THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am 72 having been born a few days before you and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Hi There Timothy, I am your little sister, I know that you are with Christ in Heaven but, I just wanted to say today is your 50th anniversary when Christ took you home. I love you and will until I see you again. Love in Christ, your little sister, Becky

On November 17, 1968, a squad from the 2nd Platoon, D Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was overrun by the enemy at their ambush site near the Song Cu De River, six miles northwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The enemy was the point element of an North Vietnamese Army company moving towards Da Nang. No communications with the squad was received during or after the firing was heard. Another Marine unit moved into the area and found six of the squad members dead and one seriously wounded, who related that his unit was hit and overrun without warning. He did not know which direction the enemy came from, or where they went after the attack. Shortly after relating this information, the Marine died. The seven squad members killed in the engagement were PFC Jack A. Bowman, PFC Timothy A. Crandall, PFC Ryan J. Gallow, PFC Robert E. Greene, PFC Thomas J. Killion Jr., PFC Martin D. Shields, and LCPL David Vollmer. Six of the Marines suffered close-range gunshot wounds to the head, suggesting the enemy delivered execution-style fatal shots to some of the wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Command Chronology, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, November 1968]

Tim, I never knew you. But, I lived near Santa Barbara and maybe we ran into each other at a beach, or on the streets... I just want to say that despite 50 years going by, you are not forgotten, nor was the sacrifice you made taken lightly. I salute your honor and hope that my father and my brother have run into you in heaven. I would love that they could meet you because they also loved our country.

I still love you!!! this will be the 50th year that I will remember. I am still your sister Becky Balding and I still love you!