THE WALL OF FACES

Steve was a friend of mine that was taken from us much too soon. He was a groomsman at my wedding.

Dear Steven Robert Frese,
I want to thank you for your service and all the hard work, plus sacrifices you have made for this country. I could not thank you enough for everything you have done!

Operation MacArthur was a U.S. Army military operation conducted by the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam from October 1967 to January 1969. The division was responsible for the defense of the provincial and district capitals that lay along National Highway QL-14, an interprovincial paved road that ran north to south through the middle of the Central Highlands. The general mission was to conduct surveillance and offensive operations along the Cambodian border and destroy North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong units within the assigned area of operations. On September 11, 1968, D Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry was at Fire Support Base 32, located three miles west of Ben Het in Kontum Province, RVN. During the early part of the day, FSB 32 received nine rounds of possible 120mm mortar fire. In the afternoon, between 3:05 PM and 4:30 PM, forty-six more rounds of 120mm mortar fire were received, resulting in one American killed, infantryman PFC Steven R. Frese; one other person was wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Lessons Learned, Operational Report of the 4th Infantry Division for the period ending 31 October 1968” at ttu.edu]

Dear PFC Steven Frese,
Thank you for your service as an 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.

I was much younger than Steve who lived a few houses away. I always looked up to him, he was a role model in the neighborhood. I remember him leaving to go overseas and thinking how great it will be to hear his stories. When I heard about his death I was greatly saddened because America lost someone who was destined to do wonderful things. I am a much better person today because of Steve. I thank him and his family for touching my life and him giving up his.