THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Billings (June 12-26, 1967) was planned and conducted by the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division to destroy elements of the Viet Cong (VC) 271st Regiment, 9th Division which occupied base camp areas north of Phuoc Vinh in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The operation began with 1st Infantry battalions moving progressively north of Phuoc Vinh. Intelligence suggested that the 271st had moved to a large clearing designated Landing Zone (LZ) X-Ray. Third Brigade troops moved from another LZ overland to LZ X-Ray. On the morning of June 17th, the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment entered X-Ray. The 1/16th Infantry established a perimeter in the tree line around the clearing and waited for the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment to arrive. As the first units of 2/28th Infantry appeared, a patrol reported a group of VC approaching from the northwest. At 1:00 PM, the enemy attacked, penetrating the northern and northwestern perimeters before being forced back by artillery and gunship fire. The VC launched a second attack against the southeast perimeter, overrunning the defending platoon, the survivors withdrawing into the center of the perimeter. At 1:45 PM, air strikes forced the VC to withdraw, and they disengaged under cover of a steady mortar barrage. U.S. losses were 36 killed. They included: (B/2/28) PFC Richard A. Anderson, PFC Alan W. Denney, PFC Alan J. Farhat, SGT Bobby Minton, SP4 Michael J. Morrow, PFC Victoriano P. Sosa Jr., PFC James E. Starks, SP5 John H. Stout, and PFC Lloyd C. Wohlford Jr.; (HHC/1/16) PFC William N. Cole, PFC Gary J. Ernst, SP4 Sammy L. Holmes, SP4 Charles W. Hook, 1LT Douglas A. Logan (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal), PFC Wallace G. Nye, SP4 Martin L. Plotkin, PFC Leroy Reed, and PFC Douglas D. Wallin (died of wounds 08/26/1967); (A/1/16) PFC John A. Brantley, PFC Emanuel K. Brickhouse, PFC Jerry R. Cook, SP4 Guy W. Clinger Jr., PFC Ronald D. Edenfield, PFC James M. Elchert, PFC Robert T. Harris, SGT Edward E. Heyer, SP4 Carl T. Johnson, PFC Charles P. Kelly, PFC Robert S. Maguire, SP4 Howard A. Mucha, SP4 Stephen M. Noggle, SP4 Wayne A. Pettersen, SGT Alan J. Roese, and SGT Frank G. Romo; (B/1/16) PFC Paul E. Kelly Jr. and PFC Edward A. Smith. A search of the immediate area found 226 VC dead. Over the next few days, the Americans found more VC dead, including one assembly area where 35 were found killed by artillery and airstrikes. [Taken from virtualwall.org and wikipedia.org]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Dear PFC Jerry Cook,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.

Dear PFC Jerry Robert Cook, 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

I was there in the Battle of XOM BO 2 Where Jerry and so many of our Brothers paid the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Country. Even though we never met, I remember seeing him and others doing their jobs. I will look through my pictures and see if I have any to post with Jerry on them. Salutes to Jerry and our other Heroes that gave it all that June 17, 1967.