THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Maureen Clary is especially poignant and reflects the anguish experienced by so many who lost loved ones in this war. May you rest in eternal peace.

May 9, 1968: A reflective tribute to a C15 soldier so deeply missed and a longing love that never died.

Fifty years ago, today, you left me. I didn’t know at the moment, I would never see you again. You died in Vietnam on this date (Operation Concordia).
Your name was: SP4 W.R. Crabb (RTO)
Soon, I would hear from your mother. Your return would not be one filled with joy. Her heart was truly broken, as was mine. Your family: grief-stricken.
Respectfully, you were shipped home, along with other soldiers who had died. I was consoled you were not alone. Your brother, a military man himself, was privileged to fly with your body. He was stationed in Germany. When you arrived home, I was unable to see you, as your physical body had been so compromised. That made it worse, for I didn’t believe you were “in that box.” We were young then, just 21. We were in love and to be married soon. I still have the pictures and letters.
Your hometown military funeral was painfully beautiful and I discovered how many more friends you had in your life; friends I had yet to meet. Bottom line: “Everyone loved you, W.R. – everyone.” The eulogies delivered were filled with love, truthfulness, respect, eloquence and a pinch of humor.
I couldn’t speak at all. I could only wrestle inward thoughts of “What am I suppose to do now? You promised you would be careful and come home!” I understood a lot about death; I was around it quite often in my youth. But this time, it was YOU and it had been violent!
Grief knows no boundaries. I longed for the life we were suppose to have, but I had to face my reality: “God Said No!” As time passed, I moved on as your mother told me I must.
Though half a century has passed, your love, spirit and memory never left the home it had within my heart. Rest in Peace, My Soldier, My Love.

Dear Sp4 Winford Crabb,
Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Happy Valentine's Day. 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 W.R., your C.O., Capt Dan (now Major) has always been so kind to email me on May 9th - the battle day on which you lost your life. As you now know, he was seriously injured, but laying next to you (and another RTO) when you both died. He was heart-broken as he truly loved all his men. What a brave and courageous man he was to lead Charlie Co. These are his most-recent words:

"...May 9, 1968 was a bad day for so many, including you. As you know, I was by W.R.'s side when he died. A day normally does not go by when I do not think about W.R. and all those Great Men who died that day. I will never forget them as they were the Greatest Men in the Army in Vietnam. I never heard of one man disobeying an order or having dope or pot; nor any ever trying to kill an Officer, an N.C.O., or one of there Buddies. They were the Greatest. Yes, as you stated, the operation that day was called: Concordia Square.
Thank you for never forgetting your soldier. I know how much you loved him.
God Bless You, Dan..."

Dear SP4 Winford R Crabb, 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