THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Operation Makaha (April 11–16, 1966) was a 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division search and destroy operation astride National Highway QL-1 northwest of Cu Chi in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. The entire operational area comprised rice paddies, clear forest, and numerous hamlets with hedgerows separating the homes. The task force included two infantry battalions reinforced with an armor company and cavalry troop. This force was constantly harassed by sniper fire, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, and booby traps. Late in the afternoon of the second day of Makaha, small arms fire was directed at the task force from one of the villages. Artillery fire was placed on the enemy positions. During the shelling, the battalion S-3 operations officer, CPT Edmund H. Hornstein, jumped in the back of a M37 ¾-ton pickup and carried closer to the action. When he dismounted the vehicle, he detonated a mine. Hornstein was killed instantly. Several days later, he was remembered during a battalion-level memorial service attended by Lieutenant General Frederick C. Weyand. Hornstein was posthumously promoted to Major. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vvmf.org, thewall-usa.com, and “Combat After Action Report – Operation Makaha” at ttu.edu]

Dear Major Edmund Hornstein, Thank you for your service as an Operations & Training Staff Officer. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Just reading a 1967 Saturday Evening Post article about you. Peace to you.

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 Edmund.