THE WALL OF FACES

Loc Ninh was a rubber plantation village located in Binh Long Province, RVN, nine miles east of the Cambodian border and 70 miles north of the capital of Saigon. Due to its isolated location, Loc Ninh was guarded by three companies of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) led by U.S. Army Special Forces, a company of South Vietnamese Regional Forces, and a platoon of South Vietnamese Popular Forces. Purposely placed near enemy infiltration routes from Cambodia, it drew the attention of the 9th Viet Cong (VC) Division which attacked the outpost early on the morning of October 29, 1967. The assault began at 1:00 AM with a barrage of 122mm rockets and 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds against the Special Forces camp and the South Vietnamese district headquarters. The defenders responded with their own mortar fire and called in air support. At 2:00 AM, VC sappers attacked the district headquarters by detonating satchel charges on the northern perimeter wire, clearing the way for two battalions of the 273rd Regiment. The defenders withdrew into the south end of the compound. A pair of American UH-1B helicopter gunships arrived on station and began attacking the VC. They were soon joined by a U.S. Air Force AC-47 “Spooky” gunship which poured fire on VC reserve forces in a nearby tree line. Despite the air support, the situation in the compound remained desperate, and the district chief called for a proximity fuse artillery barrage on his own position, causing devastating losses to the exposed VC. At 4:00 AM, the enemy withdrew pursued by air and artillery strikes. At dawn, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) found that some VC had stayed behind in bunkers in the compound, and after reinforcements arrived, they proceeded to methodically clear them out using M72 anti-tank rockets. One hundred thirty-five VC were killed in the attacks on Loc Ninh while the ARVN lost 8 killed and 33 wounded. A lone American died in the fighting. SGT Louis B. Arnold, a U.S. Air Force medic serving with Military Assist Command, Vietnam (MACV), sustained fatal injuries during the initial bombardment from an incoming mortar round while moving from his billets to a bunker. Arnold was one of several USAF medical personnel retained by MACV to provide medical services at outposts like Loc Ninh for the Vietnamese Popular Forces soldiers, local civilians, and occasional GI. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, 212warriors.com, and information provided by Raymond C. Marlowe (July 2024)]

We serve together in mountain home Air Force Base mountain home Idaho.

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 die...

Sergeant Louis Broward Arnold, Served with the 552nd Medical Service Flight, Advisory Team 81, Headquarters, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Advisors, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), United States Army Vietnam.

Lewis was a good man. Only knew him a short time. Small arms fire is BS. Read about the battle of Loc Ninh. The world was coming down on those guys. He did not make it to the TOC. The NCO that lived was calling air and artillery on top of his position. My best friend Sgt. Ernest Miller took his place. Rest assured Lewis was giving of himself to the villagers and especially the children.
Ret SMSGT Raymond Marlowe
910-991-5313