THE WALL OF FACES

Lt. Babers, 461 men from our unit (3/4) died in Vietnam; you were one of those heros. In 2014, I decided to hike the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail in honor of everyone of you; it took me 7 yrs. I told your story to many hikers. On 10/18/2020, our state's largest newspaper, The Albuquerque Journal, front paged published the story of my hike including how you, and Lt. Regan became heros that Sept 1967 night. Someone once said, "A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."

You are remembered for your joy, honor, courage and kindness today and always. After 50+ years, you are still one of the finest people I have known! Semper Fi

I've stopped being amazed when I read these remembrances. Dennis had a profound effect on anyone who knew him and I'm certain he would appreciate the kind and sincere words on this site. He died 52 years ago today, but it seems like yesterday to me and people who knew and served with him. It's clear those who did not know him personally will remember him for the courage and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his fellow Marines that day at the Cam Lo Bridge.

52 years ago you perished. You are not forgotten.

On early morning of September 18, 1967, the Cam Lo River in Quang Tri Province, RVN, was swollen by recent monsoon rains. As the river rose, it flooded a defensive position near a bridge on Route TL-8B manned by Marines from L Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. At 2:40 AM, the Commanding Officer of L Company reported that the river was overflowing and many of his positions were under water. He was directed to move to higher ground, and while attempting to do so on the north side of the river, three of his Marines went missing. Another five were reported missing on the south side of the river. Three hours later, helicopters arrived and began evacuating personnel from the danger area. A total of 28 Marines were evacuated and eight were missing. Helicopter reconnaissance of the river was conducted at first light for the missing Marines. At 9:18 AM, three bodies were recovered from the river. At 10:30 AM, another body was located. A twenty-five man search party from L Company,3/4 Marines, was assigned to search the north side while 20 men searched the south side of the river. Two M76 Otters amphibious cargo carriers and an Amtrac amphibious tractor were dispatched to assist the search parties. At 2:30 PM, part of the search party had to be rescued by helicopter because of the rising waters. At 8:30 AM on September 20, 1967, villagers from Cam Thai located a body in the Cam Lo River. The body was later identified as one of the missing Marines from L Company. At 10:30 AM, another body was discovered in the river. The remains were identified as that of a Marine, but not one of the missing 3/4 Marines. They were sent to Dong Ha Combat Base northwest of Quang Tri where they were identified as those of SSGT Nevitt D. Davis from 3rd Force Recon Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Davis reportedly was drowned three days earlier when the boat he was in capsized while conducting a patrol insertion on the Cam Lo River. The other lost Marines from the flooding at the Route TL-8B bridge were 1LT Thomas F. Regan, PFC Edward C. Statelman, 1LT Henry Babers, SGT Harrison B. Ball, SSGT John W. Boyer, LCPL Richard A. Giuliani, PFC Michael J. Hall, and PFC John P. Vis. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]