THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It is especially tragic that you were killed on your birthday. May you rest in eternal peace.

Petty Officer Third Class Ronald S. Athanasiou, Served aboard Armored Troop Carrier 151-36 (ATC-151-36), River Assault Squadron (RIVRON-15), River Assault Division 151 (RIVDIV-151),Task Force 117 (TF-117), United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

although we never met I feel that we are connected your sacrifice to your country will not be forgotten
Rest in Peace Ronald.

At 1:11 AM on January 21, 1970, an explosion caused by an enemy mine occurred at the Advanced Tactical Support Base at Go Dau on the Vam Co Dong River. The mine detonated between the galley AMMI pontoon barge and an Armed Troop Carrier 36 (ATC-36). The blast completely demolished the galley AMMI and caused the ATC to sink in three minutes. Of the six U.S. Navy crewmen aboard the ATC, four escaped. Two men, BM3 Ronald S. Athanasiou and ENFN James C. Baumer, were below decks at the time of the explosion. They were killed in the incident. Of the four that escaped, three were slightly wounded. Enemy casualties are unknown. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

DEAR PETTY OFFICER ATHANSAIOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A NAVY BOATSWAIN'S MATE. REST IN PEACE.