THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Gilbert Dowell was an infantryman serving with A Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). On March 4, 1971, Dowell was at Phu Bai Airfield south of Hue in Thua Thien Province, RVN. At approximately 9:30 PM, he was denied entrance to the Enlisted Men’s club by the manager after attempting to enter without a shirt. Dowell departed and returned with another individual who began arguing with the manager. The other individual assaulted the manager by attempting to kick and hit him and reportedly threw rocks at him. The manager went to his quarters and returned with a .38 caliber pistol. The other person with Dowell also armed himself and exchanged gunfire with the manager as he returned. During the shooting, Dowell was struck by a single round in the right abdomen. He was admitted to the 85th Evacuation Hospital at Phu Bai in critical condition with damage to his liver and right lung. He expired the following morning at 1:55 AM. Dowell was nineteen years old. His remains were transported to U.S. Army Mortuary at Da Nang where, after processing, were transferred to Tan Son Nhut Air Base for shipment back to his family in New York. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division opened an investigation; however, it is unclear what outcome it produced as the Army generally provided very little details regarding such incidents. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

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.

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

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Private First Class Gilbert Dowell, Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.