THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Bill Williamsn is moving and reflects your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Operation Billings (June 12-26, 1967) was planned and conducted by the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division to destroy elements of the Viet Cong (VC) 271st Regiment, 9th Division which occupied base camp areas north of Phuoc Vinh in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The operation began with 1st Infantry battalions moving progressively north of Phuoc Vinh. Intelligence suggested that the 271st had moved to a large clearing designated Landing Zone (LZ) X-Ray. Third Brigade troops moved from another LZ overland to LZ X-Ray. On the morning of June 17th, the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment entered X-Ray. The 1/16th Infantry established a perimeter in the tree line around the clearing and waited for the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment to arrive. As the first units of 2/28th Infantry appeared, a patrol reported a group of VC approaching from the northwest. At 1:00 PM, the enemy attacked, penetrating the northern and northwestern perimeters before being forced back by artillery and gunship fire. The VC launched a second attack against the southeast perimeter, overrunning the defending platoon, the survivors withdrawing into the center of the perimeter. At 1:45 PM, air strikes forced the VC to withdraw, and they disengaged under cover of a steady mortar barrage. U.S. losses were 36 killed. They included: (B/2/28) PFC Richard A. Anderson, PFC Alan W. Denney, PFC Alan J. Farhat, SGT Bobby Minton, SP4 Michael J. Morrow, PFC Victoriano P. Sosa Jr., PFC James E. Starks, SP5 John H. Stout, and PFC Lloyd C. Wohlford Jr.; (HHC/1/16) PFC William N. Cole, PFC Gary J. Ernst, SP4 Sammy L. Holmes, SP4 Charles W. Hook, 1LT Douglas A. Logan (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal), PFC Wallace G. Nye, SP4 Martin L. Plotkin, PFC Leroy Reed, and PFC Douglas D. Wallin (died of wounds 08/26/1967); (A/1/16) PFC John A. Brantley, PFC Emanuel K. Brickhouse, PFC Jerry R. Cook, SP4 Guy W. Clinger Jr., PFC Ronald D. Edenfield, PFC James M. Elchert, PFC Robert T. Harris, SGT Edward E. Heyer, SP4 Carl T. Johnson, PFC Charles P. Kelly, PFC Robert S. Maguire, SP4 Howard A. Mucha, SP4 Stephen M. Noggle, SP4 Wayne A. Pettersen, SGT Alan J. Roese, and SGT Frank G. Romo; (B/1/16) PFC Paul E. Kelly Jr. and PFC Edward A. Smith. A search of the immediate area found 226 VC dead. Over the next few days, the Americans found more VC dead, including one assembly area where 35 were found killed by artillery and airstrikes. [Taken from virtualwall.org and wikipedia.org]

I served with Ed Heyer in A Co, 1-16th Infantry. He returned home when his Father died in January 1967. When the family situation was reasonably settled, he was told by the Army that since he had served more than six months in Vietnam, he was not required to return. He protested and said he wanted to be with his team mates in A Company and work with them as they continued to conduct operations in Vietnam. He was allowed to return and rejoin his team mates. On 17 June 1967, he was on an outpost beyond the perimeter on a landing zone that had just been occupied by the 1-16th Infantry. Mid-morning, he reported an alert on an advancing VC attack formation. When directed to evacuate the outpost and return to his unit he refused. He said he could be much more effective in providing correct information on the enemy attack and could be more effective in directing artillery and air attacks on the enemy. He did remain on the outpost and was killed there. He was a true team mate and warrior who was fully loyal to his team. He was a superb and highly dedicated soldier. Immense kudos to him.

Even though you were five years older than I, and you enjoyed the company of my older brothers more, we always enjoyed visits to your home with our dad, your uncle Raymond Arthur Heyer.
May you Rest In Peace.
Until we meet again,
Richard Heyer
Vallejo, California

Dear Sgt Edward Heyer, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. It was just Memorial Day when we honor you. I could not post then because this site was overwhelmed. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your courage. Rest in peace with the angels.