THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Bette is touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

Dak To Base Camp was located in Kontum Province in a valley surrounded by limestone ridges in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. During September and October 1967, more than 7,000 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops entrenched themselves on these ridges to besiege nearby American positions. On the night of November 12, 1967, the enemy launched the first of many rocket attacks against the Dak To Airfield, firing 44 rockets. Three days later, two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were destroyed by an NVA mortar barrage when the planes were hit on the runway turnaround area. Additional incoming mortars set the ammunition dump and fuel storage areas ablaze. Explosions continued all day and into the night. During that evening’s incoming shelling, a mortar round landed on two steel containers of C-4 plastic explosive. They detonated simultaneously, sending a fireball and mushroom cloud high above the valley, and leaving two 40-foot-deep craters. This was said to be the largest explosion to occur during the Vietnam War, reportedly knocking men off their feet over a mile away. The explosion destroyed the entire 15th Light Equipment Company compound next to the ammunition dump. Miraculously, no one was killed. One Army engineer commented, "It looked like Charlie had gotten hold of some nuclear weapons." To prevent a repetition of the mortar attack, three companies from the U.S. Army’s 3/12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, were ordered to take Hill 1338 (Ngok Con Kring Mountain), the dominant hill mass three and a half miles south of Dak To. For two days, the Americans struggled their way up the jungle-covered slope nicknamed “Rocket Ridge.” The troopers found an elaborate bunker complex and nine large tunnels lined with foot-thick logs, apparently used as a hospital, each connected by field telephones. They fought their way up through several enemy positions, finally reaching the summit on November 17th. The operation cost nine U.S. lives. They included PFC Jackie R. Combs, PFC Robert W. Deyo Jr., PFC Terry M. Enriquez, SP4 Robert J. Farley Sr., PFC Leroy J. O. Kling, PFC Hubert J. Payne, 1LT John W. Terrell, SGT Larry P. Thurman, and PFC Darrell D. Venenga. The fifty-nine North Vietnamese they killed belonged to the 32nd NVA Regiment. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, gazette.com, and wikipedia.org]

Dear PFC Robert Deyo,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. It is Mother's Day weekend, and I wish you all were here with your moms. 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.

Private First Class Robert Wilbur Deyo Jr., Served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.

Dear PFC Robert Wilbur Deyo Jr, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter