THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Eddie D. Glinnen was an infantryman serving with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam. During January–February 1970, the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, comprising the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, was at Dau Tieng Base Camp, located 24 kilometers (14.4 miles) east of Tay Ninh between the Saigon River and the Michelin Rubber Plantation in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The mission of the Brigade was to detect and destroy enemy forces approaching the capital of Saigon through the Dau Tieng Zone and its adjacent areas. On January 1, 1970, Glinnen was tasked with base maintenance duties. Reportedly, he was using a swing blade to knock down overgrown grass when the tool made contact with a loose 40mm M79 round. The round exploded, critically injuring Glinnen. He was admitted to the 12th Evacuation Hospital at Cu Chi, then transferred to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon. Despite the supportive measures applied by medical staff, he died January 11, 1970, from cardiac arrest secondary to generalized hemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding. Glinnen was 21 years old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Harry Grimmett is poignant and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Although Eddie was not in my immediate gang of friends in Greenpoint, I knew him. Mainly because of his great talent as an athlete. It seemed Eddie was always holding a baseball glove. Going to or from a game, no doubt. When word that Eddie was gravely wounded and subsequently dying reached our small town in Brooklyn, all those that knew him were shocked and saddened. But, now so many years later, Eddie Glinnen is still remembered by me and many others. RIP

Specialist Four Eddie Daniel Glinnen, Served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.