THE WALL OF FACES

Song Be Base Camp (Landing Zone Buttons) was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base located approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of Phuoc Binh in Phuoc Long Province, RVN. The base was originally established in April 1965 as a 5th Special Forces Detachment B-34 base. In early September 1967, elements of Company D, 168th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was airlifted from Bien Hoa to Song Be by U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft to construct a fire support base for the 175mm guns of 6th Battery, 27th Artillery. Engineers utilizing D7E dozers constructed an eight-foot-high defensive berm, bunkers, searchlight stands, and a network of access roads. The artillery unit had gun pads built with administrative and crew bunkers, a fire direction center, and ammunition storage areas. The airfield was also improved. During the construction, Song Be came under mortar attack six times. On November 12, 1967, four rounds came inside the berm, one striking sandbags shielding the tent where engineer mechanics and drivers were asleep. Two men were wounded seriously enough to be evacuated, and one man, SP4 Gary L. Farley, died before he reached the hospital. One of Song Be’s three airfields was later named Farley Field in his honor. Material damage included four five-ton dump trucks damaged by mortar fragments. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 168th Engineer Combat Battalion, Period Ending 31 July 1968” at archive.org]

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

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 sunlight 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.

HOOAH

Specialist Four Gary Lee Farley, Served with Company D, 168th Engineer Battalion, 159th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.