THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Scott Smith is moving and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Without people like you our great nation would not exist. Rest in peace 1LT. Harrison, I salute your brave soul.

Dear Lt Robert Harrison,
Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander. It is Lent, which is a time of preparation. 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.

1LT Robert A. Harrison was an infantry unit commander assigned to Reconnaissance Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On December 29, 1970, he was leading a reconnaissance patrol on a mountain northwest of Hiep Duc village, Quang Nam Province, RVN, when he was shot in the face while engaging a Viet Cong trail watcher near a stream. Gravely injured, his unit requested a dustoff (medical evacuation by helicopter). When weather and location prevented his evacuation by aircraft, members of the platoon chose to carry him down the mountain. Nevertheless, hours later Army dustoffs were still unable to reach their location. Near midnight, a Marine pilot, who had been monitoring the radio net, informed the desperate platoon members he would attempt a landing. He slowly descended through the darkened clouds to an opening in the jungle, the unit on the ground guiding the brave chopper crew in by sound until their landing lights became visible through the clouds. 1LT Harrison was still alive when careful hands gently loaded him onto the helicopter for transport to a U.S. medical facility. But despite the best efforts of all involved, he succumbed to his wound four days later on January 2, 1971. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and details provided by John Henningson, Mil. Ret.]

Robert,

I am a distant cousin on the Sheppard side. My father had mentioned your name to me a few times when I was younger and how the family had lost a cousin in Vietnam. I wanted to thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice for this great nation and freedom abroad. You are not forgotten.

Rest in Peace

Benjamin Sheppard