THE WALL OF FACES

During the drawdown of American forces in 1971, the 18th Engineer Brigade’s 39th Engineer Battalion was one of three combat engineer battalions still remaining in Military Region I. The engineers carried out combat and operational missions primarily geared to support the remaining U.S. combat forces as they shifted to a security role labeled “dynamic defense.” With dynamic defense, ground activity centered on patrolling and sweeping the rocket belts, strips of land from which the enemy could fire barrages at bases and cities. By the end of the year, offensive operations against the enemy ceased, and all U.S. ground units had shifted to this new operational pattern. On March 14, 1971, elements of the 39th Engineer Battalion from the 59th Land Clearing Company were set in a night defensive position near Lang Ha (1) on National Route QL-9, 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) southwest of Khe Sanh Airfield in Quang Tri Province when their location received a direct hit from an enemy 122mm rocket. Five engineers were killed. The lost personnel included welder SP5 Joe L. Avant, heavy equipment operators SP5 Bobby J. Fields, SP4 Clifford R. Osterhoudt, and PFC Stephen R. Phelix, and unit commander 1LT Harry G. Prince Jr. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vvmf.org, and “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas]

SP5 Joe Lynn Avant's final resting spot is located in Water Valley, MS.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Sp5 Joe Avant is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Remembered this Memorial Day.

Specialist Five Joe Lynn Avant was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served as an Airborne Qualified Welder and was assigned to the 59TH ENG CO, 39TH ENG BN, 45TH ENG GROUP, 18TH ENG BDE, USARV ENG CMD.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php

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 never truly die....