THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Golden, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Dear PFC Jimmy Golden,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. 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.

In the first part of July 1968, during Operation Eager Yankee, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, conducted an amphibious operation against Viet Cong strongholds in Thua Thien Province, RVN. A heli-borne landing carrying elements of G Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, arrived in an area south of Thon Ha My hamlet on Phu Loc Island where a perimeter was set up. At approximately one-half hour after midnight on July 11, 1968, a barrage of 81 mm mortar fire hit the Marine’s position, killing four men and wounding twelve. The four lost Marines included PFC Jimmy L. Golden, PFC Richard P. Long, PFC Ernest W. Rutherford, and PFC Ronald W. Shaller. Three of the twelve wounded, PFC Mario Costa, LCPL Cecil S. Murray, and CPL Gregory R. Rayfield, later died of their injuries after evacuation to Naval Support Activity Station Hospital in Da Nang, RVN. An investigation determined it was friendly Harassment & Interdiction (H&I) fire which came up short and fell on the Marine Company position. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]