THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Four Frank Davis Jr., Served with Company D, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

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 sunlight 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.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

SP4 Frank Davis Jr. was an infantryman serving with D Company, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On October 19, 1969, his unit was conducting a combined military operation with Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers. The coalition reportedly encountered some Viet Cong near a river four miles northeast of Quang Ngai City in Quang Ngai Province, RVN, who agreed to surrender. As a number of ARVN approached the enemy combatants, they were ambushed and ended up in the river. Davis dove into the water to assist a wounded ARVN but was drowned in the attempt. Members of his unit searched for his body while local Vietnamese in sampans assisted by dragging the river. Divers later arrived on the scene and Davis’ body was recovered. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Mike Stachowiak (February 2003) at thewall-usa.com and Mike Gallegos (July 2021)]

My name is Frank David and I am six years old and from Louisiana, too. I touched your name on the wall and it made the war casualty real for me. Thank you for your sacrifice. (My mom helped me write this)