THE WALL OF FACES

During the month of April 1969, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment participated in Operation Muskogee Meadow, a combined search and clear and rice-denial operation in the fertile An Hoa basin in Quang Nam Province, RVN. After its successful conclusion on April 20th, the regiment continued to patrol the basin, including the Arizona Territory, west and north of An Hoa Combat Base, and across the Song Thu Bon (River). Companies were deployed independently and saturated the area with platoon- and squad-size patrols and cordons. Lima Company, 3/5 Marines combed the mountains above the lowlands, maintaining a screen along the southern and western approaches into the area. The going was arduous, and not all could keep up. PFC Richard L. Anderson, a machine gunner serving with 3rd Platoon, had difficulty in the hills, and weighed down by his gear, became a straggler requiring other Marines to help him along. Despite his unsuitability for the mission, it was not possible to have him evacuated. The strain on Anderson increased as the operation progressed. On the night of the 24th, the platoon dug in on a high, steep narrow ridge overlooking the valley. The following morning, the Marines were still in their fighting holes awaiting orders when Anderson moved over to the man in the next hole and asked for some water, a scarce commodity in the foothills. The kind Marine offered a drink, and he returned to his position. The other Marine then watched Anderson put the barrel of his M16 rifle in his mouth and pull the trigger. He died instantly. The gunshot caused the rest of the company to duck inside their holes believing they were under attack. Once they realized what happened, they gathered around their dead comrade. Anderson was placed on a poncho and carried up the steep slope to a small clearing where the Marines struggled to place the remains into the rear ramp of a hovering CH-46 helicopter. Afterwards, his gear was distributed amongst resentful Marines burdened already by the fighting load they carried. The incident troubled his platoon mates, and the trauma of it stayed with many for the remainder of their lives. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown” 1969 by Charles R. Smith, and information provided by James Haney (May 2024)]

“Let us not so much mourn nor grieve
for these men that died,
But rather rejoice and thank God that
such great men ever lived.”
~ Gen. George S. Patton

In this difficult time we live in it is now more than ever before time to remember and truly honor the young souls that answered America’s call !
America will continue to be a great country as long as those among us continue to honor America, and all those whom have sacrificed so much for her!

even i never met you i heard story's and you seam like a fun guy love you Rickey

from your grandson you naver met walter

DEAR PFC ANDERSON,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MARINE MACHINE GUNNER. SEMPER FI. AND REST IN PEACE.