THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Mameluke Thrust (May 19 - October 23, 1968) was a 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) search and destroy mission into Happy Valley southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The objective of Mameluke Thrust was spoiling attacks against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong base areas to preempt any planned offensive against Allied complexes in the Da Nang area. Attached to III MAF were nearly 3,000 Marines of the Seventh Fleet's two special landing forces (SLFs). Each consisted of a Marine battalion landing team reinforced by supporting elements including a helicopter squadron. On September 19th, Company F and G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines from the SLF, were conducting a reconnaissance in force when F Company, the lead element, made contact with an unknown-size enemy force near La Hoa on the Thu Bon River, eight kilometers (4.8 miles) east of the Dai Loc-Ai Nghia Bridge. During engagements beginning at 9:00 AM, the enemy fired small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm mortars at the Marines who responded with unit weapons and supporting arms consisting of artillery, airstrikes, and UH-1E helicopter gunships. Initial attempts to neutralize the fortified enemy positions resulted in numerous casualties when heavy automatic weapons and accurate sniper fire pinned down elements of F Company. Several Marines were cited for bravery during the fighting. At 8:00 PM, the companies broke contact and moved into night defensive positions. For the day, the Marines counted four dead North Vietnamese Army soldiers and one AK-47 rifle captured against 16 U.S. dead and 54 wounded requiring evacuation; another 21 nonbattle casualties were also evacuated. The lost personnel included (from E/2/7) CPL Joseph P. Lopez (posthumously awarded the Silver Star); (from F/2/7) CPL Thomas J. Cavanaugh (posthumously awarded the Navy Cross), PFC Michael A. Figueroa, PFC James D. Kelley, LCPL Mark A. Knollmeyer, LCPL John L. Krol, PFC Peter D. Matarazzo, PFC Terrence Moran, PFC Gary E. Noles, PVT Francis S. Rhoades, LCPL Roy W. Rich, LCPL Pedro S. Rodriquez Jr., CPL Edgar A. Smith, PFC Mark L. Triplett, and LCPL Philip J. Wajda (posthumously awarded the Silver Star); and (from H&S/2/7) SGT Raymond T. Conway. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “1st Marine Division (Rein) Command Chronology for September 1968” at ttu.edu, and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Defining Year, 1968” by Shulimson, Blasiol, Smith, and Dawson]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Jan Holliday Haefner is poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Private First Class Michael Angel Figueroa, Served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Figueroa, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

Dear PFC Michael Figueroa,
Thank you for your service as an Antitank Assaultman. Yesterday was Labor Day, 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.