THE WALL OF FACES

After a couple of others refused to take point Lewis Howard Jr. drew straws to become point man. Knowing full well the potential outcome, Lewis took his position without a word.

A TRUE HERO

FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM BURIED IN THE GROUND

Dear SSGT Lewis Howard Jr, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

On July 7, 1970, SP4 Lewis Howard Jr., point man, and PFC Charles E. Beals, assistant machine gunner, were members of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry when their platoon was engaged in a fire fight in South Vietnam. Their position at that time was in Thua Thien Province, near the border of Quang Tri Province to the north. As the platoon was advancing uphill on a suspected enemy location, an unknown enemy force fired at least 3 rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) at the point element. The platoon leader saw that Howard was hit by the first round. Beals was wounded in the leg when the enemy first opened fire, however, before he could be moved to cover, he was hit by at least 3 rounds of machine gun fire in the back and the neck. Attempts to maneuver up to the point position to retrieve Beals and Howard met with heavy enemy attack, and the rest of the platoon were forced to withdraw, leaving the two men behind. After 6 hours, the enemy was still firing machine gun and rifle fire over the area. The intense enemy fire made any further attempts to recover Beals and Howard impossible, and the platoon withdrew from the area. Beals was thought to be dead because of the number of rounds that hit him. He was classified Killed in Action, Body Not Recovered. The extent of Howard's wounds were unknown, and he was classified Missing In Action. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam :

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-laden bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

"An God said who shall we send.I answered I am here,send me."

Isaiah 6:8