THE WALL OF FACES

It was almost exactly 50 years ago today. Jim was the Comm Officer and I was the S-3 Operations Officer of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Chu Lai, Vietnam. On the morning of 26 May '67 we were helicoptered into a "hot" zone in the Que Son Valley that opened Operation Union II. We immediately encountered heavy fire from well-entrenched NVA troops. As evening approached our companies had fought through much of the initial enemy resistance but our command group was still getting sporadic enemy mortar fire. Just as darkness set in I was wounded and evacuated by helicopter. Jim was killed by mortar fire later that night. Our CO, Colonel Esslinger, was also wounded. It's heart wrenching losing your friends in combat and Jim was one of the best. I think about him often. My deepest thanks for his service and sacrifice. Semper Fi brother Jim.

Semper Fidelis, Captain.

DEAR CAPTAIN AYERS,
THANKS FOR BEING A COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER. SEMPER FI. WE ARE CELEBRATING EUROPEANS FINDING THIS WONDERFUL LAND. THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING IT. REST IN PEACE.

Dear Captain James Westley Ayers, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

CAPT James W. Ayers was a communications officer with H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On May 26, 1967, during Operation Union II, CAPT Ayers was attached to Battalion HQ. They were crossing a danger area under fire when CAPT Ayers took a direct hit from a mortar round. He was killed instantly. [Taken from combatwife.net and coffeltdatabase.org]