THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Private First Class Alvin Ralph Gibble, Served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Fire Support Base Lyon (Hill 285) was located near Thon An Van Thuong, approximately six miles east of Hue, and three miles south of LZ Sally in Thua Thien Province, RVN. On March 26, 1968, a 4.2-inch mortar site was installed at Lyon. Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry was flown in to guard Lyon while Bravo Company, 1/502, patrolled the valley west of the base. Moving along a trail in the hills six miles south of LZ Sally, B Company made contact with an estimated enemy platoon. As the mortar platoon at Lyon fired rounds into the jungle ahead of the column, a fire direction error placed several of the explosive shells directly on the Company Commander’s command group near the head of the column. The miscalculation was devastating. Eleven B Company troopers were killed by the friendly fire and nineteen others wounded. The Battalion Commander, airborne at the time the incident occurred, ordered his UH-1 Command & Control helicopter down to assist with the evacuations. The pilot brought the ship into a tiny clearing by vertical descent. Along with dustoff (medivac) aircraft, all the dead and wound were brought out. The lost personnel included PFC Edwin L. Armstrong, SGT John H. Barnes (died of wounds 03/27/1968), 2LT Philip C. Benn, SP4 Jack E. Derrico, PFC Alvin R. Gibble, PFC John R. Horton, SP4 Glen D. Hubbard, SGT Philip J. Krek Jr., PFC Wayne D. Krueger, PFC Roger M. Link, and SP4 Don J. Yelverton (died of wounds 03/31/1968). [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and b2501airborne.com]

Dear PFC Alvin Gibble,
Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. Happy Advent. 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.

You are not here but are always in my heart & thoughts
Thank you for fighting for my freedom & God.
Someday we will hug again !!
Love you & miss you