THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Michael Livesay is poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

SGT Ronald G. Dennis was an infantryman serving with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. In late 1969, Alpha Company was constantly deployed in the field, one of four companies in a maneuver battalion performing tactical operations in support of the 11th Infantry Brigade’s mission. This included operations against enemy base camps and staging areas plus interdiction of supply lines and food caches. The infantrymen carried everything they needed and were generally resupplied in the field. Contact was light during the month of December 1969, and most of their losses came from malaria, heat stroke, trench foot, or similar ailments affecting troopers humping through the rice paddies, mountains, and triple-canopy jungle of Vietnam. On December 23rd, 2nd Platoon established a night defensive position next to a creek approximately eight miles southwest of Mo Duc Airfield in Quang Ngai Province. The following morning, they were ordered to move to a standdown area where they would pass Christmas Day. While retrieving trip flares placed on the other side of the creek, two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers were seen and fired on. The platoon leader was advised, and some of the men formed up into two groups and followed blood trails on either side of the creek. Dennis, a squad leader, was leading men on the left side as they advanced into a large grouping of boulders. One of the wounded NVA was concealed amongst the big rocks, and as the Americans approached, he fired a burst from his AK-47. A single round struck Dennis under the chin, killing him instantly. The NVA was later killed, his companion escaping. Meanwhile, the rest of the platoon still back at the NDP received a cryptic radio transmission: “One KIA.” They were stunned by the news. When they found out it was Dennis, they were devastated. Beloved by his men, it took four of them to carry the squad leader back to the overnight position, his limp 6’2”, 210 lb. frame weighing heavily in sorrowful hands. A helicopter was dispatched to 2nd Platoon’s location and landed in an open area by the creek. The body was evacuated to the 11th Brigade’s headquarters at Duc Pho where it was turned over to Graves Registration personnel. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Mike Livesay (February 2022]

Ron was one of my squad leaders. After he and Rabbit followed blood trails down the creek, there were gunshots and then silence. Over the radio we heard, "We have one KIA." I rushed up to the scene to find it was Ron and helped carry him to the chopper. I came back and eventually located the VC and finished him. Christmas Eve has never been the same ever since.

SGT Dennis was my squad leader, and I was nearby when he died. Two Viet Cong fighters had tripped a wire and set off a white phosphorace smoke grenade, and SGT Dennis quickly gathered several soldiers to investigate. Many gunshots then occurred, then there was silence. SGT Dennis was in the line of fire, and took the brunt of it. When it was certain nothing could be done, I helped carry SGT Dennis to the “dustoff” helicopter so he could go home. The squad and others searched for the men who shot him. We found them. It was the morning of Christmas Eve, and my company then marched down the valley several miles to enjoy a hot Christmas dinner. My memory is that no one involved in this incident ate much of anything. SGT Dennis was a natural leader, and was sorely missed by those he left behind.

Dear Sgt Ronald Dennis,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Monday was the 43rd anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. 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.