THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Toan Thang IV ("Complete Victory") [November 1, 1969 - May 1, 1970] was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation designed to keep pressure on Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnam Army forces in Military Region III. The operation sought to established South Vietnamese governmental control in the areas around Saigon following the Tet Offensive of 1968. Allied initiatives brought the fighting to the enemy wherever intelligence reports indicated his presence. Despite sustaining losses, during the last week of February 1970, an active insurgency continued across the area of operation. On February 26th, the U.S. 372nd Radio Research Company reported intercepts indicating the enemy’s Spring Campaign was getting underway. Offensive actions included besieging Tay Ninh Base Camp with a mortar attack. The base, located twelve kilometers (7.4 miles) from the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province, received 25 rounds of 120mm mortar fire on the 27th. Several impacted in the cantonment area for D Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division troops, killing six Americans and wounding six others. The lost personnel included SGT Danny C. Berrier, SGT Jesus M. Encarnacion-Colon, PFC James B. Heard, PFC James E. Piva, PFC Frank L. Staton, and PFC Cornelius Terry. Heard, Piva, Stanton, and Terry were posthumously promoted to Corporal. Material losses included heavy damage to one building, moderate damage to three UH-1D and one AH-1G helicopters, and light damage to two jeeps, five buildings, and two UH-1 helicopters. The attack on Tay Ninh was considered the most significant enemy attack by fire against a U.S. installation in three months. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, Period Ending 30 April 1970” at archive.org]

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

I will love you forever and visit your grave a lot...Gotta keep those Flags a Flying...My Love...

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Corporal James Benedict Heard, Served with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.