THE WALL OF FACES

During the summer of 1971, the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry principally operated in Military Region III, from the Cambodian border in the west to the coastal provinces in the east. The Squadron’s air assets and ground cavalry troops worked in tandem with other U.S. units and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). On July 23, 1971, scouts of the Third Platoon, D Troop, 3/17th, were supporting 3rd Brigade units of 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry during a ground and mounted patrol nine kilometers (5.6 miles) northwest of Nui Be Mountain in Binh Thuy Province, RVN, when they were taken under fire in the woods by a sniper. The troopers returned fire with unreported results. One aero rifle platoon member, SP4 Margarito R. Gomez, was fatally wounded by the enemy fire. Gomez, 22, was a posthumous recipient of the Purple Heart medal. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, 3d Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, Period Ending 31 October 1971” at archive.com]

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace SP4. Gomez, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You were born three days after me and died at 22 years old. I am now 73 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Specialist Four Margarito Rodriguez Gomez, Served with the Aero Rifle Platoon, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.