THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you PFC Michael Frost. You paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can be free. The Iowa Harrison and Keller families will never forget you and the sacrifice made for us.

I am related to Mike through my great grandmother and wanted to share this letter that my family has held on to for many years. I will be posting this in two parts. This is page 2 of 2.

On the morning of March 2, 1968, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division “Manchus” were preparing for a ground assault on an area of previous contact when Charlie Company was ambushed by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company at a bridge on Route 248 by the Quoi Xuah hamlet close to Hoc Mon village, fourteen kilometers (8.4 miles) northwest of Saigon in Gia Dinh Province, RVN. The ninety-two members of Charlie Company were rushing along the road without flank security to catch up with the rest of the battalion when they ran into the ambush. Within eight minutes, forty-nine Americans were dead or dying and twenty-eight others wounded. The enemy force, concealed in prepared positions, employed small arms, automatic weapons, and Claymore mines. Gunships, artillery, and air strikes supported the Manchus but sniper fire by rear guard elements prevented Alpha, Bravo, and Delta companies from reinforcing the besieged Charlie Company for much of the day. The lost U.S. personnel included (C-4/9 Manchus) PFC Jose L. Alvarez-Tapia, PFC Gerald L. Avery, SP4 Charles E. Bonds, PFC Harlan R. Brandts, SGT Jerry W. Byers, SP4 William B. Cawley Jr., SP4 Alvin L. Cayson, SP4 Nicholas J. Cutinha (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor), SP4 Bruce Eliot Jr., PFC Gary V. Frazier, PFC Michael D. Frost, PFC Raymond L. Gallagher, SP4 Cal D. Johnson, PFC Lawrence Johnson, PFC Jack J. Jordan Jr., SGT Lee R. Lanier, SSG Charlie F. Lee, PFC James R. Mathis, PFC Robert J. McGee, PFC Charles E. Melott, PFC Leonard D. Moore, SP4 Thomas L. Mork, 2LT James F. O'Laughlin, PFC Kenneth L. Oldham (died of wounds 03/03/1968), PFC Roy D. Page, SP4 William Rassano, PFC Jose A. Reyes, PFC Michael R. Rivers, PFC Ronald L. Salvani, SGT Willard Skaggs Jr., PFC Clifford G. Stockton, CPL Danny G. Swazick, SP4 Warren L. Tall, SP4 John M. Thompson, SP4 Carrel J. Titsworth, SGT Walter C. Velvet Jr., PFC Larry H. Walden, SP4 Gary W. Watkins, PFC Darrell E. Wheeler, SP4 Virgil L. Williams, SP4 Danny S. Young, and PFC Willard F. Young; (HHC-4/9) medics SP5 Ronald A. Slane, PFC Paul E. West, and PFC Joseph J. Williams; (K Trp, 3rd Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry) SP4 Barry L. Moyer; (A Btry, 7th Bn, 11th Arty) SGT Kenneth W. Winget; and (A Co, 65th Engineers) PFC Larry A. Widener and PFC Aristides Sosa (posthumously promoted to Corporal and awarded the DSC). Enemy losses were put at twenty dead. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and manchu.org]

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Frost, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

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.