THE WALL OF FACES

In early May 1968, Batteries B and C (105mm tubes) of 7th Battalion, 11th Artillery, and Battery A (155mm tubes) of 3rd Battalion, 13th Artillery, were occupying FSB Maury I, a 25th Infantry Division artillery fire base six miles south of Cu Chi village in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. Although the base was located in what was probably the best available area, bamboo thickets and wood lines surrounded the clearing. The three field artillery batteries had been arranged in a triangle within the perimeter, with one battery at each point. The 155mm battery was to the west, and the 105mm batteries were to the northeast and southeast. On the night of May 9th, Maury I came under heavy attack. The enemy began his attack at 2:00 AM with an intense mortar and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) barrage. He launched a diversionary attack against the northeastern and southwestern portions of the perimeter followed by a main attack directed against the western portion of the triangle where the 155mm battery was located less than 200 meters from the tree line. The 155mm battery, between the two 105mm batteries and the attacking enemy, took the brunt of the attack. The RPG fire had a devastating effect on the 155mm howitzers. At 3:30 AM, an attempt was made to move two 105mm howitzers to the southwestern side of the perimeter to aid the medium battery. By this time, only one of the 155mm howitzers was serviceable; of the others, three had been completely destroyed, as had two M548 ammunition vehicles. Flareships and gunships arrived around the same time, and Air Force fighter aircraft by 5:00 AM. At 5:30 AM, a relief element of the 4th Battalion, 23d Infantry (Mechanized), reached the base and battered its way into the beleaguered compound. The attack was finally repulsed. All Beehive ammunition had been expended but, because of the speed and accuracy of the assault against the medium battery, less than 10 rounds of 155mm ammunition had been fired before the destruction of the howitzers. Eighteen Viet Cong were confirmed dead, and friendly losses numbered 15 killed and 66 wounded. The lost Americans included CPL Dwight E. Bozeman, SP5 Michael L. Brewer, SP4 Joseph N. D’Ambra, SSG Excell Ficklin, SGT Timothy M. Hamilton, PFC Rudy Lopez, PFC Marvin H. Martin, 1LT Michael L. Mitchell, PFC Garrett T. O’Connor, SSG Cornealus Pumphrey Jr., SP5 Leo F. Rupert, SGT John M. Schneider, SP4 Reid T. Styers, SP4 Larry L. Tolliver, and PFC Edward Tyler. Five M109 howitzers were destroyed; one serviceable howitzer was later pieced together from two damaged howitzers. Two M548s were destroyed, and one 5-ton truck was severely damaged. Fourteen M16 rifles were either lost or destroyed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and an article by MG David E. Ott in Field Artillery Journal (May-June 1976)]

SSGT Excell Ficklin is resting at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Morton, MS

Dear SSGT Excell Ficklin,
Thank you for your service as a Cannon Crewmember. It is Labor Day weekend, and we remember you all. 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.

Dear SSGT Excell Ficklin, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

Thank you Staff Sergeant Ficklin for your devotion, leadership, and courage.