THE WALL OF FACES

On August 27, 1969, a reconnaissance team from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division was conducting a patrol in monsoonal rains adjacent to the Song Saigon (river) near the hamlet of Ap Ben Chua in Binh Duong Province, RVN, when they were ambushed by Viet Cong (VC) concealed in a bunker. Three members of the four-man team were killed after approaching the hidden enemy fortification. The VC opened fire with AK-47’s before the Americans could react. The fourth team member took shelter in a bomb crater left by a B-52 strike. A 90-man reaction force from Delta Company, 1/28th Infantry at Fire Support Base Gela responded and were flown by UH-1 helicopters through the storm, inserted behind a smokescreen curtain laid down by artillery from FSB Gela. They quickly moved into a brush line where they watched helicopter gunships rocketing a bunker complex. Their mission was straightforward: get in and recover any dead or wounded as quickly as possible. The lead elements of the reaction force low-crawled towards the bunkers until they came into sight. The recon team leader, medic, and another man lay sprawled on the ground where they had been cut down. The fourth man was in the crater screaming in pain. A grenade was thrown into the enemy bunker, then an M16 rifle emptied inside it, neutralizing any threat. The dead recon members around the crater were collected, each body requiring four men to carry them out of the jungle. It took several attempts to remove the wounded GI from the crater because of the slippery red mud. The casualties were evacuated in the gathering darkness, and the reaction force dug into an overnight defensive position near the river. The three lost recon members included team leader SFC William K. Wickward, medic PFC David E. Freestone, and PFC Dale J. Lenio. Thirty-six-year-old Wickward was a highly decorated veteran with sixteen years of service and multiple tours of duty in Vietnam. Freestone also had numerous decorations including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for Valor. The fourth man reportedly lost a leg as a result of his injuries. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Danny K. Willis (November 2022)]

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Private First Class David Edward Freestone, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear PFC David Freestone,
Thank you for your service as a Medical Corpsman. Thank you for the lives you saved. Your 70th birthday just passed. Happy birthday. 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.

David we all missed you as we always new we could count on you when we were under fire, you were a great medic David and you saved alot of lives and we all believe that we will all meet in heaven. SP/5 Ed Miller