THE WALL OF FACES

On May 8, 1967, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) tried to overrun the Marine position at Con Thien. The outpost, two miles from the DMZ, was on a hill 158 meters high in the middle of a red mud plain. At 2:55 AM, a green flare signaled the beginning of a punishing 300-round mortar and artillery attack. Enemy units breached a defensive wire, and small elements moved inside. At 4:00 AM, a reinforced NVA battalion attacked through the breach in the wire. Engineers supporting the Marines engaged in bitter hand-to-hand fighting. With reinforcements, the Marines halted the enemy penetration and sealed off the break in the wire just before daylight. Forty-four Marines were killed and one hundred ten wounded; three Navy corpsmen and two Army personnel were also killed. The lost 3rd Division Marines included: (A Co, 1/4) SGT Floyd L. Amos, PFC William M. Cain, PFC Charles W. Daut, LCPL Michael P. Finley (Navy Cross), CPL Robert J. Green, SSGT Donald L. Gustafson, CPL James E. Harmon, PFC James R. Huckleberry, LCPL Charles Jackson, CPL Gary H. Kreh (Silver Star), CPL Mariano Leija Jr., PFC Victor H. Montoya Jr., LCPL William E. Perry, LCPL Emmett J. Peters, PFC Ronald W. Sanders, LCPL James R. Valentine, and LCPL Henry R. Wicker; (D Co, 1/4) GYSGT Leroy Elliott, CPL John H. Boudreau, CPL Abel D. Garcia Jr., LCPL Denny L. Johnson (Bronze Star), LCPL Gary F. McCue, LCPL Calvin A. Parks, LCPL Leo J. Sullivan Jr., CPL Ralph H. Watington Jr. (Silver Star), PFC Edward V. Asip, PFC Kenneth V. Avery, PFC Leon L. Cornwell Jr., PFC Cecil R. Jenkins, PFC Robert L. Margolis, PFC Thomas V. Ruff Jr., PFC Donald Williams, PFC Vomer O. Wilson Jr., PVT Larry F. Jankowski, and PVT Jesus M. Limones (Silver Star); (H&S Co, 1/4) LCPL William C. Blades III, PFC Joseph J. Dodd, and PFC Richard A. Snyder; (1st AMTRAC) CPL David L. Cleveland and PFC Larry M. Langan; (3rd Shore Party Bn) PFC Thomas A. Johnson; (3rd Tank Bn) PFC James L. Lester Jr. and LCPL John E. Young; (12th Marines Arty) LCPL John C. Kopacska and LCPL Jimmy E. Page; the lost Navy corpsmen were HM3 John E. Laning (Silver Star), HM1 Arthur C. Perez, and HM3 John C. Tate; the U.S. Army personnel were SP4 James W. Cribbs and PFC Gerard J. Schneider (44th Arty). Enemy losses were one hundred ninety-seven killed and eight captured. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967” by Telfer, Rogers, and Fleming]

Grandpa, we never got to meet, but you are whom I look up to the most. My mother never got to meet you because you had deployed during grandma's pregnancy, but you gave us the gift of freedom with your sacrifice. I feel sad I never got to meet you or any of your side of the family, for I am proud to have these french Avery genes! But even though I didn't get to meet you or give you hugs, you are always talked about, always loved, and always remembered. I am proud to call you my grandpa! I am so happy that the love of your life is home with you now! Give her hugs from us, she was the best mother and grandmother and we miss her deeply but knowing she is home in your arms at last is so peaceful to think about. Love you both, and thank you for the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. By the way, you have 3 grandkids, and 6 great grandkids so far here in 2021 and they will all know your face and where they come from! Love you RIP
Melissa Guthrie (Helton) (your oldest granddaughter)

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Private First Class Kenneth Varsall Avery, Served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.