THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age. I am 73 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

Semper Fi, Marine.

Dear PFC Dennis Kipp, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Your 69th birthday just passed, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 4th Day of Christmas, Merry Christmas. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On the evening of October 20, 1969, Third Platoon form Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, were in a night ambush position four miles northeast of Dai Loc in Quang Nam Province, RVN. At approximately 9:25 PM, while checking the positions in the ambush site, one of the Marines tripped a SFD (surprise firing device, i.e. booby-trap). Three Marines were killed in the blast and another eight were wounded, two critically. The lost Marines were CPL Stephen H. Allison, PFC Dennis W. Kipp, and LCPL Joe N. Watson. It was reported that the SFD was three 105mm artillery “firecracker” rounds wired together in a daisy chain. All casualties were medivacked. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]