THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Uncle Johnny,
Today on Memorial day and always, I thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. I grew up listening to stories about you and how much my mom and my aunts adored you. I wish I could have had the chance to meet you but thank you for your service.

On the 53rd Anniversary of your death, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Dear Psgt John Holstein, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Yesterday was Independence Day, and there is no better time to honor you. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.

PFC Lueco Allen Jr. and PSG John L. Holstein were infantrymen, and PFC “Doc” Richard E. Sipes a Medical Corpsman, all three serving with C Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On December 29, 1966, they were on a combat operation with their unit when they were ambushed by a hostile force near Bong Son, RVN. The following is a personal account of the incident by Doug Steiner, one of C Company’s radiomen: “It was a good day as I remember. We had chow flown in the night before. The Cav did that a lot. That probably led to part of our problem that day. Charlie knew right where we were. The second platoon was the point platoon and I was RTO (radio telephone operator) for LT Paterson. PFC Allen was point man. He must have spotted the ambush because he opened up and was hit immediately. It’s hard to remember exactly the chain of events when the radio starts going crazy. I believe that PSG Holstein went forward and was killed. Medical corpsman Doc Sipes the Medic went up to see what he could do and was killed. The fire was coming from across the rice paddies. This all happened within minutes. We had ARA (aerial rocket artillery) choppers on the scene within minutes. We were returning fire across the paddies and I was on the radio. I don’t remember if it was to the captain or the gun ships. We started chewing up the tree line. That was when I got hit in the shoulder. We also had several wounded who went out on medevac. I went out on the last ship with my friend Doc Sipes and the other KIAs. It was a terrible thing to see those three men dead and know that I was the lucky one who made it. I later found out that LT Paterson was also hit. I spent a month in and out of the hospital and light duty. That is how I remember that day. It was the last time that I got real close to anyone during my tour. With respect for those who gave all.” [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Doug Steiner at 12thcav.us]