THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die....

Fire Support Base Jaeger was built in the middle of an open field in the Mekong Delta, about 40 miles southwest of Saigon. The base was a temporary home for four 155 mm howitzers (B Battery, 1st Battalion, 84th Artillery) providing security for Highway QL-4, the lifeline upon which rice was transported from the delta to Saigon and further north. Jaeger was approximately one acre in size, surrounded by coils of barbed wire and machine gun-mounted armored personnel carriers (APC’s) positioned about 25 yards apart. There were tree lines about 1000 feet to the north and west of the base. Approximately 200 Americans were on FSB Jaeger, 80 assigned to the artillery unit, and 120 with the infantry company (Company C, 5th Battalion,60th Infantry) providing security for the big guns. On February 25, 1968, at 1:45 AM, Jaeger was assaulted by the 263rd Viet Cong Battalion. The VC initiated the attack with a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades (RPG-2 and RPG-7), combined with small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire followed by a heavy ground assault. The enemy attempted to breach the perimeter on the southwest and northwest with Bangalore torpedoes and turtle mines. Artillery, Light Fire Teams (helicopter gunships), and airstrikes supported the besieged Americans at Jaeger. The VC partially penetrated the perimeter where the artillery battery was located but were driven back by a large volume of friendly fire. The enemy broke contact when U.S. reinforcements arrived. Twenty Americans were killed defending Jaeger and sixty-eight wounded. The lost U.S. personnel were SP4 Stanley O. Jackson, PFC Earl E. Parker, SP4 Joe H. Brown, CPL Ronnie L. Clark, CPL Larry A. De la Rosa, CPL Dennis E. Lane, PFC William L. Newsome, SGT Robert L. Simmons, SP4 James C. Blout, CPL Manuelito L. Herrera, PFC Leslie R. Lewis, PFC Richard B. McDaniel, CPT Daniel R. Schueren, SP4 Edward Singleton, CPL George D. Whitelaw, PFC Frederick T. Williams, CPL Maxie E Ackerman, 2LT Gordon K. Hughes, PFC Gearwin P. Tousey, CPL Richard M. Scala, PFC Michael D. Sheahan, and SP4 Michael C. Zeller. Nine of the twenty-five APC’s were destroyed and two 155mm howitzers damaged. One hundred and five of the enemy were killed. Their remain were bulldozed into a massive grave near the firebase. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Fire Support Base Jaeger” at ttu.edu]

DEAR PFC ACKERMAN,

This is the week we are celebrating our nation's birthday. It is only fitting that we remember you, and the ultimate sacrifice you gave to our nation.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

REST IN PEACE.

Every Memorial Day I stop to thank of the service men and women who lost their lives. My brother George Whitelaw was in the same company as you. He also lost his life that day. God bless your family. Linda Whitelaw Davis

Dear CPL Maxie Edward Ackerman, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter