THE WALL OF FACES

During February 1967, Company B, 3rd Antitank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) operated in support of the 4th Marine Regiment providing direct support to Marine infantry including direct and indirect fire support, Harassment and Interdiction (H&I) fire, and command post security. The Company also furnished engineer road sweep security and convoy escort. Company B’s main battle vehicle was the M50A1 Ontos, a light armored tracked anti-tank vehicle mounted with six 106mm manually loaded M40 recoilless rifles. On February 12th, B Company’s 1st and 2nd platoons and Company Command group were proceeding in convoy to a blocking position in support of a search and destroy operation to be conducted by I and M Companies, 3/26 Marines. At 9:00 AM, at a point approximately ten kilometers (6.0 miles) southeast of Phong Dien in Thua Thien Province, RVN, the lead vehicle with the Company Commander, 2nd Platoon Commander, four Ontos crewman, and one infantryman struck a land mine believed to be a 250-lb. bomb detonated by one or more 155mrn rounds. The blast killed all personnel aboard and completely destroyed the Ontos. The lost Marines included SGT Morris E. Burns, CPL Allen L. Butler, CAPT Steve L. Camby, 1LT Donald J. Egan Jr., PFC Roger L. Niemi, PFC Bernardino Santiago-Vazquez, and LCPL Casimir S. Sylwanowicz. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (3d Antitank Bn), February 1967” at ttu.edu]

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 sunlight 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.

First Lieutenant Donald Jason Egan Jr., Served with the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 3rd Anti-Tank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Bucky Egan would sing part of this once in a while; I play it on 12 Feb. On 12 Feb 1967 I heard from the Red Cross that my son Adam had been born 2 days earlier. On 12 Feb 1967 I also received a letter from Bucky thanking me for a book I had sent him listing employment companies and resume development. He joked that he might not have time to read it, for he was getting short in the USMC. I wept. We were USMC 1st lieutenants and friends, having shipped out together from San Diego to Vietnam. Earlier on 12 Feb 1967 on the PRC-10 radio, I listened to Bucky die when his ontos exploded during an assault.

Dear Lt Donald Egan,
Thank you for your service as an Infantry Officer. 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.