THE WALL OF FACES

I remember Ray on the gun, under heavy fire, rpg’s all over. Ammo was low. Gutierrez & Chainsaw hit. We moved down to the river. Ray was calm & cool under fire

Myself, Ray, Chainsaw, Rich R., Squad leader Gutierrez. We had advanced too far up into the bunker complex. Ray had the gun running low on ammo. I had an M79 with buckshot firing at the bunker entrance. Under heavy fire we left that position to go to the river where we found snipers. Ray was brave & cool under fire. God Bless him. I can’t believe it’s been 52 years. Thanks

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.

At 1:35 AM on August 19, 1969, the base camp of Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), at a landing zone near Quan Loi in Binh Long Province, RVN, received a ground probe from an unknown-size enemy force using small arms and automatic weapons. The troopers fired back with unit weapons and were supported by artillery, helicopter gunships, and tanks from an element of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment collocated at the camp. At 2:00 AM, the enemy withdrew. Their losses were unknown. During the action, a Sheridan tank accidently fired on an American bunker near the northwest perimeter of the base. The discharged projectile was an anti-personnel “beehive” round which fires hundreds of tiny razor-sharp darts. Nine troopers were killed in the incident and another five were wounded. The lost Americans were SP4 Raymond J. Ashnault, SP4 Reginald W. Burris, PFC Gaspar Cruz-Lebron, SGT William J. Dawson, SP4 John A. Kolwyck, SP4 Jimmie Miller, PVT Joseph P. Mobus, SP4 Robert G. Solomon, and PFC Paul A. Sparks. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Tank Accident Kills 8 GIs.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, August 21, 1969]

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.