THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

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

Semper Fi, Marine.

Dear Lcpl Gene Killgore, Thank you for your service as a Machine Gunner. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent, and we are beginning our preparations. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

At 7:45 AM on January 30, 1968, a Marine platoon from G Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, was ambushed by approximately two companies or a reinforced company from the 31st North Vietnamese Army Regiment just below the Tuy Loan and Cau Do Rivers near the eastern bank of the Yen River in Quang Nam Province, RVN. G Company was conducting a search and destroy mission, patrolling along the banks of the Yen, when a heavy machine gun suddenly opened up on the point fire team. Firing from well-concealed and dug-in firing positions, the enemy machine gunners and infantry took a heavy toll on the Marines. With the enemy too close to call in artillery or fixed-wing air support, the Marines radioed for reinforcements. A second platoon from Company G arrived at the site and attempted to maneuver the NVA flank. The enemy then attacked, forcing the Marine platoons to fall back to more defensive positions. By 11:00 AM, Marine helicopters evacuated the most seriously wounded and brought in the rest of Company G into blocking positions on the western bank of the Yen. The Marines then counterattacked, supported by artillery and Marine gunships and fixed-wing aircraft. The North Vietnamese fought a delaying action as they began to withdraw. Later that afternoon, the 1st Marine Division heli-lifted a “Bald Eagle” reaction force from Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, east of the river in an attempt to close the circle around the NVA. Linking up, the two companies, under artillery and air cover, continued their advance until forced to halt because of darkness and then took up night defensive positions. The next morning, a sweep of the battle area by E Company, 2/3, and G Company, 2/3, revealed approximately 23 recently prepared fighting holes. Only two enemy bodies were recovered. However, there were multiple blood pools, blood trails, and drag marks. Assorted enemy gear left behind was collected. The area showed that U.S. artillery and air strikes had excellent coverage of target. Twelve Marines were lost in the engagement. They included LCPL Clifford R. Bennett, PFC Howard R. Bisjak, PFC Gary R. Carpenter, PFC Richard K. Drake Jr., PFC Cleveland Holmes, PFC Steven C. Odom, PFC Monte G. Pitner, PFC William J. Powers, PFC Kenneth A. Spilker, PFC Charles T. Tate Jr., and PFC Ronald E. Thompson. LCPL Gene D. Killgore died February 10, 1968, at the USAF Hospital in Tachikawa, Japan, where he had been evacuated for treatment of his injuries. One Marine listed as missing was recovered, and there was no loss of weapons or gear for any of the U.S. killed in action. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Defining Year 1968,” and Command Chronology [7th Marines], January 1968]

Gene, you and my dad are reunited in heaven, 48 years later. He thought of you every single day for the rest of his life. I know you are together with him, resting in peace rather than fighting in war.

I will continue to honor your memory and sacrifice, as my dad instilled in me.