THE WALL OF FACES

Landing Zone (LZ) St. George was a 4th Infantry Division firebase located eight miles southwest of Plei Do Lim Air Field in Pleiku Province, RVN. Thirty minutes after midnight on November 6, 1969, a large North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong force attacked St. George with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Five minutes later, sappers penetrated the perimeter, tossing satchel charges in an attempt to destroy the howitzer section at St. George. Intense fighting ensued as the Americans’ 80-man complement engaged an enemy force estimated at ten-times its size. At 12:55 AM, the enemy was attempting to enter the south gate of the base. The Americans fought back with unit weapons and Claymore mines. The enemy combatants inside the wire were forced back to the west side of the base where they took refuge in a trench line. U.S. gunships and flareships came on station above St. George providing supporting arms and illumination during the siege. Scattered fighting continued until 5:30 AM. Enemy losses were placed at 40 dead against nine Americans killed and thirty-one wounded. A tenth aircrewman on a flareship died after an illumination device exploded in his face. The lost U.S. personnel included SP4 Charles W. Lowery, PVT Thomas A. Putman, SP4 Larry W. Robison, PFC William C. Ray, PFC Bradley J. Logan, SP4 Donald G Hedgecock, SP4 Raymond C. Foerster, PFC Ronald L. DeLong (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and PFC David J. Gamble (posthumously promoted to Corporal and awarded the Silver Star medal for bravery). SGT Gregory P. Rugenstein, a door gunner on a flareship, died the following day at the 71st Evacuation Hospital at Pleiku from blast and burn injuries. A memorial service was conducted the following day at LZ St. George in honor of its fallen defenders. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and militaryheritage.weebly.com; Image: A Polaroid photograph of the memorial service conducted on November 7, 1969]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

My father, Clint Curry, held you in such high regards and missed you until the day he died. You must have been a great guy.

Missed

Dear Cpl David Gamble,
Thank you for your service as a Tactical Wire Operations Specialist. Your 49th anniversary is in 2 days, sad. 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.