THE WALL OF FACES

It's been 55 years since that night which I remember all too well. Our patrol was 10 miles away in another patrol area when we heard the call. Only the patrol's call sign was identified, but not the name of the one of nine sailors on that patrol. As mentioned previously, he had been in country only a month and was well-liked by the men of River Division 533.
One of his crewmates and I were ordered to fly to Bien Hoa for final identification before he was sent home. That was my farewell to him...Bill was the first 533 sailor killed in action.

Seaman Apprentice William Russell Dennis III, Served aboard PBR-147 (Patrol Boat River 147), River Division 53 (RIVDIV 53), Task Force 116 (TF-116), United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

I remember and always will.
You were my ‘mentor’, the guy to ask if I had any questions, because I was the new guy. You were a good person. Liked by all the crew. I remember taking a picture of you at the base with a huge python snake the Seals had as a pet. I wish I could find that picture. Peace.

I had the honor of serving with Billy in Viet Nam.
I'll never forget that night Billy was taken from us. I was sleeping when the "Scramble all boats" came over the loud speakers. We headed down the river to replace his patrol as his boat headed back for help. When found out it was Billy and that he had passed it hit us all hard. If I remember correctly he had only been in country for a month or so. He was a FNG (F king new guy) with a big heart and great sense of humor. We put all the FNG's through hell playing all kinds of tricks on them. Billy always stood his ground and gave it right back in the spirit of the moment.
I've never forgotten that night or you, Be at peace my brother.