THE WALL OF FACES

Eddie was one of 15 classmates from the class of 1967, Union City High School. He was well liked and honored by male classmates who served as pall bearers at his funeral held at the High School.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die.

Fire Support Base Lyon (Hill 285) was located near Thon An Van Thuong, approximately six miles east of Hue, and three miles south of LZ Sally in Thua Thien Province, RVN. On March 26, 1968, a 4.2-inch mortar site was installed at Lyon. Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry was flown in to guard Lyon while Bravo Company, 1/502, patrolled the valley west of the base. Moving along a trail in the hills six miles south of LZ Sally, B Company made contact with an estimated enemy platoon. As the mortar platoon at Lyon fired rounds into the jungle ahead of the column, a fire direction error placed several of the explosive shells directly on the Company Commander’s command group near the head of the column. The miscalculation was devastating. Eleven B Company troopers were killed by the friendly fire and nineteen others wounded. The Battalion Commander, airborne at the time the incident occurred, ordered his UH-1 Command & Control helicopter down to assist with the evacuations. The pilot brought the ship into a tiny clearing by vertical descent. Along with dustoff (medivac) aircraft, all the dead and wound were brought out. The lost personnel included PFC Edwin L. Armstrong, SGT John H. Barnes (died of wounds 03/27/1968), 2LT Philip C. Benn, SP4 Jack E. Derrico, PFC Alvin R. Gibble, PFC John R. Horton, SP4 Glen D. Hubbard, SGT Philip J. Krek Jr., PFC Wayne D. Krueger, PFC Roger M. Link, and SP4 Don J. Yelverton (died of wounds 03/31/1968). [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and b2501airborne.com]

Private First Class Edwin Lawrence Armstrong, Served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

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.