THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Thayer II (October 24, 1966 – February 11, 1967) was a military operation to eliminate North Vietnamese and Viet Cong influence on the central coast of South Vietnam in Binh Dinh Province. On January 3, 1967, the Third Brigade Task Force of the 25th Infantry Division “Tropic Lightning” began combat operations in support of Thayer II. Their area of responsibility was the Suoi Ca and Vinh Thanh valleys and the mountains in between which contained the trail complexes known as the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails. Brigade units began extensive search and surveillance operations using regular infantry and Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols. On January 11th, B-1/35th killed two enemy found carrying a large sum of money in the Cuoi Ca Valley. This unusual find and the large number of weapons captured in the following days indicated that the brigade had struck close to a major Viet Cong headquarters. On January 18th, a series of caves formed by granite boulders piled upon another were discovered in a ravine. This complex provided shelter for multiple functions of the Binh Dinh Province Headquarters of the enemy. Destruction of the cave complexes was initiated and fighting occurred in the area over the next several days. On January 21st, five Tropic Lightning soldiers were killed in military action. They included (from A Co, 1/35th Inf) SP4 Jimmy D. Hesson, PFC William A. Jones Jr., PFC Manuel V. Trevino (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and PFC Charles M. Yates; and (from Recon Platoon, HHC, 1/35th Inf) SGT Robert W. Kenny. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org]

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

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.

Dear Sp4 Jimmy Hesson, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Yesterday was Memorial Day when we honor you. I could not post because the system was overwhelmed. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your courage. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you so much for your ultimate sacrifice for your people and country! I was only 10 when you came back home under glass and white haired at 21. I pray for your family that they may find peace knowing that they will see your sweet face again one day soon <3 Trish Spencer- granddaughter of Aussie Mae Hesson Jenkins