THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Maria Oz is touching and reflects the anguish experienced by so many who lost loved ones in this war. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Corporal Paul Lowell Frederickson, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

On May 9, 1968, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, was the point company in a battalion-sized operation pursuing North Vietnamese Army elements that had threatened the Marine combat base at Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province, RVN. Advancing from a night defensive position northwest of the Marine base, Delta moved out along the center of a low gully in a westerly direction. As the company pushed forward, a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire was received from NVA units concealed in fortified positions. In addition to their many machine gun bunkers, the NVA used both rockets and mortars to harass the movement of the Marines attempting to return fire. Delta Company was reinforced by Charlie Company during the assault, and Bravo Company with tanks provided a base of fire. The attack continued, and with the help of the tanks, the NVA were pushed out of the ville. The battalion and Delta Company recovered casualties and took night defensive positions around the ville. The night was long with the crying of village women and the silhouette of the dead Marines gathered together waiting for daybreak and their helicopter flight back to Dong Ha. During the engagement, the battalion suffered about 50 killed and wounded. Delta Company sustained the most casualties, including the Company Commander, CAPT Edward J. Hughes Jr., who was killed by enemy gunshot wounds to the head and body. The following Delta Company Marines were lost in the engagement: LCPL Kurtis N. Chapman, PFC Eugenio E. Fernandez Jr., PFC Edward A. Gillaspy, LCPL Homer Mitchell Jr., HM3 Winston Parker, LCPL Jack E. Porter, LCPL Robert P. Sickles, and PFC Billy G. Stewart. Further Marine casualties included (from C Company) LCPL Larry E. Adolf, (from A Company) tank crewman CPL Robert N. Minetto, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck; and (from H&S Company) radioman CPL Paul L. Frederickson and Hospital Corpsmen HM3 Winston G. Parker and HN Melvin G. Windham. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and togetherweserved.com]

Paul, I remember the first time we met and started seeing each other. What a wonderful and caring person. I remember when you joined the Marines and my heart sank. I remember when you left for Nam and my eyes leaked and heart sank. I remember when you didn’t come home and told my parents I would never forget you. It’s been 51 years and I’ve never missed going to your gravesite. Wizard wears your name on his cut and he got your name off the wall in Washington for me. Thank you for your sacrifice and you’re in my heart until I take my last breath.????

Dear Cpl Paul Frederickson,
Thank you for your service as a Radio Telegraph Operator. 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.