THE WALL OF FACES

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.

SP4 James O. Godwin was a Field Radio Repairer serving with the 335th Radio Research Company, 509th Army Security Agency Group. Radio Research Units operated in Vietnam under the direction of the U.S. Army Security Agency and conducted classified missions. Their work included intercepting radio communications of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army, then forwarding the captured intelligence to division commanders in pursuit of their tactical war-fighting operations. On October 2, 1969, Godwin was a passenger in a military vehicle when it was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Bien Hoa Province, RVN. Godwin sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org; obituary from the The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 12, 1969, courtesy of Madison Evans, Graduate Assistant, Research & Instructional Services Department, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wilson Library, Chapel Hill, NC]

Dear Sgt James Godwin,
Thank you for your service as a Field Radio Repairer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 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.

Dear SGT James Oliver Godwin, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Sgt Godwin on right. (Photo Credit: his son James Godwin)Rest in peace with the warriors.