THE WALL OF FACES

FSB Spear was 101st Airborne Division forward fire support base located 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) southwest of Hue in Thua Thien Province, RVN. On March 8, 1969, Spear was attacked by elements of the Chi Thua I or II Sapper Battalion, 5th North Vietnamese Army Regiment. At the same time, an outpost just south of the base was attacked. B Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment was manning the positions at the time they were assaulted. The paratroopers defended themselves with small arms, mortar, and supporting arms. The enemy assault killed eleven Americans, five at the southern outpost, and six at Spear. Three others were wounded. The lost personnel included PFC Alfred E. Alvey Jr., PFC Robert E. Grant, SP4 Earl T. Hoag, PFC Roger H. Howes, PFC Matthew E. Morton Jr., SP4 John L. Motley Jr., PFC James M. Norman, PFC Roger W. Smelser, PFC David E. Theobald, SP4 Leon Tisdale, and SP4 Jack E. Williams. Alvey, Grant, and Howes were posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, XXIV Corps, Period Ending 30 April 1969” at 2ndbde.org/archives]

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died one day before your 21st birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

Sir, thank you for your service and for paying the ultimate price for our country. We are forever indebted to you. Rest well with the thanks of a grateful nation.

Dear Sp4 Earl Hoag, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Today is Father's Day! Watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.