THE WALL OF FACES

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...

On the morning of February 6, 1967, a seventeen-man reconnaissance team from 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division was deployed near Hill 200, eight miles south of Que Son Airfield in Quang Tin Province, RVN, to establish an observation post (OP). The mission was to determine the extent of Viet Cong (VC) activity at selected points in their area of responsibility and conduct area surveillance and reconnaissance in support of the First Marine Division. After insertion by helicopter, the patrol moved to the top of a hill where they located two booby-trapped M26 grenades. A Marine UH-1E helicopter flew over their position and reported VC were sighted coming up the north side of the hill. At 10:30 AM, a squad on the move to prepare an OP hit a mine. The explosion killed three Marines: PFC James A. Angermiller, CPL Roger V. P. Burke, and CPL William E. Franklin Jr. died after suffering blast and fragmentation injuries. The casualties were evacuated, and the platoon moved to another location and set up an OP. At 12:30 PM the following day, they heard voices from an estimated thirty VC coming toward their position. The enemy made contact, throwing grenades and firing small arms. The patrol returned fire and called in three artillery fire missions on the enemy positions. A UH-1 gunship also provided support, strafing the enemy positions. The VC broke contact fifteen minutes later. Results of the engagement were eight VC killed (probable) and one Marine dead with six wounded. The lost Marine was rifleman LCPL Kenneth L. Deavers Jr. The patrol was extracted after the action. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Command Chronology, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (Rein), Chu Lai, February 1967]

Private First Class James Allen Angermiller, Served with the 3rd Platoon, Company D, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

DEAR PFC ANGERMILLER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MARINE GRUNT. SEMPER FI, AND REST IN PEACE WITH THE ANGELS.

Semper Fi Marine.