THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Shenandoah II (September 29 - November 19, 1967) was a security operation conducted by the U.S. 1st Infantry Division to secure and repair National Route QL-13, a highway stretching from the northeastern outskirts of Saigon towards the border of Cambodia. For the 1967–1968 dry season, II Field Force, Vietnam planned to mount a large-scale offensive to cut the three main infiltration routes into III Corps from Cambodia.  In order to build up the necessary forces near the border and sustain their operations, QL-13 needed to be open and secure. On the early evening of October 6th, a 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment patrol was moving into an ambush position 250 yards from its overnight defensive position (NDP) eleven kilometers (6.8 miles) southwest of Chon Thanh on QL-13 in Binh Long Province when it was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong (VC) squad. Artillery and illumination rounds were fired in support of the patrol, and they returned to the NDP. Twenty minutes later, the 1/18th NDP came under a mortar attack followed by heavy automatic weapons fire and enemy probing from the south. At 9:16 PM, the VC heavily attacked all sides of the perimeter. Artillery and close air support was called in on the enemy positions. The VC broke contact but continued to move around the NDP. At 11:17 PM, the VC again assaulted the American position preceded by a mortar barrage of 60-70 rounds of mixed 60mm and 82mm fire. The attack was finally broken up by bitter and close in fighting at 11:34 PM. Light contact continued, and many fighting positions were discovered and destroyed in the following days. Two U.S. were killed during the engagement, infantrymen SP4 Earl Dingle and SP4 Paul A. Oestreicher. Seventeen others were wounded. Enemy losses were 59 killed (by body count). [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, Period Ending 31 October 1967” at archive.org]

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died ten days before your 20th birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace SP4. Dingle, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers