THE WALL OF FACES

Although we never met, I thank you for your service. It appears that you were killed the same day/same place as my dear friend, Tim Saunders. If your family knows more about this awful day, I and some of Tim's unit would like to know. It seems that nobody knows exactly what happened and we would like to find out ... for your sake and for Tim's. We all remember our fallen heroes. Here is what we have:

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The casualty files show four men from E Company, 3/60th Infantry, as killed in action in Dinh Tuong Province on 05 July 1967:

• SP4 Timothy J. Saunders, Jackson, WY;
• PFC Edward M. Cornell, North Hollywood, CA;
• PFC Pedro Ferra-Flores, Miami, FL; and
• PFC Jerry D. Hudson, Bridgeport, TX.

In each instance, the Army's TAGCEN file gives the complementary cause of death as drowning. 3/60 Infantry was part of the combined US Navy/9th Infantry Division Mobile Riverine Force which conducted operations along the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta region. That fact and the cause of death for the four men led to a fruitless search of the USNAVFORV History for July 1967 In hopes of finding documentation for an action on 05 July. The MRFA web site was no more productive, nor was a general internet search.

None the less, it is suspected the four men were involved in Operation CONCORDIA II, which began in Go Cong/Dinh Tuong Provinces on 04 July and probably were killed when a troop carrier was struck by enemy fire.

The Ninth Infantry Division (Old Reliables). On December 19, 1966 the 15th Engineers entered the Mekong Delta to build the first division sized base camp just 20 miles northeast of Saigon. The remainder of the division officially entered Vietnam at Vung Tau on December 19, 1966. After again distinguishing itself in battle the division was inactivated on September 25th, 1969 at Scofield Barracks, Hawaii and was finally inactivated at Ft Lewis, Washington by Order #201-29 on June 16th, 1991.

Dear PFC Pedro Ferra-Flores, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Pedro is buried at Cubano Cemetery in Miami,FL. BSM PH

FOREVER REMEMBERED



"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....

Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."



Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell

KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.



We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:



Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.



From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

"An God said who shall we send.I answered I am here,send me."

Isaiah 6:8

Et Lux Perpetua Luceat Eis
Requiescant in Pace