THE WALL OF FACES

Task Force Oregon was a U.S. Army division-sized unit composed of three separate infantry brigades active in Quang Ngai and Quang Tin Provinces, RVN, from April to September 1967 before it was redesignated the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal). The Task Force Oregon plan involved the movement of the Army units to Duc Pho and Chu Lai to allow the 1st Marine Division to move north to Da Nang to support the 3rd Marine Division in northern I Corps. The task force comprised 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, and 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. During May, the large Viet Cong (VC) local forces operating in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade area of responsibility generally avoided large scale contacts with the American unit. Most contacts were with platoon-size or smaller VC units. On the early afternoon of May 1st, a platoon from B Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment patrolling 13 kilometers (8.0 miles) southeast of Chu Lai Air Field in Quang Tin Province engaged a group of 15-20 VC. The enemy initiated the contact, opening fire with small arms and automatic weapons from a wood line on the left flank of the U.S. unit. At the same time, another group of VC estimated at 20-30 began firing from a hamlet adjacent to the wood line. The VC also expended five rounds of 57mm recoilless rifle fire from the northeast. The Americans returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by armed helicopters and artillery. U.S. casualties during the engagement were three killed. They included SP4 Michael J. Hilburger, SSG Bobby E. Hunt, and SP4 Charles E. Miller. Enemy losses were not reported. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Period Ending 31 July 1967” at archive.org]

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 Michael Hilburger, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Memorial Day just passed when we honor and remember 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.

I can't say that I had gotten to know Mike well but, still,to this day, i do remember him vividly. If memory serves me correctly,the Hilburger family moved into their house either in 1963 or 1964, a few doors down from where I lived. Mike was the oldest of 7 kids in the family. Over the years,I did get to know his family very well, being that i was closer in age to his other siblings.I remember Mike having an interest in fixing and souping up an older car as a hot rod and even going for a ride in it once with his brothers. I also remember his laugh and wise-cracking sense of humor.Just a fun guy to be around! As I recall, Mike had gotten married before going in the service and he and his wife had,to my knowledge,one child at the time. I also, remember hearing about his passing in Nam in 67' and how deeply it cut inside myself. I experienced the same thing the following year when my cousin died there as well. Rest in peace mike,you truly are remembered.