THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for the sacrifice you made. You will not be forgotten.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Edward Cruz Cruz, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you Sailor, for a job well done!

FAIR WINDS, AND ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

Edward Cruz was a crewman on a US Navy patrol boat known as a Swiftboat. These were 50 foot aluminum boats used to patrol the coast of South Vietnam from the DMZ to the Cambodian border. During a routine patrol they would stop and search any boats they found along the coast.
On June 16, 1968, PCF 19 was on routine patrol in the northernmost patrol zone nearest to the DMZ. The day passed quietly and night fell. Patrolling at night was hazardous due to the large bamboo buoys used by Vietnamese fishermen to anchor their nets, but on this night there would be greater danger for PCF 19.
As the six Americans and one Vietnamese crewmembers either slept or stood watch, the boat was suddenly attacked by unknown aircraft. Rockets hit the boat. A quick "mayday" radio message was all that was heard before the boat sank with four Americans and the Vietnamese.
Other PCF's responded to the distress call along with a Coast Guard Cutter and an Australian destroyer. They were also attacked by the aircraft. Several witnesses reported that the aircraft hovered like helicopters.
Later the Air Force reported that one of their fighters had mistaken PCF 19 for a North Vietnamese PT boat.
Those that were there that night are still not sure of who attacked them, only that as a result, four names are now on the Wall.
Billy Armstrong, GMG2; Frank Bowman, QM2; Anthony Chandler, BM2; and Edward Cruz, EN2.
They will always be remembered and honored by the sailors that served on Swiftboats in Vietnam.

We worked on those boats, we went up and down the rivers, we lost four shipmates on 6/16/68 I want to remember you all. The faces are fadding but I want to Thank You For What You Gave. Walter Weddell / 82 Boat