THE WALL OF FACES

PFC James Arthur Ashecraft and I served together - AIT, Fort Belvoir, VA and Tuy Hoa-Tuy An-Cung Son, Vietnam.
After AIT- five of us, with the last names beginning with "A", received orders to Hawaii - 25th Inf. Tropic Lightening, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Thinking we all had it made...sun & surf in the tropics. When we arrived to Fort Ord, California our Orders were Amended - and learned we are now going to Vietnam, as the 25th had shipped out to VN 3 weeks earlier. The six of us initially refused to go because we understood those who had Secret Clearances could not be sent into a war zone. The AG said we could be sent because our secondary MOS - Combat Engineers were needed in VN. Since none of us had the opportunity to see our families before departing, we were given the chance to go home for a 2-4 weeks leave, but we had to pay our own round trip airfare!! Ashecraft was the only 1 of 5 who went home to visit family. About a month later he was assigned to Company A, 39th CBT Engineers.
Sadly, he was the only one of six to take a leave and the only one not to return.
James was a well mannered and educated young man, pleasant to talk with, had a big smile and bigger heart ... as we said at the time, "A real cool dude".
Sincere condolences to Jame's family and friends. May he Rest in Eternal Peace, Amen.
Slow salute. HOOAH!

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

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....

JAMES WAS A WELL-KNOW AND VALUED MEMBER OF OUR SMALL TOWN OF HAMLET, NC. HE WAS A FRIEND AND CLASSMATE OF MY BROTHER. HE PROCEEDED ME IN SERVICE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. UNLIKE JAMES I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO RETURN HOME. WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.

Private First Class James Arthur Ashecraft, Served with Company A, 39th Engineer Battalion, 45th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.