THE WALL OF FACES

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

During the late summer of 1970, following its withdrawal from Cambodia, the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) conducted combat operations in War Zone III. Primary activities included interdicting enemy infiltration routes along the border with Cambodia, targeting main force, local force, and enemy headquarters, and locating and destroying enemy ammunition caches. Ground combat during the month of August was moderate, with most enemy-initiated contacts occurring as they defended cache sites. At 9:40 AM on August 22nd, Third Platoon, D Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, was moving from its overnight defensive position in the hills 27 kilometers (16.2 miles) northeast of Dong Xoai (Don Luan) city in Phuoc Long Province, RVN, when it received small arms and automatic weapons fire from five individuals approximately 150 yards to the south. The Americans returned fire with unit weapons and supporting arms including artillery and helicopter gunships. Contact was broken thirty minutes later. Four U.S. were killed in the engagement. They included PFC Kenneth D. Bills, PFC Robert M. Durall, PFC Lawrence Geiger, and PFC Robert O. Niman. Enemy losses were unknown. Bills and Durall were posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 1st Calvary Division, Period Ending 31 October 1970” at archive.org]

Private First Class Lawrence Geiger, Served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

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 sunlight 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.

Dear PFC Lawrence Geiger,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Happy Thanksgiving. 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.