THE WALL OF FACES

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

CPL Harry T. Walton Jr., SP4 Calvin D. Gunther, and SP4 Mason A. Keith were crewman on a M42 “Duster,” a twin 40mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that was primarily used by U.S. forces in Vietnam in a ground defense role. The three served with B Battery, 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery, 41st Artillery Group. In late June 1971, their unit was helping guard Tan Canh Base Camp, a former U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase northwest of Kon Tum in the Central Highlands near the Laotian border. Walton, Gunther, and Keith shared in the responsibility for perimeter defense, and on the 29th they came together in one of the guard towers on base to perform this task. Another thing the three men shared was a drug habit, and while on guard duty they smoked heroin. This was not unusual as the use of heroin by American troops in Vietnam had reached epidemic proportions in 1971. Reportedly, one of the soldiers told Keith he could not go back to the U.S. because he had a virulent case of VD. Keith allegedly used his M16 rifle to kill the others, emptied a belt of ammo from the M60 machine gun located on the guard tower, firing over the firebase, then emptied the remainder of the clip in his M16 on his groin area, bleeding out almost immediately. After the casualties were brought down from the tower, they were flown to the 14th Medical Detachment at Pleiku. An Army CID unit came out to the remote firebase and conducted an investigation, interviewing several persons. No memorial service was held for the lost crewmembers, and the episode was soon quietly forgotten. A local paper in Walton’s hometown reported that his death occurred while guarding POW’s when another GI went berserk, killing Walton and the prisoners, then himself. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Gene Bolling (March 2020); also “G.I. Heroin Addiction Epidemic in Vietnam.” The New York Times, May 16, 1971; and “Local Man Murdered In Vietnam.” Herald Leader (Lexington, KY), July 4, 1971]

Dear PFC Mason Keith, Thank you for your service as a Light Air Defense Crewmember. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Veterans’ Day. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear PFC Mason Alan Keith, 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

Private First Class, Mason Alan Keith, Served with Battery B, 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery Regiment, 41st Artillery Group, First Field Force. Montani Semper Liberi !