THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Operation Benton was a military action conducted by the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in Quang Tin Province, RVN, between August 13-29, 1967. U.S. intelligence placed the North Vietnamese Army’s 21st Regiment in Base Area 117, west of Chu Lai where it was believed to be protecting elements of the NVA’s 368th Artillery Regiment which was readying for rocket attacks on nearby Allied bases. On the first day of the operation, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, was sent to reconnoiter the Base Area when it was attacked by a NVA force while in its night defensive position. The numerically superior enemy mounted a full-scale attack with mortars, rockets, grenades, automatic and small arms fire. Company B returned fire with unit weapons and called for artillery support. While attempting to maneuver, the company was met by intense enemy fire. The Americans consolidated their position and requested USAF C-47 “Spooky” gunship assistance. The enemy pressed the attack, and at 11:50 PM, they again employed mortars, rockets, and grenades as two of its companies attacked the perimeter. B Company fought back with Spooky and helicopter gunships support. The NVA broke contact at 1:55 AM and withdrew, leaving thirty-five (confirmed) dead. U.S. losses were three killed: CPL Danny L. Ingles, SGT Alexander Jackson, and SGT Johnnie H. Patterson. More than a dozen were wounded, including 2LT Thomas Petramalo, who died August 21st of fragmentation wounds from an enemy rocket; and SP4 Ronnie D. Beets, who suffered a serious spine injury. Paralyzed from the waist down, he was medically evacuated to Camp Zama in Japan, and later to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Beets also received treatment at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Long Beach, CA, for his spinal cord injuries. He was medically retired from the Army in 1970. Beets and his wife adopted two children in 1969 and resided in Oklahoma City while attending the University of Oklahoma. The family moved to Odessa, TX in 1971 where Beets attended Odessa College. He died from complications of his wounds at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa on October 26, 1972. His name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in 1986. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, veteransmemorial.us, and SP4 Beet’s Silver Star citation]

Dear Sgt Alexander Jackson, Thank you for your service an Airborne Qualified Infantry Direct Fire Crewman. Your 52nd anniversary just passed, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you Sergeant Jackson for your leadership and courage.