THE WALL OF FACES

Will always remember Dan’s sacrifice. I learned of it while driving from Peoria to Chicago back in 1971. A few days later I was at the recruitment station.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

During the second week of February 1971, the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division was conducting combat operations in the three-province area of Bien Hoa, Long Khanh and Phuoc Tuy, RVN. There was a marked increase in enemy activity over the previous week, especially north of National Highway QL-1. A mining incident on February 9th killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded another. At 11:30 AM, D Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry and the 621st Regional Forces (RF) Company detonated an unknown type boobytrap while patrolling four miles north of Hung Loc in Long Khanh Province, RVN. Four RF soldiers were also killed, including one Kit Carson Scout, and five RF were wounded. The lost Americans were infantrymen SP4 James A. McIntyre and PFC Michael C. Lawson, and medic PFC Daniel F. Farrell. Ten minutes later, while processing the casualties, they began receiving small arms fire. The combined forces returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by artillery, Light Fire Teams (helicopter gunships), and air strikes. At 12:30 PM a medivac UH-1H helicopter dispatched to remove the casualties was hit with eight rounds of small arms fire and crashed. The UH-1H was recovered at 2:45 PM. Farrell and Lawson were posthumously promoted to Corporal. [“Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Period 1 November ’70 to 28 February ‘71” at dtic.mil]

Corporal Daniel Francis Farrell, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH