THE WALL OF FACES

On May 16, 1971, a New York Times article described heroin use by American troops in Vietnam had reached epidemic proportions. The piece reported that 10 to 15 percent of lower-ranking enlisted men were heroin users, and military officials working in drug‐suppression estimated that as much as a quarter of all enlisted personnel, more than 60,000 men, were hooked. They added that some field surveys reported units with more than 50 percent of the men on heroin. In Vietnam, the drug was plentiful, cheap, and 95 percent pure. Its effects could casually be achieved through smoking or snorting, as compared to the U.S., where the drug was impure, only about five percent heroin, and had to be main-lined or injected into the bloodstream to achieve a comparable high. The habit, which cost $100 a day to maintain in the U.S., cost less than $5 a day in Vietnam. HM1 Dennis A. Davison was a Hospital Corpsman serving with Seabee Team 1020, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 10 (NMCB-10), 3rd Naval Construction Brigade, U.S. Naval Forces Republic of Vietnam. On February 25, 1971, Davison reportedly died in his sleep at the Seabee compound at Phu Vinh city in Vinh Binh Province, RVN. Postmortem and toxicology studies determined his death was from an “overdose of narcotics.” Davison, 34, was a sixteen-year veteran of the military. Per family request, he was buried at sea. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “G.I. Heroin Addiction Epidemic in Vietnam.” New York Times (New York, NY), May 16, 1971]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow seaman Frank Bowman is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace HM1. Davison, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Fair winds and following seas.

On the remembrance of your 85th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Doc

May this remembrance find you in the eternal Holy Kingdom of our Lord.