THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

FSB Gold was located seventeen miles northwest of Tay Ninh, RVN. During Operation Junction City, the fire base was occupied jointly by the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, and the headquarters and all firing batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery. At 6:40 AM on March 21, 1967, infantry patrols sweeping the area around Gold made contact with elements of a Viet Cong (VC) force apparently preparing to attack the base. The contact prematurely triggered the attack which began with heavy fire from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm and 82mm mortars. At 7:15 AM, the Viet Cong launched a coordinated ground assault from the east, southeast, and north with elements of five battalions under the control of the 272nd Viet Cong Regiment. So violent was the assault that the enemy carried portions of the perimeter, but actions by the field artillery turned the tide. All batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery engaged the enemy with over 1000 rounds of direct fire, including 30 rounds of beehive. At the same time, three batteries within range added their fire. Further fire support was provided by Air Force tactical air. During the attack, two maneuver battalions of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division were rushed to the scene, catching the enemy forces as they were attempting to withdraw, inflicting further casualties on the VC. The action in and around Gold resulted in 635 VC killed and 7 captured. U.S. losses were 31 killed and 109 wounded. The lost U.S. personnel included SP4 Edward M. Amato, SP4 Herman E. Anders Jr., PFC Matthew D. Atkins III, SP5 Norman L. Balance III, SP4 Michael A. Balzer, SP4 Larry D. Barton, PFC Thomas L. Bell, SP4 Kenneth G. Blanton, SP4 James D. Brewer, SGT Joseph J. Di Landro, SSG Jack Eaton, PFC Brian F. Gibbons, PFC Charles R. Goodwin, SP4 Willie Grant Jr., PFC Charles R. Greer, PFC Everette E. Harding, PFC John O. Harris, SP4 James R. Hintz, SP4 Virgil M. Ledford, PFC William E. Mallory Jr., SP4 Edward J. Muller, SP4 Garland A. Newhouse, SP4 Thomas D. Peterkin, CPL John F. Pezzulo, SP4 Lawrence E. Pollock, SP4 David C. Rogers, CPL Jesse B. Rose, SP4 Thomas M. Seklecki, SP4 Robert J. Smith, SP4 Thomas R. Talmadge, SP4 Algernon P. Thomas, and SP4Larry L. Warnock. The action was given the name Battle of Soui Tre after the fact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and army.mil/cmh]

Dear PFC Charles Goodwin,
Thank you for your service as a Medical NCO. Thank you for the lives you saved. I did the research on you on your 72nd birthday, happy birthday. 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.

Charles......Honoring you on your birthday.....God Bless

Dear PFC Charles Ray Goodwin, 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