THE WALL OF FACES

I was a good friend of Freddy's, spent my last few months in country at Camp Swampy. Remember the incident fairly well. I was in the gun truck closer to the front of the convoy so I didn't see what happened, but this I know. The night before Freddy drowned we had to stop at a ROK compound because it was too dangerous to cross the water at night. While we were crossing the water the next day,guys had to stretch out in a long line holding hands to mark the road for the drivers. And yes, without question there was another loss of life, a water tank driver whose truck went off the road and disappeared instantly. They found his truck after the water receded sitting in the rice paddy,his body was gone, (don't know his name)

Hope this helps,

Spec. 4 Robert Cobb, 19th Combat Engineer Battalion, VN

I Was there the day Fields drowned, a black guy trying to save a white man. I didn't know him well but he was truly a brave man and I think and pray for him and his family often.

At a time and place where there was considerable animosity between blacks and whites, and between enlisted men and officers and NCO's, Fred's sacrifice was the essence of what it means to be, not only a hero, but a decent human being.