THE WALL OF FACES

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

Fire Support Base Liz was a forward support base for the U.S. Marines and later the U.S. Army. It was located in Quang Ngai Province, RVN, south of Da Nang and Chu Lai, and west of National Highway QL-1. It was connected to QL-1 by an access road that was about 3/4 of a mile in length. FSB Liz consisted of two small hills with a saddle running in between. In July 1968, Liz was occupied by C Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment. Their guns were moved from the saddle to the eastern hill facing the South China Sea. The 1/82nd supplied support for the Duc Pho Base Camp and the field troops of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On August 14, 1970, a truck traveling on the access road was hit by an anti-tank mine. The blast killed three members of C Company, 1/20th; twenty-eight others were wounded. The lost personnel included 1LT Franklin K. Nelson, SP4 Sherman F. Armstrong, and PFC Harold D. Hollifield. Armstrong was posthumously promoted to Sergeant and Hollifield to Corporal. The 2nd Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Infantry Division later reported the capture and subsequent interrogation of a suspect in the mining incident who stated the mine was a homemade 40-pound wooden anti-tank mine placed under the paved surface of the road. The emplacement was accomplished by removing base rocks from the shoulder of the road directly above a culvert, then digging an inclined hole to the desired depth and location under the edge of the pavement. The hole was later sealed with rocks, dirt, and liquid asphalt. The mine was command detonated 100 yards from the road. The emplacement of the mine was accomplished during the day, the activity concealed by a large group of Vietnamese loitering in the area. The suspect further stated that this technique was being employed along National Highway QL-1. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, and “Combat Intelligence Lessons: 1970” at archives.org]

Harold Dean Hollifield and I served together in Charlie 1/20th infantry company, 11th Brigade, Americal Division. Over 50 years have passed but memories never fade of the day Harold, Lt. Franklin King Nelson, and Sgt. Sherman Felton Armstrong were killed by a land mine. May they rest in peace.

Corporal Harold Dean Hollifield was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served as an Infantryman and was assigned to
C CO, 1ST BN, 20TH INFANTRY, 11TH INFANTRY BDE, AMERICAL DIV.
See https://army.togetherweserved.com/

Harold was a friend of mine and the first member of the military that I knew personally to make the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget Harold. Rest in peace my friend. Thank you for your service.