THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Lam Son 68 (February 1 – March 10, 1968) was a 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and Army of the Republic of Vietnam search and destroy operation in Bien Hoa and Binh Duong Provinces, RVN. On February 19th, the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment conducted reconnaissance in force operations in the Thu Duc District, approximately ten kilometers (6.2 miles) northeast of Tan Son Nhut Air Field. At 10:00 AM, they engaged one Viet Cong (VC) combatant, killing the insurgent and capturing his AK-47 rifle. Further contact was made with an unknown size VC force in terrain characterized by cultivated coconut groves, rice paddies, small garden plots of sugar cane, all of which were bounded by irrigation ditches and berms. The contact was supported by artillery, Light Fire Teams (helicopter gunships), and air strikes. Contact ceased at 4:50 PM. A sweep of the battle area revealed 42 dead VC. U.S. losses were one killed with six others wounded. The following morning, continuing operations in the same general area resulted in contact again with an unknown size enemy force. Company C, 1/28th, as the point element, received heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from dug-in positions in a coconut grove. The lead elements were pinned down by fire from three different sides which included 75mm recoilless rifle. An intense firefight developed with supporting arms assisting the besieged Americans. Contact ended at 3:30 PM when the U.S. pulled back to allow artillery to pound the VC positions. The enemy responded by hugging the leading elements of the battalion. When the fighting halted, the 1/28th found 123 dead VC and captured several enemy rifles. U.S. losses were 18 killed and 11 wounded. The lost personnel included (from C-1/28) PFC James A. Anderson, 1LT Jeffrey W. Green, SP4 Stephen M. Hansen, SP4 Donald L. Herndon, PFC Jose B. Herrera, PFC Jeffrey L. Holbrook, SSG Daniel Holcomb, SP4 Jimmie D. Jones, SGT Guy E. Lee, PFC Marvin L. Miller, PFC David L. Morehouse, PFC Donald D. Philbeck, PFC Darryl W. A. Pointer, PFC Arnold W. Price, PFC Paul R. Urban. Jr., and SP4 Walter E. Vonderchek; and (from Hq & A Co, 1st Medical Battalion) medics SP5 Galen E. Ohlson and SP5 Alfred R. Olson. Price was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery; Pointer and Urban were posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, virtualwall.org, and “Operational Report of 1st Infantry Division for Period Ending 30 April 1968” at ttu.edu]

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 this day of remembrance, Memorial Day, 2020, I remember Donald fondly and the rest of the Herndon family. I was one of the fortunate who returned from the RVN in 1968, learned that Donald had died and have since made of a rubbing of his name on the Vietnam Wall. My country summers spent playing with the Herndon boys and sometimes working on the family's combine (and once falling off a horse after losing my grip around Donald's waist while he piloted the horse around a newly plowed field) are fond memories. RIP my friend.

Dear Sp4 Donald Herndon, I hope your photo is put here because it is needed. Thank you for being an Infantryman. It is almost Memorial Day when we honor you. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your courage. Rest in peace with the angels....

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.