THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Lori is touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace SP4. Eland, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

LZ Jaime was located fourteen miles southeast of Katum in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, and served as the base camp for the Skytroopers of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division. At 12:45 AM on May 12, 1969, trip flares around the base began springing into the night as enemy sappers probed the perimeter. The Cavalrymen responded by opening up on the area with artillery and unit weapons. The men at Jamie knew the attack was for real when the first of some two hundred 107mm rockets and sixty 82mm mortar rounds began impacting on the base. During the deafening barrage, the position received a ground probe on three sides from the unknown-size North Vietnamese Army force employing small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades. Enemy sappers breached the perimeter with Bangalore torpedoes and briefly occupied three bunkers. One NVA-held position was destroyed by direct 105mm howitzer fire and another bunker was retaken by the counterattacking Skytroopers. The Americans at Jamie were supported by ARA (aerial rocket artillery) and a circling U.S. Air Force AC-119 Shadow gunship whose pilots used their landing lights to provide illumination over the battlefield. The action continued into the early morning, including a barrage of five 107mm rockets fired on the base at 5:20 AM, killing three 1st Field Supply Element personnel: PFC John H. Crisp, SP4 James R. Harrison, and PFC Alfred L. Lawyer. The NVA broke contact at 6:15 AM, leaving seventy-five of their dead in and around the perimeter. Ten other Americans were lost during the battle. They included SSG Charles L. Barbiere, PFC Timothy C. Donovan, PFC John W. Drane, SP4 John F. Eland, CPL Don L. Atkins, SP4 Marvin E. Park, SGT James V. Spurley, SGT William J. Burke, CPL Joseph E. Melvin, and PFC Andrew R. Sabo. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, donmooreswartales.com, delta2-7.org, ourmidland.com, and “Skytroopers repel desperate NVA attack” and “NVA Onslaught Fails At LZ.” Publications and dates unknown]

Dear Sp4 John Eland,
Thank you for your service as a Radio Operator with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Cavalry. 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.

You were my sister's nephew and my friend. Happy Birthday to heaven. "Butch"