THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am 73 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. Rest in peace PFC. Douillette, I salute your brave soul. Semper Fidelis!

As your 70th birthday approaches, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

Semper Fi, Marine.

For someone I never met I think about you often. My father “your brother Robert” has always instilled in me what you meant to him and the bravery you held. I’m proud and honored to carry the name. I like to think the fishing trips my dad brought me to were in large part because of you and the trips you guys went on. I will continue and try and honor your name as I move through life. Rest Easy Uncle Billy Semper Fi

On January 29, 1969, G Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was at a location approximately three miles south of Hill 55 in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The Marines were formed up in an L-shape line which spread out over a significant distance. All throughout the day they were being harassed by enemy sniper fire which had carried over from an engagement the previous day. A resupply helicopter was dispatched near their position, however, terrain and the tactical situation on the ground required it land approximately 1000 yards away. Members of 2nd Platoon were sent out to retrieve the resupply material. It is believed they failed to carry a radio with them. While they were at a long distance from the Marines’ line, a PFC forward observer (FO) noticed their movement. Apparently uninformed of 2nd Platoon’s assignment to retrieve the resupply’s goods, the FO called a fire mission on what he believed was a hostile force. Two rounds of 81mm white phosphorous and four rounds of 81mm high explosive mortar fell near 2nd Platoon’s location. Five Marines were killed in the incident, including several who had taken shelter in a large crater when they heard the incoming rounds. Another eight were wounded. The FO was immediately removed from the field for his own protection. The lost personnel included PFC William R. Douillette Jr., LCPL Cal T. Hammack, LCPL John R. Kaawa, PFC Frank M. Koerner, and PFC Samuel Rodriguez. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, Command Chronology, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, January 1969, and information provided by Anonymous (October 2018)]