THE WALL OF FACES

First Lieutenant Peter Lino Barili, Served with the Reconnaissance Platoon, Company E, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

1st Lt. Peter Lino Barili was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his gallantry in action. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Merit for his sustained meritorious service. He served as an Infantry Unit Commander and was assigned to the RECON PLT, E CO, 4TH BN, 21ST INFANTRY, 11TH INFANTRY BDE, AMERICAL DIV.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php

Thank you for your service to or country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Leon Adler is especially moving. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

In 1970, Pete and I were killing a bottle of bourbon, when I answered the Augsburg BOQ phone. The caller asked for Pete and passed on the information that a grenade had exploded in his unit mess hall at Hoenfels, FRG. They wanted us to check the security of the basic load at the ammo dump. Pete and I drove to the ammo dump and confirmed that the basic loads were undisturbed. He left for RVN the next day. It was the last time I saw him although he was engaged to one my future wife's best friends. He was one of my closest friends in Augsburg.

I served as a squad leader and point man for LT Berili for about 4 months until his death in 1971. Infantry combat is a near impossible place for a man to retain his decency, compassion and honor. Yet Berili managed to do so gracefully. Best LT I ever knew.