THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Dear SSGT William Croy,
Thank you for your service an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. 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.

During Operation Paul Revere II, the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, had a continuing mission, beginning in May 1966, to interdict infiltration and supply routes in the Pleiku and Kontum Provinces. The Operation ended at the battle of Hill 534, on the southern portion of Chu Pong Massif near the Cambodian Border. Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, while pursuing a group of Viet Cong on foot, ran into a North Vietnamese battalion in prepared, bunkered positions. Company B, 2/5, while attempting to link up with Alpha Company, began slugging it out with enemy troops, likewise in well-defended positions. As the size of the fortification became known, additional companies were committed until two battalions of Skytroopers were positioned around the enemy. The fierce, close-in fighting continued throughout the night of August 14th and well into the morning of the 15th. When it was over, a total of 138 NVA dead were counted on the slope of Hill 534. The 5th Cavalry Regiment also paid a high price at the battle on Hill 534, suffering 17 killed. The dead included SSGT Laurie L. Alexander, PFC Henry Butler, 2LT Edward J. Dalton Jr., SP4 Jeffrey B. Wagman, PFC Richard A. Waltman, SP4 Fred Brown Jr., SGT Wayland Dunn Jr., SP4 Sanford L. Jackson Jr., SP4 James T. Langlois, SGT James R. Morley, PFC Donald L. Summers, PFC Fred L. Thomas, PFC James E. Phillips, SSGT William M. Croy, SP4 Caney Green, FSGT Kenneth Hawsey, and MAJ William E. Taylor. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and virtualwall.org]

Thank you Staff Sergeant for your courage and leadership.

Dear SSGT William Mark Croy, 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