THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Mike Tirpak is moving and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

FSB Gold was located seventeen miles northwest of Tay Ninh, RVN. During Operation Junction City, the fire base was occupied jointly by the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, and the headquarters and all firing batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery. At 6:40 AM on March 21, 1967, infantry patrols sweeping the area around Gold made contact with elements of a Viet Cong (VC) force apparently preparing to attack the base. The contact prematurely triggered the attack which began with heavy fire from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm and 82mm mortars. At 7:15 AM, the Viet Cong launched a coordinated ground assault from the east, southeast, and north with elements of five battalions under the control of the 272nd Viet Cong Regiment. So violent was the assault that the enemy carried portions of the perimeter, but actions by the field artillery turned the tide. All batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery engaged the enemy with over 1000 rounds of direct fire, including 30 rounds of beehive. At the same time, three batteries within range added their fire. Further fire support was provided by Air Force tactical air. During the attack, two maneuver battalions of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division were rushed to the scene, catching the enemy forces as they were attempting to withdraw, inflicting further casualties on the VC. The action in and around Gold resulted in 635 VC killed and 7 captured. U.S. losses were 31 killed and 109 wounded. The lost U.S. personnel included SP4 Edward M. Amato, SP4 Herman E. Anders Jr., PFC Matthew D. Atkins III, SP5 Norman L. Balance III, SP4 Michael A. Balzer, SP4 Larry D. Barton, PFC Thomas L. Bell, SP4 Kenneth G. Blanton, SP4 James D. Brewer, SGT Joseph J. Di Landro, SSG Jack Eaton, PFC Brian F. Gibbons, PFC Charles R. Goodwin, SP4 Willie Grant Jr., PFC Charles R. Greer, PFC Everette E. Harding, PFC John O. Harris, SP4 James R. Hintz, SP4 Virgil M. Ledford, PFC William E. Mallory Jr., SP4 Edward J. Muller, SP4 Garland A. Newhouse, SP4 Thomas D. Peterkin, CPL John F. Pezzulo, SP4 Lawrence E. Pollock, SP4 David C. Rogers, CPL Jesse B. Rose, SP4 Thomas M. Seklecki, SP4 Robert J. Smith, SP4 Thomas R. Talmadge, SP4 Algernon P. Thomas, and SP4Larry L. Warnock. The action was given the name Battle of Soui Tre after the fact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and army.mil/cmh]

Dear Sp4 James Hintz, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Today is the Army's birthday - happy birthday. Today is Flag Day. There is no better way to respect the flag than to honor you all. Watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SP4 James Raymond Hintz, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

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James Raymond Hintz was born in Detroit in May of 1945 to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hintz. He was one of 10 children. Jimmy had three sisters and six brothers, and his mother passed away in 1961. He was very family oriented and loved gatherings with his extended family. Jimmy also enjoyed playing baseball. He graduated from Detroit Southwestern High School in January of 1964. The family eventually moved to Neckel Street.

 

After graduating from high school, Jimmy worked at Chrysler Corporation. He was a quiet and sensitive young man, who kept his war experiences to himself in order to protect his siblings.

 

Jimmy was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965. He did his Basic Training at Fort Deven, Massachusetts and was sent to Vietnam in July of 1966. In December of 1966, his father Henry passed away, and Jimmy requested a hardship transfer back to the United States to care for his 4 younger siblings. It was denied.

 

In 1966 Spc. Hintz was stationed near Tay Ninh City near the Cambodian border. He was assigned to B Company, 3^rd Battalion, 22^nd Infantry of the 4^th Infantry Division. During the Battle of Landing Zone Gold in March of 1967, Spc. James Hintz was killed by mortar fire on March 21, 1967. He was 21 years old.

 

For his actions in Vietnam, Spc. James Hintz was awarded the Purple Heart. He is buried St. Hedwig Cemetery.