THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow marines. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

We honor you Sheldon as our hero! The reunion committee for our class and our school! The wall came to Blackfoot, Idaho. We pay respect to you and fellow classmates that served in Viet Nam!

My sisters and I went to high school with Sheldon. He was a fantastic wrestler and a great friend. He would come to our home and just hang out. I can remember him coming to the house when he was on leave, from Viet Nam and he looked pretty tough. He was a great young man, one that was not afraid to do what it took to protect his friends. He gave his life for the men in his platoon, while taking over the machine gun because one of his men had been wounded. He died in October just two months before he was to come home. Every year on Memorial Day we put flowers on his grave, thanking him for the service he did for his country.

Dear Cpl Sheldon Hoskins, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Sheldon D. Hoskins (MCSN: 2261445), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 7 October 1968, during Operation MAUI PEAK, Company G was occupying a defensive position on a hill near Ha Nha Hamlet in Quang Nam Province when a sector of the perimeter was assaulted by a large North Vietnamese Army force utilizing automatic weapons and hand grenades. During the initial moments of the fierce attack, every Marine in one of the forward machine gun emplacements was seriously wounded and the friendly perimeter was in danger of being penetrated by the enemy. Completely disregarding his own safety, Corporal Hoskins unhesitatingly left his covered position and maneuvered across twenty meters of fire-swept terrain to the silent machine gun. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he fearlessly commenced directing a heavy volume of fire against the North Vietnamese soldiers who had advanced to the edge of the perimeter. Continuing his determined efforts, he resolutely expended his ammunition against the hostile force and was reloading his weapon when he was mortally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit repulsing the enemy assault. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Hoskins upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: October 7, 1968

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

Company: Company G

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Regiment: 5th Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF