THE WALL OF FACES

Antonio: You gave the Ultimate Sacrifice
If any Family members or Friends of Antonio reads this, I am looking for a Picture of him to send to W.DC. for the Vietnam Veterans memorial Wall.
It would be nice to have a Picture of him to put with his Name.

Antonio, you were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Antonio.

Lai Khe Base Camp was a Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and U.S. Army base, located along Highway 13 (“Thunder Road”) to the northwest of Saigon. It was the Headquarters for the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division. Late in the afternoon of February 4, 1966, near sunset, a platoon-sized patrol consisting of 32 men departed the camp on foot to conduct a night ambush mission in the area to west of the base. Most of the personnel were from 3rd Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division. After clearing the perimeter, the point element crossed the Saigon River. As the command group, including some officers and the Forward Observer and radiomen, were preparing to cross, two U.S.-made M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mines were detonated in a sandbar. The blasts killed ten Americans and wounded another nine. The explosions could be heard within the base, and when Battalion couldn’t establish radio contact with the patrol, a reactionary force raced over to their location. Helicopters were launched, and medivacs soon landed to remove the dead and wounded. It would take over four hours to completely police-up the ambush site as members of A Company worked in the dark to remove weapons and equipment. The lost personnel included PFC Antonio Barbosa-Villafane, PFC William A. Bason II, PFC Samuel L. Dellos, SGT Arnold E. Ison, SP4 Stephen E. Laier, SSG Paul R. Setzer, SSG Frank R. Stamper, SSG Charles E. Strader, SP4 John H. Thompson, and SP4 Stanley J. Thompson. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Jose Rafael Sierra September 2019)]

DEAR PFC BARBOSA-VILAFANE,
I HOPE SOMEONE WILL PUT YOUR PHOTO HERE BECAUSE THIS WALL OF FACES NEEDS YOURS. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. YESTERDAY WAS VETERANS' DAY.- SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND HONOR ALL OF YOU. THANKSGIVING IS APPROACHING. WE GIVE THANKS FOR YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

Dear PFC Antonio Barbosa-Villafane, 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