THE WALL OF FACES

I did not know Bill, but my mother and father told me stories. Bill and my dad met in Boot Camp and became friends, along with another Texan. I visited the Wall recently and paid my respects to him. I want his loved ones to know that he has not been forgotten by his friends in Ohio.

Private First Class William Hixson Hardwick, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

On November 23, 1966, a 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division patrol composed of eleven enlisted men, one officer, and one Navy corpsman initiated a recon mission in the area southeast of An Hoa Airfield in Quang Nam Province, RVN. After insertion by helicopter, they conducted ground reconnaissance and surveillance of a ridgeline covered in a mixture of scrub growth, dense jungle, and thick underbrush. The area was considered “Charlie’s Area” where the Viet Cong (VC) moved and bivouacked freely. Many trails crisscrossed the ridgeline, and the remains of small fires and harbor sites were located. During the first two days, the patrol made numerous sightings of heavily laden VC carrying supplies and weapons. A little past 11:00 AM on the 24th, a group of five VC wearing black pajamas and green uniforms approached the patrol’s observation post. The Marines opened fire, killing one and wounding one; three others fled. While searching for the enemy dead, the wounded VC opened fire, killing patrol member PFC William H. Hardwick. The VC was then shot and killed by another Marine. The patrol moved away from the contact area carrying their casualty, three captured rifles, and an assortment of military gear. They later observed a reaction force of fourteen well-disciplined enemy checking out the where the fight occurred. These VC were confirmed as members of the 70th Viet Cong Main Force Battalion, one of the strongest and best-trained VC units in the area. An artillery fire mission was called on the enemy’s position with unobserved results. The patrol was extracted and returned to base at 6:40 PM. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology – Da Nang (1st Recon Bn) November 1966” at ttu.edu]

Dear PFC William Hardwick,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Today is Vietnam War Veterans' Memorial Day. 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.