THE WALL OF FACES

Corporal Alan Harry Gross, Served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

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

Would like to talk to anyone who knew Alan. Was drafted together 9 17 69. Call 1 586-468-4602. Doug Gross.

Dear Cpl Alan Gross,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 69th birthday just passed, happy birthday. 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.

FSB Kathyrn (AKA Cathryn and Catherine) was located in Thua Thien Province, RVN, southwest of the confluence of the Rao Trang and Song Bo rivers, and south of FSB Maureen. The base was notorious for its steep inclines, and troopers had to find whatever they could to sleep around or hang onto. If not, they would slide down to the bottom, it was reportedly that steep. On May 23, 1970, elements of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry were on Kathryn when it was attacked twice, at 6:00 PM and again at 8:00 PM, by fire with 60mm and 82mm mortar fire. Two to three of the 82mm rounds received during the second attack reportedly contained agent CS, commonly referred to as tear gas. Aerial rocket artillery and tube artillery was employed against suspected enemy locations. Results of the two attacks were three U.S. killed and 25 wounded. The three lost Americans were PFC Alan H. Gross, SSG Cecil C. Schofield, and 1LT Frank T. Verlihay Jr. Gross was posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Schofield was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, b2501airborne.com, and Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, period ending July 31, 1970]