THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

On December 28, 1966, the Marine combat base at Dong Ha was the target of an intense early morning mortar attack. At approximately 1:00 AM, the base, one mile west of Dong Ha Airfield in Quang Tri Province, RVN, received 100-150 rounds of suspected 82mm mortars utilizing proximity (airburst) fuzes. The barrage was “walked” through the motor pool area to the Marines’ own mortar positions, killing six and wounding ten. The lost Marines included LCPL James R. Aarde, PFC Edward D. Davis, CPL Douglas W. Doig, PFC Guy L. Gordon, PVT Dennis J. Hamet, and MSGT Eugene E. Stout. Countermortar fire with illumination rounds was returned on suspected enemy positions with unobserved results. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Provisional Artillery Battalion Command Chronology, 12th Marines, December 1966]

Dear Cpl Douglas Doig,
Thank you for your service as a Logistics Man. It is Memorial Day, 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.

Doug and I grew up together in Westwood, MA. We attended the same schools and church. He was a great friend. We enjoyed many happy times together. He loved his motor cycle, me, not so much! He had an amazing family. When he was killed after only being in Vietnam for 2 weeks, I was devastated. His Mother reminded me as painful as the loss was, he died doing what he dreamed about doing, being a Marine. She was right. God bless Doug and everyone who served and continue to serve in troubled places all over the world. Thank you all veterans for your service to our country. God bless the USA.

Semper Fidelis, Corporal.