THE WALL OF FACES

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace SGT. Farmer, 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. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

On December 31, 1967, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division was conducting a routine tactical road march from Blackhorse Base Camp in Phuoc Tuy Province, RVN, thirty-six miles south to Vung Tau to conduct a road security mission. Two platoons of armored vehicles moved out at 3:00 AM on Highway QL-2 for a planned rendezvous with a convoy they were to escort back to Blackhorse. Each platoon consisted of a M48A3 Patton tank and M113 armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAV’s) accompanied by command and maintenance vehicles. The tanks led the way, intermittently using driving lights and searchlights to illuminate and observe along the sides of the road. About five miles south of Blackhorse, as the last vehicle, a mortar carrier, leveled off over a slight rise on a straight section of QL-2, the tank at the front of the column was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), killing the driver and stopping the tank. An ambush was sprung along the entire length of the column as a hail of RPG’s quickly set afire the leading vehicles while intense small arms fire killed most of the men riding atop vehicles. The trailing mortar carrier was hit by a command detonated mine, exploding mortar ammunition and destroying the vehicle. The second tank was also hit by an RPG round, ran off the road, blew up, and burned. The surprise was so complete that no organized fire was returned. When individual vehicles attempted to return fire, the enemy concentrated fire on that one vehicle until it stopped firing. Within ten minutes, the fight was over. The results were devastating. At daybreak, the battered and burned hulks lay scatted along the road. Of eleven vehicles, four ACAV’s and one tank were destroyed, and three ACAV’s and one tank were severely damaged. The two platoons suffered forty-two casualties, including thirteen killed. They included PFC James A. Blankenship, SP4 Dickey Chamblee, SGT David L. Drought, SGT Joseph L. Farmer, PFC Henry M. Hale, PFC Patrick L. Hall (died of wounds 01/11/1968), SP4 Gary O. Hedin (died of wounds 01/10/1968) SP4 Cecil B. Jones Jr., PFC Moses J. Lewis (posthumously promoted to Corporal), PFC Ernest D. Marcum, PFC Robert E. Murphy Jr. (died of wounds 01/01/1968), PFC Jose Santana Jr. (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and PFC James E. Thompson. No enemy were reported killed or wounded. [Taken from virtual wall.org and “Mounted Combat in Vietnam” by Donn A. Starry]

Sergeant Joseph Lyle Farmer, Served with C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Sgt Joseph Farmer,
Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. Another national holiday is coming, and we honor you this Labor Day. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.