THE WALL OF FACES

I had the honor to say your name during the 40th anniversary commemoration of the Wall. May you rest in peace.

"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."

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Private First Class Alton Eugene Baker, Served with the Aero Rifle Platoon, A Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

On November 1, 1965, the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division was conducting search and destroy operations in the Ia Drang Valley south west of Plei Me in Pleiku Province, RVN. At 7:20 AM, scouts from B Troop, 1/9 Cavalry spotted a dozen North Vietnamese Army soldiers which they took under fire. An Aero Rifle platoon was dispatched to the area while a larger group of NVA, estimated at 30 strong, was spotted near the American position. Using scout aircraft as guides, the 30-man Aero Rifle platoon made contact with an NVA element near a streambed, killing five and capturing four. Moving on, the platoon captured an aide station believed to be at least regimental in size with all its supplies and equipment. The NVA challenged the American encroachment around their hospital, and a battle raged through the day between three platoons of 1/9 Calvary and the enemy. Assaults were repulsed over and over by just the weapons carried by the American troopers since the enemy pressed so close as to preclude the use of tactical air or aerial rocket artillery support. Reinforcements of five more platoons were airlifted into the area late in the afternoon. The destruction of the aid station was a major find for the Division and also provided the opportunity for the destruction of enemy forces. Enemy losses were put at 99 KIA (by body count), 183 total KIA estimation, with 208 WIA. Furthermore, the capture of documents yielded maps that revealed enemy supply and march routes. These were converted into intelligence that led to additional interdictory bombings by the U.S. Air Force. American losses were 10 fatalities. They included SGT Neil R. Hans, PFC Rodney C. Harris, SGT Ralph W. Onana, PFC James V. Pottkotter, PFC Alton E. Baker, PFC Jesus R. Bermudez, SP5 Charles R. Davis Jr., SP4 Thomas D. Duncan, SGT Daniel D. Harden, and SP4 James Hoover. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and extracts from 1st Cavalry Division reports for November 1, 1965]

DEAR PFC BAKER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT/PARACHUTIST WITH THE 1ST CAVALRY. THIS WAS THE UNIT OF A FRIEND'S TWIN. SAY HI TO MIKE IN HEAVEN. HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.