THE WALL OF FACES

On January 14, 1967, the Navy minesweeper MSB-14 was conducting minesweeping operations in the Long Tau River when it collided with the Norwegian motor vessel Mui Finn in heavy fog and sank. The collision occurred at 0625 hours at the mouth of the Long Tau channel. Three of the MSB’s crew were lost and one of the four survivors was seriously injured. The three lost sailors were EM2 Franklin H. Canup Jr., SA Jerome A. Hagen, and SN Robert D. Moore. Salvage operations were begun the following day. The wood-hulled minesweeper was located with at least 50% of the port mid-section missing or demolished. On January 17th, the MSB was raised to the surface and secured to the salvage ship and transported to Vung Tau. It was later cut in two pieces and put on a barge for Nha Be where the hull was dismantled and the machinery and parts salvaged. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

I would wish you Happy Birthday, but they have the date wrong. You were born of Oct. 12, 1946.
We would have been married 50 years on Aug. 21, 2016.
I still miss you.
Love you, ALWAYS.

Dear SA Jerome Alfred Hagen, 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

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in peace and honor Jerome.

You gave your life for your country and for this we Salute You.