THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sgt John Juarez, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Halloween is this week. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Sgt John Juarez was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (Merit) and the Purple Heart. Ref. Coffelt Database.

Operation Coronado was a series of eleven operations conducted by the American Mobile Riverine Force in conjunction with various units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) in the waterways of the Mekong Delta in the south of the country in an attempt to dismantle guerrilla forces and the infrastructure of the Viet Cong there which had been a communist stronghold. Phased Operation Coronado IX was conducted in western Dinh Tuong and eastern Kien Phong Provinces during the period December 4-6, 1967. During the operation, River Assault Divisions 111 (RAD-111) escorted armored troops carriers transporting Vietnamese Marine personnel to the operations area to provide them with close fire support and to perform blocking operations to prevent the enemy's escape. They were immediately ambushed with automatic weapons and rockets shortly after they entered the Rach Ruong Canal near the Mekong River. Meanwhile, RAD 111 with the U. S. 3/47th Infantry Battalion embarked was also taken under fire from the same ambush position. The Americans fought their way through the ambush site, proceeding up stream where the boats turned into the western bank just north of the Viet Cong positions. The U. S. Army troops then conducted a successful counter-attack against the fiercely-resisting insurgents. Throughout the day-long battle, RADs 111 and 112 supported the ground maneuvers from the waterways by providing gunfire support and waterborne blocking stations to prevent the Viet Cong from exfiltrating from the objective area. As a result of the first day of operations, the enemy casualties amounted to 234 killed with eight Viet Cong prisoners and 42 weapons captured. The Vietnamese Marines accounted for the majority of the enemy casualties and also suffered the heaviest losses with 40 killed and 103 wounded in action. Two U. S, Navy sailors were killed and 68 Navymen were wounded in the battle, while U, S. Army casualties consisted of nine soldiers killed and 89 wounded. The nine lost 3/47th soldiers included PFC Donald R. Cote, SGT John Juarez, SGT Donald W. Miller, PFC William F. Moseley, MSG William I. Pollard, PFC Richard A. Russ, PFC Charles G. Schnegg, SP4 Alvester L. Winston, and Bryant H. Young Jr. Cote, Schnegg, and Young were posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Winston was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and U. S. Naval Forces, Vietnam Monthly Historical Supplement, December 1967]

Happy vetrans day richard. This year marks 50 years youve been gone. We think about you all the time and keep your memory alive like mom wanted. You would be very happy to hear that your good buddy bob, who served with you, got a hold of us this year. We stay in touch with each other. Bob talks real highly of you. He also told us stories about you, he said you were mucho machismo. He misses you alot too. We miss you so much and are very proud of your accomplishments while serving in our country.

John was my good friend from the May, 1966 when I met him at Ft. Riley, KS. We served in Vietnam together until October, 1967. Only this year did I find out that he did not make it. Even 50 years later, I am heartbroken and can't get him out of my mind. To all his friends and relatives I offer my condolences and best wishes. He was great guy.