THE WALL OF FACES

Marine Corps Recruit Depot
San Diego, CA
First Battalion
Platoon 1078

Commenced Training: 02 October 1967
Graduated: 27 November 1967

SSGT T. Brown - Platoon Commander
SSGT D.R. Troutt - Drill Instructor
SGT K.H. Finkel - Drill Instructor

PFC Herman A. Hesselschwardt was the only
member of Platoon 1078 to be KIA in Viet Nam.

Semper Fidelis, Marine!

Operation Baxter Garden (April 19-26, 1968) was a harvest security operation by the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, supported by two Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) battalions on the Phu Thu peninsula, eight kilometers (4.8 miles) east of Hue in Thua Thien Province, RVN. On the early afternoon of April 24th, H Company, 2/5 Marines patrolling an area nine kilometers (5.4 miles) northwest of Phu Bai Air Field searched a village where they located a significant cache of ammunition and military gear. Mines, blasting caps, grenades, 100 lbs. of rice, and thousands of rounds of ammunition were confiscated. Later that evening, while still at the location, the Marines were attacked with automatic weapons fire from three different directions. The Marines returned fire with unit weapons and requested artillery and mortar support. Enemy fire was estimated at 500 rounds fired while the Marines returned 1000 rounds of small arms fire. During the fighting, one H/2/5 rifleman was fatally wounded. Pfc Herman A. Hesselschwardt died after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head and body. Enemy losses were not reported. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. Your service and memory will be remembered. -Your great niece

Your high school football teammate and USMC veteran.

Bill Steffan

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am 73 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.