THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Kings (March 20–28, 1966) was a 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, and 3rd Tank Battalion search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The Marines' objective was to eliminate the Viet Cong (VC) power base in the area south of Da Nang. The heaviest action of the operation occurred during the early morning of March 25th. Company E, 9th Marines had established defensive positions for the night two miles west of railroad tracks and 1,000 yards north of National Route QL-4. At 12:30 AM, Marines at a listening post heard a small force of VC, using water buffalo as a screen, attempting to infiltrate the company's perimeter. In an exchange of small arms fire, the Marines killed two VC. Another listening post reported enemy movement to its front at about the same time, and a Marine threw a grenade at the suspected VC. One-half hour later, a 75-round mortar barrage hit the company position. The VC followed the mortar attack with a two-company assault. Simultaneously, other enemy units placed a heavy volume of small arms fire on night positions of Company M, 9th Marines to the southwest, preventing these Marines from coming to Company E's assistance. Company E sustained repeated VC ground attacks for the next hour. With the help of 1,000 105mm rounds of supporting fire from the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines, the Company repulsed the VC with heavy losses. Although the enemy attack ended shortly after 2:00 AM, Marine artillery continued to fire interdiction missions, and a Marine flare plane illuminated the battlefield until 5:00 AM. Company E suffered seven killed and seventeen wounded. The lost personnel included LCPL William E. Copeland II, SGT Richard A. Eckvall, CPL Michael D. Laux, LCPL Gerald A. LeTendre, PFC Thomas K. King, PFC Clyde D. McDonald, and PFC Samuel M. Ramirez. The Marines reportedly killed at least forty of the enemy. They identified the attacking enemy unit as the R-20 or Doc Lap Battalion, which had been harassing Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) outposts on QL-4 since mid-February 1966. [Taken from virtualwall.org and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: An Expanding War 1966” by Jack Shulimson]

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.....

Dear Lcpl William Copeland,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. 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 dad....a close friend...named me after you. Thank you for your service.

Dear LCPL William E CopelandII, 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