THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Douglas Jay Crawford, Served with Battery B, 7th Battalion, 8th Artillery Regiment, 23rd Artillery Group, Second Field Force, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear PFC Douglas Crawford,
Thank you for your service as a Radio Teletype Operator. Your 47th anniversary is Friday, sigh. 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.

Fire Support Base Blue was located near the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. At 2:15 AM on February 23, 1971, the base was attacked by Viet Cong sappers. Using rocket-propelled grenades, they cut a large hole in the wire mesh surrounding the camp, and a band of approximately 20 VC sappers quickly slipped in and began throwing satchel charges all over the base. SP4 Frederick L. Beatty was on guard duty when the assault began and was the first killed by the enemy. The VC, wearing only shorts and small hats, covered themselves with charcoal from head to foot, even blackening their eyelids. They appeared to know the exact location of their objectives, and spent little time searching the compound for targets. One of the places the sappers tossed their charges was a hootch where the crew of a M42 “Duster” was sleeping. All five crewmen were killed in the blast. The lost soldiers included PFC Douglas J. Crawford, PFC Ronald J. Fisher, SSGT Genaro Garza, PFC Joseph B. Hart, and PFC Vincent J. Medjesky. A total of 23 Americans were medivacked when the attack was ended. Most of the sappers were killed during the attack, however, four were captured after they were found hiding in a bunker. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, information provided by Edward Brady at thewall-usa.com, and “Threatened Overrun of FSB Blue Thwarted by Quick Reactions.” Castle Courier (a publication of the U.S. Army Engineer Command, Vietnam), Long Binh, RVN, April 5, 1971]

Remembering a young man with so much to offer to this world. A sweet, kind & gentle soul, who was braver than most of us can ever hope to be. I know that you are with the Lord and you finally have found peace and joy with him in Heaven.

Dear PFC Douglas Jay Crawford, 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