THE WALL OF FACES

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 sun 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.

As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Private First Class William Olen Austin, Served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

PFC William O. Austin, PFC Bryan M. Chilcote, PFC Jack D. Golden, PFC William G. Martin, SGT John P. Pellegrino, and PFC Richard C. St. Amand were infantrymen serving with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, the “Black Lions” of 1st Infantry Division. In October 1968, Bravo Company, along with the battalion, were conducting a RON, a Remain Over Night search and destroy operation in Bien Hoa Province, RVN. The operation involved patrolling their area of operations by day, then setting up an overnight defensive position. In the morning, they would head out again after conducting a “mad minute,” a practice where the Americans opened fire with all available weapons at the trees, bushes, ant hills, and anything else in front of their position to kill any snipers or other infiltrators. On October 13th, the Black Lions ran into NVA (North Vietnamese Army) or Viet Cong fortified bunkers. An intense firefight broke out, and they became pinned down. Artillery support was called in, and the Americans eventually pulled back, firing as they retreated. During the engagement, Austin, Chilcote, Golden, Martin, Pellegrino, and St. Amand were killed. Later, a helicopter came over and dropped water, picks, and shovels so the Lions could dig in for the evening. The night was quiet, but no one slept. The next morning, October 14th, a helicopter returned, and the fallen troopers were put on the chopper with the picks and shovels. Because of the cramped cabin space, three GI’s pulled off the line were forced to sit on the bodies of the dead during their flight back to camp. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Joe Kordzikowski (October 2017)]

I had the honor of reading Bill's name at The Wall on Nov.9 2017. Thank you for your sacrifice. God Bless you.

DEAR PFC AUSTIN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. TOMORROW IS YOUR ANNIVERSARY. IT WAS A BIRTHDAY OF AN OLD FRIEND TOO, WE ARE CELEBRATING COLUMBUS DAY, AND THE DISCOVERY THAT LED TO US BEING IN AMERICA. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING AMERICA. REST IN PEACE.