THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Private First Class Lewis Albert Kimmel, Jr. was the son of TSGT Lewis A. Kimmel Sr. USAF stationed at Than Son Nhut AFB Air Force Base in Saigon, Vietnam and Pearl E. Kimmel of Camarillo, CA. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on February 15, 1963 in Port Hueneme, CA. PFC Kimmel was a Marine Rifleman, age 21, born May 23, 1944, from Camarillo, CA. PFC Kimmel arrived in Vietnam with Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), III MAF, FMFPac. On March 4, Operation UTAH was launched under the command of Task Force Delta in the Son Thinh District of Quang Ngai Province where the Marines would encounter elements of the 21st NVA Regiment. On D-day 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines conducted a helicopter assault near the Chau Ngai complex of villages and was heavily engaged with a regiment of NVA regulars near Hill 50 and Hill 35. Elements of F Company and H Company were overrun but were able to recover and consolidate to a night position near Chau Ngai 4. By the end of D-Day, 2/7 counted 94 enemy KIA and estimated 63 WIA. Friendly losses were 44 KIA and 84 WIA. An additional 20+ persons received minor wounds and were not evacuated. The next day, 5 March, the battle moved to the North and 2/7 cleaned up the battlefields from the day before, recovering the dead, and clearing out caves and bunkers. On March 4, 1966, PFC Kimmel was killed in action dying outright from enemy small arms fire. PFC Kimmel is interred at Ivy Lawn Cemetery - Ventura, California and is
honored on the Vietnam Memorial on Panel 05E, Line 105.

Dear PFC Lewis Kimmel, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent, and almost Christmas. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear PFC Lewis Albert Kimmel Jr, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter