THE WALL OF FACES

One of the most likable guys I ever served with. A good friend aa good soldier. He should have survived.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

On December 15, 1969, F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry ("Blackhorse Regiment") was conducting a sweep through an area of old growth rubber plantation northeast of Bo Due near Hill 172 in Phuoc Long Province, RVN, during a combined operation with Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops. The jungle canopy towered seventy-five feet, but sparse ground cover made visibility and movement somewhat easier. F Troop, with the ARVN infantry riding on top of their M113 armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAVs), turned off Highway 14A and moved east through the plantations, then climbed the slopes of Hill 172. As the lead ACAV crested the hill, it spotted three enemy soldiers a hundred feet away. The ACAV commander immediately opened fire, but a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle, wounding two crew members. Enemy fire intensified around F Troop, and it soon became clear that the Americans and South Vietnamese were in an enemy bunker complex. The ARVN dismounted and began working its way to the right, hoping to flank the enemy from the south. F Troop faced east and began laying down fire on the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) positions but lost two more ACAVs. F Troop could not call in artillery or air support because the dismounted ARVN infantrymen were too close to the NVA bunkers. Instead, they requested reinforcements. B Troop, in a night defensive perimeter two miles to the north, immediately moved out, arriving on the scene within fifteen minutes. Also, another ARVN infantry unit marched to the battle. B Troop came up on F Troop's left flank and pushed east, but the move left B Troop's southern flank exposed and the NVA opened fire. B Troop's vehicles wheeled right, came on line, and assaulted south through the enemy. F Troop backed down the slope while B Troop secured the hill, and the South Vietnamese infantry swept the area, clearing enemy bunkers. Cobra attack helicopters rolled in on the fleeing enemy, killing ten. The enemy lost sixty soldiers in the battle. Five members of F Troop were killed. The lost troopers included PFC Ronald C. Collins, PFC Farrish Combs (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SP4 Daniel M. Dawson, PFC James P. Nugent, and 1LT John Roche. Another sixteen Blackhorse troopers were wounded, one ACAV was destroyed, and three ACAVs were damaged. South Vietnamese losses were two killed and eleven wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam” by MAJ Edward J. Chesney]

Specialist Four Daniel Millard Dawson, Served with F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Sp4 Daniel Dawson,
Thank you for your service as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist. Your 72nd birthday is coming up. Happy birthday. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.