THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Jose M. R. Arredondo was a flight-qualified aircraft mechanic serving with A Troop, 2nd Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam. The 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry was an Air Cavalry unit, and during the late spring of 1971, provided reconnaissance and security support to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 1st Infantry Division. The coordination with ARVN forces contributed to the process of Vietnamization where Government of Vietnam forces assumed full responsibility for all aspects of combat, pacification, and national development during the period of American drawdown in Southeast Asia. On the late afternoon of May 29, 1971, Arredondo was taking his turn on daytime guard duty at a 101st Airborne Division base camp northwest of Quang Tri city in Quang Tri Province, RVN. At 5:00 PM, Arredondo was discovered missing from his assigned bunker and reported as absent from duty without official leave (AWOL). After his wallet and trousers were found inside the bunker, a search was initiated, and his boots and a towel were located at the edge of the Thach Han River adjacent to the base. No other sign of him was seen. At 10:30 AM the next morning, his body clad in swimming trunks was discovered at the river by an enlisted man on bunker duty. Army investigators believed he had entered the water for a swim and drowned. Arredondo was 21 years old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Taken from The Selma Enterprise (Selma, CA), June 17, 1971, courtesy of Stephanie Geller, Archives/Special Collections Librarian, California History Section, California State Library, Sacramento, CA.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Rest in eternal peace.

DEAR PFC ARREDONDO,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A FLIGHT QUALIFIED AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE. REST IN PEACE.

Dear PFC Jose Maria R Arredondo, 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