THE WALL OF FACES

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.

SP4 William G. Eggenberger was a Combat Engineer serving with D Company, 19th Engineer Battalion. In the spring of 1969, D Company was located at LZ Thunder along Highway QL-1, about five miles southeast of Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. Built on a mountain, the top of LZ Thunder was occupied by an Americal artillery unit protected by an infantry company. The engineers of D Company had their own compound lower down the hill. The site had previously been occupied by the French, and there still were artifacts from that era. Surrounding LZ Thunder was a kaleidoscope of hamlets from which the local Viet Cong cadre recruited fighters. By 5:00 PM each night, American personnel had to be within the perimeter of Thunder because it was too dangerous to be outside as the night belonged to the VC. On May 13, 1969, an Army unit that had stopped by Thunder was held overnight after it became too late for them to return to their home base. D Company welcomed them into their compound, and they settled a little bit up the hill. Near midnight, the compound was attacked by a combined Viet Cong-North Vietnamese Army force using rockets, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. No ground assault was attempted, instead it was another of the enemy’s harassing fire that had become a common occurrence. The engineers returned fire with unit weapons and the transient unit bivouacked above them joined in the defense of the compound. Perhaps because of the angle of their fire, or maybe due to their unfamiliarity of the compound and the location of its perimeter wire, their fire was low and impacted near the line. One of the rounds fired at the enemy struck SP4 Eggenberger in the back of the head. He was killed instantly. When the 10-minute engagement ended, a medivac landed from LZ Bronco and carried his body away. A few days after the incident, the Battalion chaplain arrived and conducted a memorial service for Eggenberger. Because it was unclear who had fired the round that killed him, the loss was not recorded as a friendly-fire incident and instead entered as the result of enemy action. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Ron Broccardo (January 2020)]

Spec. 4 Eggenberger killed in Vietnam.

We raised some hell on our motorcycles at Bragg. Drank cold beer at the ice house,went to Viet Nam together and were split up. Missed you then and miss you now.
See you soon
SSG Donald Melling

Dear Sp4 William Eggenberger,
Thank you for your service as a Combat Engineer. 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.