THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Charles McRae Hardy, Served with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

I think of you often. I remember you leaving for the service we had a lot of fun in school. I thought I would see again but I will see you in heaven

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear PFC Charles Hardy,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Your 71st birthday was 2 days ago, happy birthday. 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.

Landing Zone Nancy, located a few kilometers from Quang Tri City, was built by the 1st Cavalry Division around the beginning of 1968 as part of the U.S. build-up of forces in Quang Tri Province, RVN. By mid-August 1968, LZ Nancy was home to artillery and engineer units as well as infantrymen. On the night of August 16th, LZ Nancy was attacked by NVA forces which were able to penetrate the perimeter defenses. Dense jungle and foliage had not been cleared around the edges of LZ Nancy, and the brush-end bamboo and timber thickets that grew right up to the perimeter gave the enemy a covered route of movement and provided a concealed place for observing Nancy’s fortifications. When the attack began, enemy sappers were already within the defensive positions of Nancy. When their mortars began falling, the enemy was able to destroy bunkers and tents before U.S. forces were even alerted. By the time the NVA withdrew at dawn, the bloody fighting had resulted in 20 U.S. killed in action. They included SP4 John D. Strate, CPL George R. Anderson, SGT Darrel E. Barnhouse, PFC David R. Boever, PFC John E. Cumbry, PFC Charles M. Hardy, PFC Otis L. Hartry, SP4 Gary D. Bowling, SP4 Jerry L. Wilson, PFC Elliott L. De Cora, SSGT Jeppie J. Payne, PFC Joseph F. Ribeiro, PFC John L. Began, SP4 Robert M. Cravens Jr., PFC John P. Cook, SP4 Paul L. Huff, SGT Patrick L. Kortesmaki, PFC Thomas L. Mericantante, SP4 Robert M. Reynolds, and SP4 Terry R. Zimmerman. Following the disastrous attack, a swath ranging in depth from 500 to 1000 meters (including 200 to 500 meters on the opposite side of the river bordering LZ Nancy on the south) was cleared in the dense foliage that had previously concealed the approach and departure of the attacking force. [Taken from virtualwall.org and “Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 14th Engineer Battalion (Combat), Period Ending 31 October 1968” at dtic.mil]