THE WALL OF FACES

During the first quarter of 1968, the 9th Infantry Division’s tactical area of responsibility included twelve provinces within the southern portion of South Vietnam. The division conducted strike operations to locate and destroy Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) main and local forces and their installations and infrastructures. In response to the VC/NVA Tet Offensive, division resources were deployed against the increased enemy activity in Gia Dinh Province. During February 13th-15th, infantrymen from the 9th Division’s 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry were in sustained battle around Dong Phu, six miles southeast of Saigon. On the 13th, Company B, 4/39th, was airmobiled into the area on a reconnaissance-in-force mission when it came under a mortar and small arms attack. For most of the day, the infantrymen were pinned down in waist-deep waters while artillery and air strikes pounded enemy locations. The next day, Companies B and C were flown back into the battle zone and encountered stiff resistance. Sweeping toward the enemy positions, they discovered a battalion-sized bunker system. They blasted the bunkers with M79’s, fragmentation grenades, and light anti-tank weapons with little result. Later airstrikes were more successful when direct hits destroyed the enemy fortifications. The Americans spent the night in the rice paddies which had risen to about chest high due to incoming tides and offered no overhead protection. Throughout the night they could hear the enemy dragging their dead away and fired on them when they could pinpoint their location. While Companies B and C were battling the bunker complex, Company A swept the area and found enemy weapons and ammunition. They also uncovered ten enemy graves, each containing from one to six bodies. In the tree days of fighting, units of 4/39th accounted for more than eighty-three dead VC and NVA and destroyed over 120 bunkers. A variety of weapons and documents were confiscated. U.S. losses were five men killed and fourteen wounded. The lost personnel included: (from B-4/39th) PFC Jerry W. Jenkins; (from C-4/39th) PFC George H. Dize (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SP4 Dohn W. Johnson, and PFC Ernest M. Weathersbee; and (from C Battery, 1st Bn, 11th Arty) forward observer 1LT Thomas Y. Osborne. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “No time for Valentines: 4th-39th slays 83 in 3 days.” The Old Reliable (9th Inf Div publication), February 28, 1968]

I never met you George, but all my life I heard stories about you. My Mother, LouAnna Collins Metheny asked me today to do some research on your service and I am trying to honor her request. For some reason I am sitting here typing this to you crying. Please know that you are still loved and thought of.
With much love,
Jeff

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Although I did not know you, I honor your name. Although I did not know you, I honor your history. Although I did not know you, I honor your service, because without you, I would not be free. I was 7 years old when you honored your country with your life. I am now 58 years old, because you were a citizen of the Home of the Brave.

Dear Cpl George Dize,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. It is Memorial Day weekend, and we remember all you who gave their all. 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.