THE WALL OF FACES

LZ Baldy (Hill 63) was a fire support base located alongside National Route QL-1 at its intersection with Route 535 in Quang Nam Province, RVN. Originally built as an Americal Division firebase, it became the Regimental Headquarters for the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in August 1969. Security for Baldy was rotated between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 7th Marines. Significant actions frequently occurred close to LZ Baldy. In a single day, June 26, 1970, the 1st Battalion had five men killed in supposedly routine patrols and ambushes. One died in a grenade explosion while wrestling with an enemy he was trying to capture; three more were lost in a grenade and machine gun attack on their squad's night position; and another was killed when enemy sappers made a grenade attack on a platoon command post. The lost personnel included Marines PFC Clarence Gober Jr., PFC Michael T. Guzzetti Jr., CPL Forest G. Highland Jr., and CPL Otis R. Jones (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for valor); and Navy corpsman HN Frederick E. Hughens. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971” by Cosmas and Murray]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your high school classmate Patricia Stewart is poignant and reflects her admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

On the remembrance of your 71st birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Doc.

Dear HN Frederick Hughens, Thank you for your service as a a Hospitalman with the 1st Marine Division. Semper Fi. Thank you for the lives you saved. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you Doc Hughens for your courage and for your devotion to your Marines.