THE WALL OF FACES

Fire Support Base 25 was located in Kontum Province, approximately 2 1/2 miles northeast of Ben Het in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. In early 1968, FSB 25 was being threatened by an estimated battalion-sized element of the 66th NVA Regiment. The enemy was able to endure American air strikes and artillery fire in their bunkers while trail watchers observed FSB 25. High-speed approaches from their fortified positions allowed them to reach fighting positions as soon as the bombardments ended. At 1230 hours on January 23, 1968, A & C Companies, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, conducted a sweep from FSB 25 to nearby Hill 800 to clear a ridge from which they were receiving rocket and recoilless rifle fire. Moving against the enemy positions, the fire was so intense that A Company got pinned down. Suffering numerous casualties, both companies withdrew to the firebase. An intense mortar barrage was then launched against the base. The withering fire hailed on top of bunkers, causing several more casualties and secondary explosions to which a great fire raged, threatening to detonate over 2000 rounds of 4.2-inch mortar rounds. The enemy also hurled white phosphorous rounds which set crates of ammunition on fire. With no water on the hilltop, soldiers scrambled to put the fires out by shoveling dirt on the burning crates. All the fires were extinguished after about 45 minutes. The bombardment resulted in seven American deaths. They included SP4 Hilaire A. Andry Jr., SP4 James M. Berge, SP4 James I Buchner, SP4 Ronnie J. Eskew, SP4 John F. Lobsinger, SP4 Donald G. MacIntosh, and PFC Joseph S. McKinney. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Apache Recon: Because of the Brave” by Michael l. Moomey]

DEAR SPECIALIST 4TH ANDRY,
THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ARMY GRUNT. REST IN PEACE.

Dear SP4 Hilaire Albert Andry Jr, 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

Hilaire is buried at Garden of Memories in Metairie, LA.

While a teen in Colorado, I
sent requests for pen pals in Vietnam. Hilaire Andry wrote soon,in the most beautiful back curve (not to the right but to the left)penmanship I'd ever seen by a man. It hurt when he was wounded, only to be sent right back, to die at 19 or 20. I tried hard to remember his name, to find him on the Memorial Wall, in vain. When I recalled he'd been from Louisiana, I finally located record of his death.How can it be more than 40 years ago that you passed away, sweet young man?! Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice in a most unpopular war.