THE WALL OF FACES

On May 24, 1970, a friendly fire incident occurred in Thua Thien Province, RVN, when a U.S. artillery unit firing in support of an element of 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division mistakenly delivered one round on U.S. troops from C Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry in a night defensive position eleven miles southwest of Phong Dien. At 10:35 PM, the commanding officer (CO) of C-3/187 Inf radioed headquarters to report his 3rd Platoon command post (CP) had just received a direct hit by a high explosive (HE) artillery round, killing two and wounding three others. The lost personnel included infantrymen PFC Robert L. Brock and SGT Terry W. Foreman. The CO stated his 3rd Platoon CP called for artillery fire 800 meters out from their position and that a white phosphorous round was placed on target. This was followed by a request to repeat fire with HE. The first round fired impacted on their position. An urgent aeromedical evacuation was requested for the three wounded, two who were litter cases (on stretchers) and one ambulatory with a sucking-chest wound. The medivac was completed at 11:29 PM, and the casualties were flown to a 101st Airborne Division medical station before being transferred to an offshore U.S. Navy hospital ship. A separate UH-1 helicopter was sent to Phong Dien to retrieve two human remains pouches (body bags) and carry them to the 3rd Platoon location to pick up the lost personnel. Both men received posthumous promotions, Brock to Corporal and Foreman to Staff Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Artillery Accident Kills 2.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, May 28, 1970]

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.

Staff Sergeant Terry William Foreman, Served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Ssgt Terry Foreman,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 71st birthday is soon, happy birthday. It is now fall, and as the seasons pass, it is important to 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.

Staff Sergeant Terry William Foreman, Served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.