THE WALL OF FACES

Remembering Craig on another Memorial Day is both easy and hard. Easy because although he was with my squad in Vietnam for a short time, he made an impression on me as a compassionate individual who although he did not want to be there new it was his duty as an American to support the ways of life in the USA. Hard because I can only imagine what a terrible time everyone who knew Craig must have went through finding out about what happened to him. It is with great honor that I thank Craig for the greatest sacrifice anyone can give to their country.

LZ Ike was a fortified base constructed in April 1969 by C Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry. It was built near a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail that proved to be a major threat to Communist efforts to move men and material into the Saigon area. Ike was adjacent to a series of trails known as the Mustang Trail, and C Company saw frequent combat as it patrolled and intercepted North Vietnamese Army (NVA) porters of the 82nd Rear Service Group carrying supplies and NVA regulars moving towards Tay Ninh City and Saigon. Between 1:30 - 2:00 AM on June 18, 1969, Ike received a mortar and rocket attack followed by a ground assault by at least three platoons from the 1st NVA Division. The attack cost the enemy 37 killed and three prisoners. Three Americans defending Ike were killed. Two days later, at 12:50 AM, the LZ began receiving heavy rocket, recoilless rifle, mortar, rocket-propelled grenade fire. The Tactical Operations Center, base defense Command Post, generators, Medical Station, an 81mm mortar pit, and two bunkers received direct hits. The Battalion Commander was wounded, the base defense Company Commander was killed, all the generators destroyed, and the Medical Station was set afire within five minutes. The barrage was followed by a ground assault on three sides by approximately 300 enemy combatants. Extensive use of Bangalore torpedoes was used to breach the wire in several places. Nevertheless, the enemy was stopped cold by defenders placing effective fire on the main enemy forces. When Listening Posts placed out side the base were safely returned at 1:20 AM, supporting fire was unleashed on the enemy gathered outside of the LZ. For the next four hours, USAF AC-47 “Spooky” gunship fire, Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA), and the base defenders engaged the NVA until 6:20 AM when they broke contact and withdrew. Ninety enemy were killed and five taken prisoners. American losses were seven killed and nineteen wounded. The U.S. lost personnel included CPT John De Mey, PFC Craig H. Hansen, SGT Jim F. Jennings, PFC Loren H. Larson, PFC Joseph J. Goetzer Jr., SP4 Keith Olsen, and CPL Daniel H. Hackett. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear PFC Craig Hansen,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. It is now Lent. The war was years ago, but we all need 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.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.You will never be forgotten.

There is no way to know how you will be remembered. There is no way to know what kind of person you were. As time continues to go by, there is no way to know what you could have been. Almost 50 years ago we stood together fighting an American enemy. Today I still stand wishing you were again by my side as the great American you were. It could have been the other way around. I hope your existing family, especially the ones who were to young to remember or who came after you, are able to appreciate what a fine person, what a find American, what a find friend you were.