THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever.....

Without people like you our great nation would not exist. Rest in peace SGT, Coomes, I salute your brave soul. Semper Fidelis!

Dear Sgt William Coomes,
Thank you for your service as a Mortarman. 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.

SGT William M. Coomes was a mortarman serving with H&S Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On February 3, 1966, SGT Coomes was on one of the ten helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261) on a lift mission to move three companies of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines during Operation Double Eagle. Upon entering the drop-off zone at LZ Sparrow near Van Ly (1), about 6 miles northwest of Duc Pho, Quang Ngai Province, RVN, enemy sniper fire began targeting the dismounting Marines. It was at this time SGT Coomes suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Three others were wounded in the incident and two helicopters were shot down. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

We were out on a Battalion sized operation during the monsoon season and everyone was wet to the bone. Finally we received coordanance to where we were going to be extracted from. The location was on the lee side of a mountain by the ocean. As the wind came up I started to go into hyperthermia, Mickey and another Sargent sandwiched my body until I was able to regain my internal core temperature. Had they not done this I would have surely gone into a coma and probably died.
Sadly on another operation Mickey was killed by a sniper.
Rest in Peace Mickey, I found you daughter and she turned out to be a successful woman as a Nurse.

Doc Chandler