THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Dennis W. Heffner, PFC Lowell R. Hanson, and PFC Gary D. Lawson were riflemen serving with 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On August 16, 1968, the three Marines and another companion were engaged in horseplay at Vandegrift Combat Base when a M26 grenade was accidently detonated. Heffner and Lawson were killed in the blast. Hanson was critically wounded and was medivacked to the hospital ship USS Repose where he succumbed to his injuries five days later. The fourth Marine was also seriously wounded by the blast and was hospitalized for seven months with golf ball-sized wounds throughout his entire body. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Stewart Resmer (January 2018)]

Dear PFC Lowell Ray Hanson, 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

Semper Fi, Marine.

Remembering my fellow Vietnam Veteran casualties who hailed from Texas.

Lowell is buried at Deleon City Cemetery, De Leon, Comanche County,TX.