THE WALL OF FACES

My grandparents are buried in the grave adjacent to Thomas Edward Grix at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For several years we have been decorating the grave of Thomas when we decorate the grave of my grandparents; this is always at Christmas and Easter. We pray for him, his family, and his friends. He is remembered.

Tom, I pay respects to you each time I visit any of the iterations of The Wall. I leave a red carnation when able. Our paths crossed in the commo bunker at Duc Hoa in Sept '67 when I was TDY on a COMSEC monitor mission. You were professional as a radio operator and a fun person to work with. May you thrive in the realm of Spirit.

Dear Sp4 Thomas Grix,
Thank you for your service as a Special Forces Qualified Radio Operator. 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.

Thomas Edward Grix

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Division: 1st Special Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 165 (January 12, 1968)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Thomas Edward Grix (ASN: RA-12752013), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with Detachment B-35, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Grix distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 December 1967 while serving as a Special Forces Advisor to a Vietnamese Company on a search and destroy mission in Hau Nghia Province near the Cambodian border. While moving through a heavily wooded area in search of hostile elements, his force was savagely attacked and pinned down by a numerically superior Viet Cong force firing mortars, recoilless rifles, machine guns and automatic weapons from heavily-fortified positions. Specialist Grix and several of his men were wounded in the initial barrage, but he ignored his wound and called for gunship and mortar strikes on the hostile positions. Then, heedless of bullets still striking all around him, he organized his men for an assault on the enemy bunkers.; Completely disregarding his personal safety, he led a furious charge into the face of the enemy weapons in an attempt to overcome the initial Viet Cong advantage. He was mortally wounded while fearlessly and aggressively leading his men in the heat of battle against overwhelming odds. Specialist Fourth Class Grix's gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Tom, when I'm in DC, I stop by the memorial and stare at your name. Then uncontrollably I start to cry. Many people have tried to console me. I just want to be left alone and remember the great memories we had when we were kids.
Tom your death changed my life forever. You and uncle Bobby made me the person I am today. I've always had the highest respect for you.
Among these post it is written by your nephew David that he always wanted to see your green beret but you forgot to take it with you to Vietnam. Yes that is true. Because a month before you were deployed you gave it to me..
I have the location Tom of where you were wounded and later died. My attempts to go to Vietnam to visit these sites have been cancelled by things beyond my control. We will meet in heaven, where I will embrace you with all my love... John