THE WALL OF FACES

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

Dear Sp4 James Ellis,
I hope your photo is put here because this is a wall of faces and yours is missing. Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. 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.

On behalf of those who served with you in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) and all who followed, we offer our respect and remembrance of your ultimate sacrifice. May you never be forgotten and your family and friends take comfort in your valor in serving.

1LT Robert H. Darling was the leader of 3rd Platoon, B Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry. SP4 James L. Ellis Jr. was his RTO (radio telephone operator). On November 6, 1967, B Company, 4-503rd, was combat assaulted atop of Hill 823 in the jungles of Dak To Province to accompany their sister companies who were already deployed nearby. Fourth Battalion was attempting to locate elements of the NVA’s 66th Regiment which had infiltrated from Cambodia. An NVA force had been on Hill 823 before B Company’s arrival, however, they were smashed by preparatory artillery fire on the hilltop before the assault. The shattered force abandoned the peak, leaving behind broken rifle stocks and rucksacks. While B Company was establishing defensive positions on the hill, 1LT Darling instructed PFC Clarence A. Miller Jr. and SP4 Louis C. Miller (they were unrelated) to set up an observation post 100 meters down the western slope to provide an early warning along one of the likely avenues of approach. As the two Millers moved down the hillside, an enemy ambush killed them with a violent fusillade of small arms fire delivered at close range. Darling, SP4 Ellis, and three other riflemen race downhill to the post. They too were ambushed by a platoon-size enemy force which caught them before they covered half the distance to their objective. The lieutenant, Ellis, and two others were killed. One of the would-be rescuers, although seriously wounded, was able to crawl back to his platoon. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Three Companies at Dak To” by Allan W. Sandstrum from the book “Seven Firefights in Vietnam,” Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army]

I knew you seemed like you loved that PRC-25, it seemed like it was part of his anatomy.....YOU carried & used it very, very, we'll.... Co B 4th Batt 173d Abn Bde (Sep)... They laid You and Lt Darling right next to my position; and I watched YOU the rest of the day and nite till they came to get YOU AND THE REST OF OUR BROTHERS DIED THAT DAY; 6 November 1967....Love You El