THE WALL OF FACES

At 0945 hours on June 13, 1969, heavy casualties were sustained by Mobile Riverine Forces during an enemy-initiated firefight (ENIFF) which occurred on the Ben Tre River, four miles southeast of Ben Tre in Kien Hoa Province, RVN. Nine river assault craft (RAC) with Bravo Company of the 3/47th Infantry Battalion were enroute to a beaching site when they came under heavy B-40 rocket attack. Zippo flame-throwing boat Z-152-1 received four rocket hits, ATC 152-6 received two rocket hits, and ATC 152-11 received one. Fire was returned and momentarily suppressed. The RAC were forced to reverse course in order to facilitate evacuation of casualties; as they turned around they again came under attack from the same location. The RAC proceeded toward a fire support base (FSB) while 26 of the wounded were medevacked by an Army dustoff helicopter and the Navy Command and Control helicopter. Total friendly casualties were five soldiers killed, and 21 soldiers and four Navymen wounded. The lost soldiers included SP4 Thomas M. Aaron Jr., PFC Kenneth L. Conner, SSGT Michael K. Lewis, SP4 James C. Lucero, and SP4 Arturo Salazar. At the FSB, a company of the 3/47th replaced the decimated troops and returned to the ambush site. A company of the 3/60th was also airmobiled into the ambush area to conduct search and destroy operations which yielded no contact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear PFC Kenneth Lee Conner, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

Thank you PFC Conner for your courage in dangerous times, in a dangerous place.

Thank you, Brother.

Kenneth, Although we never met, I just want you to know that you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well my friend, and thank you for protecting the freedoms we have today.