him. Wish I did get the chance to meet him I have heard he was a very smart person. Thank you grandfather for all that you did.