THE WALL OF FACES

On May 7, 1970, the second day of the American incursion into Cambodia, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division was flown across the border to FSB Phillips where its rifle companies were launched on combat patrols into the surrounding area. A Company was commanded by CPT Robert E. Mincey, new to the field with no combat experience. Movement was slow through the thick, triple-canopied jungle. At 5:00 PM, A/3-8 set up a night defensive perimeter (NDP), passed an unremarkable evening, then resumed patrolling the following morning. That afternoon, Mincey and his command element moved with 3rd Platoon to locate a new NDP. After it was established, Mincey ordered the 3rd Platoon commander, a lieutenant, to select six men to accompany him in locating a night ambush location. The lieutenant suggested they bring a radio, but Mincey overruled him. After moving 200-300 yards, they reached a trail junction. Mincey instructed the lieutenant to remain at the junction with three men while he took PFC Charles A. Davidson, SP4 Johnnie Pickens Jr., and PFC Thomas G. Standley further up the trail. Shortly after, the group at the junction heard a furious exchange of AK-47 and M16 fire followed by Mincey’s voice calling for a medic. Unbeknownst to the group, they had stumbled upon a battalion-sized enemy encampment. A barrage of fire was directed at the intruders, wounding Mincey and the three others. Arriving reinforcements were immediately pinned down by heavy fire. SGT Harry G. Flieger crawled forward to rescue Pickens but was mortally wounded. As darkness approached, a senior lieutenant, now in command of A Company, pulled all the troopers back to the NDP, knowing nothing further could be done for the time being. The next morning, A Company went back to confront the enemy. When radioman PFC Brian E. McCarthy volunteered to retrieve the dead, he was also mortally wounded; McCarthy would be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star. After an aerial reconnaissance flight gave details of the enemy fortifications, A Company moved in, but by then the enemy had vanished. The bodies of Mincey, Davidson, and Standley were found with execution-style wounds to the head. They were covered by ponchos and evacuated with the remains of Pickens and McCarthy. Davidson, McCarthy, and Standley were posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Pickens was advanced to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “Twelve Days in May” by Jerald W. Berry]

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.

Sergeant Harry Gregg Flieger, Served with the 3rd Platoon, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Sgt Harry G. Flieger,
Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. 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.