THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class David Lee Hemke, Served with Company B, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

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 David Hemke,
Thank you for your service as a Military Policeman. Yesterday was the 44th anniversary of the official end of the war. 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.

PFC David L. Hemke, SP4 David A. Johnson, and PFC Robert L. McArthur were Military Policemen serving with B Company, 720th MP Battalion. On January 31, 1970, they were members of one of two B Company Ambush Teams being transported at night in three Boston Whaler “skimmers” on the Dong Nai River in Bien Hoa Province, RVN. The three boats picked up the two ambush teams at the "Steel Bridge" on the Rach Ben River. Each team had a separate ambush site to proceed to, so their plan was to leave together and select two separate drop-off points along the way. The boats departed east on the Rach Ben towards the main river, the Dong Nai. It was getting dark as the three boats entered into the Dong Nai. As they began their turn southward, SGT Ralph TakenAlive, a Squad Leader in the third boat, said he saw the middle boat dip into the water. He couldn’t recall specifically if it was because the boats hit a wake caused earlier by a passing ARVN riverine patrol boat (PBR) on the Dong Nai, or because they suddenly slowed to turn towards the near river bank. The boat immediately sank, dumping all of the ambush team and boat crew into the river. The men were wearing full combat gear and loaded with weapons, ammunition, and a PRC-25 radio. He recalls that the radio net became jammed and believed it was caused when the PRC-10 radio in the boat went under. The two remaining boats picked up the men they found in the river and searched for others without success, assisted by a U.S. PBR that came to their aid. They immediately proceeded to Long Hung village on the near bank and conducted an immediate head count and confirmed that SP4 Johnson, and PFC’s Hemke and McArthur were missing. Due to the darkness and fast running tidal waters, further searching was canceled. B Company elements recovered two bodies the next day around noon, and the third was not recovered until three days after the incident. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 720mpreunion.org]

Dear PFC David Lee Hemke, 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