THE WALL OF FACES

National Route QL-19 was a highway between Qui Nhon on the coast and Pleiku in the Central Highlands. The roadway was the strategically significant main arterial in which Allied bases in Pleiku Province were resupplied. Land clearance operations were performed along QL-19 by U.S. Army Engineer Rome plow crews to deny the enemy concealment in the jungle flora that lined the roadway. Caterpillar D7E bulldozers utilizing "stinger” blades sliced through the tropical forest to push back the jungle and open fields of fire. Most operations were accompanied by a tank platoon and infantry company for security. At 12:25 PM on September 17, 1967, a Rome plow clearing the area along QL-19 near Check Point 102 was hit with rocket-propelled grenade fire. A military police patrol securing the plow returned fire and killed one North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldier. A platoon from D Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, operating 500 yards west of the checkpoint, deployed on both sides of the highway and began sweeping toward the contact area. The Battalion’s quick reaction force, a platoon from B-5/7 Cav, air assaulted into the area and joined the D Company platoon. At 2:20 PM, a UH-1B gunship from the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, flying in support of the contact, encountered a weapons malfunction and landed on QL-19 near the Pleiku/Binh Dinh Provincial boundary to clear jammed machine guns. While on the ground, the aircraft drew intense small arms and automatic weapons fire that fatally wounded pilot WO1 Robert N. Dechene. The Battalion committed the remainder of B-5/7 Cav to the battle and requested aerial rocket artillery and air strikes on enemy positions. All forces then assaulted with fighting continuing until the enemy broke contact at 8:00 PM. The opposing force, estimated to be an NVA platoon, lost seventeen killed and two captured. U.S. losses were six dead and seven wounded. The lost personnel included Dechene; SP4 Stephen J. Melnick, a military policeman from C Company, 504th MP Battalion; and infantrymen (B-5/7 Cav) SGT Clyde E. Paul Jr. and SFC Wilfred M. Perez, and (D-5/7 Cav) SP4 Willie Ellison Jr. and 2LT William M. Harper. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Rachel is poignant and reflects her admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

Warrant Officer Robert Normand Dechene, Served with Company D, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Wo Robert Dechene,
Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot with the 1st Cavalry. 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.

I was so young when my uncle died, almost 5, but I remember loving him. I see pictures of him and think of what we lost, and what he missed over the years. As my mother said, God had a plan for him, and God was by Uncle Bob's side as he welcomed his grandparents, uncles, aunts, and his father into heaven.

We love you Uncle Bob, and never forget you. Your sister and mother keep your memory alive through their memories and stories of you.

Always on our minds,