THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

50 years ago today, Jim Firkus was tragically killed by friendly fire in Viet Nam. I was a fellow lieutenant in his battalion. Even after 50 years I remember Jim as a uniquely mature, capable and very likeable officer. Three weeks after Jim's death I was on my flight back to the states that Jim should also have been on.

1LT James R. Firkus was an Infantry Unit Commander serving with B Company, 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. In April 1971, 3/506th was preparing for deactivation from Vietnam. During this time, 1LT Firkus’ company was operating from FSB Normandy in Thua Thien Province, RVN. During the late evening of April 23, 1971, Firkus was walking the bunker line checking the readiness and vigilance of his troops. Normandy had a very irregular bunker line, and unfamiliar with the terrain, he walked down a ravine and fell into the wire in front of one of the perimeter bunkers. While trying to untangle himself, the movement and noise attracted the attention of a bunker guard. Mistaking Firkus for the enemy, the guard opened fire with his M16, firing three shots. One of the rounds hit Firkus in the shoulder. The medic treating him felt that that the wound wasn’t that serious because it hit him high; however, the round had passed down into his body cavity, critically injuring Firkus. A medivac was called, and he was dead on arrival when he reached the rear. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “My Gift to You” by Jerald W. Berry]

Dear Lt James Firkus,
Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander. Tuesday is the 17th anniversary of 9/11, 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.

The military picture of James Firkus, seen standing in front of a fallout shelter sign, came from the book MY GIFT TO YOU, which includes the stories and pictures of American soldiers who died in Vietnam while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry (the Currahees), 101st Airborne Division. The pictures were allowed for use for the Faces Never Forgotten project by the author and fellow Currahee soldier Jerald "Jerry" Berry.