THE WALL OF FACES

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace Sp4. Elmandorf, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Erika Bertram is moving. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Yesterday I found your name on The Wall That Heals here in Tunkhannock PA.

Arthur served with me in Bravo Company 2nd Battalion / 2nd Mechanized Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. We were an infantry unit that rode on M113 Armored Personnel Carriers. We moved mounted and then dismounted and performed as all other infantry units but were never air mobile. We were in an area of South Vietnam referred to as III corp. Our 1st Division base camp was Lai Khe about 50 miles NW of Saigon. We operated along Hwy 13 or Thunder Road. We performed highway security, road clearing for mines, ambush patrols. Daytime patrols, night security and Search and Destroy operations were part of our mission. For about the first 6 months of my tour of duty in Vietnam I was assigned to this unit. After that I was moved to Bravo Company 2Bat/34th Armor, 25th Infantry Division. We were attached to the 1st Division and served along side other units but very often with the 2nd/2nd Bravo Company. .. For a time we were given other missions and we separated from the 2nd/2nd. Sometime in late June or early July both units were on Hwy 13 passing each other. We stopped on the hwy and had about 15 minuets to visit since we had served so much time together. It was at this time I found out about Arthur's death. I also found out about two other of Arthur's platoon who died the same time as Arthur. The contact was described this way- his patrol moved down a trial and they were ambushed by an explosive devise described as a Chinese Claymore. That information seems accurate from the descriptions of how these three men died. the other two were Specialist William Francis Mocker and Sgt. Glenn Arians Pranger. .. This was my lowest time in Vietnam. Three friends one my best friend died together and I was stunned to find this out. I am still very saddened to this day with the loss of their lives