THE WALL OF FACES

On the night of March 18-19, 1969, Delta Battery 2/11 Marines was located at Fire Support Base Phu Lac 6, adjacent to the Liberty Bridge near An Hoa, RVN. A few hundred meters distant was the command post of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. In the early morning hours of March 19th, both areas were attacked, first by a barrage of mortar and rocket fire, then by a ground attack estimated to be in battalion size. Thirteen Marines and two Navy Corpsmen died in the two attacks, 12 from Delta 2/11 and 3 from the 1/5 command post. The NVA left 79 bodies strewn around the artillery compound alone. Medal of Honor winner HM2 David R. Ray placed himself upon a Marine after he saw an enemy-thrown grenade land near them. Ray died after the grenade blast, while the Marine he sacrificed his life for lived. Ray was formally assigned to the Headquarters Battery, but was Delta 2/11's senior corpsman during the battle. The fourteen other men lost were CPL Richard Gilliam, CPL Charles E. Wheeler, LCPL Charles E. Grooms Jr., PFC John F. Allen, PFC Donald R. Bartley, PFC Dennis F. Ellis, PFC John M. Goodwin, PFC Robert R. Highfill, PFC George N. Myers, PFC Loring W. Watson, PFC Paul Wilson, GSGT Floyd M. Keefe, HN Lee T. Hamman, and PFC David B. Arnott. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, and virtualwall.org]

DEAR PFC ARNOTT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MARINE GRUNT. YOU LOST YOUR LIFE ON ST. JOSEPH'S DAY. HE IS THE PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH. I HOPE IT WAS HE WHO GUIDED YOU TO PARADISE. SEMPER FI AND REST IN PEACE.

Dear PFC David Bruce Arnott, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Just traced your name on the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall in Cottonwood, AZ. Saw your name on the wall in D.C. as well. Will always remember you as a great piper with the Balmoral Highland Bagpipe band years ago. Rest in Peace.

Dave, You are always in my thoughts, especially on this date. You were a good friend . I remember the last time I saw you - it was Christmas time when you were home on leave. Wow did you look sharp in your dress uniform coming into church for the candlelight ceremony . I remember the phone call telling me about you . Wish you were here now. Can't believe it has been 44 years. You are still my friend. Miss you Dave.