THE WALL OF FACES

Louis, you were a month older than me. I was born in Ames, Iowa. I'd like to think that maybe we crossed paths at the Iowa State Fair or at Vet's Auditorium in Des Moines for the Boys or Girls Basketball Championships. Louis, thank you for your service. May your name be a blessing!

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

The Cua Viet Port Facility was a U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base located north of Quang Tri City near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The base was at the mouth of the Cua Viet River and provided logistical support for Marine units along the DMZ, particularly the Dong Ha Combat Base. On December 16, 1967, the Cua Viet facility came under a North Vietnamese Army artillery and rocket attack. The 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion command post area received two barrages of mixed artillery and rockets totaling ninety or more rounds. The observation tower was unable to visualize the muzzle flashes; however, a Marine unit (F/2/4) was able to sense the firing locations by sound and requested counterbattery fire by the 12th Marines on the north side of the Ben Rai River. A second attack consisting of fifty rounds was received. Counterbattery fire was again provided by the 12th Marines on positions north of the Ben Hai. Four Marines and one Navy seaman were killed in the barrages. They included SGT Terri M. Boettger and LCPL William F. McCarthy from 1st AmTrac Bn; LCPL Louis N. Cooley Jr. and SGT Ronald T. Stokes from 1st Searchlight Battery, 12th Mar; and Navy sailor SN Steven L. Bruderer from Detachment Cua Viet, Naval Support Activity (NSA), Da Nang. Another thirty-one personnel were wounded, eleven requiring medical evacuations. Equipment losses included seven tropical huts, two water trailers, one 30 KW generator from NSA, and minor damage to three amphibious tractors (LVTs). There was also moderate damage to ten tropical huts. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, amtrac.org, and 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion Command Chronology, December 1967]

Dear Lcpl Louis Cooley,
Thank you for your service as an Electrician. 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.

My Dear Cousin Louie -
You have not been forgotten.
I have great childhood memories of our times together.