THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died just nine days after your 21st birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Cpl Charles Johnson, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It's the last day of summer. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Would love to hear from anyone who knew my brother. He was killed on Feb 28 1966. He was with the 2nd Battalion 1st Marine company F, G, or K based at Phu Bai Airfield in Thua Thien Province. Thank You.

Charles was the 4th born of seven children of a close knit family. He was always dedicated to whatever task he undertook and did it well. He was wounded once in the war and could have stayed in the States but chose to go back to help his comrades. He said The Job is not finished.We are proud of his sacrifice but miss him so much even now.

At the beginning of 1966, LTC Robert T. Hanflin Jr. was the commander of 2nd Battalion (Reinforced), 1st Marines based at Phu Bai Airfield in Thua Thien Province. On February 27, 1966, he received a call for assistance from General Chuan, senior officer of 1st Battalion, 3rd ARVN Regiment. Chuan’s forces, plus a small group of Popular Force and Regional Force Troops, had engaged the 810th Viet Cong Battalion on the supposedly pacified nearby Phu Thu Peninsula. At 2100 hours, Hanflin ordered a night helicopter landing to relieve pressure on the South Vietnamese Battalion. HMM-163 landed three infantry companies of Task Force Hotel into landing zones just north of the peninsula. The following day, supported by the Marine artillery at Phu Bai, Companies F, G, and K advanced abreast toward the southeast. The South Vietnamese provided a blocking force while the Marine companies made a frontal assault against the well-prepared Viet Cong defenses. After bitter fighting, the VC broke contact and withdraw in small disorganized groups. The Marines continued the cleanup phase of the operation, meeting occasional enemy resistance, until March 3rd. The one-week Task Unit Hotel operation, also called New York, killed 120 of the enemy, captured 7 more, and seized 69 weapons. The Marines suffered casualties of 17 dead and 37 wounded. The 17 men were PFC Roger D. Bulifant, CPL Henry C. Casebolt, PFC Warren L. Christensen, LCPL William P. Foran, PFC William A. Fuchs, CPL Charles Johnson, PFC James B. Laird, LCPL Larry E. MacDonald, SSGT Edward J. McCarthy, LCPL Andy McGuire, LCPL Mark L. Morgan, PFC Miguel E. Naranjo, PFC Richard F. Nugent, LCPL Arthur C. Pederson, PFC Darrell T. Ray, PFC Jose Torres, and PFC James R. McLemore. [Taken from virtualwall.org and “U.S. Marines In Vietnam: An Expanding War 1966.” marines.mil]