THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It is my fervent hope you will be returned home.

Iraq (invasion - An Numiyiah, An Nasiriaya, Al Hayy, Al Kut) 2003, Iraq (Al Fallujah & Azragia) 2005-2006, Afghanistan (Sangin - green & brown zones) 2012, with two tours to the southern islands of PI somewhere between those. Yes, 0311 - Rifleman, 0913 - Combat Instructor, 0365 - Squad Leader, 0369 - Platoon Sergeant (billet only - combat/Afghanistan), 4th MEB trained DM, PSD, AITC Squad Leader Course, plus 22 other formal or informal schools' & courses. Did my Marines & Corpsmen love me? Yes! Served in 1/7 A and 2/6 E in combat. You though Sir? You hover above myself and all those I served with (dead or alive - in some form). Come HOME! Please come home to those of us who have in some form. We love you! Those that are "aware" of your service look up to you in ways no human on this planet can ever contemplate. I believe you're home one way or another. If not yet? Come HOME, Sir! To those few Marines' who are AWARE or to God. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEGACY!

As your 84th birthday approaches, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

POW-MIA...Never Forget

"Greater love hath no man, than that man lay down his life for a friend."

Semper Fi, Marine

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Darrell Eugene Ayers, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 March 1970, Platoon Sergeant Ayers was leading a seven-man patrol on a mission to locate primary enemy infiltration routes in the western section of Quang Nam Province. Two days previously, the aircraft by which the team had been heli-lifted into the territory had come under intense hostile fire as the Marines were disembarking and, in the intervening period, Staff Sergeant Ayers had skillfully avoided any contact which would compromise his mission. As the Marines approached a small river which was spanned by a bamboo bridge, Staff Sergeant Ayers, realizing the danger of encountering the enemy at this position, moved ahead of the point man and accompanied by another Marine, reconnoitered the approach to the river. When the two men halted to analyze the surrounding terrain, they suddenly came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from enemy soldiers concealed nearby. In an effort to shield his comrade, Staff Sergeant Ayers placed himself between the fusillade of hostile fire and his companion. Mortally wounded moments thereafter, Staff Sergeant Ayers, by his valiant and selfless efforts, was directly responsible for saving the life of a fellow Marine. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/4395

SSGT Darrell E. Ayers served with 1st Force Recon Company, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF). On March 19, 1970, SSGT Ayers was leading a recon patrol approximately eight miles northwest of Ha Tan Airfield in Quang Nam Province, RVN. His team included five new and untrained reconnaissance Marines on their first mission. Although advised against taking out so many new guys on a patrol (two new personnel maximum was the practice), Ayers argued that he could “handle it.” Shortly after being inserted, the team’s point man motioned for the team to “freeze.” Ayers went forward to see why they were stopped to which the Marine replied he thought he heard something up ahead where the terrain opened up. Ayers dismissed the explanation from the new man and went forward to personally observe the dangerous area and listen for any sound of the enemy. While looking over the area, he was taken under heavy fire by two groups of North Vietnamese Army soldiers waiting in ambush. He was seen to be hit several times in the chest and head and go down. The team moved away from the contact to form a small defensive perimeter and called for extraction, explaining they were in contact. Another 1st Force Recon team was flown to their location, and with close air support and AC-47 “Spooky” gunship firepower, all the Marines were extracted. In an effort to recover Ayer’s body, several recon teams from 1st Force Reconnaissance Battalion were sent back into the area several days later, but only his radio, rifle, and equipment were found. His body was not recovered. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, pownetwork.org, and the book “Force Recon Diary, 1970” by Bruce H. Norton]