THE WALL OF FACES

SSG Berton Decker was a Combat Engineer serving with D Company, 19th Engineer Battalion. In the early spring of 1969, D Company was located at LZ Thunder along Highway QL-1, about five miles southeast of Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. On March 14, 1969, SSG Decker was within two weeks of rotating back to the U.S. as his one-year tour of Vietnam was concluding. However, afraid that some recent arrivals to D Company needed guidance on the day’s mine sweep, at dawn Decker joined the team that went south on Highway QL-1 on a demining mission. For D Company, mine clearance was a daily occurrence, with one platoon going north and another south, sweeping the road for several miles. Each group contained about twenty personnel: several providing security, three with detectors, and the rest on the support vehicles. About an hour into the operation, the southern team located a mine in the road. As Decker attempted to defuse the device, an explosion occurred. He was fatally injured in the blast. The engineers estimated the explosive charge at 30-50 lbs. A few days after the incident, the Battalion chaplain came from LZ English at Bong Son to LZ Thunder and conducted a memorial service for Decker. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Ron Broccardo (January 2020)]

Fifty years ago today our lives changed.
You gave your live for us to have freedom.
Thank you for your love and the few years we had together.
You are still thought of you often and our memories are still with me.
Our daughter has done very well and has a great family you would love and be proud of.
Just wanted you to know in this message and for all to see.
you have never been for gotten.
love, Bettie

Dear Ssgt Berton Decker,
Thank you for your service as a Combat Engineer. 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.

Dear SSGT Berton Decker, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Berton is buried at Pine Bush Cemetery in Kerhonkson,NY.
BSM PH