THE WALL OF FACES

The Boi Loi Woods lay about 25 kilometers northwest of Cu Chi. Like the nearby Ho Bo Woods, the Boi Loi was a long-time sanctuary for VC (and increasingly NVA) forces. When the 25th Infantry Division arrived at Cu Chi in early 1966 a major objective was to reduce the value of these areas to the enemy - and that meant extensive search-and-destroy missions.

On 19 July 1966, Company A, 1st Bn, 27th Infantry was conducting such a mission in the Boi Loi Woods when it was ambushed by a main force VC battalion. Twenty-four Americans died in the bitter fight which followed. They were

PFC Hearne W. Beaver, Beacon Falls, CT
PFC Kenneth M. Branaman, Seymour, IN
PFC Dannie J. Brewington, Broadway, NC
PFC Jack M. Brown, Washington, DC
SP4 Thomas J. Butler, New York, NY
SP4 Rodger D. Clawson, Allegan, MI
SGT Charles H. Crane, Molokai, HI
SP4 Bernard Dillard, Chicago, IL
PFC John T. Doike, Honolulu, HI
PFC Charles R. Fleming, Charlotte, NC
SP4 Jose C. Gosse, San Francisco, CA
PSGT Bernard A. Green, Los Angeles, CA
PFC Dallas E. Green, Oliver Springs, TN
SGT David W. Holmes, Crossville, TN
SGT Meredith G. Hubbard, Detroit, MI
SP4 Lamond J. Jackson, St Louis, MO
PFC Allen L. Jelinek, Cleveland, OH
PFC Douglas H. Knott, Dayton, OH
SSG Michael J. Mummel, Reidsville, NC
SP4 Leroy E. Peterson, Coon Rapids, MN
PFC Eugenio Rosado-Rodriguez, Ponce, PR
PFC Robert W. Ruhl, Lansdowne, MD
CPL Turner L. Thompson, Talihina, OK
PFC Lawrence H. Wilson, Lorane, OR

Dear SGT Charles Henry Crane, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter
[email protected]

Charles is buried at Kaluaaha Church Cemetery, Molokai,HI. PH

In Remembrance

It has been an honor searching for your photo. Thank you for your service. I wish I could have known you. I now, will never forget you Aloha Sergeant Crane