THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Kahala (April 16-21, 1966) was a 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division search and destroy operation in the Trang Bang district in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. On the first day of the operation, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 27th Infantry Regiment, made an airmobile move to their assigned objectives while the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment was set up in a blocking position. Companies B and C, 2/27th attacked east, conducting search and destroy operations in the area. Meanwhile, A-2/27th remained at Cu Chi Base Camp to provide security and perform area patrols. That evening, a five-man fire team from A-2/27th was preparing for a night ambush patrol at their bunker on the perimeter of Cu Chi. It was a little before dark, and the men were checking their equipment and ammunition. One man sitting on the bunker, SP4 Michael J. McGoldrick, asked the Team Leader (TL) what he should do with a grenade he was holding. The TL, a sergeant, caustically responded he didn’t “give a f—k” what he did with it. Moments later, a powerful explosion occurred. McGoldrick was killed instantly, disembodied by the blast. Several team members were critically injured. The TL went down with shrapnel wounds to the head. Another man, PFC Walter H. Anderson, died after sustaining metal fragmentation wounds to the left eye, left leg, and chest. Medics arrived, and the casualties were placed on stretchers and carried in jeeps to the medical aid station. Infantryman SP4 Okey L. Sands died on arrival from fragmentation injuries to the head and chest. Men were triaged and evacuated by helicopter to Saigon-area Army hospitals. One critically injured 18-year-old trooper with ruptured eardrums, a collapsed lung, and injuries to his intestines, had his spleen removed during surgery. An inquiry was opened to gather facts about the incident; however, it is unclear what outcome it produced as the Army generally provided very little details regarding such investigations. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “25th Infantry Division, Operational Report on Lessons Learned, 1 Jan – 30 Apr 66” at archive.org, and information provided by Larry Knapp (May 2024)]

On the remembrance of your birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers