THE WALL OF FACES

Can see you as if it was yesterday.

On August 12, 1970, an element of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was on a platoon-sized search and destroy mission in support of Operation Lyon Valley, a 5th Marines search and clear operation southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The platoon was winding down a 30-day patrol through the rice paddies, nipa palm, jungle, and hills, searching for Viet Cong to prevent them from massing for attacks on Da Nang and An Hoa Combat Base. At 4:25 PM, while moving near the hamlet of Phu Nhuan (3), the point man tripped a booby trap consisting of multiple explosive devices wired to a single detonator. The Viet Cong had positioned a “daisy chain” of 155mm artillery shells to wreak maximum damage, and the resulting explosion was devastating. Five Marines were killed in the blast and fifteen were wounded. Those not hurt immediately responded and provided aid to the injured. Medivacs airlifted the wounded to hospitals in Da Nang and a naval hospital ship offshore. The lost Marines included LCPL Alan W. Ashenfelter, LCPL Gary L. Jenks, CPL Kenneth E. Oliver, PFC Charles K. Puderbaugh and LCPL Edward Tarver. A week later, the battalion held a memorial service in a large, tented chapel with wooden sides at the regimental rear at An Hoa. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Michael Sanzaro (April 2021)]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Rest in eternal peace.

Alan and I served together in Golf 2/5 in 1970. I was wounded on July 20, 1970, which turned out to be a saving grace because I would probably have been KIA with Alan on 8/12/70 if I hadn't been. I still remember your stories and the time we shared over there. Rest in Peace Brother and...Semper Fi!

Alan and I served together. We were good friends. I saw a post by David Thomas. I also served with David and was the first one to reach him when he tripped the booby trap on July 20th. I was wounded on January 10, 1971, I almost made it out safely. I would love to talk with any of our former squad or platoon members. Michael Sanzaro