THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service. My mom and aunt miss you dearly. I’ve been told I look like you and I’d like to think I carry you with me.

On November 6, 1970, a reconnaissance team in the mountains northwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN, called a fire mission on moving troops they believed were enemy combatants. Unbeknownst to the recon team, what they saw was a Marine patrol from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, occupying a night defensive position. Six high-explosive and four white phosphorous rounds impacted on the patrol’s position, killing two and wounding eleven. The lost personnel included SGT Meredith L. Barnett and LCPL Donald R. Soles. A third Marine, rifleman LCPL Victor M. DeWalt died of his wounds four days later. Reportedly, the patrol's route into the reconnaissance team's area of operations had not been plotted at the Fire Support Coordination Center of the artillery battery, nor was it coordinated with the recon unit. Following the incident, Barnett was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal. According to the medal citation, as the rounds came in, members of the patrol were unable to reach covered positions. Barnett rushed to the Marine nearest him and threw himself on top of the man seconds before a round detonated ten feet away. He was fatally wounded by the explosion but succeeded in protecting his companion. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971” by Cosmas & Murray, and SGT Barnett’s Silver Star citation]

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

We served in Vietnam but in different places both Infantry. When I received that 1st letter from you I couldn’t believe it. We wrote each other 2 other times. When I arrived Phil Naval Hospital phoned your dad and found out about casualty. Buddies forever Joe Prusak USMC 1st Mar Div 3 Bat 3rd platoon Mike Co 3 platoon. PS. Flew home together to Allentown, Pa Met your mom and Dad at airport they dropped me at my house.

Dear Lcpl Victor De Walt,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. It has been too long, and it's about time 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.