THE WALL OF FACES

On June 5, 1969, a 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division task force consisting of Companies B and C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, and Companies A and C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, elements of the 3/49 Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Regiment, and Company A, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor clashed sharply with the 268th Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army Regiment three miles northwest of Trang Bang in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. At 12:48 PM, the allied forces engaged a large concentration of entrenched enemy soldiers. Artillery and helicopter gunships were brought to bear on the enemy positions. In the exchange of fire, six Americans were killed, thirteen wounded, and three armored personnel carriers destroyed. The lost personnel included (from A/1/5) PFC Robert E. Langston (posthumously awarded Bronze Star medal), PFC Patrick E. Poppenga, and 2LT James D. Walker (posthumously awarded Silver Star medal); (from C/1/5) SP4 David P. Callahan (posthumously awarded Silver Star medal) and PFC James A. Mardis Jr.; and (from HHC/1/5) SP4 Charles M. Ramsey. Langston and Poppenga were posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Ramsey was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. A helicopter gunship from the 116th Assault Helicopter Company, call sign Stinger 552, a UH-1C (#66-00552), was shot down, crashing in the middle of the enemy position. Three crewmen survived the initial crash but were killed on the ground. The lost crew included pilots WO1 Richard J. Holman and 1LT Jimmy W. Crisp, crew chief SP4 Ronald R. Baker, and gunner SP4 Steven W. Herring. [Taken from virtualwall.org and 12thinfantry2ndbattalion.com]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It saddens me so few have posted remembrances for you here....surely you deserve better. Rest in eternal peace.

Specialist Four Ronald Ray Baker, Served with the 116th Assault Helicopter Company, 269th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR SPEC 4 BAKER,
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SOMEONE PUTS YOUR PICTURE HERE BECAUSE THIS WALL OF FACES NEEDS YOURS. THANKS FOR BEING A FLIGHT QUALIFIED UH-1 - HUEY- HELICOPTER REPAIRER. 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.

Dear SP4 Ronald Ray Baker, 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